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

Archive for the 'Raynaud’s Disease' Category

Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 to treat Raynaud’s

Monday, January 16th, 2012

Cold temperatures or strong emotions in people with Raynaud’s phenomenon (disease) result in blood vessel spasms (attacks), which block blood flow to the fingers, toes, ears, and nose.

Researchers at Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, in the Netherlands explored the possible beneficial effects and tolerability of Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761. (more…)

Using ginkgo biloba to treat Raynaud’s disease

Sunday, December 7th, 2008

People with Raynaud’s disease experience cold and pain in their fingers, toes, nose, and ears when exposed to temperature changes or stress.

The World Health Organization recommends using ginkgo to treat Raynaud’s disease.

Actually, the scientific support for this recommendation is minimal –- just one positive study published in 2003. (more…)

Ginkgo biloba vs nifedipine to treat Raynaud’s disease

Friday, October 12th, 2007

Raynaud’s disease causes some areas of the body (fingers, toes, tip of the nose and ears) to feel numb and cool in response to cold temperatures or stress. During a Raynaud’s attack, the arteries become narrow and limit blood flow to affected areas.

During the American Academy of Family Physicians 2007 Annual Scientific Assembly Ginkgo biloba was reportedly less effective than the calcium channel blocker nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia). (more…)

Garlic: What’s it good for?

Sunday, October 7th, 2007

Garlic (Allium sativum) is one of the most commonly used supplements.

But based on the results of this review by Professor Ernst at the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth in the UK, it’s most useful to simply season food. (more…)

Balneotherapy for patients with arthritis

Friday, September 22nd, 2006

The aims of balneotherapy (treatment of disease by bathing) are to soothe the pain, improve joint motion, and as a consequence, relieve people’s suffering and make them feel well.

Although most studies report positive outcomes, the trials are so poorly designed that “positive findings” should be viewed with caution, according to the Cochrane Collaboration, which included studies up to 2002.

What’s happened since?

(more…)