Rehmannia Root Health Benefits

Topical preparation made from the leaves of Rehmannia plant is used to promote the healing of skin problems like eczema and psoriasis.

Rehmannia herb has been highly prized in traditional Chinese medicine for its therapeutic benefits. For more than 2000 years, the herb has been prescribed for various ailments in China.

The root of the herbal plant is said to contain a great deal of health-promoting compounds such as iridoid glycosides that seem to display antioxidant and antibacterial properties as well as have an anti-inflammatory effect.

The root of this herb is available in the form of extracts, capsules, powder, and herbal preparations. Following are the purported health benefits of the Rehmannia root.

Using Rehmannia root is one of the herbal options to recover from adrenal fatigue. As we all know, normal functioning of the adrenal glands is important for staying energetic. The adrenal glands produce certain hormones that help maintain energy stores.

To put it simply, these glands regulate energy so as to fulfill the physical and psychological needs of the body. However, poor adrenal function can lead to flagging energy levels. One way to resolve this issue is to use Rehmannia, as it promotes adrenal function.

The herb acts as an adrenal tonic and can work wonders to boost the adrenal function. It is not surprising that the root of Rehmannia is found to be an active ingredient in a wide range of energy tonics.

The herbal root displays blood pressure lowering effects as found out through clinical trials. The Rehmannia Six Formula, which is essentially a blend of 6 herbs, may help in reducing blood pressure. This formula is available in the form of pills and decoction.

In the book Eating Your Way to Health, a study that shows the potential benefits of the herb, has been described in detail. In the study, around 62 people were advised to take the herb for a period of two weeks. After the stipulated period, it was observed that the patients showed a drop in mean blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels.

Thus, its ability to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure can indirectly help promote heart health.

The Rehmannia root tends to display a noticeable hypoglycemic effect, as found out through animal studies. So the herbal root with its anti-diabetic properties may help to control blood sugar more effectively in diabetics. It tends to raise blood insulin levels, which works to reduce blood glucose levels.

However, the hypoglycemic action of Rehmannia is less than that of conventional medicines.

The herb has a strong reputation of treating menstrual disorders. Disruptions in normal hormone regulation is often responsible for causing menstrual problems. The herb helps normalize irregular menstrual cycles by resolving hormonal issues.

It can also be used in the treatment of menstrual problems such as dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea.

Being an astringent, it can assist to keep bleeding in check, that is particularly beneficial to alleviate heavy menstrual bleeding. In general, the astringent qualities of the Rehmannia root constrict the blood vessels, which can significantly ease internal bleeding associated with any medical condition.

The Rehmannia root has been used against hair loss problems. Thinning of hair on the scalp has often been associated with hormonal imbalance. The herbal root helps to regulate and balance hormone levels, which may work to restore hair growth.

The dried root of Rehmannia may help treat osteoporosis, as animal studies show that the herb is beneficial in preventing bone loss. In one study, it was observed that extracts of this herb increased the growth and activity of osteoblasts (bone-forming cells) and suppressed the proliferation and activity of osteoclasts (cells that resorb bone tissue).

The herbal extract is said to have certain compounds that may be promoting bone metabolism and increasing bone density.

The root of this plant can help in enhancing liver health as it is said to have an anti-hepatotoxic effect. No wonder, in China, herbalists have prescribed Rehmannia for hepatitis. The extracts of Rehmannia in combination with licorice are used in the treatment of hepatitis.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, kidneys are primarily involved in the generation and excretion of urine. So, when the kidneys are not working properly, it may lead to involuntary discharge of urine. Rehmannia roots support kidney function which may help to treat urinary incontinence.

Rehmannia 8 Formula that contains 8 herbs, has been designed to regulate urine output. In Chinese medicine, the formula is useful for healing kidney-yin deficiency, which has been linked to loss of bladder control, fatigue, dizziness, and weakness in the lower back. Its ability to support kidney function may be useful in the treatment of chronic nephritis.

Some of the compounds in this herb are believed to have anti-inflammatory effects. For instance, catapol found in the root, displays anti-inflammatory properties. So the use of this herb may help in treating autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.

The cold nature of the Rehmannia root can contribute to eliminate excess heat, in turn helping to lower high body temperature. It allows the body to cool down. Its ability to dispel heat from the body also aids in reducing excessive sweating.

The purported health benefits of the Rehmannia root are lacking in adequate scientific research. So its usage for any medical treatment has not been backed up by the USFDA. These benefits have not been deduced from large-scale studies. The evidence is too feeble to approve this herbal option for medical conditions. Hence, one should not use it unless prescribed by a health care provider.