CosPharm Inc

General Description:	Black Cohosh is a North American forest plant which can grow up to 8 feet tall.
Active Ingredient:	24-deoxyacteine.
Traditional Uses:	The American Indians boiled the root and drank the resulting beverage for a variety of diseases of women. Hence the name Squaw root.
Current Status:	Black Cohosh is fairly well studied in Germany, where it is used to treat hot flashes. Experiments have shown that the herb has substances that bind to estrogen receptors in animal models and lower LH ( a hormone which is levated in menopause ) in both animals and humans.The herb was an official drug in the U.S Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1926.

General Description:	Black Currant is a deciduous Eurasian shrub. The berries, seed oil and leaves.
Active Ingredient:	Linoleic acid, ( GLA ) gama Linolenic acid and alpha Linoleic acid.
Traditional Uses:	In Europe the leaves were used as a diuretic,and as a gargle for sore throat. The berries were made into a drink for colds and flu.
Current Status:	The oil is generally used today. Black currant seed oil is a rich source of essential fatty acids. These are converted in the body to prostaglandin, which is necessary for fighting infection. Many women find this oil reduces breast tenderness associated with PMS.

Traditional Uses :

Piura Indians used a bark decoction to treat inflammation, rheumatism, gastric ulcers and tumors, and as a contraceptive. South American folk medicine for intestinal ailments, gastric ulcers, arthritis, wounds, and cancer. Compounds called proanthocyanidins were found to inhibit tumor growth in animals in the 1970s. Found several alkaloids with significant immunostimulant activity.

General Description:	A Common, fragrant European wildflower.
Active Ingredients:	Apigenin
Traditional Uses:	Probably the most popular herb in Europe where it has been used for centuries. Generally taken as a tea for it's calming effects."How the doctor's brow should smile--Crown'd with wreaths of camomile" Thomas Moore in Wreaths for the Ministers.
Current Status:	Useful as a sleeping aid and may reduce uterine cramps.

General Description:	The Chaste berry is the fruit of a small Eurasian Tree.
Active Ingredients:	Flavonoids,agnuside and aucubin.
Traditional Uses:	The Chaste berry was well known to many of the ancients "If blood flows from the womb, let the woman drink dark wine in which the leaves of the Vitex have been steeped" Hippocrates ( 460-377 B.C. ). "The trees furnish medicines that promote urine and menstruation" Pliny ( A.D. 23-79 ). The herb also appears in Homer's 6th. Century epic, The Iliad.
Current Status:	Chaste berries may have some use in treating PMS, menopausal symptoms and irregular perimenopausal bleeding. In Germany physicians prescribe chaste berry for menstrual problems, swelling in the breasts and PMS.
Clinical Studies:	The two most quoted studies are from Germany. Each trial included over 1,500 women. Both patients and physicians reported 90% relief from symptoms of PMS after one month. In a similar study patients were followed for up to 6 years. In 90% the chaste berry relieved their PMS symptoms. In a more recent study (1997) chaste berry was compared to vitamin B6 for relief of PMS symptoms. This was a randomized comparative study of 127 patients. Effectiveness was based on scores on two standardized tests the PMTS and the CGI scale. Both groups showed significant improvement after three months.
Precautions:	Excess use may cause itching, rash, stomach upset, headache, or nausea. Not recommended for use in pregnancy.

General Description:	Native to China and Japan, a tall perennial herb.
Active Ingredients:	Ligustilide
Traditional Uses:	Famous in China, used in cooking and in combination with other herbs for menopausal and menstrual difficulties.
Current Status:	Don quai contains phytoestrogens , or plant estrogens. Phytoestrogens have been shown to be helpful in relieving hot flashes. Unfortunately most of the studies on Don qui were carried out in China and are of poor quality. See Menopause Update for a more recent study.

General Description:	A perennial, native to the American midwest.
Active Ingredients:	Echinacosides
Traditional Uses:	Native Americans used echinacea extensively. The herb became a best selling medicinal plant prescribed by physicians until it was replaced by antibiotics and forgotten.
Current Status:	Echinacea appears to be a immune enhancing agent. Small studies in Germany are encouraging. The herb has been in the news quite a bit lately as American researchers are now beginning clinical studies of this promising herb.The Bastyr University Research Institute in Seattle is looking for volunteers to participate in a study of echinacea for respiratory infections. For further information call 206-365-3130. We may find it useful in menopause to help fight off recurrent vaginal and bladder infections.

General Description:	Common in North America where it can be seen growing along road sides. It's a biennial herb.
Active Ingredients:	( GLA ) Gammalinolenic acid and Linoleic acid
Traditional Uses:	Evening Primrose seeds were gathered by Native Americans for food.
Current Status:	The seed oil is a good source of GLA, an essential fatty acid. An essential fatty acid is a nutrient that the body can't make but is essential to good health. Evening Primrose Oil has been used for premenstrual syndrome ( PMS ) and mastalgia ( sore breasts ) Studies to date have been conflicting, some show a significant reduction in breast pain, while others fail to confirm this.

