Balancing Agents for the Gut, and Support for Liver/Kidney Detoxification (2024)

Essential oils of sweet orange, myrrh, juniper, and clove

Each of these oils contains many active compounds, a sense of which we only begin to have from the aromatic expression of its essence. Sweet orange essential oil is derived from the outer peel of the orange, which anyone who has tasted is familiar with its bitter nature. Sweet orange essential oil has been observed to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant effects.[35],[36] Myrrh has a long history of medicinal use, and is perhaps most recognized for its antimicrobial effects.[37],[38] Additionally, myrrh has been used as an anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cholesterol lowering agent.[39]

Juniper essential oil also has been shown to have broad antimicrobial action, with traditional use as an antiseptic, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and astringent, with an affinity for the urinary tract. [40],[41] Juniper also acts as an antioxidant, with metal chelating, free radical, superoxide anion radical, and hydrogen per

oxide scavenging activities.[42],[43] Finally, clove essential oil also has antimicrobial, antiviral, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.[44],[45] As an antioxidant it has a
significant inhibitory effect against hydroxyl radicals and forms complexes with reduced metals.[46],[47],[48]

Author, Dr. Carrie Decker

Dr. Decker is a certified Naturopathic Doctor, graduating with honors from the National College of Natural Medicine (now the National University of Natural Medicine) in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Decker also has graduate degrees in biomedical and mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign respectfully. Dr. Decker sees patients at her office in Portland, OR, as well as remotely, with a focus on gastrointestinal disease, mood imbalances, eating disorders, autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue, and skin conditions. Dr. Decker also supports integrative medicine education as a writer and a contributor to various resources.

[1] Shaik FA, et al. Bitter taste receptors: Extraoral roles in pathophysiology. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2016 Aug;77(Pt B):197-204. View Abstract

[2] Jaggupilli A, et al. Analysis of the expression of human bitter taste receptors in extraoral tissues. Mol Cell Biochem. 2017 Feb;426(1-2):137-147. View Abstract

[3] Yu Y, et al. Berberine induces GLP-1 secretion through activation of bitter taste receptor pathways. Biochem Pharmacol. 2015 Sep 15;97(2):173-7. View Abstract

[4] Lee RJ, Cohen NA. The emerging role of the bitter taste receptor T2R38 in upper respiratory infection and chronic rhinosinusitis. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2013 Jul-Aug;27(4):283-6. View Abstract

[5] Gaida MM, et al. Sensing developing biofilms: the bitter receptor T2R38 on myeloid cells. Pathog Dis. 2016 Apr;74(3). View Full Paper

[6] Doherty MM, Charman WN. The mucosa of the small intestine: how clinically relevant as an organ of drug metabolism? Clin Pharmaco*kinet. 2002;41(4):235-53. View Abstract

[7] Berggren S, et al. Gene and protein expression of P-glycoprotein, MRP1, MRP2, and CYP3A4 in the small and large human intestine. Mol Pharm. 2007 Mar-Apr;4(2):252-7. View Abstract

[8] Ganey PE, Roth RA. Concurrent inflammation as a determinant of susceptibility to toxicity from xenobiotic agents. Toxicology. 2001 Dec 28;169(3):195-208. View Abstract

[9] Tang W, et al. Endotoxin downregulates hepatic expression of P-glycoprotein and MRP2 in 2-acetylaminofluorene-treated rats. Mol Cell Biol Res Commun. 2000 Aug;4(2):90-7. View Abstract

[10] Kalitsky-Szirtes J, et al. Suppression of drug-metabolizing enzymes and efflux transporters in the intestine of endotoxin-treated rats. Drug Metab Dispos. 2004 Jan;32(1):20-7. View Full Paper

[11] Schütz K, Carle R, Schieber A. Taraxacum--a review on its phytochemical and pharmacological profile. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Oct 11;107(3):313-23. View Abstract

[12] González-Castejón M, et al. Diverse biological activities of dandelion. Nutr Rev. 2012 Sep;70(9):534-47. View Abstract

[13] Choi UK, et al. Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root and leaf on cholesterol-fed rabbits. Int J Mol Sci. 2010 Jan 6;11(1):67-78. View Full Paper

[14] Davaatseren M, et al. Taraxacum official (dandelion) leaf extract alleviates high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver. Food Chem Toxicol. 2013 Aug;58:30-6. View Abstract

[15] You Y, et al. In vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective effects of the aqueous extract from Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) root against alcohol-induced oxidative stress. Food Chem Toxicol. 2010 Jun;48(6):1632-7. View Abstract

[16] Abenavoli L, et al. Milk thistle in liver diseases: past, present, future. Phytother Res. 2010 Oct;24(10):1423-32. View Abstract

[17] Kim DH, et al. Silymarin and its components are inhibitors of beta-glucuronidase. Biol Pharm Bull. 1994 Mar;17(3):443-5. View Abstract

[18] Valenzuela A, et al. Selectivity of silymarin on the increase of the GSH content in different tissues of the rat. Planta Med. 1989 Oct;55(5):420-2. View Abstract

[19] Rui YC. Advances in pharmacological studies of silymarin. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 1991;86 Suppl 2:79-85. View Full Paper

[20] Melzig MF. [Goldenrod--a classical exponent in the urological phytotherapy]. Wien Med Wochenschr. 2004 Nov;154(21-22):523-7. View Abstract

