Stevioside and related compounds: therapeutic benefits beyond sweetness.

Effectiveness and safety of Devil’s Claw tablets in patients with general rheumatic disorders.

The following review article clearly states the usefulness of the herb Devil’s Claw in the treatment of artihitis.

Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions (AORC) are the leading cause of disability, are associated with poor quality of life and incur considerable direct and indirect costs. It is considered that the instance of AORC will continue to increase. To assess the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of Harpagophytum (Bioforce) in the treatment of AORC, a single group open study of 8 weeks duration (259 patients) was performed in the United Kingdom. Effectiveness was assessed by numeric rating scales, the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index and the Algofunctional Hand Osteoarthritis Index. Tolerance was measured by a numeric rating scale and safety by self-reporting, blood analysis and liver function tests. Quality of life was measured by SF-12 questionnaire. There were statistically significant (p < 0.0001) improvements in patient assessment of global pain, stiffness and function. There were also statistically significant reductions in mean pain scores for hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and back pain. Quality of life measurements (SF-12) were significantly increased from baseline and 60% patients either reduced or stopped concomitant pain medication. Harpagophytum is an effective and well-tolerated serious treatment option for mild to moderate degenerative rheumatic disorders providing improved quality of life measure. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

 

Vitamin d endocrine system and psoriasis vulgaris – review of the literature.

PMID: 19818218 [PubMed - in process]

Complementary and alternative medicine therapies to promote healthy moods.

The following article shows the importance of a holistic approach in treating depression.

Kemper KJ, Shannon S.

Pediatrics and Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. kkemper@wfubmc.edu

PMID: 18061783 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata L.)–a reliable herbal sedative

Passiflora is a wonderful herb to use in cases of sleep disturbances caused by anxiety, restlessness and a condition known as the running mind.

Extracts and fluid extracts from the aerial parts from Passiflora incarnata L. are widely used as components of herbal sedatives. Many pharmacological investigations confirm the sedative effects of Passiflorae herba. From some of the studies also anxiolytic effects can be deduced. As Passionflower is mainly used in combinations, clinical studies of the single drug are not available. Based on pharmacological data, the experiences of traditional use and the use in combinations Passiflora extracts are an important factor in the phytotherapy of tenseness, restlessness and irritability with difficulty in falling asleep.

PMID: 12244887 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE

Wien Med Wochenschr. 2002;152(15-16):404-6.

Does long-term coffee intake reduce type 2 diabetes mellitus risk?

The following article gives us yet another reason to consider the use of coffee long  term.

ABSTRACT: This review reports the evidence for a relation between long-term coffee intake and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Numerous epidemiological studies have evaluated this association and, at this moment, at least fourteen out of eighteen cohort studies revealed a substantially lower risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus with frequent coffee intake. Moderate coffee intake (>/=4 cups of coffee/d of 150 mL or >/=400 mg of caffeine/d) has generally been associated with a decrease in the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Besides, results of most studies suggest a dose-response relation, with greater reductions in type 2 diabetes mellitus risk with higher levels of coffee consumption. Several mechanisms underlying this protective effect, as well as the coffee components responsible for this association are suggested. Despite positive findings, it is still premature to recommend an increase in coffee consumption as a public health strategy to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus. More population-based surveys are necessary to clarify the long-term effects of decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee intake on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PMID: 19825198 [PubMed - in process]

Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2009 Sep 16;1(1):6.

Colds and influenza: a review of diagnosis and conventional, botanical, and nutritional considerations.

The following article gives valued information on the use of herbs in the treatment of symptoms of colds and flu.

The common cold is the leading cause of doctor visits in the United States and annually results in 189 million lost school days. In the course of one year the U.S. population contracts approximately 1 billion colds. Influenza infection is still a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, accounting for 20-25 million doctor visits and 36,000 deaths per year in the United States. Conventional therapies for colds and flu focus primarily on temporary symptom relief and include over-the-counter antipyretics, anti-inflammatories, and decongestants. Treatment for influenza also includes prescription antiviral agents and vaccines for prevention. This article reviews the common cold and influenza viruses, presents the conventional treatment options, and highlights select botanicals (Echinacea spp., Sambucus nigra, larch arabinogalactan, Astragalus membranaceous, Baptisia tinctoria, Allium sativa, Panax quinquefolium, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Andrographis paniculata, olive leaf extract, and Isatis tinctoria) and nutritional considerations (vitamins A and C, zinc, high lactoferrin whey protein, N-acetylcysteine, and DHEA) that may help in the prevention and treatment of these conditions.

