Description
Relaxation
Food supplement in drops that promotes the maintenance of normal sleep and wakefulness rhythms and helps control anxiety states.Crataegus Oxyacantha (hawthorn)
The common hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) is a shrub that belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is a plant rich in flavonoids and procyanidins, powerful antioxidants. Among its various properties, the main actions exerted by hawthorn are cardioprotective and sedative. Precisely thanks to the high content of flavonoids, hawthorn exerts its powerful antioxidant action, and has been shown to be very useful in reducing oxidative stress during cardiac reperfusion, thus exerting a cardioprotective effect (1-3).
Other studies have shown that hawthorn is able to alleviate symptoms in patients with heart failure by increasing the flow and use of oxygen by the heart (4-6).
Furthermore, a slightly hypotensive effect has been observed on the part of flavonoids, even if the mechanism is not yet well known. Recently, it has been observed that a hawthorn extract is able to modify the permeability of cells to sodium and this ability could explain the effects observed both in vitro and in clinical studies (7-9). Finally, still in the cardiovascular field, a slight bradycardic effect has been observed in studies conducted in vivo and in clinical studies, through the activation of the muscarinic receptor (10, 11).
As regards the sedative effect of hawthorn, it has been observed in animal models that its main action is at the level of the central nervous system, although the mechanism of action is not yet clear. Flavonoids are probably involved, which would be able to bind to central and peripheral benzodiazepine receptors and this would determine the anxiolytic and moderately hypnotic effects observed. The efficacy and tolerability of the product has also been demonstrated by a clinical study conducted in patients with anxiety disorders. In this case, the efficacy of the hawthorn-escolzia combination was demonstrated in particular (12,13).
The intake of hawthorn is therefore particularly indicated in patients with sleep disorders, showing a sedative and anxiolytic activity combined with a cardioprotective action particularly useful in patients who also experience problems of palpitations and tachycardia.
Eschscholzia Californica (California Poppy)
Escolzia is a plant native to California and Mexico that belongs to the Papaveraceae family and its main component is alkaloids. Its main action occurs at the level of the central nervous system and in fact it has hypnotic, sedative and anxiolytic properties that have been demonstrated in various scientific works and clinical studies (1,2). An important quality of this plant is that it exerts its activity without causing dizziness upon awakening; furthermore, it is more active in women than in men.
The efficacy and tolerability of the product has also been demonstrated by a clinical study conducted in patients with anxiety disorders. In this case, the efficacy of the hawthorn-Escolzia combination was demonstrated in particular (3). However, the mechanism of action that determines its effects has not yet been clarified. It has been hypothesized that the Escolzia extract can inhibit the enzymatic degradation of catecholamines and therefore maintain high levels, interfering with their metabolic pathways (4). In another study carried out, it is hypothesized that there is an involvement of the receptors for benzodiazepines that would be more activated (5). The intake of Escolzia is therefore particularly indicated in cases of insomnia and anxiety.
Passionflower Incarnate
Passiflora is a genus that includes about 465 species of perennial and annual herbaceous plants, including Passiflora incarnata. It is used for medicinal purposes as it boasts sedative properties of the central nervous system, in particular anxiolytic and insomnia-curing, where it induces a sleep similar to physiological sleep without waking up at night and with a morning awakening without dizziness. The leaves and aerial parts contain various active ingredients, including numerous flavonoids and alkaloids, the main responsible for the beneficial effects of this plant.
Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have been carried out to clarify the mechanism of action of passionflower extracts (1).
It has been demonstrated that the observed anxiolytic effect is mainly due to flavonoids, which are able to bind to the GABA receptors for benzodiazepines, thus determining a significant sedative action, with the advantage, however, of not influencing alertness (2,3). In another study conducted on an animal model, it has been demonstrated that Passionflower seems to possess anticonvulsant properties and in this case too, flavonoids seem to be involved (4).
