R: Spanish moss, Tillandsia usneoides

Identification of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid (HMG) as a hypoglycemic principle of Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides).

Abstract

Bioactivity-directed fractionation, using brine shrimp lethality and murine hypoglycemia, of an ethanol extract prepared from Tillandsia usneoides, led to the isolation of four apparently bioactive compounds from the water-soluble fraction. The compounds were identified as citric acid, succinic acid, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid (HMG), and 3,6,3',5'-tetramethoxy-5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavone-7-O-beta-D-g lucoside. The brine shrimp lethality of the acids was simply due to acidity; however, HMG elicited significant hypoglycemic responses in fasting normal mice. Ethyl and methyl esters of citric acid were prepared and tested in the murine hypoglycemic assay. Five of the predominant sugars were identified by tlc. Free thymidine was also isolated. Further evaluation of HMG and other potential inhibitors of HMG CoA lyase, in the treatment of symptoms of diabetes mellitus, is suggested.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7595594

Note: Seems the use the Green, living moss for tea.

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Diabetes Benefits

The Beaufort County Library website reports that the ability of extracts of Spanish moss to alter blood glucose levels was studied by researchers in 1998 at the Northeast Louisiana University. This study and several others, according to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center located at the University of Texas at Austin, have found that Spanish moss contains a compound that may help control blood glucose levels. The compound, 3-hydroxy-methylglutaric acid or HMG, is used as a major ingredient in several natural diabetic supplements.<<http://www.livestrong.com/article/291516-what-are-the-benefits-of-spanish-moss/

>>Moss.

Uses

Spanish moss has a number of uses, mainly medicinal. In earlier days, green Spanish moss was brewed and consumed in the form of an herbal tea by expectant mothers, apparently to promote the production and secretion of breast milk in addition to make childbirth easier. In folk medicine, a tea prepared from this herb was also consumed to treat rheumatism.

According to claims, this herb was used in Mexico for treating epilepsy among infants. During the beginning of the 1950s, this plant was employed as a substitute for estrogen. In fact, scientists have discovered that Spanish moss has shown that it possesses anti-bacterial properties.

Several studies undertaken on animals in laboratories have been found that oral extracts from Spanish moss are helpful in lowering the levels of blood cholesterol. This effect of the plant has been mainly attributed to a compound known as HMG or 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid. Currently, HMG is found as an ingredient in a number of herbal supplements meant for diabetic patients.

Here is an interesting fact related to Spanish moss. It is said that a resident of Florida called Cap Monroe, who died at a very ripe age of 135, consumed tillandsia tea daily. Monroe pulled the Spanish moss directly from the trees it grew on. This herbal tea showed enhanced effectiveness and was acclaimed for various reasons, including enhancement in glandular functioning, fatigue, confusion, libido, senility, depression, hyperirritability and several other things.

In southern Louisiana, Cajun healers have been using tillandsia tea for diabetes patients since long. Back in 1996, scientists identified a bioactive substance, which had the potential to become an anti-diabetic remedy. Use of this bioactive compound significantly lowered the level of blood sugar in rodents. Previous studies suggested that this compound also possessed the aptitude to lower blood cholesterol levels in humans. Researchers speculate that this bioactive compound may be able to prevent conditions like acidosis (burning of excessive fats) and ketosis (burning of too much proteins) - two common conditions in people suffering from diabetes.

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http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_spanish_moss.htm

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One of my favorite guinea pigs had this to say:

The 1-2 drops of Spanish Moss tincture in a big glass of water, then take a sip or gulp seems to work real well for more energy, clarity. Do you think you could market this?

Here is a writeup from Standard Process: FOR-TIL B12 ® THIS IS AN EXCELLENT PRODUCT FOR GERIATRIC PATIENTS. The "Til" refers to the meat of the tillandsia plant in Spanish moss. Spanish moss has a real coarse, fibrous core. We remove that by drying the moss. First we grind it to expose the moisture, then we dry it in a vacuum dryer. Then we put it through a stone flour mill to remove the fiber. So our product contains only the meat of the plant. For-Til B-12 contains a special type of vitamin E. Cap Monroe was a man who lived down in Florida, where Dr. Lee first heard about the plant. Cap was 135 years old when he died. Dr. Lee attributed Cap's longevity to the fact that he drinks tillandsia tea. He would pull the plant off the trees, make tea out of it and drink it. So we formulated this product, and have found it to be excellent. In fact, practically every product we add tillandsia to increases in sales. Obviously, it is very therapeutic.*

We recommend For-Til B-12 for people who are fatigued and always worn-out. It is especially helpful to older patients. The product's effect is due to its high concentration of sex hormone factors.* http://www.becomehealthynow.com/supps/for_tilb12.shtml <<

http://www.brighterdayfoods.com/common/news/store_news.asp?task=store_news&sid_store_news=20&storeID=AD4DB884427948DBA7A06D81F925991B

SPANISH MOSS Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L. Plant Symbol = TIUS Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center
https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_tius.pdf