The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point

Archive for the 'Lemon/Lime' Category

Melissa to treat agitation in Alzheimer’s disease

Sunday, July 17th, 2011

Researchers at the University of Manchester, in the UK, compared Melissa officinalis aromatherapyalso referred to as lemon balm — to donepezil (Aricept). (more…)

Review: CAM for infantile colic

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Almost all babies go through a fussy period. When crying lasts for longer than about 3 hours a day and is not caused by a medical problem (such as a hernia or infection), it is called colic.

Prof. Ernst and colleagues evaluated nutritional supplements and other complementary and alternative medicines. (more…)

Treating oral thrush in HIV/AIDS patients

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Researchers at Tshwane University of Technology, in Pretoria, South Africa compared lemon grass, lemon juice, and gentian violet. (more…)

Using herbals to increase the activity of antibiotics

Sunday, June 15th, 2008

Resistance to antibiotics by bacteria is on the rise, both in the hospital and in the community. Could it be that herbals might increase the effectiveness of antibiotics?

This lab study suggests it’s possible.
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Aromatherapy: Feel good or make well?

Monday, March 3rd, 2008

Here’s a hint.

The most comprehensive study of aromatherapy failed to show improvement in immune status, wound healing, or pain control. (more…)

Functional foods, nutraceuticals, and your local food store

Sunday, November 4th, 2007

Since Hippocrates advised “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,” we have defined medicines and foods based on what is known about each substance in terms of efficacy, safety and the significance of its perceived contribution to health.

Over time, we redefine these substances as our experience and expectations change.

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Critiquing the rationale for using lime juice douche vaginally

Monday, October 1st, 2007

Lime has been used as a contraceptive and vaginal hygiene douche, particularly in Africa.

This study reports the safety of diluted lime juice. But let’s start with some background. (more…)

A critical review of herbals to treat anxiety and depression

Monday, July 16th, 2007

In 2003, Professor Edzard Ernst writing on the Cochrane Collaboration website concluded, “Compared with placebo, kava extract is an effective symptomatic treatment for anxiety although, at present, the size of the effect seems small.” (more…)

Transplant patients are cautioned about taking Schisandra

Tuesday, May 29th, 2007

Schisandra sphenanthera (Nan Wu Wei Zi, lemon-wood) is “commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs.” I found no clinical study in humans to support the many claims for this Chinese herbal medicine.

Now, there’s a report of a drug interaction with tacrolimus (Prograf) — a drug used to suppress the immune system in order to prevent organ rejection of liver, kidney, or heart transplants. (more…)

CAM and the common cold

Monday, January 15th, 2007

MayoClinic.com has reviewed cold remedies that work and don’t.

Here’s a summary of useful CAM options.

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The use of CAM among poor Central Americans

Wednesday, October 18th, 2006

Reported earlier on the site was a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which found that 36% of Americans use CAM ? 62% if prayer is included.

Now, here is an estimate of the use of CAM in one Central American country.

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