The cold weather and reduced daylight typical of winter are external stress factors that act on our bodies. Internal imbalances such as disorders in diet and sleeping, anxiety and fatigue can also play a similar role. Such conditions can disrupt the self-regulation capacity of our body, which naturally tends to a state of stability.

When homeostasis is challenged by imbalances of various origins, our bodies put in place a series of defensive and reparative mechanisms that produce biological, hormonal, neurovegetative and immune modifications.

However, this reaction requires additional energy, and our resilience capacity may not always be sufficient to adequately respond to all stressors. If this happens, it’s easy to fall into a state of physical and mental fatigue.

When this warning light is on, an aid can come from nature thanks to adaptogenic plants, that can counteract stress factors, facilitating adaptation, improving performance and bringing the body back to a state of psychophysical balance.

Adaptogenic plants: nature’s answer to psychophysical imbalances

 

The concept of adaptogenic plants (from the Latin “adaptare,” meaning to adapt) was coined in the post-World War II years by Russian pharmacologist Nicolai Lazarev, based on previous studies, particularly on schisandra (Schisandra chinensis Baill.), or Wu We Zi (“berry of the 5 flavors”). The plant had a long traditional use among hunters in Siberia and Northern China as a natural stimulant, capable of reducing fatigue and hunger. However, a similar idea had long existed in both Chinese medicine (the so-called “qi” tonics) and Ayurveda (the “rasayana” remedies).

Based on the study published in the Annual Review of Pharmacology by Brekhman and Dardymov in 1969 and subsequent studies, adaptogenic plants and their extracts are defined today as those that allow the human body to adapt with a non-specific response to stress factors of any nature through a multitarget effect on the neuroendocrine and immune system, triggering a normalizing action.

This definition is indebted to holistic medicine, which considers the patient primarily as a person, composed of body, mind and soul. Within this perimeter, the scientific community is trying to identify the key molecular mechanisms common among more than 70 plants with evident adaptogenic action.

Another characteristic of adaptogenic plants is their safety of use, witnessed by their thousand-year-old use. In this regard, Ginseng, Ashwagandha and Maca deserve a prominent position, three plants from three different areas of the planet, but with similar uses recognized by traditional medicine since ancient times.

Ginseng

 

Ginseng is probably the oldest known adaptogenic plant. Used for about 7000 years, it is mentioned among the noblest plants with stimulating properties in the Shennong Bencao Jing, a sort of Chinese pharmacopeia written over two thousand years ago. If ginseng in Chinese means “man’s plant” for its anthropomorphic appearance, the term Panax, which identifies the genus of 11 plant species belonging to the Araliaceae family, comes from ancient Greek, similar in meaning to the Latin term “panacea”, meaning “all-healing.”

Numerous studies have shown that the adaptogenic effect of Ginseng root mainly depends on ginsenosides, some triterpene saponins with a corticosteroid action. To learn more about the mechanism of action of Ginseng, you can also read our article on botanicals with adaptogenic properties: scientific evidence. If you want to discover how Ginseng root extract differs from leaf extract, download our brochure.

Ashwagandha

 

Ashwagandha or Withania somnifera L. Dunal. (WS) is a small shrub belonging to the Solanaceae (the same family as tomatoes or potatoes), typical of the arid regions of the Indian subcontinent; it is also known as “Indian ginseng”, for the extremely important role the plant has always played in Indian medicine (Ayurveda), analogous to that of Panax ginseng in Chinese medicine: a “rasayana” remedy prescribed in cases of convalescence, debilitation, in geriatric patients and to improve mental performances, particularly memory.

The adaptogenic effect of Ashwagandha is attributed to withanolides, some steroid lactones that perform a powerful antioxidant action at the neuronal tissue level.

 

Maca

 

Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.), a plant of the Brassicaceae family also colloquially known as Andean ginseng or Peruvian ginseng, is traditionally considered a medicinal plant with adaptogenic functions that also improves fertility, as observed since the 17th century by some European explorers.

Maca is a plant very rich in nutritional elements, regarded as a staple food in the diet of the Andean populations; it also contains some molecules, the macamides, which are considered responsible for its activity.

According to a recent systematic review (Cherie Bower-Cargill, Niousha Yarandi, 2022) conducted on a total of 57 studies (14 clinical and 43 preclinical), this plant has been effective in treating a variety of conditions not limited to sexual dysfunctions and menopausal symptoms.

Discover all Made in EPO extracts in the dedicated section of our website.

