Red Vine Stéphanie Bureau, n.d.

The red vine presumably originated dicinally active nutrients. In fact, in addition to the resveratrol, red vine also provides an- in Western Asia, more specifically thocyanins and a broad range of other pro- red vine is known from the area between the Cas- tective polyphenols. Further, red vine leaves to help strengthen pian Sea and Asia Minor, where its also supply a considerable amount of ome- ga-3 fatty acids - actually, about 2% of the blood vessels and cultivation is believed to have begun, leaves is fat, a surprisingly large amount for reduce or control then spreading its way West, towar- a green vegetable, and a substantial share of that fat is in the form of omega-3. Grape inflammation. ds Europe, and eventually making its seed extract meanwhile, provides antioxi- way around the world. Knowledge of dant protection far superior to that of most other traditional antioxidants such as vita- the medicinal value of red vine dates mins C, E and β-carotene. back to the ancient Romans, who Other uses for red vine include the treatment made extensive use of the various From a therapeutic perspective, red vine is of symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, known to help strengthen blood vessels and parts of the vine in their treatments. reduce or control inflammation. In effect, red Today, modern science has authenti- vine has been clinically proven to relieve the Pathologies pain, swelling and edema associated with cated the many therapeutic benefits varicose veins and chronic venous insuffi- Venous insufficiency - He- ciency, as well as treat spider veins, joint of red vine, especially in the area of morrhoids: Red vine's therapeutic va- stiffness and soreness, and encourage cel- lue in venous health is due to the presence chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). lular repair. of various blood vessel protective nutrients naturally present in the leaves. Anthocya- Grape seed extract and red vine leaf extract In Europe, red vine leaf extract has un- nins are extremely vitamin-dense and me- both come from the vines of Vitis vinifera dergone copious testing and research to tabolically active, and help combat venous and contain a wide variety of potent, me- confirm its therapeutic benefits and these insufficiency and capillary fragility, by in- benefits have been confirmed in the treat- creasing blood vessel resistance and de- ment of venous insufficiency. As such, to- creasing permeability. Further, tannins help day, red vine leaf extract is the most com- promote muscle cell wall contraction within monly used treatment for CVI in France and blood vessels, thus facilitating the return of the U.K., and is a registered over-the-coun- accumulated blood in the lower limbs to the ter medication in many European countries. heart. Finally, the presence of proanthocya- nidins in the leaves allows for free-radical Like grape seed extract, red vine leaf ex- scavenging action and stabilization of the tract also contains powerful antioxidant collagen present in the vessel membranes. properties - and in combination, they offer As such, red vine leaf extract helps to tone profound protection from cellular damage veins, and is of great value in the treatment as well as greatly enhance immune system of heavy legs, varicose veins, rosacea, ca- function. Finally, red vine has potent, scien- pillary fragility and can also help relieve the tifically demonstrated antimicrobial activity pain and swelling of hemorrhoids. against a number of organisms: Escherichia coli, and Salmonella Infantis, Stapylococ- cus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Campylo- bacter jejuni.

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Since 1974 characterized by the presence of varicose veins, spider veins, or chronic leg swelling. Propriétés The results obtained were extremely promi- médicinales sing: after the six-week trial period, patients who received red vine leaf extract showed • Anti-edematous improved microvascular blood flow, impro- ved oxygen levels, and a decrease in leg • Anti-inflammatory circumference. • Antioxidant • Intimicrobial Concomitant • Astringent products:

• Homeostatic Concomitant products: Red vine may be combined with several other plants and supplements that support microcircu- lation. In combination, they will work syner- gistically for enhanced results. Circulation can be stimulated and reinforced by the addition of such as: garlic, hawthorn, black Vascular protection - Cardio- currant, witch hazel, horse chestnut and vascular health: A growing number holly, as well as vitamin C, niacin (B3) and of studies suggest that the polyphenols in magnesium. red vine exert a beneficial effect on seve- ral risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Chiefly, they can improve blood lipid com- position, including reducing "bad choles- terol" (LDL) levels, inhibit blood platelet ag- gregation, lower blood pressure and reduce oxidative stress in the body. In addition, red vine leaf extract both strengthens the vein wall, as well as improves its ability to expand and contract. As such, supplementing with red vine leaf extract may be of great benefit to supporting blood circulation, lowering/ controlling blood pressure and protecting overall cardiovascular health.

Cutaneous microcirculation - edema: A double-blind, placebo-control- led crossover study published in the March 2004 issue of the journal Drugs in R & D examined the effects of red vine leaf ex- tract on cutaneous microcirculation, trans- cutanous oxygen pressure, and leg edema in men and women with chronic venous in- sufficiency. Venous insufficiency, a medical condition in which the veins have trouble pumping blood back to the heart, is often

1. European Medicines Agency. Final assessment report on Vitis vinifera L., folium. 15 July 2010 2. Nees, S. et al (2003) Protective effects of flavonoids contained in red vine leaf on venular endothelium against the attack of activated blood components in vitro. Arzneimittelforschung; 53: 5, 330-341. 3. Kalus U, Koscielny J, et al. Improvement of cutaneous microcirculation and oxygen supply in patients with chronic venous insufficiency by orally administered extract of red vine leaves AS 195: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Drugs R D. 5(2):63-71. 2004 4. Kiesewetter H, Koscielny J, Kalus U, Vix JM, Peil H, Petrini O, van Toor BS, de Mey C.Efficacy of orally administered extract of red vine leaf AS 195 (folia vitis viniferae) in chronic venous insufficiency (stages I-II). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arzneimittelforschung. 2000 Feb;50(2):109-17. 5. Henriet JP. Exemplary study for a phlebotropic substance, the EIVE Study. Fairfield, Conn: Primary Source; not dated. Natural Standard (Ed). Foods, Herbs and Supplements - Grape Seed (Vitis vinifera, Vitis coignetiae), Nature Medicine Quality Standard. 6. Schaefer E, Peil H, et al. Oedema protective properties of the red vine leaf extract AS 195 (Folia vitis viniferae) in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. A 6-week observational Since 1974 clinical trial. Arnzeimittelforschung. 53(4):243-6. 2003 7. E. Rabe, M. Stücker, A. Esperester, E. Schäfer, B. Ottillinger. Efficacy and Tolerability of a Red-vine- leaf Extract in Patients Suffering from Chronic Venous Insufficiency – Results of a Léo Désilets Maître Herboriste Inc. Double-blind Placebo-controlled Study. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. April 2011, Volume 41, Issue 4, pages 540-547. 35, rue du Victoria O, Scotstown, QC, J0B 3B0 8. Leach, M.J. (2004) Making sense of the venous leg ulcer debate: a literature review. Journal of Wound Care; 13: 4, 52-56. (819) 657-4733 • www.leo-desilets.com