Chrysanthellum: benefits, dosage, contraindications

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Chrysanthellum is an herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family native to Peru and Bolivia. It is also common in Africa where it grows along roadsides, in wastelands and around dwellings, especially in high plateau regions. It develops from the end of the rainy season. The word Chrysanthellum comes from the Greek “chrusos” meaning gold and “anthemis” meaning chamomile. Indeed, Chrysanthellum is also called “Golden chamomile” and overall resembles chamomile. Chrysanthellum has yellow-orange flowers grouped in small flower heads. The parts used in phytotherapy are the aerial parts at the end of flowering. The active substances are flavonoids, saponins and Chrysanthellines A and B. Traditionally, Chrysanthellum was used for gastrointestinal disorders. Chrysanthellum primarily has hepatoprotective properties. It is notably used in hepatobiliary disorders such as hepatitis or gallstones. It is also veinotonic and may benefit disorders related to venous insufficiency, including arteritis.

Other name(s) 

Golden chamomile, American Chrysanthellum, golden chamomile

Scientific name(s)

Chrysanthellum indicum subsp. Afro americanum B. L. Turner

Family or group: 

Plants

Active ingredients:

Flavonoids

Saponins

Tannins

Alkaloids

Chlorogenic acid

Caffeic acid


Indications

Scoring methodology

EFSA approval.

Several randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials (> 2), including a significant number of patients (>100), with consistently positive conclusions for the indication.
Several randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials (> 2), including a significant number of patients (>100), with positive conclusions for the indication.
One or more randomized studies, or several cohorts or epidemiological studies, with positive conclusions for the indication.
Clinical studies exist but are uncontrolled, with conclusions that may be positive or conflicting.
No clinical studies to date that can demonstrate the indication.


Venous insufficiency
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Chrysanthellum's richness in flavonoids and saponosides gives it a beneficial effect on the circulatory system. It relieves heavy legs through its venotonic action. In general, 12 to 16 g of dried plant per day or the equivalent is used. As an herbal tea (1 teaspoon = 2 g of plant), 3 to 4 cups per day, preferably taken after meals. The herbal tea is prepared by decoction and infusion in water.

Posologie

posologieBy mouth: aerial parts

posologie1.2 - 2.4 g

populationAdults

formulationpowder, herbal tea/tea/infusion, dry extract


Detoxification
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Chrysanthellum is a plant known for its hepatoprotective properties. Indeed, it can be used in cases of food or alcohol poisoning. French studies have shown that Chrysanthellum also produces remarkable effects on the elimination of alcohol from the blood, with an increase of nearly 5 times the normal rate. It also has properties for the regeneration of liver cells damaged by alcohol. In general, 12 to 16 g of dried plant per day or its equivalent are used. As an herbal tea (1 teaspoon = 2 g of plant), 3 to 4 herbal teas per day, preferably taken after meals. The tea is prepared by decoction and infusion in water.

Posologie

posologieOral administration: aerial parts

posologie1.2 - 2.4 g

populationAdults

formulationpowder, tisane/tea/infusion, dry extract


Hypercholesterolemia
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A study was conducted on 46 patients who received a concentrated extract of Chrysanthellum in 10-day sequences each month for 3 months. When Chrysanthellum is used alone, an average cholesterol reduction of 17% and an average triglyceride reduction of 66% were observed. In general, 12 to 16 g of dried plant per day or its equivalent are used. As an herbal tea (1 teaspoon = 2 g of plant), 3 to 4 herbal teas per day, preferably taken after meals. The tea is prepared by decoction and infusion in water.

Posologie

posologieOral administration: aerial parts

posologie1.2 - 2.4 g

duration3 months

populationAdults

formulationpowder, tisane/tea/infusion, dry extract


Peripheral arterial disease of the lower limbs
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A clinical evaluation involved 26 patients with arterial disease who received 300 mg per day of Chrysanthellum extract for 3 months compared with 32 others who were given only a placebo. Treated patients reported an improvement in their symptoms and an increase in their spontaneous activity. There is an excellent correlation between the clinical improvement and that of blood flow measured by Doppler ultrasound both at the level of the lower limbs and at that of the supra-aortic arteries. In general, 12 to 16 g of dried plant per day or its equivalent is used. As an herbal tea (1 teaspoon = 2 g of plant), 3 to 4 cups per day, preferably consumed after meals. The herbal tea is prepared by decoction and infusion in water.