General Description:	A perennial, native to Europe is a favorite of gardeners.
Active Ingredients:	Parthenolide
Traditional Uses:	For centuries Feverfew has been used for migraine headaches, arthritis, and painful menses. "In the worst headache the herb exceeds whatever else is known" John Hill in The Family Herbal ( 1772 ).
Current Status:	Popular in Great Britain, where two well controlled, double-blind studies demonstrated, Feverfew was effective for the treatment of headache.

General Description:	A perennial herb growing to 3 ft. with oily brown seeds, native to Europe and Asia.
Active Ingredients:	Fatty acids, Palmitic, Steric, Oleic, Linoleic and Linolenic.
Traditional Uses:	In the Middle East Flax has been cultivated for at least 7,000 years. "What department is there to be found in active life in which linseed is not employed? Pliny (23-79 ).
Current Status:	Flax seed oil is a good source of essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids must be taken in the diet as the body can not make them. Flax seed oil is rich in ( GLA ) gamma Linolenic acid used by many for PMS and breast tenderness.

General Description:	The Ginko is one of the oldest tree species on earth. It is widely cultivated in America as an import from China.
Active Ingredients:	Ginkoflavonglycosides.
Traditional Uses:	Ginko's use in China dates back to 2800B.C. It was mainly used for breathing difficulties and for it's beneficial effect on the brain.
Current Status:	There have been more than 50 double-blind clinical trials showing Ginko's favorable effects on vascular insufficiency and age related decrease in brain function. Ginko may be useful for the forgetfulness many post menopausal women complain of. Some women are using Ginko in combination with Hawthorn for forgetfulness. Ginko may hold promise in the treatment of PMS as well.

General Description:	Korean or Chinese ginseng is a small perennial, which grows in moist forests in N.E. Asia.
Active Ingredients:	Ginsenosides Rg1.
Traditional Uses:	Ginseng is the most famous Korean herb. For 5,000 years it has been used to restore the Energy quality, or vital force. In other words to combat fatigue and stress. Now ginseng is sold on American TV, and promoted by Major League athletes.
Current Status:	Ginseng has been shown to prevent the thinning of the vagina seen in menopause. Ginseng may help relieve the fatigue commonly reported during menopause.

General Description:	Goldenseal is an unusual-looking small perennial with a single red fruit, common in North America.
Active Ingredients:	Hydrastine
Traditional Uses:	Goldenseal was used by Native Americans for a variety of conditions. It's greatest use was for local inflammation and infections. Goldenseal was listed tn the U.S. Pharmacopoeia until 1926.
Current Status:	Goldenseal may be useful for post menopausal vaginal irritation and inflammation and for uterine cramps.

General Description:	A thorny European tree with bright red berries, grows to 25 feet tall.
Active Ingredients:	Vitexin-2"rhamnoside
Traditional Uses:	Known since the Middle Ages, used in China, Europe and America for heart and circulatory disorders.
Current Status:	Hawthorn dilates blood vessels and improves circulation. Has been used in combination with Ginko biloba to improve post menopausal memory loss. Studies of it's effectiveness in this area are lacking.

General Description:	A Eurasian climbing shrub seen growing along road sides.
Active Ingredients:	Alpha bitter acid and flavonoids
Traditional Uses:	Historically Hops have been used as a sleeping aid. Pillows filled with Hops were used to sleep on. Hops was first used in England in the 16th century to flavor beer.
Current Status:	Hops are still used in Europe as a remedy for sleeplessness.

General Description:	Kava is a sprawling Polynesian evergreen shrub. A member of the pepper family.
Active Ingredients:	Kavalactones.
Traditional Uses:	Kava is central to many Polynesian ceremonies and has been compared to the use of wine in the west. First brought to the West by Captain James Cook it became known as the "intoxicating pepper".
Current Status:	Kava is now used throughout the world as a remedy for anxiety and insomnia. Unlike many traditional sleep remedies Kava does not loose effectiveness with time.

General Description:	The Passion Flower is a climbing vine which grows in tropical North and Central America. It derives its name from the imagined resemblance of itsflowers to the crucifixion of Christ.
Active Ingredients:	Isovitexin
Traditional Uses:	Passion Flower has been used in Mexico and Central America as a gentle remedy for sleeplessness for centuries. It was formerly approved as a over-the-counter sleep aid.
Current Status:	There have not been many large studies of Passion Flower. Several small studies have shown it to have sedative properties and it is used extensively in Europe for anxiety.
Precautions:	May cause drowsiness

General Description:	Saw palmetto is a small palm native to the southeast U.S.
Active Ingredients:	Free fatty acids.
Traditional Uses:	Native Americans used the berries for strength. At one time Saw palmetto was thought to be an aphrodisiac.
Current Status:	Saw palmetto has been extensively studied, over the past several years, for the treatment of ( BPH ) enlarged prostate in men. Saw palmetto is now being studied for possible use in women to treat hirsuitism, ( abnormal hair growth ) and polycystic ovarian disease.

