Yerba santa, a medicinal herb native to California, reduces swelling in the brain and could successfully treat Alzheimer’s

( Natural News ) Alzheimer’s disease is so frightening because we know so little about it and have yet to find an effective cure. This makes it hard to prevent – although herbs like turmeric and the antioxidants in blueberries show promise – and even harder to accept when you or a loved one are diagnosed with it. Now, some new hope is emerging in the form of a medicinal herb found in California . The herb, yerba santa, is known as “holy herb” in Spanish, and its effects could indeed prove to be divine as scientists are learning about its ability to reduce swelling in the brain and potentially treat Alzheimer’s disease. It has long been used medicinally by native Californian tribes, who brewed a tea using its leaves to address headaches, fevers, and respiratory problems; they also use it as a poultice for sore muscles, wounds and rheumatism. Researchers from the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California, recently revealed the strong neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of the plant in a study that was published in the Redox Biology journal. They looked into the plant in hopes for finding ways to counter the effects of aging on the brain as Alzheimer’s disease has become the top cause of death in the U.S. They used a screening technique taken from drug discovery to look at 400 different plant extracts known to have pharmacological properties. In their study, a molecule known as sterubin, which is the active component of yerba santa, was tested on nerve cells in mice, along with other plant extracts. The researchers discovered that sterubin has a strong anti-inflammatory effect on the brain cells known as microglia, which are known to play a key role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Mother Nature’s micronutrient secret : Organic […]

Click here to view full article