Infusions and decoctions are ancestral preparations of dried plants which consist of extracting their water-soluble molecules. Like a cooking recipe with its various ingredients, all of the molecules of a plant, called "totum", and their concentration will be at the origin of the very specific properties of this herbal tea. Thus, the more soluble the molecules are in water, the more likely we are to find them in quantity in our herbal teas. The interactions between the molecules will give the herbal tea its own activity.
This article was updated on 01/06/2023The polarity of molecules
Bones and glycosides
THE dares correspond to simple sugar molecules such as glucose, fructose, etc. They can combine and form complex sugars: holosides or glycosides.
THE glycosides correspond to a molecule composed of one or more carbohydrates (also called sugars) associated with a part that is called an aglycone, that is to say which is not a sugar. This unit is called the genin.
This genin generally corresponds to the part of the glycoside having pharmacological activity. It is generally less soluble than bones. Among the genins that we often find in our plants, there are saponins or even flavonoids for example. Their name generally ends with “-oside”. In summary, many molecules are in the form of glycosides in herbal teas.
The chemical reaction that takes place in our herbal tea is called “ hydrolysis ". This may seem a little complex but don't panic, it's simple to understand! During this reaction, the glycoside will combine with a water molecule (H2O) to split into 2 molecules: genin and ose. They will each have captured a part of the H2O atoms. The glycosides are more soluble in water than genin alone. Genin is then absorbed through the intestines.
The mucilages
Mucilages correspond to polysaccharides. This name, which may seem a little barbaric, simply designates a molecule containing more than 10 bones associated with each other. These are “complex sugars”. They form chains capable of capturing water to form a gel.
Arabinogalactan in Marshmallow or Echinacea is a good example. We immediately see the complex structure of this polysaccharide. It would give Echinacea immunostimulating properties thanks to the activation of certain immune cells.
Properties of mucilages
- Protection of mucous membranes : hydrophilic gels line the mucous membranes, which forms a protective layer.
- Emollients, softeners : this gelatinous protection will soften the mucous membranes.
- Anti-inflammatories : the gel formed will calm inflammation.
- Cough Suppressants : being softening, the mucilages will soothe the areas irritated by coughing which will help to calm the cough reflex in case of pain.
- Transit regulators (laxatives or constipation) : they will make the stools swell and fill them with water which will promote their progression through the intestines in the event of constipation. In the event of diarrhea, the mucilages being emollient, they will soothe local inflammation.
- Immunostimulants : considered prebiotics, mucilages nourish our intestinal flora which contributes to our immunity.
- Hypoglycemics : consumed during a meal, the mucilages will form a gelatinous protective layer and will therefore capture many nutrients which will be slowed down or even trapped by this barrier. They will have difficulty reaching our epithelial cells.
Risks
Phenyl compounds
Phenolic acids
Phenolic acids are molecules derived from cinnamic and benzoic acids in phytochemistry, which carry at least one hydroxyl function (-OH) and one carboxylic function (-COOH). They have the following properties:
- Antioxidants
- Anti-inflammatories
- Analgesics
- Choleretics
- Draining
Example
Rosmarinic acid from Rosemary, for example, is a derivative of cinnamic acid. Like all phenol acids, it has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but it is also antiviral. Indeed, research has highlighted its ability to prevent the replication of viruses. It would also have anti-allergic properties thanks to its inhibitory action on allergy mediators.
Polyphenols
In herbal teas we mainly find tannins and flavonoids. Their basic structure is composed of several phenol rings (simple phenols). They give the plant the following properties:
- Antioxidants
- Anti-platelet aggregators: they promote vasodilation and thus prevent platelets from clumping together.
- Reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in general: the integrity of vascular tissues is maintained thanks to their antioxidant action.
