For that reason, the variety name can be found in the text of each of the explanatory descriptions below the list of health issues dendrobium can help you with.

• Dendrobium’s powerful medicinal properties are as follows:
• Antioxidants protect against brain diseases
• Prolongs life
• Unusually powerful adaptogen
• Enhances the activity of insulin, corrects blood sugar levels to normal levels and restores the function of the pancreas
• Cures liver and gall bladder diseases, such as hepatitis, cholecystistis, and gallstones
• Protects against lung disease and even heals damaged lungs
• Enhances the immune system
• Promotes circulation, dilates blood vessels, and lowers blood cholesterol and triglycerides
• Kills lung, ovarian, and promyelecytic cancers, and may be effective against other types of cancer
• An effective cataract preventative and improves the vision of children
• Moisturizes the entire body and provides nutrients to the skin, helping to slow the aging process of the skin
• Increases tears and saliva in people with Sjogren’s syndrome
• Antimicrobial

Brain Diseases

A bio-active compound from dendrobium nobile called SG-168 was identified by researchers at the Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungnam University, Masan, Republic of Korea. The researchers went on to test the antioxidant ability of SG-168 against neuron (brain) cells that had been treated with the oxidizer hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). They found that if administered after oxidation began, 31.8 percent more cells survived than in the control. If the cells were pre-treated with SG-168, the percentage increased by 15 to 50 additional percent. Researchers summed up by saying their research showed “that H(2)O(2)-treated PC12 cells incubated with SG-168 exhibited greatly suppressed apoptosis. In summation, the results of this study suggest that SG168 has potential as a new antioxidant agent against neuronal diseases.”

A 2011 study done at the Department of Pharmacology, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, PR China found that the alkaloids in dendrobium nobile prevented memory loss in patients infected with lipopolysaccharide, a protein produced by bacteria. What was most important about this study was that the dendrobium alkaloids prevented memory loss by controlling the production of TNFR1, a gene produced protein that protects against cancer and regulates inflammation when present in the proper quantity. However, TNFR1, if overproduced, has been associated with runaway inflammation and many brain diseases, including MS, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe psychotic symptoms.
High serum levels of TNFR1 are also associated with cognitive impairment and dementia.

Anti-aging

There have been many studies that show dendrobium nobile extends life. In a study at Tsinghua University, Beijing, China researchers treated human lung fibroblast cells from an embryo with dendroflorin, another of the many compounds found in this amazing plant. They discovered that dendroflorin causes the degradation of reactive oxygen species, eliminating the oxidation process that causes cell senescence (death). In addition, it helps cells in the first stage of the cell cycle move into the reproductive stage. Embryo cells are stem cells. So preventing senescence in these cells extends their ability to repair tissues and prolong life.

Another strong antioxidant in dendrobium nobile, chrysotoxine, was found by researchers at the School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China, to inhibit the action of MPP+, which is a neuro toxin that causes the formation of reactive oxygen species and destroys the mitochondrial membrane. Researchers stated, “The overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial dysfunction as indexed by the decrease in membrane potential, increase in calcium concentration and NF-κB activation triggered by MPP+ were blocked by chrysotoxine pretreatment.”

Diabetes

Dendrobium nobile is the type 2 diabetes treatment of choice in china. In a study at the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, showed that dendrobium concentrates have a hypoglycemic effect. “The apoptotic islet cells were significantly reduced in treatment group compared with the model group. It can protect and restore the structure and function of pancreatic tissue.”

Liver and Gall Bladder Diseases

Dendrobium has long been used both in China and India to treat diseases of the liver. In a study reported in the Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry and done in India, researchers used the whole plant of dendrobium ovatum (an Indian variety) to test rats with induced liver disease.
One group of six rats was given the dendrobium preparation, another group was given the liver drug, silymarin, a control group was given a placebo, and three other groups were given other medications, both herbal and pharmaceutical. The dendrobium and the silymarin prevented the toxic effects of the CCI4 used to induce disease, while the groups given other medications lagged behind. The lead researcher said:

“The present study concludes that, methanolic extract of D. ovatum has significant hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity, which supports folkloric utilization and further confirms histological investigation. The observed activity may be associated with its high bioactive compounds including flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenoids, glycosides, steroids and carbohydrates.”

An interesting twist is that nearly the same tests have been done with other varieties of dendrobium, with the same or similar results. For example, a study by cooperating scientists in China and the USA tested mice with liver damage induced by alcohol. They used Dendrobium huoshanense. The dendrobium repaired the damage done by the alcohol.

Lung Damage

There are many studies showing that dendrobium nobile and officinalis protect against lung disease and even cure lung damage. Researchers believe the dendroflorin and other anti-oxidants in dendrobium are behind the herb’s ability to stimulate division and protect against cell senescence, which helps it to protect, heal, and extend the life of all of our organs.

