PhD of biochemistry – Dr. Steinthor Sigurdsson

Dr. Sigurdsson earned his doctorate in biochemistry on November 23rd, after defending his thesis, Chemical composition and biological activity of some Icelandic medicinal herbs. Dr. Sigurdsson’s doctorate is the result of extensive scientific research that he conducted since 1995 with guidance from Dr. Sigmundur Gudbjarnason, professor emeritus of biochemistry and former president of the University of Iceland.

Important plant research 

Dr. Sigurdsson’s research has revealed that various phytochemical compounds contained in Icelandic medicinal herbs exhibit bioactivity. The compounds can thus be used for preventive measures and other health purposes. These research findings are particularly interesting from a historical point of view, as they shed light on the use of Icelandic medicinal herbs throughout the ages and suggest that past generations knew of the medical benefits of herbs in the Icelandic flora.

The research involved dozens of Icelandic herbs, but more attention was given to a more focused selection, in particular to Icelandic Angelica archangelica, which has been very well known for its medicinal properties since before Iceland’s settlement. Peer-reviewed studies have already been published in respected scientific journals.

Research leads to product development

SagaMedica is an Icelandic biotech firm, founded in 2000 as a channel for product development built on this remarkable scientific work. The company’s products contain bioactive compounds which, for example, can counter nocturia caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia  and overactive bladder, help promote a healthy memory, prevent viral infections and reduce anxiety.

Angelica herb on a poster

We just translated this poster from Icelandic into English. It’s of the Icelandic angelica herb, which has been used for traditional medicine in Iceland for over a thousand years. The herb itself is extremely beautiful, such a great “model”, as they say.

Medicinal herb Angelica archangelica

Thrainn, our CEO has told me that it’s really windy in South Iceland, where we gather the angelica. Our people had to stay inside for a full day since it made no sense to go out and work. Now the weather is better and they are able to keep working, which is good because the season will end later in August.

Thrainn is also going to Hrisey, in Northern Iceland, where we are preparing next year’s harvest of Angelica archangelica.

SagaPro featured in UK magazine

Tomorrow there will be a small article in Woman’s Weekly, a large UK lifestyle magazine. It’s about the angelica herb and dietary supplements produced from it. Just a small column, really, but really quite visible. It’s great to see the papers picking up on us. I did send them photos and a whole bunch of text material. I then saw the article, and we have 2 whole lines of text about SagaMedica and SagaPro! But we’re still in it and our website is featured there, too, so that’s fine.
Best wishes,
Kristinn

Today we started gathering the Angelica herb close to Vík, in South Iceland. It’s really quite laborious, I’m told, I haven’t personally done it myself. I’m sure our CEO will want me to join in the harvesting one day, as it’s sort of a rite of passage in SagaMedica! After all, it’s very good to know the whole process firsthand.

I know my hayfever is really looking forward to it!

________

Kristinn

I just got back from turning the Geranium sylvaticum, so it will dry before the extraction process. It’s used with the Angelica archangelica seeds in the remedy SagaMemo. It’s interesting that when the two herbs are used together their combined effects are compounded and they have more efficacy that way. You can see a graph on SagaMedica’s website which shows this: http://www.sagamedica.com/products/2/SagaMemo/default.aspx