A critical review of herbals to treat anxiety and depression
In 2003, Professor Edzard Ernst writing on the Cochrane Collaboration website concluded, “Compared with placebo, kava extract is an effective symptomatic treatment for anxiety although, at present, the...
View ArticleTreating functional dyspepsia with STW 5
STW 5 (Iberogast) is an herbal preparation containing 9 plant extracts (including Iberis amara [Candytuft] peppermint, and chamomile). In this study, it was better than placebo in treating functional...
View ArticleKey points about commonly used herbals
Dr. Darrell Hulisz from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio has written a continuing education article on herbals. Here are the author’s take-away points, with...
View ArticleSafety review of popular herbal products
Dr. Darrell Hulisz from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio reviews popular herbals. Let’s focus on safety issues. Echinacea Common side effects include unpleasant...
View ArticleChamomile extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder
Researchers at the University Science Center, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania report results from the first randomized controlled study of Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized...
View ArticleHerbals to treat psoriasis: A review of the evidence
Dr. Sharon Jacob from the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center in Florida and colleagues reviewed the scientific support for herbals used by patients with psoriasis. Here are the...
View ArticleArsenic, cadmium and lead in medicinal herbs
This study was conducted at the University of Sofia in Bulgaria using local herbals. I don’t know the relevance to herbals in other parts of the world, but the results are disturbing. First, the...
View ArticleManaging nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
2 faculty at the University of California at San Francisco and the University of Utah reviewed the evidence and make recommendations for treatment. Let’s focus on complementary options. Herbals Ginger,...
View ArticleLittle evidence that herbals relieve menopause symptoms
Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin, which is published by the British Medical Journal, has published their review of the evidence. Black cohosh 3 studies suggest beneficial effect. 4 others do not. The...
View ArticleHerbals used by pregnant women
Researchers from Atlanta, Georgia and Boston report from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. First, the details. 4239 American women who delivered infants without major birth defects from...
View ArticleReview: CAM for infantile colic
Almost all babies go through a fussy period. When crying lasts for longer than about 3 hours a day and is not caused by a medical problem (such as a hernia or infection), it is called colic. Prof....
View ArticleCAM options to treat eczema
Bastyr Center for Natural Health has published a review. Let’s summarize. Coconut oil Helps decrease inflammation and itching. Reduces bacterial colonization of the skin, which may help prevent...
View ArticleCAM use in the Manitoba IBD Cohort Study
Researchers in Winnipeg, Manitoba surveyed the prevalence of CAM use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. First, the details. The Manitoba IBD Cohort Study is a study of determinants of health...
View ArticleIneffective herbal remedies for treating acne
I recently came across a website advocating herbals to treat or prevent acne. The website isn’t important, but the results of my PubMed searches might be useful. Black currant A laboratory study...
View ArticleAcne: Recommendations are easy; data, scarce
Herbalists recommend more than a dozen herbal remedies for acne and scarring, according to a recent article. Unfortunately, only 1 of these herbals is supported by the results of a study in patients....
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