It has been reported in 3 people. Continue reading Acute liver disease associated with taking aloe vera by mouth
Category Archives: J. CONDITIONS TO TREAT
New study supports acupuncture to treat rhinitis
According to Acupuncture.com, “The ideal time to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis using acupuncture is at least one month before symptoms normally begin.”
Here’s a study where acupuncture helped ongoing rhinitis symptoms. Continue reading New study supports acupuncture to treat rhinitis
Best foods (and supplements) to lower your cholesterol
MayoClinic.com has posted a review.
Here’s the skinny. Continue reading Best foods (and supplements) to lower your cholesterol
Soft drinks reportedly not a cause of obesity in children
The article abstract is jargon-riddled, but an article in BeverageDaily.com “translates” the results into English. Continue reading Soft drinks reportedly not a cause of obesity in children
Allergic reactions associated with the use of pelargonium
Pelargonium is a genus of flowering plants, which includes about 200 species. Extracts have been used to treat respiratory tract and gastrointestinal infections.
Now, more about the allergic reactions to Pelargonium sidoides DC and P. reniforme Curtis, which reportedly have immune modulating properties and antibacterial activity. Continue reading Allergic reactions associated with the use of pelargonium
Podcast review of cholesterol-lowering supplements
Dr. Brent Bauer is Director of the Mayo Clinic Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program. He was interviewed for a podcast on cholesterol-lowering supplements, which is available here. Continue reading Podcast review of cholesterol-lowering supplements
The benefits of qigong and other CAM for fibromyalgia
A study at the University of Uppsala, Sweden reports that qigong (chee-kung) has positive and reliable effects regarding fibromyalgia.
Let’s look at these results and review other positive CAM studies in the past year. Continue reading The benefits of qigong and other CAM for fibromyalgia
Benefits of eating apples and fish during pregnancy
Here’s more evidence that the health of your offspring is influenced by what mom eats while pregnant.
This study appears to support a growing body of science that has linked diet to asthma. Continue reading Benefits of eating apples and fish during pregnancy
Herb-drug interaction between baicalin and rosuvastatin
Baicalin (Chinese skullcap) comes from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. This anti-inflammatory herbal is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cancer, liver disease, allergies, skin conditions, and epilepsy. Rosuvastatin (Crestor) is a member of the stain class of drugs used to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Continue reading Herb-drug interaction between baicalin and rosuvastatin
Is CAM cost effective treatment?
Three criteria determine drug reimbursement decisions: therapeutic value, cost effectiveness, and burden of disease. Now, an article from Erasmus University in The Netherlands questions whether it’s sufficient for a drug to meet these criteria, and proposes a 4th hurdle.
Consider how CAM would hold up under such scrutiny based on what we know today. Continue reading Is CAM cost effective treatment?
Negative results for folic acid plus B vitamin therapy in kidney disease
High concentrations of homocysteine in the blood (hyperhomocysteinemia) have been linked to an increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease for almost 40 years!
What’s this got to do with CAM? Continue reading Negative results for folic acid plus B vitamin therapy in kidney disease
Sunflower therapy for dyslexia
It seems to improve self-esteem but not cognition (eg, perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning) or literacy, according to a recent study of 70 dyslexic children aged 6 to 13 years.
Call me skeptical, but…
Growing support for omega-3 benefits in multiple sclerosis
Hillary Freeman has multiple sclerosis (MS). She says, that within weeks of “regularly incorporating portions of salmon, mackerel, and sardines into my meal plans, the tingling and numbness I experienced on a daily basis subsided.”
Now, research on omega-3 fatty acids (containing eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) conducted at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland and presented during the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians annual meeting appears to provide a rationale for her experience. Continue reading Growing support for omega-3 benefits in multiple sclerosis
September is ADD/ADHA month
One objective is to increase awareness of this condition, and the National Institute of Mental Health has a broad ranging review. Continue reading September is ADD/ADHA month
Yoga and quality of life in breast cancer patients
It appears to enhance emotional well-being and mood, according to researchers in New York. Continue reading Yoga and quality of life in breast cancer patients
Electroacupuncture to treat obesity
There are few clinical studies showing the effectiveness of acupuncture for weight loss.
Here’s one that does. Continue reading Electroacupuncture to treat obesity
Low use of CAM for weight reduction
Other than dietary supplements, the use of CAM for weight loss is relatively low, according to researchers at the University of South Carolina, Columbia.
How low? Continue reading Low use of CAM for weight reduction
Two herbals compare favorably to Vioxx to treat low back pain
Merck, the pharmaceutical company, announced a voluntary worldwide withdrawal of Vioxx (rofecoxib) in 2004. It was effective for relieving signs and symptoms of arthritis, acute pain in adults, and painful menstrual cycles. But the risk of heart attack or stroke related to Vioxx was high enough to cause Merck to stop selling the drug.
Now, a review of the literature suggests that Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil’s claw) and Salix alba (White willow bark) are as effective.
Continue reading Two herbals compare favorably to Vioxx to treat low back pain
Indian Head Massage: aka Champissage
Let’s start by stating that neither of the above terms — Indian Head Massage, nor the trademarked term Champissage — results in an article on PubMed.
So, what’s it good for? Continue reading Indian Head Massage: aka Champissage
Little support for milk thistle in liver disease
A friend asked me to look into CAM treatments for fatty liver disease. I did, but found little to support milk thistle — the most often discussed CAM treatment.
Continue reading Little support for milk thistle in liver disease