Hydrangea Root
Also known as: Hydrangea serrata (Thunb.) Ser., Hydrangea macrophylla, Hydrangea root, Hydrangea leaf extract, WHS, Hydrangea serrata
Overview
Hydrangea root supplements are derived from the roots or leaves of Hydrangea species, primarily Hydrangea serrata and Hydrangea macrophylla. Traditionally used in East Asian medicine, hydrangea root has been employed for urinary tract health and as a general herbal remedy. More recently, extracts from Hydrangea serrata leaves (WHS) have been studied for skin anti-aging and body fat reduction effects. The active component identified in Hydrangea serrata leaf extract is hydrangenol, which is believed to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The supplement is typically consumed orally in extract form. Research maturity is moderate, with several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in recent years. However, systematic reviews or meta-analyses specifically on hydrangea root supplements are lacking, limiting the breadth of evidence synthesis.
Benefits
Hydrangea serrata leaf extract has demonstrated benefits in skin health and anti-aging. A 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed that oral intake significantly reduced skin wrinkles, improved skin hydration, elasticity, texture, and roughness compared to placebo. Another RCT demonstrated that daily intake of Hydrangea serrata leaf extract for 12 weeks significantly decreased body weight, body fat mass, BMI, hip circumference, visceral fat area, and abdominal fat area compared to placebo. Traditional uses include treatment of urinary tract infections and kidney stones, but contemporary high-quality clinical evidence supporting these uses is limited.
How it works
The active component in Hydrangea serrata leaf extract, hydrangenol, is believed to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, contributing to skin health and anti-aging benefits. The extract may influence systemic factors related to skin aging and fat metabolism, though precise molecular targets remain to be fully elucidated. Bioavailability data are limited, but oral administration appears effective in delivering active compounds to exert systemic effects.
Side effects
The reviewed RCTs reported no significant adverse reactions or side effects related to Hydrangea serrata leaf extract intake over 12 weeks at doses up to 600 mg daily. No drug interactions or contraindications were reported in these studies, but comprehensive safety data, especially for long-term use or special populations, remain insufficient. Caution is advised due to limited long-term safety data.
Dosage
The effective dose is 300–600 mg daily of standardized Hydrangea serrata leaf extract, based on clinical trials demonstrating skin and weight benefits. Benefits were observed after 8–12 weeks of continuous supplementation. It is available in oral capsules or tablets of hot water extract standardized for active components like hydrangenol. No specific cofactors or absorption enhancers have been reported.
FAQs
Is hydrangea root extract safe?
Clinical trials report good safety profiles with no significant adverse events over 12 weeks at studied doses. However, long-term safety data is limited.
How long until benefits appear?
Skin improvements and body fat reductions were significant after 8–12 weeks of daily intake in clinical trials.
Can it be used for urinary tract infections?
Traditional use suggests potential, but high-quality clinical evidence is lacking to support this claim.
Are there any known drug interactions?
No documented interactions in clinical trials, but caution is advised due to limited data on drug interactions.
Research Sources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32481760/ – This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (n=151) investigated the effects of Hydrangea serrata leaf extract on skin anti-aging. Participants received 300 mg or 600 mg of the extract daily for 12 weeks, resulting in significant improvements in skin wrinkles, hydration, elasticity, texture, and roughness compared to the placebo group, suggesting its potential as an anti-aging supplement.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8622367/ – This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examined the impact of Hydrangea serrata leaf extract on body weight and fat reduction in overweight/obese adults. The study found that a daily dose of 600 mg of the extract for 12 weeks led to significant reductions in body weight, fat mass, BMI, and visceral fat areas compared to the placebo group, indicating its potential as an anti-obesity supplement.
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/hydrangea-root – This article discusses the traditional uses of hydrangea root, including its application for urinary tract health. However, it notes that current peer-reviewed clinical trials meeting rigorous criteria are lacking to substantiate these claims with high-quality evidence.
- https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/1/208 – This study investigates the effects of Hydrangea serrata leaf extract. It provides evidence supporting the potential benefits of the extract in various health applications.
- https://www.echemi.com/cms/105577.html – This resource provides information on the properties and applications of Hydrangea serrata leaf extract. It highlights the potential uses of the extract in various industries.