Nicotine is the main alkaloid in tobacco and its harmful effects on smokers, apart from addiction and habituation, are well known. However, not everyone knows that, in addition to tobacco, nicotine is also found naturally and in low concentrations in other plants of the Solanaceae family – such as the tomato, potato, aubergine and bell pepper – where it plays a defensive function against pests and herbivores. For this reason, it has been used in plant protection products or insecticides in the past and can still be found as an undesirable substance in spices, with possible health risks for consumers.

In this article, we will see what EFSA has found, following the latest risk assessment carried out in 2023 and recently published.

The biological effects of nicotine

Nicotine is a neurotoxin that acts as an agonist for acetylcholine receptors; in mammals, in low concentrations, it has an exciting effect, while in insects it is very toxic; although its use as an insecticide has been banned in Europe since 2009, it is unfortunately still used as a household remedy to get rid of garden pests, also due to incorrect information conveyed through the Internet, as well as in Third Countries.

EFSA assessment of the risks of nicotine to consumer health

The use of nicotine as an insecticide was evaluated in the framework of Directive 91/414/EEC of 15/07/1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market. In 2009, however, since nicotine could not be proven safe for use as a plant protection product, the European Commission decreed that all plant protection products containing nicotine as an active substance had to be withdrawn from the market by 8th June of that year. However, no specific Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) were set for nicotine at that time; therefore, a default MRL of 0.01 mg/kg was applied to all products. Over the years, the limits have been varied and differentiated (see Commission Reg. 2011/812), until new regulations were issued in 2023, namely Commission Reg. EU 2023/377 of 15/02/2023 (covering various food categories, including fresh herbs, edible flowers, herbal infusions, tea and spices) and Commission Reg. EU 2023/1536 of 25/07/2023 (tea, rose hips and spices), which changed the limits for nicotine in the relevant food classes.

However, monitoring data submitted to the European Commission by food business operators and Third Countries showed that under the new limits, many spices would be ‘outlawed’, thus proposing 0.3 mg/kg as the limit for spices. Hence, the European Commission asked EFSA to carry out a further risk assessment following both acute and chronic exposure. EFSA result was that a limit of 0.3 mg/kg is unlikely to pose a risk to consumer health, a position then adopted by the SCoPAFF (Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed), proposing a temporary limit of 0.3 mg/kg, to be reviewed by 22 February 2030 in the light of new information reaching the European Commission.

The limits currently in force remain those of the EU Commission Regulation 2023/1536, while the current limit for the category ‘0630000 Herbal Infusions’, to which our products mainly refer, is 0.3 mg/kg.

Nicotine: EPO measures

As a producer of botanical extracts, EPO has always believed that research and efforts towards a more controlled and responsible supply chain are key to protecting everyone’s health, and for nicotine EPO is already monitoring its extracts.

Furthermore, in line with our aim of full cooperation along the whole supply chain, EPO is asking its suppliers to investigate about the possible use of nicotine as a pesticide in their crops. After evaluation of the collected data, EPO will be able to issue a declaration of compliance.

With a view to a fruitful exchange of information between all the involved parties, EPO remains at the disposal of suppliers and customers to support them in case of doubts or if further information is needed.

Seasonal changes are periods of the year when our immune system is more vulnerable. There isn’t a single cause for coughs, flu, sore throats, and other autumnal illnesses, but a combination of factors to take into account.

Cold weather and the decrease in natural daylight hours during the day, which promotes more sedentary behavior, while not directly responsible for seasonal illnesses, can undoubtedly contribute to weakening the body’s natural defense in addition to coping, from October to March, with numerous challenges.

In fact, the rhythms of work and study schedules with consequent stress, along with habitual indoor settings with limited air exchange, and the diffusion of infectious diseases are all aspects that can make us more susceptible.

Let’s discover together how a varied and balanced diet and botanicals can be valuable allies for facing autumn and winter.

The role of nutrition and a healthy lifestyle

A balanced and complete daily diet, with at least 5 portions a day of steamed or raw seasonal fruit and vegetables, whole-grain foods, legumes and fish, can naturally support the body’s defenses on its own, even more effective when accompanied by a lifestyle that includes regular and adequate rest, outdoor physical activity and the limitation of substances that promote inflammatory processes, such as alcohol and caffeine.

In fact, the most recent research on immune support confirms that multiple specific micronutrients, including vitamins A, C, D, E, B6 and B12, folic acid, zinc, iron, copper and selenium, play a vital role in the proper functioning of the immune system.

