People who suffer migraine headaches may have an alternative to prescription drugs and painkillers, report a team of international scientists. They evaluated the effectiveness of a standardized root extract from the butterbur plant (Petasites hybridus) as a preventive...
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Herb Helps Drinkers: Kudzu reduces alcohol consumption among heavy drinkers
An extract of the kudzu vine may help heavy drinkers drink less, according to a new study. In a unique laboratory designed to look like a relaxing studio apartment, complete with satellite television and a beer-stocked refrigerator, 14 men and women drank fewer beers...
Herb for Hay Fever: Butterbur extract equal to antihistamine, says study
The largest trial so far conducted using butterbur extract to treat hay fever shows that this plant extract is as effective as a commonly used antihistamine. In recent years there have been a few reports of small research trials that give a mixed view about the...
Herb for Depression: Patients report better results with St Johnโs wort than with drug
An extract from the herb St John's wort is at least as effective in treating depression as a commonly prescribed anti-depressant, according to new research published on bmj.com, the website of the British Medical Journal. St John's wort and the anti-depressant drug...
Herb Compound Used to Kill Cancer Cells: Wormwood derivative highly successful
Researchers at the University of Washington have blended the past with the present in the fight against cancer, synthesizing a promising new compound from an ancient Chinese remedy. The substance, artemisinin, is derived from the wormwood plant and has been used in...
Help for Fibromyalgia: Scientists find acupuncture improves symptoms
Fibromyalgia patients treated with six sessions of acupuncture experienced significant symptomatic improvement compared to a group given simulated acupuncture sessions, according to a new Mayo Clinic study. "This study shows there is something real about acupuncture...
Help for Epilepsy? EFAs reduce seizure frequency
Scientists from England report that omega-3 fatty acid supplements may help epileptics reduce seizure frequency and help attenuate inflammation. โAnimal studies and a preliminary clinical observation suggest that nutritional supplementation" with long chain omega-3...
Calcium protects women on the pill
Women who take oral contraceptives can counteract bone loss by making sure they get enough calcium, especially early in life, according to Purdue University research. โItโs estimated that eight out of 10 women in the US use oral contraceptives at some time during the...
Ginseng fights ulcer-causing bacteria
The bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori causes gastric inflammation, ulceration and DNA damage and underlies the majority of cases of peptic ulcers. About 20% of people under 40 and half of those over 60 years have the gut bacteria. The World Health Organization has...
Pycnogenol, vitamin C help asthma
People with asthma often have lower than average levels of antioxidants, and supplementing the diet may help ease symptoms, according to new research. A report from the Asthma & Allergy Research Institute in Australia states that low antioxidant levels, particularly...