Phyto brief
Welcome to your February Phytobrief.
With the summer holidays behind us most of us are back into the work and school day routine.
While for some the return to structure and order can be a welcome relief and help facilitate
calm, others struggle with what feels like a restriction in freedom. Thankfully our herbal
adaptogens like Withania can help ease the transition back into the routine, but that’s not all
this awesome Ayurvedic panacea can do. Recent research has highlighted some exciting new
potential therapeutic indications for this gentle herbal tonic.
.
The versatility of Withania
Roots of the herb Withania (Withania somnifera, Ashwagandha), have a subtle but powerful
nervous system and adrenal tonic action, helping to insulate the nervous system from stress,
and enable the adrenal glands to be better prepared to respond appropriately to stressful
stimuli. A large number of scientific papers now support its applications for stress-associated
anxiety conditions, including several human clinical trials(1,2). The scope of research has recently
been extended to other possible therapeutic areas, including as an adjunct for weight training
and for the prevention of diabetes and diabetic complications.
Weight training:
While most western medical herbalists regard Withania primarily as an adaptogen, tonic, male
fertility enhancer and stress insulator, it also has a reputation to enhance physical endurance
and stamina, although scientific data supporting these actions has until recently been lacking.
Results from a couple of studies from India now suggest that regular ingestion of a Withania
extract standardised for withanolides, is a useful supplement to take during weight training by
healthy young men. 57 men with an average age of 28 years old took part in an 8-week clinical
trial and researchers reported development of greater muscle strength as well as reduced
exercise-induced muscle damage (as measured by stabilisation of serum creatine kinase in
those taking Withania). Increased testosterone levels and a greater decrease in body fat was
also seen in the Withania-treated participants(3). The frequency of adverse effects was the
same as the placebo group.
Another 12 week study into cardiorespiratory endurance and quality of life in healthy men and
women aged between 20 and 45, found Withania produced a significantly greater increase in
mean oxygen consumption at peak physical exertion, suggesting improved cardiorespiratory
endurance. These physiological changes were also associated with improved physical and
psychological health and social relationships. No changes were measured in vital parameters
such as pulse rate, blood pressure and respiratory at resting state, in either group (4).
Results from these two clinical trials support the use of relatively high doses of Withania by
healthy adults in conjunction with both resistance training as well as other exercise
programmes, as a means of enhancing resulting muscle strength and recovery and
cardiovascular endurance.
Diabetes mellitus
Hypolipidaemic and anti-inflammatory effects in diabetic kidneys have previously been
reported, and the hypoglycaemic properties of Withania somnifera and its withanolides were
further investigated recently using different cellular models of diabetes. These measured
increased glucose uptake into adipocytes in a dose dependent manner, with the withanolide
withaferin A, shown to at least partially contribute to these anti-diabetic activities(5). Results
from these and other studies implicate protection not only against the direct effects of
diabetes, but also secondary sequelae such as reproductive dysfunction and infertility, from
regular Withania use.
Have you tried Phytomed’s unique 1:1 Withania liquid extract?
Standardised
to contain 5mg/ml withanolides
Akeake
THERAPEUTIC DOSAGE ONLY 20 – 50ml per week
See our February - March specials overleaf for our special seasonal pricing on this extract
PO Box 83-068, Edmonton, Waitakere 0652, New Zealand
Freephone 0508 PHYTOMED | Fax (09) 828 0039
www.phytomed.co.nz
Withania (Withania somnifera)
Issue 75 February 2017 | © Phytomed, 2017 This is a practitioner-only publication not intended for public distribution
Phytomed Webinar// A date for your diary
Inflammation – A Burning Clinical Issue with Ian Breakspear
Patient complaints such as fatigue, reduced cognitive function, and impaired mood commonly seen with conditions such lupus were once
thought to be due solely to the psychological impact of chronic pain. Now we are learning of the direct and indirect impact of
inflammatory mediators on brain function, vascular function, mitochondrial function, and more.