Vitamins and micronutrients are abundant in fruits and vegetables. For example, vitamin C abounds not only in citrus fruits and kiwis but also in green vegetables, some of which, like broccoli, are typical of the autumn season; vitamin A can be found in yellow-orange vegetables (such as carrots and squash), while vitamin E is present in nuts, cereals and olives. Vitamin D mainly comes from animal sources, such as fish, eggs, and milk.

For this reason, the diet should be varied. However, when it becomes difficult to follow the golden rules of a healthy lifestyle and if you believe your immune system is weakening, it’s advisable to consult your doctor or nutritionist, who may recommend the use of dietary supplements.

Can botanicals help?

Even before Covid-19, there was evidence of the potential of natural plant-derived products in dealing with various viral infections. More recently, some plant-derived nutraceuticals have been studied as possible immunomodulating agents, often with the advantage of greater tolerability than pharmacological treatments.

Botanicals, in fact, usually act indirectly on the immune system through their antioxidant properties, allowing cells to trigger a booster effect and increase natural defense mechanisms; at other times, they may have a more specific antimicrobial and/or anti-inflammatory actions.

But which plant extracts can help improve the body’s natural defenses and which classes of phytochemical molecules are useful for this purpose?

The list of herbs and spices with these properties is very long. For example, we can mention plants from the Lamiaceae family (e.g., thyme) for their content of essential oils, which have antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, but also commonly used spices like ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, etc., also possess these properties.

The polyphenols in Sambucus nigra L. and Humulus lupulus L. seem to be responsible for the antioxidant and antiviral cytoprotective properties of immunHopE®: our high-quality dry extract can indeed produce a potent effect compared to individual extracts in reducing the mRNA levels of all tested viral proteins.

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, found in our EKINact®, is known for its action on the body’s natural defenses: in addition to being rich in polyphenols that protect cells from oxidative damage, the plant contains polysaccharides with recognized immune-stimulating properties. Another species of Echinacea, Echinacea Angustifolia DC, has similar properties; both are used to prevent upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold.

Rosa Canina L., whose fruits, called rosehips, contain flavonoids, tannins and carotenoids, is a natural source of vitamin C, with tonic and antioxidant functions.

Adaptogenic plants can also be beneficial, as they help the body respond to endogenous and exogenous stress. An example is Panax Ginseng C. A. Meyer, a Chinese plant that can increase both humoral and cellular responses, thanks to the contribution of ginsenosides and polysaccharides.

Finally, Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim, also known as Siberian Ginseng or taiga root, which improves the body’s adaptability to seasonal changes thanks to its richness in eleutherosides and polysaccharides, preventing infectious diseases during cold periods.

Discover all the extracts Made in EPO in the dedicated section of our website.

According to an analysis by Fortune Business Insights, the global herbal medicine market will grow from USD 165.66 billion in 2022 to USD 347.50 billion by 2029. This is unprecedented growth, not least as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, when people turned to traditional medicine to defend themselves against the infection.

However, from 2001 to 2014, the global market for medicinal plants (MAP) had already tripled, thanks to their versatility, which allows them to be used in multiple areas such as food and feed, food additives and supplements, cosmetics, medical devices and herbal drugs, biocides and more.

Long-term sustainability at risk

Until recent years, the production of botanicals has been mainly based on wild collection. A practice that is not harmful in itself, but which, with the increasing pressure of commercial demand, over-exploitation, illegal trade and climate change, could pose a risk of extinction for many medicinal plant species, with serious repercussions for their habitats and communities.

According to the study Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Trade, Production and Management of Botanical Resources,at least one in four flowering plant species worldwide is used to meet the demand for MAP. The Inter-governmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) published an evaluation on the sustainability of wild species’ use in early 2022, revealing that one in five people globally relies on wild plants, algae and fungi for food and income. The IUCN Red List estimates that over 20% of globally used plant species for medicinal and aromatic purposes are threatened with extinction.

According to the CITES – Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora – database and other estimates, out of the 60,000 species of medicinal and aromatic plants harvested globally, anywhere from 1,280 to 9,000 species are at risk.

Cultivation of MAP: a growing trend

In the face of this systemic long-term sustainability risk, since the 1990s, the Guideline on the Conservation of Medicinal Plants promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and WWF recommended transitioning from wild collection to cultivation.

This practice has been on the rise. In the 2006 census, only 1% of MAP species came from commercial cultivation, but in the 2022 study Number of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Species Under Cultivation Is Showing an Upward Trend Globally, evidence of commercial cultivation was found for 3,227 MAP species in 162 different countries.

Medicinal and aromatic plants: cultivation or wild collection?

However, the debate regarding the long-term sustainability of the botanicals industry doesn’t lean entirely in favor of either  wild collection or cultivation. There are pros and cons to consider on a case-by-case basis.

From the perspective of the processing industry, cultivation offers more control at every level, from the entire supply chain to chemical variability, quality standards, price, and supply continuity. On the other hand, cultivation involves higher costs compared to harvesting or investment risks that individual farmers may not always be able to bear. Moreover, exclusive reliance on cultivation could lead to monoculture phenomena, harming biodiversity.

The sustainability of wild harvesting can also be problematic, especially for slow-growing species with limited distribution or those prone to overharvesting.

Social and cultural sustainability

Furthermore, there are concerns about social and cultural sustainability to take into account. MAP harvesting practices provide vital income to numerous marginalized rural populations and are a significant part of the local economy and traditional medicine in the countries of origin. These could suffer irreparable consequences from widespread monoculture or the shifting of cultivation to processing countries.

What to do?

These doubts and questions involve all stakeholders in the botanicals industry toward fair trade that considers biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource use, respect for local populations and their traditions, producer quality needs, economic sustainability of businesses, and good agricultural practices, both in raw material supplying countries and in transformation and extract production countries.

This is an approach that EPO has adopted since its inception, with responsibility and a guarantee of quality, safety, and sustainability of its extracts. On one hand, we ensure the entire harvest is sourced based on the actual cost incurred by small, mostly local farmers who invest in new plants, grown exclusively for us. On the other hand, through universities, we keep the tradition of legal wild plant  collection alive so that a vast cultural heritage and a source of livelihood for some rural economies, as well as female empowerment, are not lost.

Learn more about our Ethical Code and EPO’s commitments to sustainability: www.eposrl.com/en/code-of-ethics/

 

Hyperpigmentation is a skin imperfection consisting of dark spots of varying size, caused by an overproduction of melanin, the skin pigment also responsible for tanning.

According to data from an Ipsos market research study, skin hyperpigmentation affects more than 54 percent of women between 20 and 60 years of age and, particularly on the face, is perceived as the third most common aesthetic nuisance, after loss of tone on the body and face.

Hyperpigmentation: the causes

First of all, it is important to know the causes of hyperpigmentation in order to adopt the best strategies for dealing with this condition.

Exposure to sunlight is generally the main cause of hyperpigmentation. Melanocytes produce melanin to protect the skin from UV rays, but in some cases certain types of melanocytes produce more melanin than others, leading to the appearance of darker patches. While their appearance can be a source of discomfort, hyperpigmentation due to sun exposure is not considered a pathological condition and tends to recede with less exposure. For this reason, the problem is more noticeable in the summer months when people habitually leave their skin more uncovered.

Also physiological is hyperpigmentation due to ageing, a condition in which there is an uneven loss of melanin-producing cells in the skin and an increase in production by those that remain. Hence the appearance of dark spots at any time of year and not necessarily associated with sun exposure.

Freckles are also a form of hyperpigmentation, very common in fair-skinned people and therefore linked to genetic factors; they are normally caused by exposure to sunlight and, more rarely, by pathological skin conditions, such as xeroderma pigmentosus.

Another type of hyperpigmentation is caused by hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy (so-called ‘melasma gravidarum’) and menopause, or due to the use of oral contraceptives.

However, there are also other non-physiological causes of hyperpigmentation. Some may be related to skin inflammations and lesions (e.g., acne, burns or scars), others to systemic diseases of different degrees and severity (such as Addison’s disease, a rare disease of the adrenal cortex), or pharmacological treatments, as in the case of certain antibiotics or chemotherapy.

In all cases, when outdoors, it is advisable to always use sun creams, preferably unscented, with an adequate protective factor, even on cloudy days, and to have a dermatological check-up once a year to exclude the presence of pathological changes. However, there are plant extracts that can help in the treatment of hyperpigmentation and related imperfections.

Hyperpigmentation and plant extracts

The first rule should always be to keep the skin healthy and well moisturized. Extracts of mallow (Malva sylvestris L.) and marshmallow (Althaea officinalis L.), standardized in mucilage, can be useful for this purpose, as the latter retain liquids and have moisturizing properties.

Extracts of German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) and pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) are also recommended for their soothing and anti-reddening properties, which prevent inflammatory conditions.

