Ríza™ Biomedical & TCM Details

Women’s Health | Riza™ is largely comprised of herbs with a rich history in treating women’s health. Today, modern science is validating many of the actions traditionally ascribed to these herbs. Animal and other studies indicate that chasteberry, skullcap, valerian and Angelica have hormone-regulating properties (2), which may explain benefits for PMS, menstrual and menopausal symptoms.

Many of the herbs in Women’s Health have been shown to have anti-spasmodic and analgesic effects. Animal and human studies have shown that crampbark acts as an analgesic and relaxes smooth muscles, specifically those of the uterus. Peony and Angelica have also been shown to have antispasmodic effects (1, 2) and Angelica improves microcirculation in the uterine wall (2). Angelica and Bupleurum also have anti-inflammatory properties (2, 3). Chasteberry use dates back to ancient Greek times, and has been approved by the German Commission E as an effective treatment for PMS and irregularities of the menstrual cycle (1, 2). Reports show that chasteberry helps to relieve symptoms such as breast tenderness, fluid retention, headache, constipation and depression (1). 

Other herbs in Women’s Health have anxiety and mood regulating properties. Animal studies show elderberry to have better effects on depression than the TCA, imipramine (4). A systematic review of elderberry’s effects concluded that, in animal studies, elderberry fruit extract sedate the nervous system producing analgesic effects (sedation and pain relief) (5.). Many clinical studies with valerian report improvement of sleep and lower anxiety as measured by the Hamilton Anxiety scale (1).

Women’s Health also includes herbs that may improve symptoms of menopause, including anxiety and other mood disturbances, hot flashes, and bone loss. As stated above, many of the herbs appear to have gentle hormone regulating properties and many studies indicate effects on mood and mental state. Valerian (present in Women’s Health at a small percentage), in particular, is renowned for its tranquilizing and sedative properties and has been used as a sleep aid for centuries. Current evidence suggests it may also be effective for night sweats. In a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trail, 8 weeks of valerian use resulted in a significant reduction in hot flash frequency and intensity (2). Laboratory studies have shown that skullcap inhibited the production of inflammatory chemicals and prevented destruction of cartilage in animals with osteoarthritis (6.). Another animal study, indicated that skullcap had a positive impact on bone mass (7). Together, these studies suggest that skullcap may be beneficial in easing symptoms of menopause-related bone loss and deterioration.*

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine view:

Skullcap Leaf  (Scutellaria lateriflora) is cold, enters the LU, ST, GB, and LI meridians; clears Heat and dries Damp, drains Fire and detoxifies, cools the Blood and stops bleeding, clears Heat, calms the fetus, and calms ascending Liver Yang.

Crampbark, (Viburnum opulus) is not included in the Chinese Materia Medica; however its TCM functions are described as: tonifies Liver Blood, invigorates the Blood, and reducing spasms and abdominal pain.

Dang Gui (Angelica Root, Angelicae sinensis) is warm and enters the HT, LIV and SP meridians; tonifies Blood and regulates the menses, invigorates the Blood and disperses Cold, moistens the intestines and unblock bowels, reduces swelling, expels pus, generates flesh, alleviates pain, and stops cough.

Jie Gu Mu (Elderberry, Sambucus nigra) enters the LU, KI and BL meridians; releases the Exterior, clears Heat, dries Damp, tonifies Lung, expels phlegm, and promotes lactation.

Man Jing Zi (Chasteberry Vitex agnus castus) is cool and enters the BL, LIV and ST meridians; disperses Wind and clears Heat, dispels Wind-Heat in the LIV channel, clears and benefits the eyes, dries damp, expels wind and relieves pain. 

Bai Shao (White Peony Root, Paeoniae alba) is cool and enters the LIV and SP meridians; nourishes the Blood, regulates the menses, astringes Yin and adjusts Ying and Wei, Calms Liver Yang, Liver Wind, softens the liver and alleviates pain.

Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes Rhizome, Atractylodes macrocdephala) is warm and enters the SP and ST meridians; tonifies the Spleen and augments Qi, dries Damp and promotes water metabolism, stabilizes the Exterior, stops sweating, and calms the fetus.

Chai Hu (Thorowax Root, Bupleurum chinesis)  is cool and enters the GB, LIV, PC and SJ meridians; resolves Shao Yang disorder, reduces fever, spreads Liver Qi, relieves Stagnation, raises Yang Qi, disperses Wind-Heat, and resolves Phlegm.

Bo He (Field Mint, Herba menthae haplocalycis) is cool and enters LU and LIV meridians; disperses Wind-Heat, cools and clears the head and eyes, benefits the throat, vents rashes, relieves Liver Qi Stagnation, and expels turbid filth.

Xie Cao (Valerian Root, Valeriana officinalis) is warm and enters the LIV and HT meridians; induces tranquilization, stops bleeding and alleviates pain.

Chi Shao (Red Peony Root, Paeoniae rubra) is cool and enters the LIV and SP meridians; invigorates Blood, dispels Blood Stasis, relieves pain, clears Heat, cools the Blood, clears Liver Fire, relieves eye pain, and reduces swelling from sores and abscesses.

  

References:

  1. Romm, A., MD. 2010. Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health. St. Louis MO: Churchill Livingstone (Elsevier, Inc.). ISBN: 978-0-443-07277-2.
  2. Dietz, B.M., Hajirahimkhan, A., Dunlap, T.L., Bolton, J.L. 2016. Botanicals and Their Bioactive Phytochemicals for Women’s Health. Pharmacol Rev. October. 68:1026–1073. https://doi.org/10.1124/pr.115.010843.
  3. Yang, F., Dong, X., Yin, X., Wang, W., You, L., Ni, J. 2017. Radix Bupleuri: A Review of Traditional Uses, Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/7597596.
  4. Mahmoudi, M., Ebrahimzadeh, M.A., Dooshan, A., Arimi, A., Ghasemi, N., Fathiazad, F. 2014. Antidepressant activities of Sambucus ebulus and Sambucus nigra. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. Nov;18(22):3350-3. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/7847.
  5. Vlachojannis, J.E., Cameron M., Chrubasik, S., 2010. A systematic review on the sambuci fructus effect and efficacy profiles. Phytother Res. Jan;24(1):1-8. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2729.
  6. Chen, C., Zhang, C., Cai, L., Xie H., Hu, W., Wang, T., Lu, D., Chen, H. 2017. Baicalin suppresses IL-1β-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines via blocking NF-κB in human osteoarthritis chondrocytes and shows protective effect in mice osteoarthritis models. Int Immunopharmacol. Nov;52:218-226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2017.09.017.
  7. Zhang, W., Zheng, L. 2018. Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis caused by oestrogen shortage in rats.Pak J Pharm Sci. Mar;31(2). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29625937.