Gravel Root Powder

Gravel Root Powder

Gravel root is a hardy perennial plant that is located in the United States and Canada. This medicinal root is also commonly known as Joe Pye weed, or Sweet Joe Pye weed. Legend has it that a Native American named Joe Pye used gravel root to help cure people affected by typhoid outbreak. Since then, gravel root was quickly adopted by the settlers in the treatment of a wide array of medical maladies. Researchers believe that its medicinal properties are primarily attributed to its rich flavonoid content, which are plant compounds thought to provide health benefits through its antioxidant effects. You can reap the potential therapeutic benefits of this ancient medicinal herb by consuming it in the form of tea, powders, pills, and tinctures.

Benefits of Gravel Root

There is growing body of evidence that gravel root can benefit almost every organ system in the body. The following are among its extensive health benefits:

Detoxifies the Body

There is increasing evidence that gravel root can help eliminate harmful toxins from the body. A 2010 study found that gravel root has potent diuretic effect, which means that it helps increase urinary frequency and volume.[1] This in turn helps flush toxins and other harmful substances out of the body.

Fights Inflammation

According to a 2001 test tube study published in Phytotherapy Research, gravel root can help fight inflammatory conditions through its anti-inflammatory properties.[2] Researchers found that gravel root was able to suppress inflammation and lower the levels of inflammatory markers, suggesting that it can be beneficial in several inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.

Fights Infection

Gravel root is long used by Native Americans in treating a wide array of infections. In fact, studies show that it has antibacterial and antiviral properties which can help combat infection-causing microorganisms.[3]

Prevents Various Types of Cancers

The anti-cancer properties of gravel root are attributed to its rich flavonoid content. Numerous studies have shown that flavonoid-rich plants such as gravel root can help combat various types of cancers by suppressing its growth and reproduction. According to these high quality studies, flavonoids fight cancer cells by inducing programmed cell death of malignant cells, altering cell cycle of cancer cells, and suppressing different signaling pathways involve in cancer cell growth.[4-12]

Improves Prostate Health

As men get older, their risk of getting various prostate conditions increases. One of the most common prostate problems that older men experience is benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. This condition is characterized by prostate enlargement, which ultimately results in urinary problems, bladder infections and bladder stones. Growing evidence supports that flavonoids from gravel root can help treat and prevent this condition. Studies show that higher consumption of flavonoids is associated with lower risk of BPH and other prostate conditions, as well as improved symptoms of BPH.[13-16]

Improves Sleep Quality

Strong scientific studies suggest that flavonoids from gravel root can help improve sleep quality especially in aging men. Numerous clinical trials have shown that flavonoid consumption can help improve sleep pattern and sleeping time in people with insomnia.[17-20]

Wards Off Depression

Flavonoids from gravel root possess potent anti-depressant properties which can help improve mood. Studies show that flavonoids increase the levels of certain brain chemicals that fight depression and boost overall mood.[21]

Improves Blood Pressure

A 2011 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that habitual intake of flavonoids is associated with a significant reduction in blood pressure.[22] This finding indicates that gravel root supplementation can benefit hypertensive individuals.

Prevents Erectile Dysfunction

Consuming flavonoids from gravel root can help ramp up sexual power in men. According to a 2016 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, higher habitual intake of specific flavonoids is associated with reduced incidence of erectile dysfunction.[23]

Fights Signs of Aging

Numerous studies support the anti-aging properties of gravel root flavonoids. According to these studies, flavonoids help prevent visible signs of aging such as wrinkles, blemishes and brown spots by neutralizing the harmful effects of free radicals, which are known to accelerate the aging process.[24-29]

References:

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2. Habtemariam S. Anti-inflammatory activity of the anti-rheumatic herbal drug, gravel root (Eupatroium purpureum): further biological activities and constituents. Phytotherapy Research. 2001 December;15(8):687-90.
3. Available from https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_eufi2.pdf.
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