Ancient NZ Native Plant Successful In Treating Thrush

13 December 2013

Ancient NZ Native Plant Successful In Treating Thrush

Horopito, a native New Zealand plant, has attracted international interest and acclaim for its therapeutic properties that are effective in the treatment of thrush.

Research undertaken by the ReGenera Research Group of Milan in conjunction with the University of Milan, Italy, found Horopito plant extract, marketed as Kolorex®, is very effective against recurrent vaginal thrush.

While around 75% of women will suffer from thrush at some stage of their life 45% will have two or more episodes annually and approximately 5% are diagnosed with chronic and recurrent infections.

The research, recently published in the Journal of Biological Regulators & Homeostatic Agents, assessed the clinical efficacy of Kolorex® softgels ( made from a patented extract of the Horopito plant) compared to treatment with a synthetic antifungal drug, in the treatment of thrush. The results showed Kolorex® softgels to be more effective than pharmaceutical antifungal drug, Itraconazole.

While 85% of the group taking the pharmaceutical synthetic drug were thrush free after two years, 91% of the group taking Kolorex® softgels were not only thrush free over the same period but had less side effects and a significantly lower relapse rate (22 people in the Kolorex® group compared to 39 relapses in the pharmaceutical group.)

Kolorex® products were developed by Forest Herbs Research in Nelson, NZ and have been on the market since 1993. Peter Butler, director of Forest Herbs Research, says that up until now recurrent thrush sufferers have not had a lot of choice when trying to reduce or eradicate their symptoms.

“Candida, in all its forms, affects a huge number of people and once entrenched in the system is extremely difficult to remove.

“From what we’ve seen in this study the natural antifungal phytocompound found in Horopito proves to be as good as the pharmaceutical synthetic drug with a lower relapse rate. This comes on the back of a number of previous clinical trials and studies that repeatedly show a high degree of efficacy in treating all forms of candida and other fungal diseases with Kolorex®.”

The randomised study involved 122 women (aged 22-63 years) with a history of at least four proven episodes of thrush in the prior 12 months. Participants were put into two groups with comparable age and previous gynaecological procedures including birth. The two groups took either two Kolorex® softgels or the pharmaceutical antifungal drug for one week, every month, for two years.

Over the last 15 years Kolorex® has undergone various international studies to assess its anti-fungal properties on the treatment of fungal infections including vaginal, oral and intestinal thrush and Athletes Foot and it is continually shown to be highly effective across many forms of Candida.

Reference:
Prophylactic strategies in recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: A two year study testing a phytonutrient vs Itraconazole

Authors: V Chopra, F Marotta, A Kumari, MP Bishier, F He, N Zerbinati, C Agarwal, Y Naito, C Tomella, A Sharma, U Solimene; ReGenera Research Group for Intervention in Aging, Milano, Italy; Microbiology Dept, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, India; Immunology Research Institute & Clinic Nagoya, Japan; Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University; CMP-Medical Centre, Pavia Italy, WHO-Centre for Biotechnology and Traditional Medicine, University of Milan, Italy

Published: Journal of Biological Regulators & Homeostatic Agents, Vol 27, no. 3, 875-882 (2013)

About Horopito
A highly active strain of Horopito is organically grown by Forest Herbs Research in Nelson. It is the only cultivated plantation in New Zealand. Canterbury University identified the therapeutic properties of Horopito and Forest Herbs’ active Horopito capsules (Kolorex®) have been extensively tested to ensure efficacy.

Forest Herbs Research exports its active Horopito anti-yeast creams and capsules to many international markets as diverse as Dubai and Kazakhstan. A chance referral from a Harley Street doctor in the United Kingdom lead to the introduction of active Horopito to Italy, where it is now a leading herbal product for Candida and other fungal complaints.

Horopito is thought to have been growing on New Zealand soil for 65million years and it was used by early Maori for medicinal purposes including skin diseases, cuts, bruises, wounds and toothache. Later it was used by early European settlers for stomach upsets and pain and diarrhoea.

For further information visit www.kolorex.com

ENDS

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