Low vitamin D status often may be overlooked by doctors, leading to inadequate vitamin D supplementation in patients with osteoporosis, say researchers. A study of 1,554 postmenopausal women showed that 52% of these women had suboptimal vitamin D concentrations. Most...

A study in the March issue of The Journal of Pediatrics reviews the medical literature to provide information about the effectiveness of some of the most common herbal supplements for children. Researchers reviewed studies published from 1960-2003 that tested the...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Scientists from England report that omega-3 fatty acid supplements may help epileptics reduce seizure frequency and help attenuate inflammation. “Animal studies and a preliminary clinical observation suggest that nutritional supplementation" with long chain omega-3...

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. “It’s estimated that eight out of 10 women in the US use oral contraceptives at some time during the...