Hydrangea Root Powder 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Hydrangea Root Powder – 100 g ($19.99), 50 g ($12.99), 25 g ($8.99)

Benefits:
Test-tube and animal studies suggest that some hydrangea root compounds may provide medicinal benefits.
Nutrients  The hydrangea contains a variety of valuable minerals and nutrients the body needs. They are packed full of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and phosphorus. The flower is also a sound provider of flavonoids, kaempferol, and quercetin. Regular consumption of flavonoids is known to reduce the risk of some chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders.

Anti-Inflammatory   Hydrangea root is rich in a compound called coumarin. Both coumarin and its derivative skimmin may offer anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation can lead to increased levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), nitric oxide (NO), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) — all of which are known as pro-inflammatory markers (6). Animal research suggests that both coumarin and skimmin may inhibit NO production and IL-6 activation and suppress the upregulation of TNF-α and IL-1β (2, 3, 5). Additionally, in one study in mice hydrangea root extract inhibited the infiltration of inflammatory cells like macrophages and neutrophils into kidney tissue, which suggests another potential anti-inflammatory mechanism (2). Lastly, in addition to coumarin and skimmin, the extract contains loganin and sweroside, two compounds known for their anti-inflammatory activities (2). Human research is needed.

Hydrangea contains alkaloids similar to medications used to treat inflammation. Researchers believe the plant can help ease various conditions that cause inflammation, including symptoms associated with different kinds of arthritis and swelling of the kidneys. These conditions can cause pain, and the hydrangea plant may help to ease some of that pain.

Remember that molecule called skimmin? It’s a derivative of a compound called coumarin. Hydrangea root contains lots of coumarin. Both skimmin and coumarin may be able to help reduce inflammation.

Animal studies suggest that skimmin and coumarin may reduce the effects of certain pro-inflammatory markers by:

• stopping nitric oxide (NO) production
• preventing interleukin 6 (IL-6) activation (substances that trigger inflammation)
• slowing down your bod’s reaction to inflammation-causing substances

Plus, hydrangea root contains two other compounds with anti-inflammatory powers: loganin and sweroside.

These results are solely from animal studies. Human research is needed.

Antioxidant  If there are too many reactive oxygen species (ROS) in your body, oxidative stress can occur, which can lead to tissue damage and other detrimental health effects (7). Thankfully, molecules known as antioxidants protect against oxidative stress and this damage (8). Coumarins in hydrangea root have antioxidant properties. For example, a mouse study found that hydrangea extract significantly reduced oxidative stress, suggesting potent antioxidant effects (2). Similarly, another study determined that the extract significantly lowered oxidative stress markers such as NO and malondialdehyde (MDA) in mice (3).

When used in moderation, the antioxidants found in hydrangeas can reduce inflammation all over the body and give the immune system a boost to help it better fight off infections and diseases. One of these antioxidants, quercetin, can help lower blood pressure, alleviate skin irritation, and manage diabetes. Consumption of antioxidants can even defend against free radicals.

Oxidative stress happens when there’s too many reactive oxygen species (ROS) in your body. This can cause cell and tissue damage, lead to certain chronic conditions, and even speed up your body’s aging process. It also can come with other health concerns. This type of stress can be squashed by antioxidants.

Animal studies show that hydrangea root significantly reduced overall oxidative stress in mice. Another study found that the extract also lowered specific oxidative stress markers. Human research remains to be done.

Kidneys  Elevated levels of certain blood markers are associated with kidney injury. Studies in mice indicate that hydrangea extract may lower some of these markers (2, 3). For example, high levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) indicate kidney damage. Studies in animals with medically induced kidney injury found that hydrangea significantly reduced BUN levels (3, 4). See below for BUN test details.

One of these studies also observed less kidney damage in mice treated with the extract, compared with a control group (3). Another study similarly found that skimmin, an active molecule found in hydrangea, reduced BUN, blood creatinine, and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) in mice with kidney inflammation. High creatinine and UAE levels also indicate kidney dysfunction (5). Research in mice determined that the extract improved medicinally induced kidney injury by downregulating kidney inflammation and cell death, although the effect was only observed in cases of previously damaged kidneys (2). Still, despite these promising results, human studies are needed.

Hydrangea root is also popular in alternative medicine for kidney care. This stems from the naturopathic belief that it can help dissolve calcium deposits that cause kidney and gallbladder stones.

While there aren’t any human studies to back up this claim, some animal studies suggest that hydrangea root may promote kidney health.

One recent study found that hydrangea helped reduce blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in diabetic rats. That’s not necessarily going to improve existing kidney damage. But a high BUN to creatine ratio has been associated with kidney disfunction in high-risk folks. A similar study tested hydrangea on mice with acute kidney injury. It showed promising enough results for the researchers to recommend testing this treatment on septic patients. Other research suggests that an active molecule in hydrangea called skimmin may reduce BUN, urinary albumin excretion (UAE), and blood creatinine levels in mice with kidney inflammation. In a 2017 study, mice with medically induced kidney injury showed signs of reduced inflammation and cell death after using hydrangea extract. FYI: This only affected mice with previous kidney damage. These results support hydrangea root’s role in kidney health in mice, human research is needed.

