Source:
Called a semi-essential amino acid (protein building block) because adults generally produce adequate amounts of the amino acid while children often do not produce enough. Most of our histidine must come from our diets of animal and vegetable proteins, particularly pork, poultry, cheese, and wheat germ, but small amounts can be synthesized from glutamic acid and carnosine.

Traditional uses:
Wild Yam has been been prescribed over the years for the following conditions:

• Premenstrual Pain – traditionally used for menstrual cramps, although the active ingredient in Wild Yam, Diosgenin, cannot be converted into progesterone in the body the herb still plays an important role in the regulation of progesterone.
• Antispasmodic – eases discomfort from colic
• Anti-inflammatory - use to ease the pain secondary to rheumatoid arthritis
• Claudication - (pain in the lower extremities caused by spasms in the blood vessels supplying the leg muscles) – antispasmodic qualities relieves the pain of claudication.
• Relieves cough - Chinese yam contains large amounts of mucilage. Mucilage is a thick, slimy substance produced by the herb. It has a soothing effect on mucous membranes, such as the tissues that line the respiratory passages

Physiology:
L- histidine is most often recognized as a precursor to the allergy symptom producing hormone histamine, both histidine and histamine have essential roles in our biochemistry. Histamine is well known for its role in stimulating the inflammatory response of skin and mucous membranes such as those that we experience when we have cold or flu symptoms. The inflammatory action of histamine is essential for the protection of these barriers during an acute infection.

L-histidine is required by the body to regulate and utilize the following processes:

• L-histidine is essential in forming many metal bearing enzymes and compounds, examples being the red blood cell hemoglobin, antioxidant super oxide dismutase, the iron uptake regulation protein -FUR, the iron storage protein ferritin, the copper storage and iron metabolism cofactor cerulplasmin, and important enzymes dependent on L-histidine being available for formation and function. Metals such as copper, zinc, and nickel are transported by binding with L-histidine, and such binding appears essential for rapid excretion of excess metal. Persons contaminated with heavy metals, suffering from chronic seasonal allergies, or following a low histidine diet are most susceptible to body depletion of adequate histidine stores - creating the possibility of mineral-enzyme deficiencies.
• L-cysteine and L-histidine is needed to synthesized Metallothionein a molecule designed to store metals in such a way as to prevent uncontrolled oxidation reactions.
  High blood serum levels of iron have been experimentally caused in humans by a diet low in L-Histidine. Enhances wound healing, which is essential for tissue growth and repair.
• The amino acid is important for red blood cell health. Deficiency will cause decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit, ultimately leading to anemia. Histamine also stimulates the secretion of the digestive enzyme gastrin. Without adequate histamine production healthy digestion can become impaired as Histidine has anti-inflammatory properties. It is the only amino acid found to be consistently low in the blood and lubricating fluids of those with rheumatoid arthritis.

Clinical Studies:
Researchers are aware of the effects of increased levels of L-histidine, a precursor to Histamine, which can produce sensations of intense warmth that quickly spreads throughout the body. This warming effect is secondary to a release of the histamine that produces a dilation of blood vessels and capillaries, which results in subsequent increase in blood flow. The vasodilatation of the blood vessel is very similar to the flush felt instantaneously during sexual excitement. Orgasm is triggered when histamine is released in the body from the mast cells. These cells function as part of the immune system, but also cause the sexual flush experienced during arousal. For both functions, the active ingredient is histamine. When there is insufficient histamine in the body, histamine production is low and women find it difficult, sometimes even impossible to achieve orgasm. Individuals who release Histamine easily generally do not have difficulty in achieving an orgasm. Pfeiffer, C. 1975. Mental and Elemental Nutrients: A Physician\rquote s Guide to Nutrition and Health Care. Keats. New Canaan:Connecticut.

Modern day uses:
Today, L - Histidine is prescribed by physicians and herbal specialist for the following health benefits:

• Improve the sexual response in woman (L-Histidine is subsequently responsible for triggering an orgasm or "the big sneeze")
• Essential for tissue growth and repair
• Important for development of red blood cells (deficiency results in decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, and ultimately resulting in anemic conditions)\
• Relieves the pain and inflammation associated with Rheumatoid arthritis

Precautions and/or adverse effects:
Individuals with preexisting medical conditions should consult with their physician particularly if they are taking prescription or over-the-counter-medications or supplements. Women who are pregnant or nursing, and children should also consult with their physician prior to taking any new supplements. There have been no serious side effects reported with consuming low amounts of L-histadine at the time of this writing. However, individuals with kidney or liver disease should not consume large amounts of amino acids without consulting a healthcare professional.

Black cohosh
(Cimicufuga racemosa)