 Researchers from the University of Queensland, in Australia evaluated the evidence for adding nutritional and herbal medicines to antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and benzodiazepines. Continue reading Should we add CAM to Rx treatments?
Category Archives: G. BOTANICALS
Kava and St. John’s wort: Evidence for mood and anxiety disorders
 A broad range of mood disorders were reviewed by researchers at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, in Queensland, Australia. Continue reading Kava and St. John’s wort: Evidence for mood and anxiety disorders
Herbals for arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions
Ms. Meenakshi Khatta is a nurse practitioner and associate professor at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. Nurse Khatta has reviewed the use of CAM to treat pain due to musculoskeletal conditions.
Here are her findings on herbal supplements used to treat fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Continue reading Herbals for arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions
Herbals vs hormones to treat cognition in menopause
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). Continue reading Herbals vs hormones to treat cognition in menopause
Report of a valerian-lorazepam drug interaction
 Here’s a report from Spain of a patient who self-medicated with valerian (Valeriana officinalis L) and passionflower (Passiflora incarnata L) while taking lorazepam (Ativan, a benzodiazepine drug). Continue reading Report of a valerian-lorazepam drug interaction
Thinking of taking valerian to help you sleep?
Before you do, consider these quotes. Continue reading Thinking of taking valerian to help you sleep?
Consumer Alert: Hardcore Energize Bullet and New Whey
The US Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to buy or use Hardcore Energize Bullet (photo) or New Whey liquid products due to suspected product tampering.
The products are sold in small test tube-like vials. Continue reading Consumer Alert: Hardcore Energize Bullet and New Whey
Key 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 additional references added. Continue reading Key points about commonly used herbals
Herbals and lead levels in Americans
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. Continue reading Herbals and lead levels in Americans
The state of cannabinoids to treat pain
Researchers from the Peninsula Medical School in Plymouth, UK have reviewed the state of cannabinoid pharmacology with a focus on pain medicine.
Here are the highlights. Continue reading The state of cannabinoids to treat pain
Use of herbals in women undergoing IVF
In the absence of specific evidence, it’s probably safe to assume that women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures are taking herbal medicines.
That’s my conclusion based on the results of this survey of women in an Irish infertility treatment center by researchers at BC Women’s Hospital, in Vancouver, Canada. Continue reading Use of herbals in women undergoing IVF
Cannabis to treat H1N1 swine flu symptoms?
 Perhaps you’ve heard that a company called Cannabis Science Inc. has offered Homeland Security Administration (HSA) Secretary Janet Napolitano to produce 1 million doses of its whole-cannabis lozenge, and provide them to HSA for distribution at cost. Continue reading Cannabis to treat H1N1 swine flu symptoms?
Medical residents don’t know dietary supplements
That’s the result from a survey of internal medicine residency programs in the US. Continue reading Medical residents don’t know dietary supplements
Lavender oil as a source of allergic antigens
 The results of this study by researchers at Göteborg University in Gothenburg, Sweden have important implications for people who use lavender oil as aromatherapy. Continue reading Lavender oil as a source of allergic antigens
Glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis
No better than placebo after 24 months of treatment. Continue reading Glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis
“Aqueous” extracts of kava to treat depression and anxiety
Piper methysticum (kava) has been withdrawn for sale in several countries due to concerns over liver toxicity.
The WHO recently recommended research into “aqueous” extracts of kava. Here are the results the Kava Anxiety Depression Spectrum Study (KADSS). Continue reading “Aqueous” extracts of kava to treat depression and anxiety
First look at ginkgo to prevent migraine
Researchers from Italy focused on women suffering from migraine with aura. Continue reading First look at ginkgo to prevent migraine
Spirituality today lowers the risk of drug use next year
Some researcher and editors must think that jargon-filled writing increases the relevance of their work. Here’s an abstract from a study where the word “shibboleth” was used.
Ten points if you know the definition of “shibboleth” without looking it up. Bonus points if you can use it in a sentence where no other simpler English-language word can be used.
That said. Here’s my summary of this spirituality study, with “shibboleth” deleted.
Continue reading Spirituality today lowers the risk of drug use next year
Using herbals to treat uterine fibroids
 Uterine fibroids are benign (non cancerous) growths in the uterus.
Herbal preparations are commonly used alternatives for drug treatment, surgery, or both. Now, Cochrane has reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Using herbals to treat uterine fibroids
Marijuana and the risk of testicular cancer
 The incidence of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) has increased during the past 4 to 6 decades. So has the use of marijuana.
Might there be a connection? Continue reading Marijuana and the risk of testicular cancer