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 'Wolfsbane' Category

    Stress, heart disease, and what to do about it

    Sunday, July 6th, 2008

    Research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that psychosocial factors, such as cynical distrust, chronic stress, and depression are associated with higher blood levels of C-reactive protein (associated with acute inflammatory reactions), interleukin-6 (stimulates an immune response to tissue damage), and fibrinogen (causes blood to clot).

    All are related to an increased risk of heart disease.

    What can we do about this?

    (more…)

    Animal-assisted Therapy, Biofeedback, Heart Disease, Massage, Meditation, Stress, Wolfsbane, Ylang-Ylang Oil | Comments Off on Stress, heart disease, and what to do about it

    Wolfsbane: Uses, risks, and admonitions

    Monday, April 21st, 2008

    “The wolfsbane I should dread;
    Nor will I dreary rosemarye,
    That always mourns the dead;
    But I will woo the dainty rose,
    With her cheeks of tender red.”     …Thomas Hood

    Wolfsbane (Aconitum napellus, aconite, monkshood) is sometimes included in herbal remedies to treat inflammation, pain, musculoskeletal problems (eg arthritis), and heart problems. (more…)

    Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Consumer Alert, Heart Disease, Pain, Rheumatoid Diseases, Rosemary, Wolfsbane | Comments Off on Wolfsbane: Uses, risks, and admonitions

    Prevalence of diabetes in the US in 2006

    Saturday, November 18th, 2006

    The Centers for Disease Control has just published the latest data on the prevalence of diabetes in the US.

    • 11% of adults aged 40 to 59 years
    • 23% of those 60 and older have diabetes

    Is it any wonder that so many CAM therapies are studied in people with diabetes?

    A quick listing of CAM entries for diabetes on this blog is provided below. Or, click the button on the right sidebar to see all of the diabetes entries.

    (more…)

    Bed Wetting, Berberine (Goldenseal), Chromium, Cinnamon, Coffee, DHEA, Diabetes Mellitus, Diet-Vegan, Flavonoids (Soy), Ginger, Ginseng, Magnets, Milk Thistle, Pine Bark Extract, Wolfsbane | Comments Off on Prevalence of diabetes in the US in 2006