Phellodendron amurense is a species of cork tree native to Eastern Asia that can also be found in some parts of North America. In traditional Chinese medicine, P. amurense is used to treat: abdominal pain, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, andinfections of the lungs and urinary tract. This plant extract contains berbe rines, which have strong anti-bacterial properties.
Key Health Advantages of Phellodendron Amurense
Antioxidant Benefits
P. amurense has been found to produce increased skin antioxidant and immunity levels in animals. It has also been shown to slow unhealthy cell formation in the lungs of mice. One 2011 review noted that P. amurense has great potential as an agent for irregular cell growth in the prostate. Further research is required, but many studies attributed the immune-boosting benefits of P. amurense to its berberine content. It has also been found to directly inhibit multidrug-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA. It can also be combined with antibiotics to promote the destruction of drug-resistant bacteria because it can reverse the bacteria's drug resistance, thus allowing the antibiotics to work again.
Osteoarthritis Support
Interestingly, recent research has shown that P. amurense is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis. A study done in 2011 found that oral supplementation of P. amurense prevents the breakdown of cartilage and thus, protects against the joint deterioration associated with osteoarthritis (OA). This round of research was promoted by a 2009 study that examined the benefits of P. amurense (in combination with citrus sinensis peel extract) in OA patients and found improvement in their symptoms. They were surprised to also find that the supplementation group also lost an average of 5% of their body weight after 8 weeks of treatment. This herbal combination was also found to benefit cardiovascular risk factors, such as lipid levels, blood pressure and fasting glucose.
Weight Loss Help
When P. amurense is combined with other herbs such as citrus sinensis or magnolia, it has been found to help promote weight loss. When combined with magnolia in particular, P. amurense was shown to relieve transitory anxiety in premenopausal women and thus reduce stress-associated over-eating. A 2006 study found that P. amurense helped healthy, overweight premenopausal women (20-50 years of age) reduce their stress eating. They had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol at the end of the day, felt more able to manage their stress, and gained significantly less weight than the control group during the study.
Taking Quality Phellodendron Amurense Supplements
In general, Phellodendron amurense is found in combination formulas. It can most commonly be found in the proprietary blend known as Relora. Because the research in humans has combinations of P. amurense with other herbs such as magnolia (Relora) or with citrus sinensis, the exact dose of P. amurense required for effects is not established. The combination products are used at a dose of around 750mg daily in two or three divided doses.
