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. (more…)

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. (more…)

Berberine is used to treat gastrointestinal infections, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol. Many studies report interactions between berberine-containing products and cytochrome P450, but little is known about whether berberine alters CYP activities in humans.

Researchers at the Xiang Ya School of Medicine, in the People’s Republic of China, studied the effects of berberine on a series of drugs and P450 enzymes after repeated dosing. (more…)

Acute coronary syndrome refers to any condition brought on by sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart causing chest pain during a heart attack or chest pain at rest or doing light physical activity (unstable angina).

Researchers at Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, in China, tested berberine’s effects on ACS patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (aka angioplasty or stent placement). (more…)

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota have listed drugs to avoid when taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex) to treat breast cancer, but they omit reference to herbal supplements.

A study from the University of Arkansas helps correct their oversight. (more…)

Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is a liver enzyme responsible for the metabolism of approximately 30% of all drugs.

Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock studied the effect of CYP2D6 on the metabolism of several herbal supplements and the risk of drug interactions. (more…)

Researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine, at the University of California, in Los Angeles have reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics published guidelines for screening children for high cholesterol blood levels.

Now, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia have estimated the number that might need treatment. (more…)

It appears to have positive effects in both conditions, according to this study by researchers at Min-Hang Hospital in Shanghai. (more…)

This survey of male Chinese HIV patients provides an opportunity to review the risk for interactions between Chinese herbal medicine and drugs used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). (more…)

OK, you’re scheduled for surgery, and you take herbals.

Does your surgeon know what you take?

Be smart. If you use any of the herbals on this list, tell your surgeon.

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The World Health Organization has predicted a 39% rise in the worldwide prevalence of diabetes by 2030. And an article in The Lancet indicates this might be an underestimation.

Since November is Diabetes Month, here’s a round-up of CAM options for people with diabetes from 2006 through March 2007.
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Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is promoted for a variety of uses. The active components are hydrastine and berberine. Both inhibit the liver metabolizing enzyme system known as cytochrome P450. Therefore, people treated the immunosuppressant, cyclosporine A (CsA; Sandimmune) and taking this herbal or berberine are at risk of a drug interaction.

Here’s what we know based on studies at the Wuhan General Hospital in Wuhan, China. (more…)

Antibiotic resistance is the ability of a microorganism to withstand the effects of antibiotics.

You’re exposed to these bacteria when you swallow the herbal medicine. (more…)

This seems to be the first time the potential for these interactions has been studied.

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The Centers for Disease Control has just published the latest data on the prevalence of diabetes in the US.

• 11% of adults aged 40 to 59 years
• 23% of those 60 and older have diabetes

Is it any wonder that so many CAM therapies are studied in people with diabetes?

A quick listing of CAM entries for diabetes on this blog is provided below. Or, click the button on the right sidebar to see all of the diabetes entries.

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Reported earlier on the site was a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which found that 36% of Americans use CAM ? 62% if prayer is included.

Now, here is an estimate of the use of CAM in one Central American country.

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 People with HIV/AIDS commonly take herbals and vitamins, often without the knowledge of their doctor.

Here are examples of interactions with antiretroviral drugs that might be harmful. (more…)

Preliminary evidence, in the August issue of Diabetes indicates that “berberine displays beneficial effects in the treatment of diabetes and obesity at least in part via stimulation of AMPK [AMP-activated protein kinase] activity.”

Here’s some background.

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