Mahasudarshan By Herbal Hills Overview & Drug Interactions

Moringa, scientifically known as Moringa oleifera, is a plant native to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It is cultivated in tropical regions worldwide. The leaves of the moringa plant are highly nutritious and are used to combat malnutrition. Moringa is versatile, with edible parts including leaves, seeds, immature seed pods, and seed oil. The plant is also valued for its medicinal properties, traditionally used as an antiseptic and astringent for various skin conditions. Moringa offers a range of benefits, from nutrition to medicinal applications, making it a valuable plant with diverse uses.

Turmeric is a commonly used spice and a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). It is native to India and other parts of South Asia and is known for its bright orange-yellow color and its warm, slightly bitter flavor. In traditional medicine, turmeric is believed to have a number of health benefits due to its high content of antioxidants and other compounds, such as curcumin. It is thought to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and it is often used to treat a variety of conditions, including joint pain, digestive problems, skin disorders, and respiratory infections. Most dietary supplements that utilize turmeric standardize their products based on a specific amount of curcumin (curcuminoids) per dose. Additionally, turmeric supplements are often paired with black pepper extract (piperine) to improve oral absorption.

Calamus is a grass-like plant commonly mostly commonly found in Eastern Europe in swamps or along the banks of waterways. Calamus has traditionally been used in both Ayurdevic and Chinese medicine for a number of ailments, including digestive disorders including colic, ulcers, gastritis, flatulence, diarrhea, intestinal infections, dyspepsia, and anorexia. It is also used to induce vomiting, induce sweating, improve memory and for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. The FDA does not allow calamus in food due research showing it has carcinogenic effects, likely due to the beta-asarone content, which can vary heavily depending on the species.

Ginger is a spice native to Asia and part of the Zingiberaceae family. It has a pungent, spicy flavor and is often used to add flavor to dishes and drinks. Ginger has a long history of use in traditional medicine and is believed to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other medicinal properties. It is commonly used to treat nausea, motion sickness, and other digestive issues. Ginger is also sometimes used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Ginger supplements generally standardize several compounds found in the root, and are often labeled as containing a certain amount of 'ginger root extract'.

Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a tree native to India and is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The leaves, seeds, and bark of the neem tree are often used in herbal remedies and are thought to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Neem is used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including skin conditions, digestive disorders, respiratory problems, and fever. It is also used as a natural remedy for anxiety, stress, and other ailments. Additionally, it has been used in aromatherapy to improve mood and reduce stress. The leaves of the tree are used as a natural pesticide and are believed to be effective at controlling a variety of pests, including insects, nematodes, and fungi. It is approved for use as a pesticide in the United States by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Indian long pepper, also known as pippali or pipali, is a plant species native to India and other parts of South and Southeast Asia. It is a member of the Piperaceae family. The fruit of the plant, which has a pungent, slightly sweet flavor, is harvested and dried for use as a spice. Indian long pepper has also been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including digestive problems, pain, poor blood circulation, respiratory disorders, and fever. One of the constituents of Indian long pepper is piperine, which can have wide ranging effects, including increasing the bioavailability (i.e., rate and extent of absorption) of several different drugs. It is often combined with over-the-counter supplements, like turmeric, to increase their absorption.

Indian long pepper, also known as pippali or pipali, is a plant species native to India and other parts of South and Southeast Asia. It is a member of the Piperaceae family. The fruit of the plant, which has a pungent, slightly sweet flavor, is harvested and dried for use as a spice. Indian long pepper has also been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including digestive problems, pain, poor blood circulation, respiratory disorders, and fever. One of the constituents of Indian long pepper is piperine, which can have wide ranging effects, including increasing the bioavailability (i.e., rate and extent of absorption) of several different drugs. It is often combined with over-the-counter supplements, like turmeric, to increase their absorption.

Licorice, also known as glycyrrhiza, is a plant native to parts of Europe, Asia, and the Mediterranean region. The root of the plant has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and is often consumed in the form of candy, tea, and supplements. Licorice has a number of purported health benefits, including the ability to soothe sore throats, reduce inflammation, and improve digestive problems. It may also have antiviral and antibacterial properties. Licorice naturally contains glycyrrhizin, or glycyrrhizic acid, which can have toxic effects if consumed in large amounts. However, licorice can be processed to remove glycyrrhizin, resulting in DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice). Many dietary supplements that contain deglycyrrhizinated licorice are often simply named 'DGL'.

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.

Ceylon cinnamon, sometimes known as "true" cinnamon, is a type of cinnamon that is native to Sri Lanka. It is a member of the Cinnamomum verum species and is known for its light, sweet flavor and light brown color. Ceylon cinnamon is considered to be of higher quality and is more expensive than other types of cinnamon, such as cassia cinnamon (which is more common in the United States). Ceylon cinnamon is often used in cooking and baking to add spice and flavor to dishes. The bark of Ceylon cinnamon, which contains cinnamaldehyde, is used in traditional medicine treat a variety of conditions, including indigestion, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

Bishop's weed, also known as Aegopodium podagraria or goutweed, is a perennial herb that is native to Europe and Asia. It is a popular ornamental plant that is grown for its white flowers and attractive foliage. Medicinally, is has been used for digestive disorders, asthma, angina, kidney stones, and as a diuretic. It has been used as a topical agent as well to treat psoriasis and vitiligo. However, Bishop's weed is generally considered toxic to humans and animals if ingested, and its use is often not recommended.

Bael, also known as Aegle marmelos, is a tree that is native to India and Southeast Asia. It is a member of the Rutaceae family and is known for its hard, woody fruit, which is used as a food source to make jams, beverages, chutneys, and other preserves. It is also used in traditional medicine range of ailments, mostly gastrointestinal in nature, such as diarrhea, dysentery, and indigestion.

Black pepper is a spice made from the dried, unripe fruit of the Piper nigrum plant, which is native to the southwestern coast of India. It is one of the most widely used spices in the world, and it is often utilized to add flavor and heat to a wide variety of dishes. In traditional medicine, black pepper is purported to have a number of health benefits. It is a good source of antioxidants and is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may make it useful in reducing inflammation and swelling in the body. Black pepper is also used as a natural remedy for digestive problems, such as indigestion and bloating, and to boost the immune system. Black pepper is widely used in dietary supplements, specifically, an extract from black pepper known as piperine. Piperine can affect the absorption of many drugs, which is why it has a large number of reported interactions. Oftentimes, these 'interactions' are purposeful, such as when piperine is used with turmeric, to increase its absorption.

Indian gooseberry, also known as amla, is a fruit that is native to India. It is purported to have a range of potential health benefits, including supporting immune function, improving blood cholesterol levels, improving digestion, and reducing inflammation. It is also thought to have antioxidant and anti-aging properties. When used in dietary supplements, typically it will be an extract of the whole fruit and seeds.