In this talk Ian will not only unravel the complexity of inflammation, he will show how herbal and naturopathic medicine can intervene on
multiple levels, discuss controversies such as how to choose the most appropriate herbal anti-inflammatories, and provide a
fascinating case study demonstrating the benefit of targeted anti-inflammatory treatment.
Three easy ways to register: Freephone 0508 749 866, email [email protected] or via our website www.phytomed.co.nz
INVESTMENT:
Eco friendly
Hardcopy notes
Attend live webinar and receive digital recording (no hardcopy notes)
Attend live webinar, receive digital recording and hardcopy notes
$24.95 (excl.GST)
$14.95 (excl.GST)
$34.95 (excl.GST)
$24.95 (excl.GST)
Practitioner:
Student:
This seminar is worth 2.5 NZAMH CPE points
Announcements & Notices
Empty Vege Caps – new pack size
Our empty vegetable capsules are now available in a
new larger pack sizes of 250 pieces per pack
(previously 100 pieces per pack).
New pricing:
Product
Vege Capsules Size 0
(small – 500mg)
Vege Capsules Size 00
(large – 800mg)
Unit
250pc
Pricing
$16.00
250pc
$17.00
Prices exclude GST & Freight
Withania references:
1.
Chandrasekhar K et al, Indian J Psychol Med 2012; 34(3):255-262.
2.
Pratte MA et al, J Altern Complement Med 2014; 20(12):901-908
3.
Wankhede S et al, J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2015; 12:43.
4.
Choudhary B et al, Ayu 2015; 36(1):63-68.
5.
Gorelick J et al, Phytochemistry 2015; 116:283-289.
Farewell & Employment opportunity
It is with great sadness that we farewell our current South Island Territory Manager this
month – Kerryn McArthur. Kerryn has been looking after our customers in the lower
South Island for the last couple of years and will be leaving us to embark on exciting
new adventures, including focusing on building her own clinic. Kerryn is highly
respected by both our practitioner and retail customers and we will miss her bright
smile and vivacious personality. We’re sure you will all join us in wishing her all the best
as she embarks on this exciting new chapter in her life.
With Kerryn’s departure we are currently recruiting for a Christchurch-based
Territory Manager to fill this 4-day-a-week role.
Representing both the Phytomed and Kiwiherb brands, we are seeking experienced B2B
sales people with a proven track record of success and a passion for herbal medicine. As
well as providing quality technical support for our valued practitioner customers, a
central facet of these roles is driving our rapidly growing Kiwiherb brand in retail health
stores and pharmacies, growing distribution and educating retailers
to meet consumer needs.
For more information or to apply, email Jude Melbourne on [email protected]
Seasonal
special
10% off
Capsules
Withania 1:1 Standardised
to contain 5mg/ml withanolides
Kava 100 Capsules
39.70 35.73
25.00
500ml
Liquid
Extracts
200ml
February - March Specials
89.90 80.91
22.50
(500mg dried Kava root per capsule)
StressArrest®
NEW!!
Seasonal
Special 3+1
50ml Standard W/S 10.73
100ml Standard W/S 16.12
RRP 19.90
RRP 29.90
Contains Kava, Passionflower & Withania
StressCare®
60caps Standard W/S 16.23
RRP 29.90
Contains Withania, Lemon Balm & B Complex vitamins
Order by phone on 0508 PHYTOMED (0508 749 866), Fax (09) 828 0039 or email: [email protected]
Order 3 units
50ml Normal W/S 13.61 Normal RRP 25.10
Kiwiherb of any one Valerian
100ml
Normal W/S 19.71 Normal RRP 36.40
product/pack
size & get 1
unit Free
Contains Valerian root
Kid’s Calm
50ml Normal W/S 13.30 Normal RRP 24.50
100ml Normal W/S 20.01 Normal RRP 36.90
200ml Normal W/S 25.23 Normal RRP 46.50
Contains Chamomile
Order by phone on 0508 PHYTOMED (0508 749 866), Fax (09) 828 0039 or email: [email protected]
Specials available until 31 March 2017 or while stocks last. Limit of 2 units Kava capsules per person. Prices exclude GST & freight.