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Vital Guard Supreme is made from the ground flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium. It is a broad spectrum anti-microbial as well as having many other valuable properties. In China, the flowers of this particular species have been used for over 4,000 years as an important plant medicine. Traditionally, Chrysanthemum has been used in China to treat headaches, sore throats, and fevers, as well as eye disorders like red eyes, blurred vision, and near-sightedness. Chrysanthemum can be used to treat hypertension, vertigo, dizziness, and help resolve certain skin disorders like abscesses and ulcers [1]. It has also been used to treat insomnia in Korea. Chrysanthemum flowers and leaves are rich in flavinoids, which are a class of compounds known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and cardioprotective properties. The two principal flavinoids in Chrysanthemum are Luteolin and Apigenin, as well as some Quercetin. Modest amounts of essential oils are present in the flowers, 0.2-.85%. Chrysanthemum also contains Isobutyl-amides, immune modulating compounds also found in Echinacea. Most importantly, Chrysanthemum has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, and anti-viral properties, is cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and has potent antioxidant properties. I have found it to be especially useful in a wide variety of viral infections both acute and chronic, as well as bacterial infections including Lyme. Almost across the board when patients begin taking Chrysanthemum they report a greater sense of wellbeing, and some report increased-energy. I’ve also seen great effects with patients who suffer from chronic aches and pains as in Fibromyalgia. With muscle testing, it generally seems to strengthen most people in the clear. I find Chrysanthemum to be useful in a broad range of applications from a gentle cardiovascular and brain tonic to a potent anti-microbial agent. Chrysanthemum is very safe, large quantities having been tested in animal models for extended periods of time (Rat models fed up to 15g/kg body mass for 14 days in one study and 1,280g/kg body mass for 26 weeks in another study, both with no adverse effects)[2]. Chrysanthemum extracts have been shown to be cytotoxic against Mycobacterium tuberculosis [3]. Extracts have also been shown to be anti-mutagenic against Salmonella typhimirium [4]. Of special note were several studies, which showed strong effects at inhibiting HIV by both interfering with the integrase enzyme as well as direct anti-HIV activity in cell-culture [5]. In one study, extracts from Chrysanthemum significantly reduced neuronal defects, extent of infarction, brain edema, and improved the production of super-oxide dismutase (SOD), in brain tissue following ischemic stroke in animal models [6]. In another study, Chrysanthemum extracts were shown to be protective against oxidative damage and cytotoxic drugs by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in brain tissue [7]. There is some evidence that Chrysanthemum is protective against damage from heavy metals, particularly lead. In one study, Chrysanthemum extracts were shown to be protective against lead-induced oxidative injury, as well as being hepatoprotective and nephroprotective [8]. In heart tissue, Chrysanthemum has been shown to be cardioprotective acting as an anti-arrhythmic agent, increasing the action of papillary heart muscles, and protecting against oxidized LDL, the precursor to atherosclerotic plaque [8, 9]. It has also been shown to prevent apoptosis of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells [10]. High doses of Chrysanthemum have been used over a course of several months for Coronary Artery disease leading to improvements in 86% of patient symptom scores and 45% improvement on objective EKG findings [11]. In summary we test Vitalguard Supreme on all patients due to its general health enhancing properties and broad range of applications (as we do with all the other Supreme Nutrition products). It is a great anti-microbial and possibly like Morinda can act as a preventative. It also appears to improve health in general. When using it as an anti-microbial we let our testing dictate whether we use it as a stand alone or in combination with other products such as Morinda, Melia, Golden Thread, and Schisandra. We have read of no contraindications during pregnancy (after exhaustively searching for them) so it might be the treatment of choice when treating dysbiosis during pregnancy but as with any herb during pregnancy monitor your patients closely. Recommended Dose: 4 capsules three times a day for active issues and two caps 2 times daily for general health. 1 Chen John, Chen Tina; Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, Art of Medicine Press 2004, p76-77. 2 J Food Sci. 2010 Aug 1;75(6):T105-9 3 Biol Pharm Bull. 2005 Jan;28(1):158-60 4 Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2003 Oct;67(10):2091-9. 5 Planta Med. 2003 Sep;69(9):859-61 6 J Med Food. 2010 Apr;13(2):306-11 7 J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Dec 10;126(3):447-54. Epub 2009 Sep 19 8 J Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Mar 2;128(1):213-20. Epub 2010 Jan 15 9 Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2009 Jul;38(4):377-82 10 Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2002 Aug;31(5):347-350 11 Zhe Jiang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao (Journal of Zhejiang Provence School of Medicine), 1978; 4:9 |