Quercetin is a natural flavonoid, which exists in flowers, leaves and fruits of many plants. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, scavenging oxygen free radicals, anti adhesion, antithrombotic, antiviral, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, Blood Pressure and immune regulation effects.
1. Quercetin may expel phlegm and arrest coughing, it can also be used as anti-asthmatic. 2. Quercetin has Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. 3. Quercetin has the effect of lowering blood pressure and blood lipid. Quercetin has been found to both treat and prevent cancers in certain studies. The June 11, 2009 issue of the "Journal of Experimental and Clinical Cancer Research" showed that quercetin is found to be protective against the formation of liver cancer cells, mainly due to its role as an antioxidant. Quercetin is also found to treat cancer by causing apoptosis, or "cell death," as reported in the May 18, 2009 edition of the medical journal, "Phytotherapy Research." While these studies are promising, most have been performed on mice and rats but not on humans. The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports a human study in which the combination of quercetin and curcumin supplements decrease the size and quantity of rectal tumors. The stand of the ACS is that they would like to see more clinical trials on the effects of quercetin on cancer in humans before recommending supplements. However, they do promote adding quercetin to the diet by increasing your daily intake of fresh fruit and vegetables.
