Phytotherapy and the use of natural extracts from herbs, mushrooms, and plants is becoming increasingly popular among patients and practitioners. Natural compounds have a wide range of biological effects: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antibacterial.
Modern pharmacology seeks to scientifically evaluate the efficacy and safety of these agents, establish quality standards, and define limitations for clinical use.
If you look outside and towards the East, you will notice the huge bioresource and scientific base on plants of China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. For example, China has one of the richest floras in the world, and from it more than 13,000 official herbal preparations with a unified pharmacopoeia have been created and standards for harvest, drying, extraction, concentration have been introduced. That is, their “naturopathy” is actually industrialized pharmacology of plant origin.
However, let’s consider global, generally accepted and proven examples.
Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake. The health benefits of extracts of reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), shiitake (Lentinula edodes), and maitake (Grifola frondosa) mushrooms have been confirmed by numerous laboratory studies and some clinical trials, which mainly focus on their immunomodulatory and potential anticancer properties.
Used as a supplement to support immunity and treat chronic diseases.
However, for countries other than Asia, most of the evidence comes from laboratory and animal studies, and while the results are promising, additional large-scale human clinical trials are needed. Mushroom extracts are commonly available as dietary supplements, which are not pharmaceuticals.
Flavonoids, terpenes, and saponins are a large class of naturally occurring organic compounds found in fruits, vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms. They are not essential nutrients like vitamins or minerals, but they play an important role in maintaining human health due to their biologically active properties.
Main properties and benefits for humans:
3.1. Flavonoids
Flavonoids are a group of polyphenolic compounds that are responsible for the bright colors of many plants (red, blue, purple, and yellow pigments) that have benefits for humans:
3.2. Terpenes (Terpenes)
Terpenes are a large and diverse class of hydrocarbons that give plants their characteristic aroma and flavor (e.g., pine, citrus, lavender), which provide the following benefits to humans:
3.3. Saponins
Saponins are bitter-tasting glycosides that form a stable foam when shaken (hence the name “sapo” – soap), beneficial to human health in the following ways:
These three groups of compounds are key components of a plant-based diet that work synergistically to support the human body’s defense systems and promote overall health.
Curcumin (the active component of turmeric) is the subject of intense scientific research due to its pronounced anti-inflammatory properties, which may be useful in the treatment of a variety of chronic inflammatory processes.
Curcumin works at the molecular level by blocking key inflammatory molecules. It inhibits the activity of NF-kB, a protein complex that acts as a “switch” for inflammatory genes. NF-kB plays a critical role in most chronic inflammatory diseases. By inhibiting it, curcumin effectively reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-alpha, interleukins IL-1, IL-6, IL-8) and other inflammatory mediators.
For example, in chronic inflammatory joint disease (osteoarthritis), there is evidence of reduced inflammatory markers. Clinical trials have shown that taking a standardized curcumin extract can significantly reduce levels of inflammatory biomarkers in the blood, such as C-reactive protein (CRP). Patients experience reduced pain, improved joint mobility, and a reduced need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Studies, including the one you reference (PMC5664031), emphasize that standardized formulas (which provide a stable dose of the active ingredient) show better and more reliable results.
Potential benefits for other chronic conditions:
In addition to osteoarthritis, curcumin is being investigated for use in other chronic inflammatory diseases:
The Importance of a Standardized Extract (PMC5664031)
Curcumin’s bioavailability (the body’s ability to absorb it) is inherently low. Using standardized extracts is critical, as they often contain additives (e.g., piperine from black pepper) or are formulated using special technologies (liposomal formulations, micellar solutions) that significantly increase its absorption and effectiveness in the body.
Ginkgo biloba leaf extract is being widely studied for its potential benefits in treating and slowing cognitive decline.
Studies, including the one you reference (PMC6113112), as well as numerous other clinical trials, provide mixed but generally promising data.
The main mechanisms of action of ginkgo biloba include:
Research results in cognitive impairment
The study, published under the number PMC6113112 (full title: Ginkgo biloba Extract EGb 761®: A Systematic Review of Efficacy and Safety in Psychiatric Disorders from a Registered Clinical Trials Database), analyzes the efficacy and safety of a specific standardized extract in psychiatric disorders.
This and other similar studies indicate that ginkgo may be useful as an adjunctive therapy or as a means to support cognitive function in the early stages of decline, but its effects are usually modest and require long-term use.
Clinical studies confirm the immunomodulatory effects of Echinacea. Active components such as polysaccharides, alkylamides/alkamides, and caffeic acid derivatives (e.g., chicory acid) stimulate the activity of immune cells such as macrophages and natural killer cells.
Main confirmed effects:
A systematic review and meta-analysis, including one published under the reference PMC5871213 (Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold), analyzes data from numerous controlled trials. The findings often indicate a modest but statistically significant positive effect of echinacea in both preventing and treating cold symptoms.
Important recommendations for use
The effectiveness and safety of echinacea largely depends on proper use:
Natural compounds from herbs, mushrooms, and plants have a wide range of therapeutic effects. To make the information as clear as possible, we have broken them down into major categories, showing mechanisms of action and potential risks.
| Natural remedy | Active ingredients | Effects on the body | Scientifically proven | Possible risks | |
| Turmeric | Curcumin | Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant | ✅ | High doses may irritate the stomach | |
| Echinacea | Polyphenols, alkylamines | Immunomodulatory, antibacterial | ✅ | Allergic reactions, limitations in autoimmune diseases | |
| Ginkgo biloba | Flavonoids, terpenoids | Improves blood circulation, cognitive function | ✅ | Interaction with anticoagulants | |
| Reishi (mushroom) | Polysaccharides, triterpenes | Immunomodulatory, antioxidant | ✅ | Possible allergies | |
| Shiitake (mushroom) | Lentinan, ergosterol | Immune support, cardiovascular benefits | ✅ | Uncontrolled use can cause digestive disorders | |
| Maitake (mushroom) | Beta-glucans | Immunomodulatory, antioxidant | ✅ | Drug interactions | |
| Plant flavonoids | Quercetin, rutin | Antioxidant, heart and vascular support | ✅ | High doses may affect blood clotting | |
| Saponins | Plant glycosides | Anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory | ✅ | Possible digestive disorders in case of overdose |
In light of the above, we conclude that the pharmacology of natural compounds offers great prospects for health maintenance and treatment of chronic conditions. At the same time, scientific standardization, quality control, and clinical research are necessary to ensure that natural remedies are effective and safe.
The experience of China shows that natural extracts become most effective when they are considered as part of a pharmacological system, and not as an alternative to medicine. They can become a bridge between pharmacology and naturopathy, allowing the use of natural resources with maximum benefit and minimum risk.
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