Posologie

posologieOral route: aerial parts

posologie1.2 - 2.4 g

duration3 months

populationAdults

formulationpowder, herbal tea/tea/infusion, dry extract


Hepatic disorders
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The main activity of chrysanthellum is liver detoxification and the regeneration of hepatocytes. This effect is due to the presence of flavonoids and saponins. The mechanism of hepatic tissue regeneration occurs through the induction of microsomal enzymatic reactions, in particular by induction of cytochrome P450. Chrysanthellum also promotes bile drainage and facilitates the elimination of triglycerides and cholesterol.

Posologie

posologieOral: aerial parts

posologie1.2 - 2.4 g

formulationpowder, tisane/tea/infusion, dry extract


Kidney stone
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Reducing uric acid levels can help limit the risk of kidney stone formation, particularly those composed of uric acid. In a clinical study, in patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia, taking a specific combination of Chrysanthellum flower extract and cinnamon bark extract at a dose of 4 grams twice daily for 12 weeks reduced serum uric acid compared with patients on placebo.

Posologie

posologieOral: aerial parts

posologie8 g

duration12 weeks

formulationpowder, tisane/tea/infusion, dry extract


Synergies


Properties


Hepatoprotective

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The main activity of chrysanthellum is liver detoxification and hepatocyte regeneration. This effect is due to the presence of flavonoids and saponins. The mechanism of hepatic tissue regeneration occurs through induction of microsomal enzymatic reactions, in particular by induction of cytochrome P450.nnChrysanthellum also promotes bile drainage and facilitates the elimination of triglycerides and cholesterol.nn

Usages associés

Detoxification, Biliary disorders, Hepatic disorders

Microcirculatory effect

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Chrysanthellum is used in the preventive or curative treatment of vascular disorders. Indeed, it has beneficial effects on capillary permeability and fragility, as well as on peripheral microcirculation, thanks to its vitamin P properties.nnOther data suggest that chrysanthellum may increase coronary vasodilation and blood flow without increasing coronary contractility or oxygen consumption. It may also reduce histamine-induced capillary permeability.nn

Usages associés

Venous insufficiency, peripheral arterial disease of the lower limbs

Antioxidant

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It has been shown in vitro that flavonoids decrease lipid peroxidation. Indeed, flavonoids are free radical scavengers.nn


Anti-inflammatory

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Flavonoids have anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase and therefore the production of leukotrienes, which mediate inflammation and allergic manifestations.nn


Hypolipidemic

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Chrysanthellum is thought to have hypolipidemic properties. A study examined the effect of Chrysanthellum on cholesterol and triglycerides, on the one hand in patients receiving only Chrysanthellum alone, and in others where Chrysanthellum was combined with various medications, generally of plant origin. It was found that when Chrysanthellum is used alone, there is an average decrease in cholesterol of 17% and an average decrease in triglycerides of 66%. When Chrysanthellum is used in combination, an average decrease of 16% was observed for cholesterol and 72% for triglycerides. Additionally, triglycerides are more strongly affected by Chrysanthellum than cholesterol.

Usages associés

Hypercholesterolemia

Uricosuric effect

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Chrysanthellum extract has antilithic effects on both the biliary and urinary systems. A combination of Chrysanthellum flower extract and cassia cinnamon bark extract reduces serum uric acid levels in rats and promotes urinary excretion of uric acid.

Usages associés

Kidney stone


Safe dosage

Adults aged 18 and over: 1.2 g - 2.4 g (powder, tisane/tea/infusion)

As a dry extract (400 mg capsules): 1,200 to 2,400 mg of dry extract per day in four or six doses taken at the end of or during meals.


Precautions

Allergies: avoid

Chrysanthellum contains sesquiterpene lactones. Therefore, it is not recommended for people allergic to plants of the Asteraceae family.


Contraindications

Pregnant women: contraindicated

Chrysanthellum is contraindicated for pregnant women.

Breastfeeding women: contraindicated

Chrysanthellum is contraindicated for breastfeeding women.

Children up to 18 years: contraindicated

Chrysanthellum is contraindicated for children.