Restharrow root benefits

How Restharrow root benefits were found?

Restharrow is the herb widely found in Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. Ononis spinosa L. is the scientific name of Restharrow. Restharrow belongs to one of the largest plant families, which is the Leguminosae family. [1] Spiny Restharrow is distributed in the sub-oceanic region. Apart from the Atlantic coast, France to Poland and Rome to southern Scotland and southern Scandinavia, and in the south to the Pyrenees and central Italy are wide areas spread with Restharrow plant. In Greek, “ono” – the genus of this plant means donkey, as the smell of the young leaf shoots, has a “goat-like smell”. And the Latin term “spinosus” means full of thorns. [2]

The root of this herb is used for medicinal purposes. Southeast European wild areas are the commercial place for Restharrow collection.

Alone or in a combination of Restharrow root is used in herbal preparations by reducing these into tiny pieces with cover dried the root parts. Herbal tea made up of tiny dried reducing pieces of Restharrow root is traditionally used for minor urinary tract complaints. This herb increases urine production and helps to flush out the urinary tract content to detoxify the body. [1] In folk medicinal practice, Restharrow herb is recommended for skin infection, skin lesions, and many other disorders. The local people belong to southeastern parts of Anatolia, Turkey has used the ash of Restharrow herb to treat skin infections. However, mostly roots and sometimes aerial parts of this plant are also recommended for therapeutic applications. [3]

Many well known European handbooks and Pharmacopoeias have mentioned Restharrow root for its medicinal applications. On the European market, pure Restharrow herb containing products are available. In folk medicine, Restharrow root is recommended for rheumatic and gout complaints. It has a cytotoxic effect also. The medicinal property of Restharrow root also gets special attention In the homeopathic medicinal system. It is used in urinary tract infection, kidney gravel prevention, and treatment, urinary tract irrigation purposes. [1]

Some scientific research findings supported that analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antibacterial effects of Restharrow have tested and confirmed its efficacy. In 2010, Mikrobiyoloji Bulteni has reported the study details of the antifungal activity of Restharrow ashes, which common herbal remedy of rural people belongs to Southeast Anatolia. Burning the plant parts at 4000C, the produced Restharrow ashes tested on ten different fungal strains, including Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida guilliermondii, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Candida pelliculosa, Candida tropicalis, Trichosporon asahii, and Trichophyton rubrum. The test result supported that this herb is effective against Candida strains. Thus the folk medicinal application of this herbal ingredient for skin disorders has a scientific base. [3]

What are the phytochemicals present in Restharrow root?

Restharrow roots have a variety of phytochemicals including isoflavones, glucosides, triterpenes, sterols, saponins, phenolic acids, lectins, and small amounts of essential oil. Medicarpin, a pterocarpan are two Restharrow roots contain glucosides. Other major phytochemical compositions include citric acid, lipids, sucrose, and tannins. [1]

What is the Mode of action of Restharrow root health benefits?

The detail mode of action of this herb is unknown due to the lack of scientific data. However, it is necessary to mention that an animal trial result concluded that Restharrow has a potent analgesic effect. [4]

What are the different forms of Restharrow root?

There are different dosage forms are available in the market including Restharrow root containing herbal tea. This tea is prepared by adding the coarsely powdered dried root 2-3 g in a cup of boiling water and close the vessel for 20 to 30 min and then strain the tea.

Restharrow root is added as a phytomedicine component to prepare tablets and coated tablets. Different extracts of Restharrow root are also prepared by adding different solvents including ethanol, water, etc. Some of these extracts are also available in dried forms.

A combination of other herbal ingredients with Restharrow root is also available as herbal tea, herbal preparations like traditional vitamin and mineral dosage forms.

Combination with other diuretic herbs, the prepared herbal tea with Restharrow root is prescribed for bladder and kidney problems. [1]

Restharrow root Uses

Restharrow root may be recommended for the following some of the disease conditions; however, there is little evidential support allowed this:

• Kidney and bladder stones
• Urinary tract infections
• Joint or muscle pain
• Gout
• Rheumatism [5]

Analgesic effect

A small scale animal trial result reported that Restharrow has a potent analgesic effect. [4]

Bodyweight management

Restharrow treatment significantly reduces body weight in the experimental subjects. [4]

Restharrow root Side effects

There is no history of side effects is reported with a therapeutic dose. But sufficient water intake in required with this herbal remedy.

When Should I avoid Restharrow root?

In edema (accumulation of water), impaired cardiac or renal condition, and dehydration, the patient should avoid intaking Restharrow root preparation. Children below 12 years of age should not use this herbal remedy. During pregnancy and lactation, this medicine needs to avoid. [1]

References

1. Assessment report on Ononis spinosa L., radi.
2. Restharrow
3. [Investigation of antifungal activity of Ononis spinosa L. ash used for the therapy of skin infections as folk remedies].
4. Analgesic and hepatotoxic effects of Ononis spinosa L.
5. Spiny Restharrow.