Aloe vera gel (Aloe barbadensis Miller) is probably the best-known and most popular botanical for skin care, due to its emollient and humectant properties, known since ancient times. In addition to this, aloe vera contains aloesin, an active ingredient capable of inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase and, consequently, the synthesis of melanin. An interesting study showed that aloesin could inhibit hyperpigmentation caused by UV rays.

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi L.) also contains a tyrosinase inhibitor, arbutin; this is a natural precursor of hydroquinone, but is less irritating and in addition to its depigmenting action also combines interesting antioxidant properties.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a real chest of precious antioxidant molecules and its polyphenol fraction has proved effective in hyperpigmentation.

Finally, turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is widely used in Asia not only as a spice, but also for skin problems, due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties; its main active component, curcumin, can inhibit tyrosinase, thus justifying its traditional use in facial masks for skin blemishes.

Visit the Our Extracts section to download our catalogue and information materials on these and other botanicals.

Sweating is a physiological mechanism through which our body emits a liquid produced by sweat glands in order to regulate body temperature and perform other functions, such as excreting ‘waste’ substances or non-verbal communication. However, while it is normal to sweat a little more than usual when it is hot, and it is normal to sweat a lot more than usual when engaging in strenuous physical activity, there are situations in which abnormal sweating may be a sign of some psychophysical alteration.

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating

Our body normally secretes at least half a liter of sweat per day. When significantly larger amounts are produced under the same conditions, we talk of hyperhidrosis, which can be generalized or localized, as in typical cases of excessive sweating on the palms of the hands, armpits, feet or face. These situations can cause embarrassment, social discomfort or limitations in daily activities, as well as a feeling of unease or a decline in the quality of life.

Hyperhidrosis can be classified as primary, when no apparent causes are found, or secondary, when a psychophysical cause is diagnosed.

In the former case, excessive sweating is due to the sympathetic nervous system sending false signals to the sweat glands, even when the body does not require thermoregulation.

In the latter case, there may be several related causes: diseases or infections (hyperthyroidism, tuberculosis, HIV, blood cell or bone marrow disorders, tumors), bad habits or addictions (alcohol and drugs), physical conditions (obesity), use of certain medications or temporary physiological conditions, such as menopause.

Hypohidrosis and anhidrosis, or decreased sweating

There is also the reverse phenomenon, i.e. decreased sweating, a disorder that can occur as reduced sweating (hypohidrosis) or absence of sweating (anhidrosis), often accompanied by dryness of the skin in the affected area. In this case as well, the causes may be different (use of medication, injuries or diseases) and can result in an impact on the quality of life, such as weakness, dizziness, muscle cramps, excessive heat sensation and reddening of the skin.

In both cases, we are dealing with situations that require medical attention; however, there are botanicals that can help regulate sweating and related disorders. Let us see which plants have traditionally been used for this purpose.

Botanicals and sweating regulation

There are several plants whose phytocomplex can help to regularize the sweating process.

It is ancient knowledge that herbal teas or decoctions made from sage leaves, sipped or used as foot bath, have astringent properties and reduce sweat production. Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) promotes the regulation of sweating and counteracts menopause-related symptoms, as confirmed by numerous scientific studies. Indeed, it is believed that the phytoestrogens contained in sage can improve vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats.

Lapacho tea, made from the bark of the Tabebuia tree (Tabebuia avellanedae Lorentz ex Griseb), has been used for millennia by indigenous populations in South America, who considered it a true panacea. This plant supports the body’s depurative functions and helps regulate excessive sweating.

The flower heads of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) are traditionally used to promote the regulation of sweating and also have soothing and emollient effects on the skin, even in cases of irritation due to excessive sweating, commonly known as ‘heat rash’ or ‘miliaria’, which primarily affects infants and children during the summer months. In fact, according to a review conducted by the College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, recently published in Molecules, its chemical constituents possess anti-infective and anti-inflammatory properties, among others.

Finally, the flowers of black elder (Sambucus nigra L.) and the flowering aerial parts of meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria L.), also known as “queen of the meadow”, contain phytochemical substances with diaphoretic action, which can improve hypohidrosis and anhidrosis.

 

In summary, sweating-related disorders, whether in excess or deficiency, can be contingent and physiological. However, when they become an impediment to normal daily activities or have repercussions on the quality of life, they should immediately raise concerns about an altered psychophysical health condition. After evaluation by a primary care physician and, if necessary, a skin specialist, plant extracts can represent a valid and effective alternative to restore well-being.

To learn more about our extracts, visit the dedicated section on our website at www.eposrl.com/en/our-extracts/