NOCR

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is an herbal ingredient used to support circulatory, respiratory, and metabolic function. It provides saponins (gypenosides) with antioxidant and adaptogenic properties that help maintain endothelial function and normal redox balance. By supporting healthy blood flow, it helps with nutrient delivery and oxygen exchange and contributes to normal hoof, joint, and cardiovascular function.

Jiaogulan is used to help maintain normal insulin function and glycemic control, and to support healthy vascular tone. Evidence from experimental models indicates that gypenosides can support nitric-oxide–mediated pathways and help modulate inflammatory signaling, aligning with goals to maintain metabolic efficiency and tissue comfort.

Because it supports vascular tone, oxidative balance, and cellular energy regulation, Jiaogulan is included in programs aimed at maintaining overall metabolic health and post-exercise recovery. Equine-specific data remain limited; use as directed within a balanced diet and consult a veterinarian or nutritionist when formulating rations.

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) is a botanical source of silymarin, a complex of flavonolignans including silybin, silychristin, and silydianin. These compounds are known for their antioxidant activity and their ability to help maintain normal liver function and metabolic balance. Milk thistle has been extensively studied in both human and veterinary contexts for its role in supporting hepatic health, antioxidant defense, and normal inflammatory processes.

In horses, silymarin helps protect hepatic tissue from oxidative challenges associated with exercise, diet, and environmental factors. It supports normal detoxification pathways by stabilizing cell membranes and promoting the regeneration of hepatocytes. Research in horses indicates that silibinin, the primary active component, is bioavailable and well-tolerated, supporting its use in equine nutrition. Its actions may also assist in maintaining healthy immune and inflammatory balance, contributing to overall well-being in horses exposed to training or metabolic stress.

Spirulina is a dried preparation of Arthrospira platensis, a nutrient-dense cyanobacteria rich in high-quality protein (up to 70%), vitamins A and E, macro- and trace minerals, phytonutrients, and the antioxidant pigment phycocyanin. It also provides gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid involved in inflammatory regulation and immune modulation.

In horses, spirulina is used to support normal immune and respiratory function, protect against oxidative stress, and maintain overall metabolic health. Field observations suggest reduced coughing and improved airway comfort, particularly when combined with adaptogenic herbs such as jiaogulan. Its antioxidant and GLA content may help support homeostatic regulation of inflammatory processes associated with exercise, environmental irritants, or metabolic stress.

Spirulina’s concentrated nutrient profile makes it a useful addition to diets for growing, exercised, or metabolically challenged horses. It may also help maintain normal regulation of histamine release, supporting horses with seasonal allergies or skin sensitivities. Many of its proposed benefits are supported by research in other species, but equine-specific data is currently limited to a small number of studies, warranting further controlled studies.

Tienchi (Panax notoginseng), also known as San Qi, is a finely ground preparation of the notoginseng root traditionally cultivated in China’s Yunnan province. The light-brown powder contains naturally occurring saponins (ginsenosides), flavonoids, and other plant metabolites that contribute to its antioxidant and circulatory-supportive properties.

The ginsenosides found in Panax notoginseng have been studied in animal models for their ability to help maintain normal inflammatory pathways and support healthy tissue function. These compounds exhibit natural antioxidant activity, helping neutralize free radicals generated during exercise and contributing to the maintenance of vascular integrity and oxygen delivery.

Certain ginsenosides have also been shown to support respiratory health. In preclinical models, these compounds helped maintain normal airway structure and function by moderating mucus production and supporting healthy inflammatory responses in lung tissues. While these findings come primarily from rodent studies, they help explain the plant’s traditional use for maintaining normal respiratory performance.

In horses, Tienchi is commonly used to help support normal circulatory and respiratory function during training and recovery. Its antioxidant constituents may aid normal post-exercise recovery by supporting microcirculation, maintaining vascular tone, and promoting healthy tissue perfusion under physical stress. Traditional Chinese practice characterizes Tienchi as a “blood-moving” herb, reflecting its historic use in supporting tissue resilience after exertion.

Equine-specific research on Panax notoginseng remains limited; however, available studies indicate good tolerability. In one investigation, horses supplemented with an extract of Panax notoginseng in combination with other herbal ingredients showed no adverse effects, suggesting this ingredient is safe for use at appropriate levels. More research is needed to fully define its benefits in equine athletes, but current evidence supports its role in maintaining normal vascular, respiratory, and recovery-related physiology.