[21] Bradette-Hébert ME, et al. A new labdane diterpene from the flowers of Solidago canadensis. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2008 Jan;56(1):82-4. View Full Paper

[22] Bohlmann F, et al. Sesquiterpene and diterpene derivatives from Solidago species. Phytochemistry. 1980 Jan;19(12):2655-61. View Abstract

[23] Yarnell E. Botanical medicines for the urinary tract. World J Urol. 2002 Nov;20(5):285-93. View Full Paper

[24] Apáti P, et al. In-vitro effect of flavonoids from Solidago canadensis extract on GSH S-transferase. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2006 Feb;58(2):251-6. View Abstract

[25] Niiho Y, et al. Gastroprotective effects of bitter principles isolated from Gentian root and Swertia herb on experimentally-induced gastric lesions in rats. Journal of natural medicines. 2006 Jan;60(1):82-8. View Abstract

[26] Dinda B, et al. Naturally occurring iridoids, secoiridoids and their bioactivity. An updated review, part 3. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2009 Aug;57(8):765-96. View Full Paper

[27] Ghisalberti EL. Biological and pharmacological activity of naturally occurring iridoids and secoiridoids. Phytomedicine. 1998 Apr;5(2):147-63. View Abstract

[28] Mihailović V, et al. Hepatoprotective effects of Gentiana asclepiadea L. extracts against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rats. Food Chem Toxicol. 2013 Feb;52:83-90. View Abstract

[29] Lian LH, et al. Gentiana manshurica Kitagawa reverses acute alcohol-induced liver steatosis through blocking sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 maturation. J Agric Food Chem. 2010 Dec 22;58(24):13013-9. View Abstract

[30] Wang AY, et al. Gentiana manshurica Kitagawa prevents acetaminophen-induced acute hepatic injury in mice via inhibiting JNK/ERK MAPK pathway. World J Gastroenterol. 2010 Jan 21;16(3):384-91. View Abstract

[31] Chan YS, et al. A review of the pharmacological effects of Arctium lappa (burdock). Inflammopharmacology. 2011 Oct;19(5):245-54. View Abstract

[32] Lin SC, et al. Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa on carbon tetrachloride- and acetaminophen-induced liver damage. Am J Chin Med. 2000;28(2):163-73. View Abstract

[33] Maruta Y, Kawabata J, Niki R. Antioxidative caffeoylquinic acid derivatives in the roots of burdock (Arctium lappa L.). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 1995 Oct;43(10):2592-5. View Abstract

[34] Wang BS, et al. Protective effects of burdock (Arctium lappa Linne) on oxidation of low-density lipoprotein and oxidative stress in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Food Chemistry. 2007 Dec;101(2):729-38. View Abstract

[35] Geraci A, et al. Essential oil components of orange peels and antimicrobial activity. Nat Prod Res. 2016 Aug 18:1-7. View Abstract

[36] Guimarães R, et al. Targeting excessive free radicals with peels and juices of citrus fruits: grapefruit, lemon, lime and orange. Food Chem Toxicol. 2010 Jan;48(1):99-106. View Abstract

[37] Dolara P, et al. Local anaesthetic, antibacterial and antifungal properties of sesquiterpenes from myrrh. Planta Med. 2000 May;66(4):356-8. View Abstract

[38] Sheir Z, et al. A safe, effective, herbal antischistosomal therapy derived from myrrh. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2001 Dec;65(6):700-4. View Full Paper

[39] Shen T, et al. The genus Commiphora: a review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Jul 13;142(2):319-30. View Abstract

[40] Pepeljnjak S, et al. Antimicrobial activity of juniper berry essential oil (Juniperus communis L., Cupressaceae). Acta Pharm. 2005 Dec;55(4):417-22. View Abstract

[41] Bais S, et al. A Phytopharmacological Review on a Medicinal Plant: Juniperus communis. Int Sch Res Notices. 2014 Nov 11;2014:634723. View Full Paper

[42] Miceli N, et al. Comparative analysis of flavonoid profile, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the berries of Juniperus communis L. var. communis and Juniperus communis L. var. saxatilis Pall. from Turkey. J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Aug 12;57(15):6570-7. View Abstract

[43] Elmastaş M, et al. A study on the in vitro antioxidant activity of juniper (Juniperus communis L.) fruit extracts. Analytical letters. 2006 Jan;39(1):47-65. View Abstract

[44] Santin JR, et al. Gastroprotective activity of essential oil of the Syzygium aromaticum and its major component eugenol in different animal models. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2011 Feb;383(2):149-58. View Abstract

[45] Chaieb K, et al. The chemical composition and biological activity of clove essential oil, Eugenia caryophyllata (Syzigium aromaticum L. Myrtaceae): a short review. Phytother Res. 2007 Jun;21(6):501-6. View Abstract

[46] Misharina TA, et al. [Antiradical properties of essential oils and extracts from clove bud and pimento]. Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol. 2015 Jan-Feb;51(1):99-104. View Abstract

[47] Jirovetz L, et al. Chemical composition and antioxidant properties of clove leaf essential oil. J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Aug 23;54(17):6303-7. View Abstract

[48] Ito M, et al. Antioxidant action of eugenol compounds: role of metal ion in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Food Chem Toxicol. 2005 Mar;43(3):461-6. View Abstract