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As the largest endocrine gland in human body, the thyroid plays a vital role in regulating human growth and metabolism through synthesizing thyroid hormones. Malfunctions of the thyroid can cause serious thyroid related diseases including goiter, autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), and thyroid cancer. Among these thyroid-related diseases, goiter is commonly found in the general population. Clinically, it involves either diffuse or nodular goiters based on the thyroid histology. The cause of goiter is complicated and can be associated with a euthyroid, hyperthyroid, or hypothyroid metabolic state. People with goiter tend to have a normal life, but some suffer from discomfort, such as pain, airway blockage and esophageal blockage. In addition, nodules may form in the later stage of goiter that can aggravate the disease and even lead to thyroid cancer. Therefore, medications for the prevention and early intervention of goiter and its development are urgently required.

Prunella vulgaris L. is a very popular herb in China, and has great potential for improving human immunity. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, genus Prunella, and its medical components are accumulated mainly in either the dry fruit-spike or the whole herb. This plant has a wide spectrum of biological effects, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiestrogenic , and immunomodulatory actions . Because of these beneficial medical applications, Prunella vulgaris is popularly consumed as a tea in China and some European countries.

April 30, 2023

Insomnia, a condition that affects 6-20% of the population in different countries, refers to the disturbance of sleep onset, maintenance, or quality. Unlike primary insomnia, secondary insomnia is a sleep disorder caused by underlying medical, neurological, or psychiatric conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, including depression, Parkinson’s disease (PD, Alzheimer’s disease, or dementia. The behavioral disturbances in dementia patients include insomnia, general tiredness, lethargy, irritability, and concentration or memory problems. The two most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease  and vascular dementia, characterized by a general loss of neurotransmitters.

Hypnotic drugs such as benzodiazepine are used to manage insomnia. However, prolonged use of these drugs may lead to drug dependence, tolerance, bad sleep, rebound insomnia, deterioration in recognition function, and reduced effect. However, alternative remedies are being employed to overcome these challenges. In aromatherapy, kava-kava, valerian, chamomile, ylang-ylang, melissa, hops, and lavender oils are being used to improve sleep. These oils have mild sleep-inducing effects without negative changes and a low rate of side effects. Hypnotic drugs like benzodiazepines are used as a short-term therapy, whereas EOs can be used for an extended period.