The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point

  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

  • Recent Posts

  • Recent Comments

    Archive for the 'Hibiscus' Category

    Lack of effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. on cholesterol

    Wednesday, October 30th, 2013

    hisbiscus_0Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (roselle, red sorrel; Arabic: karkade) grows as large shrubs or small trees that produce huge, colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers promoted to reduce cholesterol levels.

    Researchers at the University of Malaya, in Kuala Lumpur, reviewed the data on its effectiveness and safety. (more…)

    Cholesterol/Lipids, Hibiscus, High Blood Pressure | Comments Off on Lack of effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. on cholesterol

    Is there a role for hibiscus to lower cholesterol?

    Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

    Not according to researchers at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, in Bangalore, India. (more…)

    A. ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL SYSTEMS, Cholesterol/Lipids, Hibiscus | Comments Off on Is there a role for hibiscus to lower cholesterol?

    Arsenic, cadmium and lead in medicinal herbs

    Thursday, March 25th, 2010

    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. (more…)

    Chamomile, ConsumerLab, Heavy Metals, Herbals, Hibiscus, Peppermint Oil | Comments Off on Arsenic, cadmium and lead in medicinal herbs

    Hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure

    Friday, November 14th, 2008

    Researchers from Tufts University in Boston reported during the American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans that drinking 3 cups of hibiscus tea daily for 6 weeks lowered systolic blood pressure (SBP) by about 7 mmHg in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive subjects. (more…)

    Hibiscus, High Blood Pressure, Tea | Comments Off on Hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure