Monthly Archives: August 2021

Cortisol and The Metabolic Syndrome

Posted on August 31, 2021 by Robert Barrington

The metabolic syndrome is a complex disorder characterised by insulin resistance. A number of physical and mental changes are known to occur with development of the disorder including obesity, mood depression, lethargy, cardiovascular deterioration and overeating. One association that has … Continue reading →

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Magnolia and Phellodendron: Anti-Stress Herbs

Posted on August 30, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Magnolia (Magnolia officinalis) bark contains an active ingredient called honokiol which may possess anxiolytic effects. Phellodendron (Phellodendron amurense) bark contains another phytochemical called berberine that may also possess anxiolytic effects. Researchers have investigated the effects of magnolia and phellodendron for … Continue reading →

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Metabolic Syndrome and Mood

Posted on August 30, 2021 by Robert Barrington

The metabolic syndrome is a condition characterised by insulin resistance. The insulin resistance associated with the metabolic syndrome can cause significant changes in the body because the hormone insulin can affect most cells. Evidence suggests that insulin resistance is associated … Continue reading →

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Energy Content of Dietary Fibre

Posted on August 26, 2021 by Robert Barrington

In nutrition, fibre is often considered as a non-digestible component of food. It is true that humans lack the cellulase enzyme necessary to digest fibre, but so do ruminants such as cows, sheep and goats. These animals can however digest … Continue reading →

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Baicalin: Antidepressant Phytochemical?

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Baicalin is the main flavonoid in the skullcap plant (Scutellaria baicalensis). Evidence suggests that baicalin, like many flavonoids, has particular antidepressant effects. Animal models of depression, that involve stress testing the animals and monitoring their behaviour, show that baicalin has … Continue reading →

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American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) As an Anxiolytic

Posted on August 24, 2021 by Robert Barrington

American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a herb with a traditional medicinal use. American skullcap belongs to the mint or Laminacaea family of plants and is native to North America, Canada and parts of Iran. Research suggests that flavonoid phytochemicals within … Continue reading →

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Mint: The Ultimate Garden Plant?

Posted on August 23, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Mint plants are a group of flowering plants that belong to the Mentha genus within the Lamiaceae family. Mint plants are characterised by their distinctive smell and taste, which is often used to flavour sweets and candies. Mentha spicata is … Continue reading →

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Bryonia alba: Medicinal herb?

Posted on August 20, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Bryonia alba is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the Curcitacaea or gaud family of plants. Common names for the plant include false mandrake, English mandrake, wild hep, tetterberry, white bryony and wild hop. The plant is native to Iran … Continue reading →

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Antioxidants in Lettuce

Posted on August 19, 2021 by Robert Barrington

Lettuce is an important vegetable for the luxury market where low energy intake where low energy foods are desired. Lettuce has a high water content and is devoid of any real calorific value. However, many varieties of lettuce do have … Continue reading →

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Antimicrobial Effects of Plant Phenols

Posted on August 18, 2021 by Robert Barrington

One group of phytochemicals in plants, the polyphenols, have been shown to benefit health in a number of ways. The antimicrobial effects of polyphenols are widely reported and many polyphenols in plants are able to inhibit the growth of a … Continue reading →

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