In people with advanced congestive heart failure (CHF) WS 1442 (aka, hawthorn) does not change the incidence of death due to progressive heart failure, fatal heart attack, or non-fatal heart attack. It also doesn’t affect the chances of being put in the hospital because of heart failure. Continue reading Crataegus Extract WS 1442 is not effective congestive heart failure therapy
Category Archives: G. BOTANICALS
The status of marijuana to treat pain and nausea
Dr. Frederick Burgess, who is clinical associate professor of surgery (anesthesiology) at Brown University in Rhode Island, has these thoughts from the American Academy of Pain Medicine Annual Meeting this past February. Continue reading The status of marijuana to treat pain and nausea
Cannabis does not interact with 2 cancer drugs
Docetaxel (Taxotere) is used to treat breast cancer, while irinotecan (Camptosar) is used to treat cancer of the colon or rectum.
This study shows that medicinal cannabis can be taken with both anticancer agents and does not require adjusting their doses. Continue reading Cannabis does not interact with 2 cancer drugs
Update on cannabinoids to treat pain
Here are highlights from the American Academy of Pain Medicine 23rd Annual Meeting
Sativex Oromucosal Spray Continue reading Update on cannabinoids to treat pain
Pycnogenol reduces pain of endometriosis
Long-term treatment with French maritime pine bark extract (pycnogenol) reduced symptoms of endometriosis, such as pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea, in a study reported in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine.
Medscape has a summary.
Two surveys of CAM use in people with health care problems
Specifically, we’re talking about women with lung cancer and people with diabetes.
First, women with lung cancer.
Continue reading Two surveys of CAM use in people with health care problems
More evidence of interest in CAM among medical students
In this survey, most medical students expressed an interest in learning more about CAM in order to make informed recommendations to their patients.
Continue reading More evidence of interest in CAM among medical students
Marijuana: A life-saving medication?
Did you hear the story about Angel Raich who wants to take marijuana every few hours, under her doctor’s advice, to control pain and give her an appetite? Her doctor claims without it she would “starve to death.”
I think she needs a second opinion.
Reviewing CAM to treat Meniere’s disease
Meniere’s disease is characterized by deafness, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and nausea. Because the precise cause is unknown, most treatments are limited to treating symptoms.
Here’s a summary of CAM options from a review in The Internet Journal of Otorhinolaryngology.
Evidence for Vertigoheel to treat vertigo
Vertigo is a dizzying sensation of tilting or being in tilting or spinning surroundings.
Vertigoheel is a homeopathic product. It contains Ambra grisea, Anamirta cocculus, Conium maculatum, and Petroleum rectificatum.
Recently, a review of its effectiveness was published.
Self-care for peripheral neuropathy in HIV/AIDS
Peripheral neuropathy is the most common neurological complication in HIV, and it’s often associated with antiretroviral therapy. Patients experience muscle weakness and atrophy, pain, and numbness.
Here’s what people use to manage the discomfort. Continue reading Self-care for peripheral neuropathy in HIV/AIDS
Using lavender to help control agitation in patients with dementia
Agitation can influence the level of independence afforded to nursing home patients.
Here’s a study of the effectiveness of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) in treating agitation in people with dementia.
Continue reading Using lavender to help control agitation in patients with dementia
A closer look at FertilityBlend
In two studies Erroneous recommendations for herbals to prevent the common cold
Yoga Journal has a misleading article in its latest edition that states, “if you’re looking to sharpen your immune system this winter, also consider one of the following.”
There are no studies in human beings that report lower infection rates by using any of these 3 herbals.
Continue reading Erroneous recommendations for herbals to prevent the common cold
Thermogenic products burn calories
Yes, they do. But published evidence that they reduce weight is in short supply.
Here is a study of a thermogenic formulation and recent legal actions against weight lose products by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
ConsumerLab tests St. John’s wort
This is depressing. The number one problem facing herbal medicines today is the inability (or something) on the part of manufacturers to ensure quality control in the manufacturing of their products.
Here’s the latest on St. John’s wort.
Advisory issued for black cohosh
This site has discussed black cohosh before. Our focus was on the lack of effectiveness for the treatment for menopausal symptoms, and the lack of manufacturing standards that result in variability in product content of black cohosh.
Now, following an analysis of 16 case reports of hepatotoxicity associated with the use of Cimicifugae racemosae rhizoma (black cohosh, root), the European Medicines Agency has advised consumers to stop taking black cohosh and consult their doctor immediately if they develop signs and symptoms suggestive of liver injury. Examples include tiredness, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin and eyes, or severe upper stomach pain with nausea and vomiting or dark urine.
Be forewarned.
7/21/06 21:11 JR
The continuing search to discover medicines from plants
In her book, The Natural History of Medicinal Plants, Dr. Judith Sumner states, “Now, about 40% of all medicinal prescriptions in the United States contain at least one plant-derived ingredient, and European physicians routinely recommend to their patients herbs such as chamomile and coneflower.”
Here’s a report from India that gives insight into the extensive work being done by just one group of researchers to identify new drugs from plants.
Continue reading The continuing search to discover medicines from plants
Medical students support CAM
Medical students have a long-standing interest in learning more about CAM.
Here’s what they think at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC.
History of cannabis in medicine
Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria has an exhaustive review.
I summarize it here.