Kava has been linked to liver damage and death. In fact, the UK banned its use in 2003 for this reason.
Now, researchers from the University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland have produced evidence of the kava effect on liver cells. Continue reading Defining the effects of kava on the liver
Professor Ernst and colleagues from Peninsula Medical School in the UK have reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Latest assessment of butterbur to treat allergic rhinitis
The available evidence suggests that ginseng might play a complementary role in treating type 2 diabetes.
We just need more evidence, according to Drs. John Zeqi Luo and Luguang Luo from Brown University and Roger Williams Hospital in Rhode Island. Continue reading Ginseng as a candidate for diabetes therapy
Here’s the latest in a string of negative results using Cuban sugar cane-derived policosanol.
The results are important because the researchers from Azienda Ospedaliera in Padua, Italy confirmed that the tablets contained the correct amount of policosanol. Continue reading More negative results with policosanol
In September 2003, the Dutch government legalized a medicinal cannabis product for clinical research, drug development, and prescription use by patients.
Here’s what has happened since then. Continue reading The cannabis experience in oncology
Dr. Philip Hansten from the University of Washington School of Pharmacy has spent more than 30 years chronicling and documenting drug interactions.
In an article in Pharmacy Times, he and Dr. John Horn focus on the risks for people with diabetes or taking blood thinners. Continue reading Getting specific about CAM-drug interactions
That would have to be Polyphenon E. Continue reading A CAM success story for 2007
Researchers in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment Against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) Trial looked at the use and response to silymarin (milk thistle extract) among the patients in the study. Continue reading Response to milk thistle among people with hepatitis C
Oral cancer (cancer of the mouth) accounts for about only 4% of all cancers diagnosed each year in the US, but survival rates are among the lowest of major cancers.
Dr. Susan Mallery from the Ohio State University’s College of Dentistry reports that a gel made from black raspberry could stop oral lesions that often leave patients permanently disfigured. Continue reading Black-raspberry gel to prevent mouth cancer
Professor Richard Beasley from the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand has studied the effects of marijuana on the lungs.
For chronic users, smoking just 1 joint is as bad for the lungs as 2.5 to 5 cigarettes. Continue reading Comparing cannabis vs cigarettes on the lungs
Are you taking the dog to visit grandma this year? Diffused lavender odor may be a practical approach to manage travel-induced excitement in dogs that are prone to that sort of thing.
In the finest tradition of a cross over study design, 32 dogs were exposed to the natural environment or the odor of lavender in random order during 6 rides to familiar walking sites.
Compared to normal odors, dogs surrounded by lavender in the car spent…
Recently, 4 patients experienced seizures multiple times following heavy consumption of energy drinks. The authors proposed that energy drinks rich in caffeine, taurine, and guarana seed extract could have provoked these seizures.
Here’s what we know about guarana thanks to researchers from the University of Florida at Gainesville and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) in Amazonas, Brazil. Continue reading Seizures associated with guarana in energy drinks
It’s only one patient (not the one in the photo), but it might reflect a bigger problem.
Here’s what happened.
Continue reading Arsenic poisoning from an herbal kelp supplement
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia reviewed the records of about 2500 women — some with and others without breast cancer.
The objective was to determine if any hormone-related supplements they had taken in the past might be associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. Continue reading Looking back to see if black cohosh might prevent breast cancer
Written by Drs. Charles Fetrow and Juan Avila, The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines is a detailed yet practical reference book.
There are several things I particularly like about it. Continue reading A holiday gift recommendation for your friends who use herbals
A literature review published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found 15 supplements that had been studied for their benefits in preventing or treating coronary heart disease.
According to the researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle…
In 2003, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom and other countries banned sales of highly concentrated kava dietary supplements, which had been linked to liver damage and death. A summary report is here.
Now, researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu have studied the long-term effects on the liver of drinking kava beverages. Continue reading Measuring the effect of kava on the liver
The effects of cilostazol (Pletal) and clopidogrel (Plavix) on platelet activity do not change when either drug is taken with G. biloba.
However? Continue reading Should you take Ginkgo biloba with cilostazol or clopidogrel?
Polyphenon E is made from decaffeinated green tea, and contains catechins (antioxidants). It’s also called green tea extract. Continue reading Polyphenon E being studied to treat prostate cancer
Yohimbine (sold by the names Yocon, Yohimar, and others) is used to treat impotence (aka erectile dysfunction).
This study suggests yohimbine’s ability to change baroreflex control of the heart might yield additional benefits in certain circumstances. Continue reading Might yohimbine reduce the risk of heart disease?