Dashmoola is a popular herbal formulation in ayurvedic medicine. It’s used to reduce fever and modify the immune response.
In this study, scientists from the National Botanical Research Institute in Lucknow, India tested the roots and stems from 10 herbs used to prepare Dashmoola. Continue reading Toxic metals and pesticides in the ayurvedic formulation, Dashmoola
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction involves face pain, clicking sounds, and limited movement of the jaw. About 33% of the population has it; fewer need treatment.
This study suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy plus biofeedback is cost-effective treatment.
Continue reading Behavioral training and biofeedback to treat temporomandibular dysfunction
It’s documented here and here that American medical students want to learn more about CAM.
But what should the curriculum look like? Continue reading What should students learn about CAM?
Several years ago a study in human liver tissue and in rats concluded that pomegranate juice inhibited CYP3A — a liver enzyme in the cytochrome P450 system important for metabolizing drugs. The implications were that — just as with grapefruit — people taking drugs such as statins for cholesterol might be exposed to much higher blood levels and greater risk of side effects.
We now find that when studied in healthy volunteers, pomegranate juice is not associated with this risk.
Continue reading Pomegranate juice doesn’t inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes in humans
This is useful.
Dr. Peter Stanton, a chiropractic orthopedist from Burke, Virginia, offers these guidelines for identifying a chiropractic physician and the expected course of events during chiropractic care.
How does your chiropractor measure up? Continue reading How to recognize good chiropractic care
I previously posted that being without my cell phone stresses me out. So, in the spirit of cell phones as complementary medicine, I summarized the results of a Mayo Clinic study showing that cell phones did not affect hospital equipment.
In the interest of balance, here’s a study that concludes otherwise. Continue reading Cell phones affect hospital equipment
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) Foundation has completed a pilot study designed to develop a curriculum for including CAM training in MD and DO programs nationwide.
The money quotes from AMSA follow. Continue reading AMSA makes recommendations to integrate CAM into medical education
Using a scale of 1 to 4 stars, the proposed regulation will help consumers identify the level of UVA protection offered by a product. Continue reading FDA wants to rate UVA protection in sunscreen products
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has selected the first 2 fellows for the NCCAM Director’s Fellowship in CAM Research. Continue reading NCCAM Fellowships
In a previous entry it was reported that over 7 years, patients visiting chiropractors and other CAM-oriented primary care doctors had 60% fewer hospitalizations, 62% less outpatient surgery, and 85% lower pharmaceutical costs compared with total network HMO (health maintenance organization).
These findings are important, but there were some questions, which lead researcher, Dr. Richard Sarnat, graciously agreed to address. Continue reading Follow-up: Reported cost-savings with CAM-oriented primary care
This is for residents of San Diego County in California. Continue reading Weight loss study uses the Internet
A long-time reader and valued critic of this site believes this post was not fair. OK. I accept the criticism and challenge him to do better, as stated in the comments below.
The preparation of treatments in homeopathy is based on extremely high dilutions (low concentrations) of substances in water — far lower than detectable. For this reason, it has been suggested that water could retain a “memory” of substances that have been dissolved in it before the successive dilutions.
The journal, Homeopathy has dedicated an entire issue to try to explain the concept. Continue reading Homeopathy and the memory of water
The FDA warns to avoid these “natural” treatments for high cholesterol. Continue reading Consumer Alert: 3 red yeast products
Dr. Mark Moyad (photo) is Director of Preventive and Alternative Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor. His thoughts about the FDA’s plan to establish good manufacturing regulations for dietary supplements are published in Urology Times.
He also looks to the next big issue that will confront the supplement industry.
Once you know the issues, you can play the role of the pharmaceutical executive and decide if your product “Best Prostate Health” should be withdrawn from the market. Continue reading The next big issue facing dietary supplements — You be the CEO
Researchers from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston believe, “the United States Food and Drug Administration and corresponding agencies in other countries should require heavy metal testing for all imported dietary supplements.”
The recommendation is based on what they found among people taking Ayurvedic medicines. Continue reading Ayurvedic lead poisoning results in greater toxicity than lead paint intoxication
There’s increasing awareness that the homeopathic consultation is itself a therapeutic intervention that contributes to the outcome of homeopathic treatments.
So, how important is it?
Continue reading The placebo component of the homeopathic response
The Seattle Times reports that Group Health Cooperative and Bastyr University will initiate a program this summer where senior students in naturopathy will “shadow” Group Health doctors and nurses during patient visits.
Please accept these recommendations based on my experience as a clinical pharmacist, educator, and student who made rounds during the early days of clinical pharmacy education. Continue reading Integrating CAM in Seattle
The following overview of naturopathic medicine in the U.S. is summarized from the Bastyr University website and based on an article on The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians website.
The word “naturopathy” was first used in the U.S. a little over 100 years ago.
Continue reading Historical perspective on naturopathic medicine
The costs and clinical utilization data between CAM and conventional medical clinics were compared for an integrative medicine independent physician association (IPA) whose primary care physicians (PCPs) were exclusively doctors of chiropractic. Continue reading Reported cost-savings with CAM-oriented primary care
Loren Israelsen, executive director of the United Natural Products Alliance, gave the report thumbs up. Continue reading Final FDA rule lists good manufacturing practices for dietary supplements