[Latin Name]Huperzia serratum

[Source] Huperziceae whole herb from China

[Appearance]Brown to white

[Ingredient]Huperzine A

[Specification]Huperzine A 1% – 5%, HPLC

[Solubility] Soluble in chloroform, methanol, ethanol, slightly soluble in water

[Particle size] 80 Mesh

[Loss on drying] ≤5.0%

[Heavy Metal] ≤10PPM

[Pesticide residue] EC396-2005, USP 34, EP 8.0, FDA

[Storage] Store in cool & dry area, keep away from the direct light and heat.

[Shelf life] 24 Months

[Package] Packed in paper-drums and two plastic-bags inside.

[What is Huperzine A]

Huperzia is a type of moss that grows in China. It is related to club mosses (the Lycopodiaceae family) and is known to some botanists as Lycopodium serratum . The whole prepared moss was used traditionally. Modern herbal preparations use only the isolated alkaloid known as huperzine A. Huperzine A is an alkaloid found in huperzia that has been reported to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, an important substance needed by the nervous system to transmit information from cell to cell. Animal research has suggested that huperzine A’s ability to preserve acetylcholine may be greater than that of some prescription drugs. Loss of acetylcholine function is a primary feature of several disorders of brain function, including Alzheimer’s disease . Huperzine A may also have a protective effect on brain tissue, further increasing its theoretical potential for helping reduce symptoms of some brain disorders.

[Function] Used in alternative medicine, huperzine A has been found to act as a cholinesterase inhibitor, a type of medicine used to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine (a chemical essential to learning and memory).

Not only used as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, huperzine A is also said to enhance learning and memory and to protect against age-related cognitive decline.

In addition, huperzine A is sometimes used to boost energy, increase alertness, and aid in the treatment of myasthenia gravis (an autoimmune disorder that affects the muscles).

Ingredients and Production
Protandim, protected by four patents, is made of five potent botanicals:

Milk Thistle Extract (Seed)
The milk thistle is a flowering plant of the daisy family. Native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, its seeds have been used for 2,000 years to treat chronic liver disease and to protect the liver against toxins. Increasing research is being undertaken on the physiological effects, therapeutic properties and possible medical uses of milk thistle.

Bacopa Extract (Aerial Part)
Bacopa herb, commonly grown in marshy areas throughout India, has been touted for its cognitive enhancing effects for centuries. It possesses strong antioxidant properties, protects mental function and helps improve learning skills.

Ashwagandha (Root)
Ashwagandha root is a herb of the ages from the traditional medicine of India and is considered an “adaptogen,” a term used to describe herbs that improve physical energy and athletic ability, increase immunity to colds and infections and increase sexual capacity and fertility. Ashwagandha helps boost the immune system, helps alleviate stress and is also used to treat inflammation, improve memory and provide a rich source of antioxidants.

Green Tea Extract (Leaf)
Green tea originates from China and is associated with many cultures in Asia and the Middle East. It has been subjected to many scientific studies to determine the extent of its long-purported health benefits. Many believe green tea helps lower chances of heart disease and of developing certain types of cancer due to flavonoids, a group of phytochemicals in most plant products that are responsible for antioxidative and anticarcinogenic functions.

Turmeric Extract (Rhizome)
Turmeric has been used for centuries and has always been an important part of Chinese herbal medicine and has also been used in India for 2,500 years. Truly, the health benefits of turmeric have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. This natural food is believed by many to support liver health, help prevent bad cholesterol and is being studied for its ability to prevent and block the growth of tumors. Turmeric has attracted the attention of researchers in the fields of Alzheimer’s disease, memory deficits, arthritis, cancer (including breast cancer) and diabetes. It possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and its antioxidant power is so effective it actually helps preserve the shelf life of foods it’s added to.

Dr. Pansak explains more about Pycnogenol