Tannins
Tannins are polyphenol complexes. It’s thanks to them that we have this astringent feeling in the mouth! They are contained in a large majority of plants but in different quantities. They precipitate proteins which allows them to tighten the tissues locally, such as skin tissue, intestinal mucosa, etc. There are 2 types of tannins: hydrolyzable tannins and proanthocyanidins. Both will have this ability to tighten the skin tissue locally. They are said contact astringents. They also have anti-infectious properties. Where proanthocyanidols stand out is that they are used internally for their action on all tissues of the body, notably the intestinal mucosa for example! This gives them additional properties of:
- Antidiarrheals
- Anti-infectives
- Veinotonics
Risks
Tannins being very astringent, they will tighten the intestinal mucous membranes and prevent certain nutrients and certain molecules from being absorbed by the intestinal cells. It is therefore generally recommended to take meals and spaced out drug treatments from the infusion of plants containing a significant amount of tannins.
Example
Plants such as Rose, Meadowsweet or Alchemilla offer properties that reflect their tannin content. In fact, the tannins of Rose will precipitate proteins in the dermis such as elastin and collagen, thus allowing the skin to regain tone and elasticity.
Flavonoids
- Flavonols: yellow pigments
- Flavones and isoflavones
- Flavanones
- Flavan-3-ols
- Anthocyanidins: orange-red to blue pigments
- Chalcones and aurones: yellow pigments
- Xanthone: yellow pigments
Properties
- Antioxidants: the free radicals causing the oxidation would be neutralized by the hydroxyl group(s) of the flavonoids.
- Hypotensives
- Antispasmodics
- Anti-allergic: certain flavonoids have been shown to be able to reduce the response to allergy mediators.
- Anti-inflammatories: flavonoids would be capable of inhibiting the mechanisms of inflammation.
- Hepato-protective
- Diuretics
- Antivirals and antibacterials
- Cardiovascular protectors: flavonoids would limit the formation of free radicals resulting from inflammation on the surface of endothelial cells.
Risks
Isoflavones are said to be able to bind to estrogen receptors. They would therefore have an influence on our hormonal system. As a result, plants containing it in significant quantities may not be recommended for pregnant women and people with hormone-dependent illnesses.
Example
Saponosides
Properties
- Surfactants
- Antibacterials : thanks to their surfactant properties, the micelles will capture microbes. It's the same principle as soap for washing your hands.
- Antifungals
- Antivirals
- Anti-inflammatories
- Healing
- Hypocholesterolemics : the micelles will capture cholesterol and help the transport of bile acids.
- Vasoconstrictors
- Immuno-modulating (certain triterpene saponosides)
- Mild expectorants : they promote the formation of mucus in case of dry cough.
- Cough Suppressants : emollients, they soothe local inflammation and help calm coughs.
- Diuretics : their genins are capable of increasing the permeability of membranes.
Example
The verbascosaponosides contained in White Broth have mild expectorant properties in case of wet cough thanks to the formation of mucus which causes an expectorant mechanism. They are also emollient, the mucus formed will soften the mucous membranes and act as a cough suppressant in case of dry coughs.
Alkaloids
Properties
- Nervous system sedatives
- Nervous system tonics
- Hypertensives
- Hypotensives
- Antispasmodics
- Anticancer
Example
Mineral salts
Properties
- Remineralizers
- Anti-rheumatic drugs
- Depuratives
- Diuretics
- Anti-inflammatories
Example
Sesquiterpene lactones
Sesquiterpene lactones, aka “bitter principles”, represent more than 3000 different structures. Lactones are also found in essential oils. Plants containing it in significant quantities are often used in detox treatments, but also have the following properties:
- Liver and kidney stimulant
- Anti-inflammatories
- Digestives
- Appetizers
- Antispasmodics
- Anti-migraine
- Antitussive
- Antiulcer Drugs
- Antispasmodic
Risk
Iridoids
The hypotensive action conferred by Olivier is due, among other things, to Oleuropeoside. An important iridoid of this plant, it would have a vasodilatory activity thanks to the interaction with other hypotensive molecules of the totum of this fruit tree.
Steroidal structures
Properties
- Emmenagogues
- Hormone-Regulating
- Antiseptics
Example
Risk
Essential oils
Example
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