Pelargonium sidoides (aka EPs 7630 and Umckaloabo) is an herbal extract derived from the gerenium. It’s used to treat acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) where antibiotics are unnecessary.
The Cochrane Library has reviewed the evidence, as has Prof. Ernst. Continue reading Pelargonium for treating acute respiratory infections
 This meta-analysis concludes, “Hypnosis could be a clinically valuable intervention [to reduce] anticipatory and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in children with cancer.” Continue reading Hypnosis in children receiving cancer chemotherapy
Researchers from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London have reviewed the literature. Continue reading Effect of acupuncture on in vitro fertilization
This Cochrane review concludes, “Uterine massage after delivery of the placenta is advised to prevent postpartum hemorrhage.” Continue reading Massage to prevent postpartum bleeding
Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston tell us eating (a lot) more soy food results in lower sperm counts. Continue reading Negative effect of soy on sperm
There appear to be beneficial effects on the skeleton. Continue reading Benefits of tea drinking in older women
As we age, zinc deficiency combined with impaired immunity increase our susceptibility to infection.
Now, a study hows that zinc supplementation raises zinc blood levels, and lowers circulating proteins that increase the risk of infection. Most importantly, it also lowered the rate of infection in the elderly.
Continue reading Fewer infections when older folks take zinc supplements
Two white physicians simply sat for a time and respectfully and attentively conversed about end-of-life care with 23 terminally ill Black patients at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta Georgia. Almost every patient willingly brought up spirituality.
In their article based on this experience they conclude that to understand and show respect for patients’ spiritual views in the context of the patient doctor relationship are keys to providing excellent palliative care.
Here are some quotes from their experience.
Continue reading Learning to apply spirituality to end-of-life care
There’s so much interest in vitamin D it could use its own blog.
Here’s what I found for the first half of 2008. Continue reading Vitamin D research for 2008
In Connecticut, the elderly benefit when healthcare providers allocate a part of their patient care time to fall prevention. Continue reading Paying attention reduces falls in the elderly
For pregnant women, researchers at Utrecht University in the Netherlands identified eating nut products (not nuts) as a potential risk factor for allergy in their children. Continue reading Nut products, pregnancy, and allergy risk
Researchers from the University of Sydney in Australia have reviewed the evidence in children and adolescents.
The authors include data from adults, because if they limited the discussion to children and adolescents it would be a very short article.
That’s not a problem here. Continue reading CAM for psychiatric disorders in kids
Have you heard the new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for cholesterol screening and treatment for children? Continue reading What to do about high cholesterol in kids
If the state of Washington is any indication, CAM therapies play a significant role in hospice care.
Survey results presented during the North American Research Conference on Complementary & Integrative Medicine reveal that more than a dozen different CAM therapies are offered through hospice care in Washington, with massage, music therapy, and energy healing used most often.
Dr. Iris Penner from the University of Basel in Switzerland has reported the results of a computer-based cognitive training program called BrainStim that appears to increase working memory in healthy elderly people.
Here are the highlights based on the Medscape report from the European Neurological Society meeting. Continue reading BrainStim
It turns out that Australia has one of the highest rates of allergic disease (hay fever, asthma, hives) in the world.
So, Australian Family Physician reviewed current recommendations. Continue reading Allergy prevention in children
Dr Alfred Tomatis developed a technique using modified music to stimulate connections between the ear and the nervous system in order to affect aspects of human development and behavior.
His research suggested that the hearing of many people with autism is severely sensitized to the point that even normal classroom noises are painful and disorienting.
But, is it worth the effort? Continue reading The Tomatis Method in autism
Americans don’t meet the current fiber recommendations. The daily fiber intake by average Americans is 14 to 15 grams.
This is less than the American Dietetic Association recommended of 20 to 35 grams for adults, 25 grams for girls ages 9 through 18 years and 31 to 38 grams for boys ages 9 through 18. The American Heart Association recommends 25 to 30 g daily.
Researchers at Aalborg University in Denmark studied the effects of improvisational music therapy on attention behaviors in autistic pre-school children. Continue reading Music therapy and autistic children
There’s evidence to support the use of either treatment, but which is better. Continue reading Sterile water injection vs acupuncture for pain relief during labor