Tag: research
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What is Polymyalgia rheumatica? Can herbs help?
What is Polymyalgia rheumatica? Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition, often linked to Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). The condition occurs mainly in women over 60, and the cause is not known. Symptoms include muscle aches, stiffness in hips, shoulders, neck and mid body, weakness, general tiredness, and weight loss. Some people get swelling in…
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Chaga – remember to be sustainable
It’s interesting to revisit this blog from a couple of years ago as I think things are starting to change. There does seem to be more awareness of sustainability, how to source herbs (and mushrooms safely). If you’re in the UK I highly recommend checking out the work done by the UK Herb grower network and…
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Herb and health research – October and November 2016
This month the following research articles on herbs and health have caught my eye. 1. In laboratory studies, an extract of the medicinal mushroom Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) was found to protect liver cells. 2. In another medicinal mushroom study this month Lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) was found to not only protect against dementia but…
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Herbal Medicine Research blog – September 2016
It’s been a little while since I’ve written a research blog but here are some research articles that have interested me recently. 1. A new trial is currently taking place in Australia, where young adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are being given water hyssop (Bacopa monnieri) instead of pharmaceutical drugs. 2. A follow…
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Frequently asked questions – what to herbalists get asked?
Here are some of the most common questions I get asked and the answers I give. 1. Can herbs be used to treat children? The simple answer is yes but with everything that depends on what the situation is, is the child taking medication? For more information on herbs and children take a look at…
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Herbal Medicine research blog – Nov – Dec 15
In November and December the following health research has caught my eye. 1. A new study showed that Andrographis reduced triglyceride levels in patients with raised triglyceride levels (one of the measurements of high cholesterol). 2. A new study of celery seed has shown that when given to patients with arthritis, it reduced pain and…
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Eczema blog part 3 – Can herbs help to alleviate the symptoms of eczema?
Traditional herbs for eczema Traditionally herbal treatment of eczema would be two fold an external preparation to alleviate symptoms and an internal medicine to ‘cleanse the blood’. Traditional blood cleansers would have been dandelion, burdock, yellow dock and nettle. Modern herbal medicine treatment is very similar, although we now know that the blood cleansers are…
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Eczema blog part 2 – What role does diet play in eczema?
Herbalists have made the link between diet and skin health for some time but it’s taking modern research a little while to catch up. Dairy products, are they bad for eczema? As far as I am aware (please send me the link if I’m incorrect), there isn’t currently a published study can shows the link…
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Herbs and Health Research blog – October 15
This month the following research on herbs and health has caught my eye. 1. A study comparing the effectiveness of the herb rhodiola with the antidepressant sertraline (also known as Zoloft), found that while rhodiola had a slightly less anti-depressant effect, it didn’t have any side effects. The conclusion of the study was that rhodiola…
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Herbal Medicine and Health Research Blog – May 15
The following research on herbs and health has caught my eye. 1. New research shows that mindfulness may be an alternative to antidepressant use. 2. Clostridium difficile is a bacterial infection that is often present in hospitals and health care environments and can cause diarrhoea and fever. A new study has found that pomegranate reduced the…