Kidney, Gall Stones  The hydrangea plant might help dissolve kidney stones. It can also help remove waste from the kidneys so they can resume their important work. Pain from gallbladder and kidney stones can also be soothed with the use of this multipurpose plant.

Diuretic  Hydrangeas can help with urine flow for those with urinary tract difficulties and may even ease symptoms associated  with urinary tract infections. The flowering plant can provide relief from headaches caused by kidney infections and chronic rheumatism. Mixing the hydrangea root with other herbs can help alleviate inflamed prostates in men. However, it is essential to discuss the use of herbs with a doctor first, especially when the individual is taking prescription medications.

Urinary, Bladder, Prostate Infections  For centuries, traditional folk medicine has relied on hydrangea root to treat UTIs, bladder infections, and prostate infections because historically the root seems to have a diuretic effect that helps ease these problems, but scientific evidence isn’t available yet to support this.

Blood Sugar  Test-tube studies and animal research indicate that the compound skimmin in hydrangea root may relieve insulin resistance and enhance blood sugar uptake (9).

Liver  Test-tube research has found multiple compounds in hydrangea stems that may protect from liver toxicity (10, 11).

Cancer-Fighting. One test-tube study determined that hydrangenol, another compound present in hydrangeas, may inhibit bladder cancer cell reproduction and spread (12).

Autoimmune Disorders. A 2009 study suggests that a drug made from hydrangea root may help treat certain autoimmune disorders (including multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and psoriasis).

Bladder Cancer. A test tube study found that a compound in hydrangeas called hydrangenol may prevent the spread of bladder cancer cells.

Blood Sugar. Some research suggests that skimmin can improve insulin resistance.

Liver Toxicity. Test tube research suggests that certain compounds in hydrangea stems can protect the liver.

May Help With Other Conditions

A variety of health conditions may benefit from the use of hydrangea. Hydrangea may eliminate pain associated with gout and rheumatoid arthritis. It can also help to relieve discomfort/pain in other parts of the body if they are inflamed by the condition. General chronic or acute pain affects so many people these days, and hydrangea could alleviate this issue without the addition to synthetic or toxic chemicals. However, be sure to ask a medical provider before trying any homeopathic medicines.

 

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Test

Having low BUN levels doesn’t necessarily indicate a kidney problem. Depending on the cause, you may need to focus on drinking more water and eating less protein.

A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test is used to determine how well your kidneys are working. It does this by measuring the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood. Urea nitrogen is a waste product that’s created in the liver when the body breaks down proteins. Normally, the kidneys filter out this waste, and urinating removes it from the body. BUN levels tend to increase when the kidneys or liver are damaged. Having too much urea nitrogen in the blood can be a sign of kidney or liver problems.

A BUN test is a blood test most commonly used to evaluate kidney function. It’s often done along with other blood tests, such as a creatinine blood test, to make a proper diagnosis.

A BUN test can help diagnose the following conditions:

• liver damage
• malnutrition
• poor circulation
• dehydration
• urinary tract obstruction
• congestive heart failure
• gastrointestinal bleeding

The test may even be used to determine the effectiveness of dialysis treatment. BUN tests are also often performed as part of regular checkups, during hospital stays, or during or after treatment for conditions like diabetes. While a BUN test measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood, it doesn’t identify the cause of a higher or lower than average urea nitrogen count.

Botanical Name: Hydrangea Arborescens
English: Hydrangea Root
Also, known as: Sevenbark, Wild Hydrangea, Smoothed Hydrangea, Hortensia, Seven bark, Wild Hydrangea, Smooth Hydrangea, Bigleaf Hydrangea, Mophead Hydrangea.
Habitat: North America
Origin: USA
Harvested: Wild or cultivated
Parts Used: Root

General Information:
The genus Hydrangea is made up of over 70 plant species that belong to the Hydrangeaceae family (1). Out of these, Hydrangea paniculata, Hydrangea macrophylla, and Hydrangea arborescens are the most popular when it comes to medicinal properties. H. paniculata and H. macrophylla are native to Asia, while H. arborescens is native to the eastern United States.

Hydrangea root is these plant’s roots and underground stems, also known as the rhizomes. It has been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years to treat prostate and bladder infections due to its purported diuretic effects — meaning its ability to increase urine output. However, no available scientific evidence backs up this claim. It’s also been used for kidney and bladder stones and enlarged prostate.

Hydrangea arborescens, is a small to medium-sized, loosely and widely branched deciduous shrub deciduous grows up to 6 feet tall, commonly known as smooth hydrangea or wild hydrangea. Gray-brown stems are clad with opposite, wide oval-shaped to rounded, sharply toothed, dark green leaves with pale green undersides. Leaves are 2-5-inch-long, opposite, serrated, ovate, and deciduous, heart-shaped, and deeply veined leaves hug the main stem and turn yellow in fall. White flowers grow in rounded clusters in late spring to midsummer. The flower color of this species is not affected by soil like other Hydrangeas. The stem bark has a peculiar tendency to peel off in several successive thin layers with different colors, hence the common name “sevenbark”

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

How Much To Use
It is common that 10g of a fresh herb = 1g when dehydrated.
Recommended daily amount: 1 tsp (1-2 g) of dried hydrangea root, up to 3 times/daily. This can be added to food or to make tea.