The properties of Passionflower have also been demonstrated in several clinical studies conducted on patients with sleep disorders and/or different levels of anxiety. These studies also showed that taking Passionflower improves the quality of sleep (5) and is an effective treatment to control anxiety levels without the typical side effects of benzodiazepines such as dizziness during the day (6,7). Thanks to this property, some studies have shown that the administration of Passionflower is a useful pretreatment in patients who must undergo surgery as it decreases the patient's anxiety level without inducing sedation (8,9).
Finally, the harmonic alkaloids contained in the plant would have a spasmolytic action on the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract and the uterus, making its intake also indicated in the case of menstrual pain and irritable bowel syndrome of nervous origin. The intake of Passiflora is therefore particularly effective in treating mild anxiety syndromes and sleep disorders and can also be a valid aid in the case of menstrual pain and irritable bowel syndrome of nervous origin.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a natural hormone produced mainly by the pineal gland that is secreted into the cerebrospinal fluid and blood circulation. It has several functions but the main and best known one concerns its role in regulating the sleep-wake rhythm. Its levels vary significantly during the day and reaches its peak concentration during the night, between 12:00 am and 3:00 am, while, on the contrary, during the day, its levels are very low, being sensitive to light (1,2). Numerous studies have shown how the levels and the length of the secretion period decrease with age (3-5).
Since melatonin plays a very important role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle, dietary supplementation with this hormone has proven to be very effective in treating insomnia problems and jet lag. In particular, melatonin is indicated for both sleep-onset disorders and sleep interruptions, improving the quality of rest, as emerged from several clinical studies (1, 6-10).
Furthermore, its effectiveness in alleviating sleep disorders that occur during intercontinental flights is well documented, by accelerating the body's adaptation to the new sleep-wake cycle (11-13). An important characteristic of this molecule is that it is not habit-forming and does not present significant side effects typical of pharmacological sedatives. However, melatonin also seems to be involved in numerous other physiological processes, and in fact it demonstrates excellent antioxidant activity and important immunomodulatory activity (14-16).
It is involved in the antioxidant system of the organism that protects molecules from damage caused by free radicals. It is able to act directly on highly toxic hydroxyl radicals with a “scavenger” action (17-19). It also stimulates the activity of numerous other antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase (20,21), and the synthesis of glutathione, another powerful antioxidant (14). A further important characteristic of this molecule is its ability to be both hydrophilic and lipophilic, which allows this molecule to reach almost all cellular compartments and therefore to exert its protective action at practically all levels (15).
As regards its activity on the immune system, melatonin has an immunostimulating action thanks to the presence of its receptors on leukocytes, both at the membrane and nuclear level. It would thus be able to modulate the proliferative response of stimulated lymphocytes and, at the intracellular level, to induce the production of cytokines (16).
As a consequence of all the functions in which it is involved, it has been hypothesized that the decrease in melatonin levels could be linked to the phenomenon of aging but the mechanism is still to be clarified (14, 15). The intake of melatonin is therefore particularly indicated to treat sleep disorders and jet-lag syndrome, also considering that the intake of this molecule will provide the organism with an important protective effect at an antioxidant level, which will result in a general well-being for the organism.
It does not contain gluten.
Ingredients
| per dose (20 drops) | |
| Crataegus oxycantha (leaf) | 30 mg |
| Eschscholtzia cali fornica (summitas) | 30 mg |
| Passiflora incarnata (herba c. floribus) | 30 mg |
| Melatonin | 4 mg |
How to use
Dilute with water.
Recommended dosage: 10 drops diluted in a glass of water to be taken twice a day after dinner and before going to bed.
Warnings
Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
Keep out of reach of children under three years of age.
Supplements are not intended as a substitute for a varied diet.
For pregnant or breastfeeding women and children, it is recommended to seek medical advice.
Format
30 ml bottle.
Cod. 3.
Bibliography
Crataegus Oxyacantha (hawthorn) ;
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Eschscholzia Californica (California Poppy) :
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Passionflower Incarnate :
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Melatonin :
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