Center Research and Plants
The UIC Botanical Research Center and the Properties of Botanicals that Women Take to Promote Good Health and Resilience Heading link
Today’s emphasis on health maintenance and resilience is reflected in the increased use of botanical dietary supplements (BDS). Women – especially those over 55 years of age – are the largest consumer group taking botanical dietary supplements.
The ability of women to manage, e.g., menopausal symptoms while maintaining an active lifestyle without the use of prescription hormone therapy is an appealing message, which many women consumers of botanical dietary supplements respond to enthusiastically.
In recognition of this trend, the UIC Botanical Research Center investigators are committed to determining whether the botanical dietary supplements regularly consumed by women are safe and effective, and to what degree their health claims are substantiated.
Investigated Botanicals Heading link
UIC Botanical Center Plants (Latin Name) | Common Name | Plant Part |
---|---|---|
Actaea racemosa | Black Cohosh | root/rhizome |
Angelica sinensis | Dang Gui (aka Dong Quai) | Root |
Dioscorea villosa | Wild yam | Root |
Glycyrrhiza glabra L., G. uralensis, G. inflata | Licorice | Rhizome |
Humulus lupulus | Hops | Strobuli |
Lepidium meyenii | Maca | Root, tuber |
Pueraria mirifica | Kwao Keur | Root |
Rhodiola rosea | Rose root | Root |
Silybum marianum | Milk thistle | Seed |
Schisandra chinensis | Five flower berry | Fruit |
Trifolium pratense | Red clover | Aerial |
Valeriana officinalis | Valerian | Root |
Vitex agnus-castus | Chasteberry | Fruit |
examples Heading link
Examples of two familiar botanicals under current investigation are hops (Humulus lupulus) and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra).
Hops are well known for their use in the beer-making process, as they add flavor and color and act as a preservative. Hops have also been used traditionally as a sleep aid and anti-anxiety medicine. The UIC Botanical Center is studying its application to the alleviation of symptoms such as hot flushes associated with menopause and testing hops for their cytoprotective properties.
Licorice is familiar to many as the candy or sweetener derived from the roots of this plant. However licorice was also traditionally used for coating/moisturizing tissue, such as the throat, and for healing gastric ulcers. Current Center research focuses on the estrogenic and related hormonal properties of licorice as well as its resiliency enhancing properties.