03/24/2019 / By Michelle Simmons
Colitis, which is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is caused by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that occurs in the large intestine and rectum. Researchers from Taiwan suggest that this condition can be treated using a flowering plant called sweet olive (Osmanthus fragrans), also called sweet osmanthus. In their study, which was published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, they found that the extracts of sweet olive plant have powerful anti-inflammatory effects against colitis.
In traditional Chinese medicine, sweet olive is used to treat dysentery and reduce phlegm and stasis. In addition, research shows that verbascoside, which is the primary component in sweet olive extract, can inhibit the secretion of interleukin 8 (IL-8), which is believed to contribute to chronic inflammation and cancer, in a human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line. However, the effect of sweet olive extract on IBD has not yet been fully understood. Therefore, the Taiwanese researchers measured the ability of sweet olive extract and verbascoside to suppress IL-8 secretion in cells.
In conducting the study, the researchers treated the cells with 100 micrograms per milliliter (?g/mL) of sweet olive extract and 10 micromolar (?M) of verbascoside. They found that both treatments significantly inhibited IL-8 production. In an animal trial, they treated mice with 500 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of sweet olive extract per day. The treatment caused significant improvements in IBD symptoms. It also suppressed myeloperoxidase expression.
Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that sweet olive extract has powerful anti-inflammatory effects which can be used to treat inflammatory conditions like colitis. (Related: Ten Top Items: Address Ulcerative Colitis Naturally.)
The flower buds of sweet olive plant can be made into tea, which is commonly known as osmanthus tea. Originating in China, this caffeine-free tea is consumed for its health benefits and can be used as:
Making your own osmanthus tea is easy. To make a cup of osmanthus tea, put 1 teaspoon dried osmanthus flowers in a teacup. Then, pour boiling water to the cup and cover it. After two to three minutes, add 2 teaspoons of honey, stir well, and enjoy. Osmanthus tea is widely consumed in Asia and is readily available at Chinese health food stores and online in loose leaf and tea bag form.
Read more news stories and studies on natural treatments for IBDs like colitis by going to NaturalMedicine.news.
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Tagged Under: alternative medicine, anti-inflammatory, colitis, food as medicine, foodcures, herbal medicine, Herbs, IBD, inflammatory bowel diseases, interleukin-8, medicinal plants, natural cures, natural healing, natural medicine, natural remedies, Osmanthus fragrans, prevention, sweet olive, sweet osmanthus, verbascoside
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