Bioretic By Genestra Brands Overview & Drug Interactions

Buchu is an evergreen shrub that belongs to the Barosma species and is native to South Africa. It contains small, fragrant leaves, which are known for their strong, distinctive aroma. The leaves of the buchu shrub are commonly processed into oil, extracts, and dried preparations, which are used for a variety of purposes, including as fragrances and flavoring for foods. Buchu is also used in traditional medicine for its purported diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

Dandelion is a plant that belongs to the family Asteraceae. It is native to Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and is known for its distinctive, bright yellow flowers and puffy, white seed heads. Although considered a weed by many, it is considered valuable for a number of reasons as it can be used as food, in medicine, and to attract pollinators. Dandelion has a long history of use as a medicinal plant. It has been used to treat a variety of conditions, including liver and gallbladder problems, kidney disorders, skin conditions, and digestive issues. It is also purported to have a diuretic effect and dietary supplements containing dandelion often market it for being able to help reduce water retention.

Uva ursi, also known as bearberry, is a plant species belonging to the Ericacea family, and is native to North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. It is a low-growing shrub with small, white flowers and edible red berries. The leaves of the plant are often used in traditional medicine as they are thought to have various medicinal properties, such as astringent, diuretic, and antimicrobial effects. Medicinally, Uva ursi is most often used to treat urinary tract infections and other urinary problems, as well as skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. It is also sometimes used to promote weight loss and as a natural remedy for kidney stones. In dietary supplements, Uva ursi is often standardized with a specific amount of Arbutin (usually around 20%), a constituent of the plant.

Calendula is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the daisy family. It is also known as "pot marigold" or "marigold," although it is not closely related to the true marigold. Calendula plants are native to the Mediterranean region. The orange and yellow flowers of the calendula plant are often used as a natural dye. Calendula is also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including wounds, inflammation, spasm disorders and skin irritations.

Goldenrod is a genus of flowering plants in the Asteraceae family, known for its bright yellow flowers. There are around 130 species of goldenrod, and they are native to North America, Europe, and Asia. Some species of goldenrod have been used historically for medicinal purposes, but they are also essential for supporting pollinators and providing ornamental value in gardens.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a plant belonging to the aster family (Asteraceae). It is native to the Mediterranean region and is widely cultivated in many parts of the world. The plant is known for its milk-white veins on the leaves, which gives it its name. Milk thistle has a long history of use in traditional medicine, and is extremely popular as a dietary supplement, making it one of the most well-known plants in the world. It is purported to have liver-protectant effects and has been used to treat liver disorders such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. It has also been used to treat gallbladder problems and high cholesterol. While there are a number of compounds in milk thistle, one of the active constituents, silymarin, is thought to be responsible for many of its effects, and dietary supplements often report using a standardized amount (generally 70% to 80% silymarin in extracts).

Asparagus officinalis, commonly known as asparagus, is a perennial plant native to central and southern Europe, the Middle East, western Siberia, and northern Africa. It grows to heights of 30-150 cm and is widely cultivated as a vegetable. Asparagus has been part of the human diet for over 2000 years and possibly much longer. Its shoots or "spears," rhizome, root, and juice are used for food and medicine. Asparagus is a good source of fiber, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin B6, as well as minerals like copper, iron, zinc, manganese, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and phosphorous. It contains flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, oligosaccharides, amino acids, carotenoids, sulfur compounds, steroidal saponins, sterols, and fructans. After ingestion, asparagus produces a distinctive odor in urine due to volatile organic components like asparagusic acid. Asparagus extracts have shown various effects in studies, including anti-allergy, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, diuretic, hepatic, hypotensive, immunostimulatory, and weight-modifying effects. However, some of its constituents, particularly saponins, can irritate mucous membranes and be cytotoxic.

Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) is a perennial herb with yellow flowers and serrated leaves, found in Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. Its dried above-ground parts and seeds are used in herbal preparations. These contain 4% to 10% condensed tannins like agrimoniin, ellagitannin, and gallotannin, as well as flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic acids, and coumarins. Notably, luteolin-7-glucuronide is the major flavonoid. Agrimony provides vitamins C, thiamine, and K, along with other beneficial compounds. Agrimony has been traditionally used in herbal medicine to assist in treating bleeding, diabetes, sore throat, as well as cardiovascular, gallbladder, gastrointestinal, kidney, liver, and skin conditions.