Osteoporosis Treatment With Chinese Herb Gou Ji?
Cibotium or Vegetable Lamb Plant May Help Reduce Bone Density Loss
Oct 29, 2009
The study of the traditional medicinal plants of Viet Nam has led to the finding that one of the compounds in vegetable lamb plant (Cibotium barometz) may block the action of cells that break down bone, resulting in osteoporosis. The plant is also known as "vegetable lamb plant" based on a legend that told of fully developed lambs springing from the seed capsule of the plant.
The Use of Gou Ji in Traditional Chinese Medicine
The report mentions the use of Cibotium barometz in Viet Nam for rheumatism, lumbago, neuralgia and sciatica. This is similar to the way in which traditional Chinese medicine views gou ji. It is classified as a yang tonic, which tones the liver and kidneys. It is used when patients present with sore, stiff or weak spine, lower back and legs and for urinary incontinence.
Potential for Osteoporosis Treatment With Cibotium barometz
Bone remodeling, the breakdown of older bone and development of new bone, is an ongoing process in the body. As humans age the body breaks down old bone faster than it builds new. Osteoblasts are responsible for building new bone. Osteoclasts break down the old. When osteoclast production exceeds osteoblast formation, osteoporosis may result.
One of the compounds that Young Ho Kim and his team isolated from gou ji was found to block the activity of osteoclasts. This action may slow bone loss in older people where osteoclast production is higher than osteoblast production.
At this time, the compound has only been testing in laboratory cultures. There remains the possibility that the isolated compound will have unintended side effects or prove less effective in the human body.
But the history of the use of gou ji for bone related health problems in several Asian countries suggests that the Cibotium plant may prove valuable in preventing osteoporosis. Until testing is complete individuals at risk for osteoporosis may want to consult with a traditional Chinese herbalist to determine if gou ji or other herbs from the yang tonic class might be of value. Yin yang huo, for example, has also proven to be of value in treating osteoporosis. A Chinese herbalist will also use foods as medicine.
Gou Ji is Not Goji Berry
It is important to note that the plant being studied, vegetable lamb plant, is Cibotium barometz. Despite having a similar sounding name in Chinese Pin Yin, wolfberry or Goji berry is Lycium barbarum. This is a completely different plant with different properties in traditional Chinese medicine.
As with western medications, there are cautions and contraindications listed for many of the herbs in the Chinese material medica. There are several for gou ji. Individuals without training in traditional Chinese medicine should not begin a course of herbs without the guidance of a TCM herbalist.
Other Sources:
Bensky, D and Gamble, A. 1993. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, Revised Edition.Seattle, Washington. Eastland Press
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