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Rehmannia

RehmanniaRehmannia glutinosa is often described as a mystery herb in the west. It is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is also used in South-East Asia. However, very little is known about it in the west. Nonetheless, in recent years, researchers have started studying Rehmannia using modern scientific methods. Studies show that Rehmannia contains more than 70 bioactive compounds like iridoids, amino acids, saccharides, and many more. Rehmannia can influence working or immunity, the heart, kidneys, and other organs.1

Health Benefits of Rehmannia

Below are some of the well-known benefits of Rehmannia:

  • Anaemia

    Rehmannia is commonly used to treat anaemia in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is not an extract that is rich in iron or vitamins. Instead, Rehmannia appears to improve the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. It means that it may help even in very complex cases of anaemia. Thus, in one of the studies, researchers found that it could help with aplastic anaemia caused by the toxic effect of medications (like the effects due to chemotherapy). Similarly, it may also help in diseases characterised by malformation of red blood cells, like in sickle cell anaemia.2,3

  • Improves Bone Health

    Rehmannia may have a role in treating osteoporosis, age-related decline in bone health and even may help prevent joint disorders. Studies show that Rehmannia may stimulate the formation of osteoclasts. Rehmannia may also be suitable for managing osteoporosis in menopausal women.4

  • Anti-Diabetic

    Experimental studies show that Rehmannia may exert a blood glucose lowering effect. It appears to increase insulin levels. Further, it also has some role in preventing diabetes related complications.5

  • Boost Immunity

    Seasonal infections are emerging as a considerable health threat. These infections are often caused by microbes that mutate frequently and can resist antimicrobial therapy. Therefore, the best option remains in boosting immunity. Studies show that Rehmannia may have immune enhancing activity.6

  • Allergies

    Experimental studies show that Rehmannia may help reduce IgE production and thus may have a role in managing seasonal allergies. Rehmannia also appears to minimise histamine release.7

  • Neuroprotective and Antiaging

    Rehmannia is frequently used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as an anti-aging herb. Modern studies show that one of its compounds, catalpol, may help improve brain metabolism and suppress oxidative stress. Thus, it may help normalise energy disturbances in the brain. Rehmannia may also have a role in preventing diseases like dementia.8

  • Anti-Inflammatory

    Studies show that Rehmannia may suppress early inflammatory response by inhibiting TNF-alpha and IL-1. Thus, Rehmannia may have a role both in preventing inflammation and reducing the inflammatory response.9 In addition, Rehmannia may be especially good for preventing low-grade systemic inflammation found in chronic disorders like diabetes. Thus, Rehmannia may help prevent cardiovascular ailments, too.10

  • Anti-Cancer

    Experimental studies show that Rehmannia has anti-cancer properties. In one experiment, Rehmannia could suppress the growth of tumour cells in the lungs. Therefore, Rehmannia may have a role in preventing cancer. Its anti-cancer effect is due to its polysaccharide content, which stimulates natural killer cells.11

Side Effects of Rehmannia

Rehmannia seems to be quite a safe supplement and does not cause any severe side effects. However, there are no safety studies done in the west. It may be suitable for 8 to 12 weeks of use. However, it is suggested to show caution when using it for longer periods.

Properties

  • Allergies7,8
  • Anaemia2,3
  • Anti-Aging4,8
  • Anti-Inflammatory9,10
  • Anti-Stress8
  • Antimicrobial9
  • Antioxidant1,9
  • Blood Tonic1,8
  • Bone Strengthening4
  • Brain Function / Neuroprotective8
  • Cancer Prevention11
  • Cardiovascular Support10
  • Dementia Prevention8
  • Diabetes / Blood Sugar5
  • Fatigue1
  • Heart Support / Health5,9
  • High/Good Levels of Iron2,3
  • Immune Booster6
  • Kidney Support10
  • Osteoporosis4

References:

  1. Zhang R-X, Li M-X, Jia Z-P. Rehmannia glutinosa: Review of botany, chemistry and pharmacology. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008;117(2):199-214. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.02.018
  2. Lin A-S, Qian K, Usami Y, et al. 5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furfural, a clinical trials agent for sickle cell anemia, and its mono/di-glucosides from classically processed steamed Rehmanniae Radix. J Nat Med. 2008;62(2):164-167. doi:10.1007/s11418-007-0206-z
  3. Yuan A, Liu C, Huang X. [Treatment of 34 cases of chronic aplastic anemia using prepared Rehmannia polysaccharide associated with stanozolol]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi Jiehe Zazhi Chin J Integr Tradit West Med. 1998;18(6):351-353.
  4. Oh K-O, Kim S-W, Kim J-Y, et al. Effect of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch extracts on bone metabolism. Clin Chim Acta. 2003;334(1):185-195. doi:10.1016/S0009-8981(03)00238-9
  5. Zhang R, Zhou J, Jia Z, Zhang Y, Gu G. Hypoglycemic effect of Rehmannia glutinosa oligosaccharide in hyperglycemic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats and its mechanism. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004;90(1):39-43. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2003.09.018
  6. Huang Y, Jiang C, Hu Y, et al. Immunoenhancement effect of rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharide on lymphocyte proliferation and dendritic cell. Carbohydr Polym. 2013;96(2):516-521. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.04.018
  7. Kim H, Lee E, Lee S, Shin T, Kim Y, Kim J. Effect of Rehmannia glutinosa on immediate type allergic reaction. Int J Immunopharmacol. 1998;20(4):231-240. doi:10.1016/S0192-0561(98)00037-X
  8. Zhang X, Zhang A, Jiang B, Bao Y, Wang J, An L. Further pharmacological evidence of the neuroprotective effect of catalpol from Rehmannia glutinosa. Phytomedicine. 2008;15(6):484-490. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2008.01.001
  9. Kim H-M, An C-S, Jung K-Y, Choo Y-K, Park J-K, Nam S-Y. REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA INHIBITS TUMOUR NECROSIS FACTOR-α AND INTERLEUKIN-1 SECRETION FROM MOUSE ASTROCYTES. Pharmacol Res. 1999;40(2):171-176. doi:10.1006/phrs.1999.0504
  10. Baek G-H, Jang Y-S, Jeong S-I, et al. Rehmannia glutinosa Suppresses Inflammatory Responses Elicited by Advanced Glycation End Products. Inflammation. 2012;35(4):1232-1241. doi:10.1007/s10753-012-9433-x
  11. Xu L, Zhang W, Zeng L, Jin J-O. Rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharide induced an anti-cancer effect by activating natural killer cells. Int J Biol Macromol. 2017;105:680-685. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.07.090