General Description:	A shrubby European perennial also found in the U.S. It blooms on June 24, the day traditionally celebrated as the birthday of John the Baptist.
Active Ingredients:	Hypericin.
Traditional Uses:	The ancient authorities, Dioscorides ( A.D. ), Galen ( A.D. 150-200), Pliny ( A.D. 23-79 ), and Hippocrates ( 460-377 B.C. ) used St. Johns Wort as a treatment for menstrual disorders. It was used in the Middle Ages for anxiety and depression
Current Status:	St. Johns Wort has been featured in Newsweek and on ABC's 20/20. It is approved in Germany for the treatment of mild depression.
Precautions:	Depression can be a life threatening illness. If you feel you are depressed you must be evaluated by a health care professional. St. Johns Wort should not be taken with any prescription antidepressants.

General Description:	A low-lying evergreen shrub found in Canada, Europe, and Asia. Uva-ursi means "Bear's grape" in Latin, bears like it.
Active Ingredients:	Arbutin.
Traditional Uses:	Bearberry has been used for bladder infections since it was first described in The Physicians of Myddfai, a 13th-century Welsh herbal.It was listed in the U.S.Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1926.
Current Status:	Bearberry is still used as a mild urinary antiseptic. For mild or chronic bladder infections. In Germany, Bearberry is approved as a urinary antiseptic.
Precautions:	Should not be used for more than 7 days. Avoid use during pregnancy.If taken in large doses can cause vomiting, convulsions and collapse.

General Description:	The Valerian is a tall perennial herb, native to Europe.
Active Ingredients:	Valeric acid or valerenic acid.
Traditional Uses:	Valerian was known to Dioscorides ( A.D. ), in ancient Rome and has been used since that time as a mild sedative.
Current Status:	Valerian is used extensively in Europe as a mild sleep aid and for anxiety. Several clinical studies on humans have shown it to safely relieve occasional insomnia.
Precautions:	Valerian is generally recognized as safe and approved for food use by the U.S.F.D.A.

Traditional Uses:

The Wild Yam herb is composed of the root. Other names are Devil's Bones, Colic Root and Rheumatism Root. The American Indians used the Mexican Wild Yam for birth control. The Wild Yam contains a progesterone precursor. The progesterone precursors in the yam are used by the pharmaceutical industry to produce progesterone. However, there is no evidence that the human body can convert these substances into progesterone. Some wild yam creams contain progesterone as an additional ingredient, so you must read the label to see what you are getting.

Active Ingredients:	IgGs (immunoglobulin)
Vitality	Completely healthy individuals can supplement with colostrum just to maintain their vitality and good health. Colostrum stimulates lean muscle growth and increases endurance. It also promotes the burning of excess body fat. Helps reverse the signs of aging! As much as ten to twenty years (Dr. Daniel Rudman)
Weight Loss	The body requires IgF-1 to metabolize fat for energy through the Krebs cycle. (The Kreb's cycle is a major metabolic pathway. It produces about 90 percent of the body's energy by oxidizing fatty acids, amino acids, and carbohydrates). With aging, the body produces less IgF-1. Insufficient levels of IgF-1 are associated with an increased risk of Type II diabetes and difficulty in losing weight.
Immune function	Colostrum is an ideal supplement for athletes and the aging. Exhaustive workouts and athletic competition can temporarily depress the immune system, reducing the number of T-lymphocytes and NK cells. Athletes are therefore more vulnerable to infections, including chronic fatigue syndrome. Many of the immune-stimulating compounds in colostrum can help significantly reduce the frequency and severity of infections caused by both physical and emotional stress. Helps your body produce the good cells. The T-cells and killer cells, that keep us healthier.
Viruses	Fighting viruses with conventional medical approaches is, at best, problematic. Standard vaccinations and antiviral drugs can cause significant side effects, including death. On the other hand, hundreds of studies indicate that colostrum is a safe and effective agent for both the prevention and treatment of common viral illnesses.
Heart Disease	The growth factors in colostrum, help regenerate heart muscle.
Cancer	The interferon and lymphokine components of colostrum fight cancer.
Diabetes	Individuals with diabetes can benefit from colostrum's growth factors.

General Description:	The Bilberry is a deciduous European forest shrub.
Active Ingredient:	Anthocyanosides.
Traditional Uses:	Used since recorded times for food. Bilberry reportedly improved British Royal Air Force pilots night vision, during World War II.
Current Status:	In Europe bilberry is now part of the treatment of many eye disorders. Several studies have shown it to relax smooth muscle. It has been used to reduce painful uterine cramps known as dysmenorrhea. There are reports of bilberry reducing varicose veins as well.