Grapevine (Vitis vinifera)

The grapevine has been cultivated for thousands of years. We are familiar with it primarily as a supplier of grapes or wine from the fermented juice of the berries. However, the vine is also a medicinal herb.

It has long been known in wine circles that compresses with red vine leaves are helpful against “heavy legs”. Both vine leaves and grape seeds have a proven effect on venous diseases and can counteract water retention in the legs.

Grape seeds and their extracts have also been able to gain a place as a “super antioxidant” in medical research in recent years because of their enormous cell-protecting properties. The value-determining ingredients of grape seeds are primarily proanthocyanidins (tannins), which are able to protect the liver from damage, e.g. by mycotoxins. They also contain flavonols and stilbenes (including resveratrol) with anti-inflammatory effects. Antibacterial and regenerative effects are also attributed to grape products.

Since oxidative stress is involved in a variety of diseases, promotes the ageing process of cells, reduces life expectancy, decreases performance and weakens the body’s own defence system, the use of natural antioxidants also makes sense for farm animals. Grape marc and grape seed extracts promote blood circulation as well as the supply of nutrients to the cells and inhibit inflammation.