Osteoporosis, or weak and brittle bones, is a potentially dangerous disorder that can lead to spine and hip fractures, especially in the elderly. Hormonal factors and certain lifestyle practices can contribute to osteoporosis. Mayo Clinic cites low estrogen levels in postmenopausal women, insufficient calcium, tobacco use, lack of weight-bearing exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, and certain medications as contributors to weak bones and osteoporosis. Drugs are available to slow or prevent bone loss, but they can have severe side effects. Herbs offer a safer alternative treatment for osteoporosis.
Pagoda Tree
The pagoda tree---Styphnolobium japonicum---formerly Sophora japonica, is a small deciduous tree native to China. It is also known as huaijiao and is popular in traditional Chinese medicine. Pagoda trees contain genistein, a plant hormone that interacts with estrogen receptors in the body to produce effects similar to the natural hormone estrogen. Plants with genistein are effective in relieving many postmenopausal symptoms, including osteoporosis. A study in the November 2006 issue of Phytomedicine found that the genistein in pagoda trees could prevent osteoporosis and was as effective as soybean genistein.
Wedelia
Wedelia---Wedelia calendulacea---also known as pila bhangra in Indian ayurvedic medicine, is a perennial plant with bright yellow flowers. The principal active ingredients in wedelia are isoflavones and wedelolactone, which have estrogenic actions. A study published in the January 2006 issue of Phytomedicine found that the phytoestrogens in wedelia have a protective effect on bone density. The researchers credit these phytoestrogens with increasing bone strength and formation, and reducing bone loss.
Veld Grape
Veld grape---Cissus quadrangularis---also known as asthisamharaka, is an Indian ayurvedic herbal vine from the grape family used traditionally to heal bones. Research reported in the December 2003 issue of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that the steroids in veld grape act as phytoestrogens to prevent bone loss. They also stimulate metabolism and increase the absorption of bone-building minerals like calcium.
Yunnan Yew
Yunnan yew---Taxus yunnanensis---is a small conifer native to the Yunnan province of China. The bark of the Yunnan yew contains the anti-cancer alkaloid taxol, which is used to treat cancer, but the bark is also useful for treating symptoms related to osteoporosis. A study published in the January 2006 issue of Phytomedicine found that an extract of Yunnan yew bark, which contains a potent phytoestrogen known as isotaxiresinol, prevented bone loss and strengthened bone mass in test animals.
References
- Mayo Clinic
- PubMed.gov: Phytomedicine: Pharmacological Studies of the Large-Scaled Purified Genistein From Huaijiao (Sophora Japonica-Leguminosae) on Anti-Osteoporosis
- PubMed.gov: Phytomedicine: Activity of Wedelia Calendulacea Less. in Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis
- PubMed.gov: Journal of Ethnopharmacology: Antiosteoporotic Effect of Ethanol Extract of Cissus Quadrangularis Linn. on Ovariectomized Rat
- PubMed.gov: Phytomedicine: In Vivo Anti-Osteoporotic Activity of Isotaxiresinol, a Lignan From Wood of Taxus Yunnanensis
