Quercetin

NAME: Rutin is the natural form of Quercetin. Rutin is made up of 49% Quercetin.

BACKGROUND: Quercetin is found in herbs and supplements. It is a useful flavonoid component of certain plants and vegetables used for centuries for medicinal purposes (apples, grapes, berries, black tea, olive oil, onions, tomatoes, sage, red wine, asparagus, broccoli, and others). Its chemical structure was identified in the 1800s.

Those mentioned above have been tested and cleared of contaminants and confirmed for stated amounts of active quercetin or rutin. 

PROPERTIES:

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial

CONSIDERED USES

Cardiac: May help lower blood pressure, heart disease, and atherosclerosis

Respiratory: Allergic reactions (antihistaminic effects), hay fever, and cold. It may prevent the onset and worsening of various upper respiratory viral infections (including COVID-19).

Gastrointestinal: Fatty liver disease

Genitourinary: Interstitial cystitis, prostatitis, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), may help reduce decreases in testosterone, caused by exposure to environmental toxins.

Cholesterol: Helps to lower cholesterol, triglycerides

Glucose: Slight lowering may help in a slight reduction of blood sugar by decreasing insulin resistance

Musculoskeletal: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Skin: Insect Bites

Cancer: May help in prostate and cell proliferation in other cancers

Neuro: Supports Alzheimer's memory issues, may promote memory. Possibly helps enhance sleep

Immunity: Supports immunity

Side Effects: Headache and indigestion, kidney damage (high dosage). Many of the quercetin supplements have other additives.

Caution/Contraindications: Kidney problems, medications metabolized by cytochrome P450, cyclosporine, quinolone antibiotics, coumadin, caution if on BP medications or antidiabetic medications, pravastatin, prazosin, sulfasalazine, Seroquel, losartan, and others. If you choose to take a quercetin supplement, check for interactions with your medications. Also, check labels to be sure you do not have sensitivities to the sources of quercetin.

FORMS: Pills, capsules

RECOMMENDED BRANDS

• Bulk Supplements Quercetin Dihydrite Powder 500 mg (Amazon link to order)

• Life Extension Bio-Quercetin 250 mg (link to Life Extension ordering here)

• Puritan's Pride Quercetin Dihydrate Plus Vitamin C - 500 mg quercetin - Often available at stores - in the pharmacy area

• Solaray® Quercetin 500 mg (order on Fullscript HERE)

• Country Life® Bio-Rutin Complex - Available over-the-counter in retail pharmacies

Please Note: Note: I partner only with reputable, high-quality affiliate herbal and supplement brands to bring you products that meet standards for safety, effectiveness, and transparency. I research these products before posting recommendations.

While many of these products can be bought directly from stores online and sometimes retail stores, I often use affiliates, like Amazon and Fullscript so when you click on their link to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — a simple way to support this free website and its mission. Additionally, they have helpful reviews. I often find that they are discounted and have expedited delivery. 

DOSAGE: As directed

The following are reported doses and may NOT be supported by evidence (reported by various sources, i.e., WebMD, RxList, Epocrates, ConsumerLabs, German Commission E, NIH publications, and others). Read dosages and instructions carefully when available on the label.

• Up to 250 mg to 1 gram daily for 12 weeks, depending on the condition

• 500 mg once or twice daily

Fairly high amounts of Quercitin are also found in various foods. When directly ingested, they are often absorbed more readily than some commercial products. The following lists some common foods containing quercetin:

• Capers (high concentration)

• Red onions

• Kale

• Tart cherries

• Apples

• Cranberries

• Black plums

• Broccoli

• Blueberries

• Green tea

• Elderberry

• Red wine

Disclaimer: The material above is for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose or treat a condition. The uses listed above are tentative; some have or are undergoing research trials, but many are not FDA-approved. It is essential that you investigate these supplements further before deciding to use them. Check interactions and contraindications on sites like Drugs.com or WebMD. Do not attempt to treat a serious condition like liver, kidney problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or thyroid issues without discussing it with a healthcare provider first. If you are pregnant, do not use supplements without discussing it with your healthcare provider.