What is Apocynum Venetum Leaf extract？
What is Apocynum Venetum Leaf extract ：Apocynum Venetum Leaf extract is extracted from the leaves of the Chinese rafuma (Luobu-ma) plant. It is a functional ingredient primarily expected to improve sleep quality, relieve stress, and promote mental stability. Rafuma leaf components, including "rafuma-derived hyperoside" and "rafuma-derived isoquercitrin," increase serotonin levels in the brain, regulating day-night rhythms and helping maintain a sense of security and calm. Rich in flavonoids and amino acids, the leaves have been consumed as tea since pre-Christian times, and have been popular as a health tea to drink after work. Rafuma leaf is listed in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, which sets standards for pharmaceutical quality, safety, and management in China, as having a "calming effect on the mind and for insomnia." It has long been valued as a herbal remedy for mental healing and sleep promotion.
Sleep Mechanism: The human body has a rhythm that begins with sunrise and ends with nighttime sleep, seeking rest. Melatonin, the sleep hormone, is involved in this internal rhythm. Melatonin is secreted from the central part of the brain 14 to 16 hours after exposure to sunlight in the morning, gradually inducing sleep and making you feel drowsy.Therefore, a lack of melatonin is likely to lead to poor sleep quality, and it is said to be an essential hormone for regulating the body's internal rhythms.Good quality sleep means deep sleep. Human sleep consists of two different types of sleep: non-REM sleep and REM sleep, which alternate every 90 to 120 minutes.REM sleep, which represents light sleep, is a state in which the body is resting while the brain is awake, resulting in dreams and sleep paralysis. On the other hand, non-REM sleep, which represents deep sleep, is a state in which brain activity is reduced and you are in a deep slumber. Poor sleep quality not only causes physical fatigue, but also has a deep impact on quality of life, such as reduced concentration and thinking ability. It has been suggested that psychological anxiety, consuming caffeine or alcohol before bed, and aging, which prolongs REM sleep and prevents the transition to non-REM sleep, are some of the causes.
Expected Effects of Rafuma Leaf Extract
Sleep Improvement: The flavonoid glycosides hyperoside and isoquercitrin contained in Rafuma Leaf Extract have been reported to inhibit the breakdown of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain and even increase its levels in the body. Like melatonin, serotonin is secreted from the central part of the brain and is essential for regulating day-night rhythms. It is also known as the "happiness hormone" because it helps maintain mental stability, a sense of security, and a sense of calm. Because melatonin is produced via serotonin secreted in the body, the more serotonin secreted during the day, the more melatonin secreted at night, improving sleep quality. In a rat experiment, rats were administered Rafuma extract containing at least 2% hyperoside and isoquercitrin, and an increase in serotonin was confirmed in the brain.
Stress relief: Serotonin regulates the activity of other neurotransmitters, such as dopamine (joy, pleasure, etc.) and norepinephrine (fear, surprise, etc.), and helps balance the autonomic nervous system. Therefore, a lack of serotonin due to stress, lack of sleep, or an irregular lifestyle is thought to lead to mental imbalance.
Mental stabilizing effect: Rafuma has a calming effect. Animal experiments using Rafuma extract have demonstrated its antidepressant properties. Rafuma extract was administered once daily for 14 days to rats to examine its antidepressant properties, and it was found to suppress depression in a concentration-dependent manner. Its effects on brain hormones have also been investigated, and it was found that Rafuma acts on norepinephrine but not serotonin.
Antibacterial effect: Rafuma leaves are rich in catechins. Catechins are a type of bitter component found in teas such as green tea and have antibacterial properties. Therefore, gargling with the tea is said to help prevent tooth decay.
Recommended for: People suffering from depression; People wanting to prevent lifestyle-related diseases; People wanting to prevent asthma.