Researchers at Monash University, in Victoria, Australia, examined the scientific evidence for the use of CAM to stimulate labor. (more…)

Anti-hormonal therapy of breast cancer patients with the anti-estrogen tamoxifen (Nolvadex) often induces or aggravates menopausal complaints.

Researchers at the University Hospital, in Zurich, Switzerland measured the response to black cohosh. (more…)

Prof. Ernst has reviewed the evidence.

Here’s what we know. (more…)

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota, reviewed allopathic and CAM options.

Let’s focus on CAM. (more…)

Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin, which is published by the British Medical Journal, has published their review of the evidence. (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 at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, in Seattle, Washington tell us, “There have been no prospective studies of the association between the long-term use of these supplements (omega-3 fatty acids and others] and breast cancer risk….” until now.

This and other recent breakthroughs are summarized below. (more…)

Researchers from Johann Wolfgang Goethe University of Frankfurt/Main, in Hanau, Germany, reviewed the evidence and believe the risk is less than suspected. (more…)

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and Arizona collaborated to review the risks of herbal:drug interactions.

The abstract is a bit skimpy on details, but the American Pharmaceutical Association has a nice summary, which will be summarized further here. (more…)

Researchers from the University of Erlangen, in Germany studied the effect of adding black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) to exercise.

They were looking for evidence of greater benefit with black cohosh over exercise alone in bone mineral density and coronary heart disease risk during early post menopause. (more…)

Warning. Others have drawn similar conclusions, as noted here and here.

Now, researchers from McGill University, in Montreal have reviewed the evidence for black cohosh to treat menopausal symptoms, again. (more…)

To manage vasomotor symptoms, researchers from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia recommend “lifestyle changes in all women.” (more…)

Reviewers from the University of Florida, College of Medicine in Jacksonville assessed the evidenced. (more…)

Dr. Darrell Hulisz from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio reviews popular herbals.

Let’s focus on safety issues. (more…)

Dietary herbal supplements, such as black cohosh, have shown mixed and inconclusive results in placebo-controlled studies of menopausal symptoms.

Researchers from Northwestern University, in Chicago, Illinois compared black cohosh and red clover to hormone therapy for their effects on cognition (reasoning). (more…)

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 additional references added. (more…)

The relationship between supplements and lead levels in blood has been an ongoing project for researchers in Boston.

In this study, researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center report specific herbal supplements are associated with higher blood lead levels among women. (more…)

 This is the third review in the past year that has come to the same conclusion.

This time, researchers from the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, in Hanau, Germany evaluated the relationship between suspected liver toxicity in 9 patients treated with black cohosh (Actaea racemosa and Cimicifuga racemosa). (more…)

This is the second review published this year, and the second to conclude “there is no evidence for a causal relationship between treatment by black cohosh and the observed liver disease.” (more…)

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is used to treat symptoms of menopause.

Prof. Ernst and a colleague from the University of Naples Federico II in Italy delve into the scientific literature on its safety. (more…)