Some herbs have shown potential in improving bone density / reducing symptoms of osteoporosis. Herbs high in isoflavones such as soy, red clover, and flaxseed show promise, but more human studies are necessary.
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Research
The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study. Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action. This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.
GENERAL
- Essential oils of sage, rosemary, thyme, juniper, pine, turpentine, and eucalyptus and their constituents of thujone, eucalyptol, camphor, borneol, thymol, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, bornylacetate, and menthol inhibited bone resorption. From: Mühlbauer, R. C., Lozano, A., Palacio, S., Reinli, A., & Felix, R. (2003). Common herbs, essential oils, and monoterpenes potently modulate bone metabolism. Bone, 32(4), 372-380.
FLAXSEED
- This article discussed existing research on phytoestrogens, in plants (soy and flaxseed) reducing bone loss in women. From: Arjmandi, B. H. (2001). The role of phytoestrogens in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in ovarian hormone deficiency. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 20(sup5), 398S-402S.
- Flax and low dose estrogen reduced bone loss in rats without ovaries. From: Sacco, S. M., Jiang, J. M., Reza-López, S., Ma, D. W., Thompson, L. U., & Ward, W. E. (2009). Flaxseed combined with low-dose estrogen therapy preserves bone tissue in ovariectomized rats. Menopause, 16(3), 545-554.
ISOFLAVONES
- Isoflavones reduced lumbar spine bone loss in women. From: Atkinson, C., Compston, J. E., Day, N. E., Dowsett, M., & Bingham, S. A. (2004). The effects of phytoestrogen isoflavones on bone density in women: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial1-3. The American Journal of clinical nutrition, 79(2), 326-333 .
- This article discussed existing research on phytoestrogens, in plants (soy and flaxseed) reducing bone loss in women. From: Arjmandi, B. H. (2001). The role of phytoestrogens in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in ovarian hormone deficiency. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 20(sup5), 398S-402S.
LITSTEA
- A constituent isolated from Litsea cubeba had an antiosteoporosis effect in vitro. From: Peng, W., Shen, H., Lin, B., Han, P., Li, C., Zhang, Q., … & Han, T. (2018). Docking study and antiosteoporosis effects of a dibenzylbutane lignan isolated from Litsea cubeba targeting Cathepsin K and MEK1. Medicinal Chemistry Research, 27(9), 2062-2070.
RED CLOVER
- Red clover isoflavones were effective in reducing bone loss in rats. From: Occhiuto, F., Pasquale, R. D., Guglielmo, G., Palumbo, D. R., Zangla, G., Samperi, S., … & Circosta, C. (2007). Effects of phytoestrogenic isoflavones from red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) on experimental osteoporosis. Phytotherapy Research, 21(2), 130-134.
- Bone density improved after women took extracts of isoflavones from red clover. From: Clifton-Bligh, P. B., Baber, R. J., Fulcher, G. R., Nery, M. L., & Moreton, T. (2001). The effect of isoflavones extracted from red clover (Rimostil) on lipid and bone metabolism. Menopause, 8(4), 259-265.
- This article discussed existing research on phytoestrogens, in plants (soy and flaxseed) reducing bone loss in women. From: Arjmandi, B. H. (2001). The role of phytoestrogens in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in ovarian hormone deficiency. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 20(sup5), 398S-402S.
SOY
- This article discussed existing research on phytoestrogens, in plants (soy and flaxseed) reducing bone loss in women. From: Arjmandi, B. H. (2001). The role of phytoestrogens in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in ovarian hormone deficiency. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 20(sup5), 398S-402S.
Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski
Updated: 11/11/19
