Phytocrinology™

Phytocrinology_™

The Plant – Hormone Connection

“Phytocrinology_™ is the study of hormone-like messages which originate from plant sources.” Dr. Joseph J. Collins, ND, Phytocrinologist_™

Phytocrinology

Introduction

Formulas

This website will discuss some of the applications of phytotherapeutics specific to improving the function of the endocrine system. Certain terms used in this website, which are used in clinical context, may also be used in other fields of science, such a “functional mimetic” from proteomics, and “phytohormone” from botany. In this website, these terms specifically have clinical and therapeutic applications.

Estro-Mend^™

Progesto-Mend^™

Testo-Gain^™

Testo-Quench^™

How Cells Receive Endocrine-Like Messages

Thyro-Mend^™

There are a number of different ways in which cells receive messages and respond to various hormone-like messengers. Endocrine, Paracrine and Autocrine responses are responses originating from the organism itself. They are from distant cells, nearby cells or the cell itself respectively.

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Protocols

Questionnaire

Lab Test

Phytocrine responses originate from plants outside the organism. The response is similar to Endocrine, Paracrine and Autocrine responses, although the source of the message is different.

How Cells Receive Endocrine-Like Messages:

Endocrine: A cell responds to a message originating from distant endocrine cells.

Paracrine: A cell responds to a message originating from nearby cells.

Autocrine: A cell responds to a message originating from the cell itself.

Phytocrine: A cell responds to a message originating from plant sources.

How Cells Respond to Endocrine-Like Messages

Phytocrinology, like endocrinology, is a science that includes the evaluation of how cells respond to hormone-like signals. In that regard, the actions of plants with phytocrine activity must be recognized. The actions of phytocrines may broadly be divided in to agonists and antagonists. An agonist to a specific hormone works with that hormone, thereby supporting, enhancing or substituting for one or more of its functions. An antagonist to a specific hormone works against that hormone, diminishing or blocking the effect of that hormone.

Phytocrinology Classification

Another way to classify phytocrines can be based on the way in which they exert their actions. Some phytocrines bind to hormone receptors; some increase the ability of the body to make hormones, and some mimic important hormone functions. Any given plant that has phytocrine activity may affect cells in on or more of these fashions. The following list outlines the phytocrine classifications based on the way in which they exert their actions.

Phytohormones

Plants with hormone like structures – sometimes referred to as phytosterols.

Phytohormones bind to hormone receptors resulting in the same type of response that the hormone would cause. Even though the type of response is the same, the intensity may be weaker, and/or the duration of the response (retention time) may be different.

Examples:

Actions:

phytoestrogen

bind to estrogen receptors

phytoprogestogen

bind to progesterone receptors

phytoandrogen

bind to androgen receptors

phytoantiandrogens

bind to androgen receptors

Phytoantiandrogens may bind to androgen receptors as antagonists

phyto-thyroid-receptor agonists

agonists which assist thyroid receptors

though not a true phytohormone action, the effect is increased binding of thyroid hormones to thyroid receptors due to the agonistic action of the phytotherapeutic agent

Phytohormonogenics

Plants which help the ability of the body to generate hormones.

Classically, phytohormonogenic plants are considered to have adaptogenic properties. These plants may have a direct effect on target tissue, increasing the hormone production of endocrine tissue, or they may have an affect on the HPA &/or HPG axis, in effect increasing adrenotrophic &/or gonadotrophic hormones or function.

Examples:

Actions:

phytoestrogenogenics

increase estrogen production

Note: phytoestrogenogenics are not widely used clinically

phytoprogestogenogenic

increase progesterone production

phytoandrogenogenic

increase androgen production

phytothyroidogenic

increase thyroid hormone production

Functional Mimetics of Hormones

Plants which mimic one or more hormone functions.

The functional mimetic of hormones can cause the same physiological response of the hormone they are mimicking. They do not need to bind to hormone receptor to cause the function response as the hormone. These phytocrines may mimic one or more functions of a hormone. These phytocrines may also be considered

Examples:

Actions:

functional mimetics of testosterone

mimic actions of testosterone

functional mimetics of estrogen

mimic actions of estrogen

functional mimetics of progesterone

mimic actions of progesterone

Functional mimetic of thyrotrophic hormone

mimic actions of TSH

by mimicking the actions of TSH, specific phytotherapeutic agents, such as forskolin from Coleus forskohlii, increases T3 & T4 secretion from thyrocytes in a fashion similar to TSH

Learn More

To learn more about formulations which have the ability to significantly improve endocrine health because of their phytocrine actions go to the formulas page. The clinical applications of these formulas can be studied in the protocols section.

♦ These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.