Researchers from Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia reviewed the evidence and make recommendations for women experiencing symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Continue reading Reviewing herbs, vitamins, and minerals in treating premenstrual syndrome
Category Archives: St. John’s Wort
St. John’s wort + kava for major depression with anxiety
This is the first study of St. John’s wort + kava to treat major depressive disorder with underlying anxiety, according to researchers from The University of Queensland, Australia. Continue reading St. John’s wort + kava for major depression with anxiety
Drug-herbal interaction review
Prof. Ernst reviewed popular herbal medicines.
It’s a long list. Continue reading Drug-herbal interaction review
Everything you need to know about St. John’s wort
Dr. Joanne Barnes, from the University of Auckland, in New Zealand distilled the evidence.
And it takes less than 300 words plus references. Continue reading Everything you need to know about St. John’s wort
The risk of taking herbals by patients with heart disease
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and Scottsdale, Arizona reviewed the risks. Continue reading The risk of taking herbals by patients with heart disease
St. John’s wort and ibuprofen pharmacokinetics
“No ibuprofen [Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, Medipren] dose adjustments appear warranted when the drug is administered orally with St. John’s wort,” according to this study by Dr. Edward Bell in an article published in The Annals of Pharmacotherapy. Continue reading St. John’s wort and ibuprofen pharmacokinetics
Does published research affect supplement sales?
It depends on what’s being reported.
Researchers from the National Institutes of Health and Mayo Clinic reviewed sales of 5 popular supplements in light of emerging negative evidence. Continue reading Does published research affect supplement sales?
Safety review of popular herbal products
Dr. Darrell Hulisz from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio reviews popular herbals.
Let’s focus on safety issues. Continue reading Safety review of popular herbal products
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
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
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
The prevailing view of St. John’s wort
 “Hypericum extracts [aka St. John’s Wort] are an “effective and safe tool in the hand[s] of qualified health professionals in primary care,” according to Professor Klaus Linde (photo) from the Centre for Complementary Medicine Research, at the Technical University of Munich, Germany. Continue reading The prevailing view of St. John’s wort
Treating ADHD with supplements
Researchers from the University of Canterbury, at Christchurch, New Zealand reviewed the evidence supporting the use of nutritional and herbal supplements to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Continue reading Treating ADHD with supplements
Drug-supplement interactions in perspective
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota have reviewed the evidence and report that most interactions are confined to a relatively small number of drug classes and supplements. Continue reading Drug-supplement interactions in perspective
What not to take before surgery
OK, you’re scheduled for surgery, and you take herbals.
Does your surgeon know what you take?
Be smart. If you use any of the herbals on this list, tell your surgeon.
The role of CAM to treat anxiety and depression
Here’s a review of the evidence by researchers at the University of Western Australia in Perth. Continue reading The role of CAM to treat anxiety and depression
Cochrane reviews St. John’s wort
 St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is commonly used to treat depression.
Is it more effective than placebo? Is it as effective as standard antidepressants?
CAM for perinatal depression
Further research is needed, but Dr. Marlene Freeman from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas brings us up to date. Continue reading CAM for perinatal depression
A Bent view of herbals
Dr. Stephen Bent is Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.
Here’s his view. Continue reading A Bent view of herbals