PMID: 17397266 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Altern Med Rev. 2007 Mar;12(1):25-48.

 

Soothing methods used to calm a baby in an Arab country

The following is an interesting article on the different ways individual cultures soothe infants with colic.

Abdulrazzaq YM, Al Kendi A, Nagelkerke N.

Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. yousef@uaeu.ac.ae

This study was undertaken to determine how mothers soothed their crying infants. A total of 1137 mothers of different cultural backgrounds were approached, 998 agreed to participate in the study, but only 716 completed the questionnaire through a telephone interview. Analysis was restricted to 702 mothers from the UAE nationality, other Arabs, other Muslims, Indians and Philippinos. The questionnaire contained 23 questions on different soothing methods. The most common soothing method was breast-feeding (99.1%), followed by holding and carrying the infant (96.9%), letting infant suck on his thumb or finger (87.3%), herbal tea (65%), night bottle (42.1%) and swaddling infant (19.5%). Over 90% of mothers of all nationalities, preferred not to use pacifiers. Soothing herbs were often used, with the commonest being anise (165 mothers used anise). Fennel tea was also used by a substantial number of mothers (75), with gripe water (64), cumin (33), chamomile (32), mint (22) and fenugreek (16) making up most of the rest. CONCLUSION: Mothers’ ethnicity and nationality strongly impacted on the soothing methods used, with Arabs more often using herbal tea, prone positioning and swaddling to calm infants and illustrate the importance of culture in the upbringing of children from a very early age.

Acta Paediatr. 2009 Feb;98(2):392-6.

Effects of ginger capsules on pregnancy, nausea, and vomiting.

The following article states clearly that when used properly, ginger is a safe and efective treatment for nausea during pregnancy.

Department of Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti Medical Science University, Tehran, Iran.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of ginger in nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. DESIGN: This was a single blind clinical trial study. SETTING: The study was conducted in a selected prenatal care clinic of Isfahan City hospitals. SUBJECTS: The subjects included 67 pregnant women who complained of nausea and vomiting from Isfahan city hospitals participated in the study. INTERVENTION: The participants were randomly assigned to two groups, an experimental group and a control group. The groups were matched according to the age, gestational age, parity, occupational status, and educational level of the participants. The experimental group received ginger 250 mg capsules for 4 days, and the control group received placebo with the same prescription form. OUTCOME MEASURES: Effects of treatment of nausea were evaluated twice daily for 4 days by a before-and-after treatment questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean ages of the experimental and control groups were 24.1 +/- 4.8 and 23.3 +/- 5 years, respectively. The mean gestational age was 13 +/- 3 weeks, and the mean parity was 1.6 +/- 0.8. The ginger users demonstrated a higher rate of improvement than the placebo users did (85% versus 56%; p < 0.01). The decrease in vomiting times among ginger users was also significantly greater than among the women who received the placebo (50% versus 9%; p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: A daily total of 1000 mg of ginger in a capsule preparation can be suggested by care providers as a means of decreasing pregnancy nausea and vomiting in women who tend to herbal medicines. CONCLUSION: Ginger is an effective herbal remedy for decreasing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

PMID: 19250006 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Mar;15(3):243-6.

Vitamin B12, folic acid and mental function in the elderly

The following article gives valuable information on the importance of B12 and folic acid when considering cognitive function in the elderly.

Elderly people is a vulnerable population group to specific nutrient deficiencies as vitamin B12 and folic acid, which are closely related to mental functions deterioration, especially of cognitive functions. This study was aimed to measure B12 vitamin and folic acid indicators and to establish relationships to mental function. 53 elderly, older than 60 years, living in a geriatric home were assessed. The dietary intake was evaluated by the direct weighed method, serum B12 vitamin and folic acid by radioimmunoanalysis and mental function by Foltein’s mini-mental test. Dietary intake for Vit B12 was adequate and deficient for folic acid while serum levels were within normal range. Vitamin B12 levels were at marginal or deficiency values in 26,4% of the elderly and folic acid deficiency was present in 43.4%. 49% of the elderly had mental function alterations and B12 vitamin levels were significantly lower in this group. A positive association between age and mental function (elderly below 80 years had lower risk of mental impairment) and between serum B12 and mental function were found. Elderly were at risk of deficiency for both vitamins and age and mental function were associated to this risk. Further evaluation including other nutrients should be performed.

PMID: 15782537 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Invest Clin. 2005 Mar;46(1):53-63.

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