Enhances the Immune System

Several studies have shown that the dendrobium species, officinalis, huoshanense, nobile, and many others enhance the immune system. However, this is an example of where having so many species to choose from, and how research is done, can be misleading. In several studies I researched the scientists had chosen a specific chemical from a specific species to study. Some other species didn’t contain that particular chemical, but may have other chemicals that are just as active. In other studies researchers elected to isolate only one or two activated lymphocytes, which stimulate immune and inflammation activity.

The three species listed above have received the most attention in relation to immune system studies, so they are the species I must discuss. If, however, you use another species and find that you have enhanced immunity, it is probably a species that just hasn’t received as much research attention.

A 2001 a dendrobium nobile study at the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica identified three new compounds, dendroside A and dendronobilosides A and B, that have immunoregulatory effects. Since that time, many more compounds have been identified that enhance the immune system.

A 2011 study at the Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology found that concanavalin A, a communication protein, stimulated proliferation of mouse white blood cells (splenocytes) when treated with an extract of dendrobium officinalis.

In 2014, a joint study by scientists from several universities and organizations in China and the United States. found that compounds from dendrobium huoshanense have a strong immunological response, activate anti-inflammatory cytokines, and modulate responses to interleukin 1 antagonist.

Interleukin 1 is an important protein that regulates a variety of immune and inflammatory responses. It is often used to treat arthritis and other joint issues. However, mutations in the gene that produce interleukin 1 result in increased risk of osteoporotic fractures and gastric cancer. By modulating the immunological response to this protein, dendrobium huoshanense reduces the dangers associated with over-production of this protein. Also, dendrobium huoshanense has been shown to regulate and enhance the immune response to invaders and other disease-causing pathogens.

Kills Cancer

Research at the Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan showed that denbinobin, a key constituent of dendrobium nobile caused lung cancer cells to commit apoptosis (suicide). Researchers believe denbinobin causes the mitochondria of cancer cells to disintegrate. It also causes the cell to activate apoptosis proteins.

Another study at the Department o de Biología Celular, Fisiología e Inmunología, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain found similar results for leukemia cancer cells. They also determined that denbinobin causes intracellular release of reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species are free radicals.

Yet another research project determined that denbinobin stops breast cancer from metastasizing.
Other studies have identified cancers that it is effective against. However, the research to determine its ability to kill cancer is in its infancy, and researchers aren’t sure if it has the same impact on all forms of cancer.

Vision

Other constituents of dendrobium, syringic acid and gigantol, have been shown to protect the eyes from forming cataracts, both in diabetics and as a result of aging. In one study, syringic acid and gigantol were combined and administered to rats with induced lens oxidation. The solution was tested both in vivo (in the body) and in vitro (in the test tube). In both cases the lens oxidation stopped.

In a study at the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China, syringic acid was administered to aging rats with diabetic cataracts. Researchers found that the syringic acid prevented cataracts by stopping the activation of a gene that produced aldose reductase, an oxidizing agent.

Moisturizes

Dendrobium candidum moisturizes the body. It has been proven to increase the expression of the protein, aquaporin-5, which causes the labial (salivary) glands to secrete saliva in people with Sjogren’s syndrome. It also helps people with dry eyes, and, as mentioned above, moisturizes the skin. In a study in China, researchers discovered mice given dendrobium candidum didn’t have to drink as much water as mice that didn’t receive the herb.

Dendrobium Officinalis research has demonstrated similar results. However, researchers went further and showed that it also protected the salivary glands from damage.

It also moisturizes the stool in people that have chronic constipation.

I am not recommending that you take this herb if you don’t want to drink water. With that said, new research has shown that the amount of water we need differs with the individual. Previous research suggested that we should drink at least eight glasses every day.

Antimicrobial

In a study by Spanish, Italian, and German researchers, denbinobin was shown to be an antiviral that works by activating the NF-κB protein complex. NF-KB regulates the immune system in response to infection, and causes DNA changes that alter a cell’s purpose. In this case, it prevented the reactivation of HIV-1 cells after they invaded human T cells.

Denbinobin has also been shown to be effective against many other viruses, and both gram-positive a gram-negative bacterium, including helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that causes ulcers and is thought to be a prelude to cancer.

Health Benefits I Couldn’t Document:

• Strengthens tendons and bones, relieves joint pain, and reduces rheumatism
• Helps build muscle

Dosage

Dosage information for this herb comes directly from the Chinese book, Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic, an herbal pharmacology written about 2500 years ago.

Supplemental dosage is 6 to 15 grams of dried herb. It can be taken fresh, by decocting 12 to 30 grams.
It is also available as concentrates in pill form. Follow the directions on the container.

It is relatively expensive and some species are considered endangered. However, it is available mostly in men’s muscle-building supplements.

Side Effects and Contraindications

At recommended dosages, dendrobium is considered safe. Overdoses have been reported to cause convulsions and allergic dermatitis.