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We share traditional, scientific and practical insights written by experienced herbalists and health experts from the world of herbal medicine and natural health

Research seeds

Here we summarise the research behind natural medicines, so we can make herbal science accessible for all. We break down and explain how herbs work through a scientific lens.

Lemongrass Alleviates Anxiety During Dental Procedure

Lemongrass: Alleviates anxiety during dental procedure

This study found that inhalation of lemongrass essential oil during dental scaling alleviates anxiety by objective and subjective report measures.

Arnica Postoperative Pain And Swelling Relief After Dental Surgery

Arnica: Postoperative pain and swelling relief after dental surgery

Topical application of arnica cream demonstrated a reduction in postoperative pain and swelling following dental surgery to extract a molar tooth.

Green Tea Senna And Rhubarb High Cholesterol Levels

Green tea, senna and rhubarb: High cholesterol levels

A rhubarb–green tea herbal blend potentially offers a means to reduce cholesterol levels without disturbing gut microbial balance in healthy obese individuals.

Pine Bark Cardiometabolic Health

Pine bark: Cardiometabolic health

This research seed summarises a systematic review exploring the influence of pine bark extract supplementation on measures of cardiometabolic health.

Ashwagandha Testosterone And Male Vitality

Ashwagandha: Testosterone and male vitality

This study explores the effects of ashwagandha on fatigue and hormone levels in an overweight male population, showing increased testosterone levels.

Basil Alleviation Of Menopausal Symptoms

Basil: Alleviation of menopausal symptoms

In this triple-blinded, placebo-controlled study, 500mg of basil daily reduced physical and psychological menopausal symptom scores in a self-report quiz.

Milk Thistle Weight Loss Metabolic Health And The Microbiota 1

Milk thistle: Weight loss, metabolic health, and the microbiota

This study explored the use of a milk thistle extract and isolated constituent, silibinin, as alternatives to orlistat, to support weight loss with reduced adverse...

Pomegranate Improved Liver And Metabolic Health 1

Pomegranate: Improved liver and metabolic health

This eight-week study explored the benefits of pomegranate on liver health in patients with liver fibrosis, revealing significant improvement in blood glucose and lipid measures.

Shatavari Muscle Function In Older Women

Shatavari: Muscle function in older women

This study discovers the effect of shatavari with resistance training on a number of repetitions and weight lifted in older women, and proteomic changes in...

Shatavari: Musculoskeletal health in postmenopausal women

Shatavari: Musculoskeletal health in postmenopausal women

Shatavari has long been used in Ayurveda for female reproductive health. This study explores its promise in strengthening the musculoskeletal system in women after menopause....

Herbal Medicine Use Personal And Professional Opinions On Safety And Efficacy

Herbal medicine use: Personal and professional opinions on safety and efficacy

This study investigated the perspectives of healthcare practitioners’ on the use of herbal medicine, revealing demographic influences and means to inspire multidisciplinary integration. In this...

Peppermint Parasympathetic Response

Peppermint: Parasympathetic response

This study explores how ingestion of a cooling solution or herb affects this dynamic and its implications.

Cannabis Stress And Pain Treatment

Cannabis: Stress and pain treatment

In this article, we discuss the effects of a cannabis brand-specific, hemp-derived cannabidiol product in healthy adults.

Kava Treatment Of Anxiety

Kava: Treatment of anxiety

In this article, we discuss Kava in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study.

Saffron and ginger Effects on blood pressure and endothelial function in type II diabetics

Saffron and ginger: Effects on blood pressure and endothelial function in type II diabetics

A clinical trial comparing the effects of cinnamon, cardamom, saffron and ginger decocted with black tea on endothelial function and blood pressure in type II...

Cinnamon Postprandial hyperglycaemia suppression

Cinnamon: Postprandial hyperglycaemia suppression

This randomised single-blinded clinical trial compares the efficacy of cinnamon, in capsules and as a powder in water, to prevent blood sugar spikes after a...

Thyme To alleviate asthmatic cough

Thyme: To alleviate asthmatic cough

This research seed explores how coadministration of thyme alongside typical asthma medication can improve cough in children with asthma exacerbation. In this article, we discuss...

Elderberry To ease cold symptoms and speed recovery

Elderberry: Easing cold symptoms and speeding recovery

Here, we present a study on how two-week elderberry supplementation affects the duration of illness and symptom severity of colds in long-haul flight passengers. In...

Research seed Saffron for postmenopausal women

Saffron: Happiness in postmenopausal women

In this article, we discuss “The effect of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) herbal tea on happiness in postmenopausal women: A randomized controlled trial” (1). Saffron (Crocus sativus) ...

Research seed Herbs and spices for blood pressure

Culinary herbs and spices: Blood pressure

In this article, we summarise the study, Herbs and spices at a relatively high culinary dosage improves 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure in adults at risk...

Research seed Ginger and aloe vera

Ginger and aloe vera: Dry mouth in diabetes

In this article, we discuss the comparison of the effect of ginger and aloe vera mouthwashes in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Research seeds Ginger

Ginger: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in T2DM

In this article, we discuss the “Effects of Ginger (Zingiber Officinale Roscoe) on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized...

Research seeds: Sage, rosemary and lemon balm

Sage, rosemary and lemon balm: Memory

We discuss a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled pilot trial of a combined extract of rosemary, sage and lemon balm.

Plantain (Plantago Major)

Plantain: Pressure ulcer recovery

In this article, we discuss the paper “Clinical and phytochemical studies of Plantago major in pressure ulcer treatment: A randomized controlled trial”

Research seeds Saffron

Saffron: As antidepressant as fluoxetine

In this article, we discuss the effects of saffron of mild to moderate depression based on a double-blind, randomized pilot trial.

Research seed: Cat's claw

Cat’s claw: Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia

In this article, we discuss the treatment of breast cancer with Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa).

Research seed passionflower

Passionflower: Anxiety relief

In this article, we discuss “Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: A pilot double‐blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam“

Mistletoe research seed

Mistletoe: Quality of life in cancer care

In this article, we discuss the “Impact of complementary mistletoe extract treatment on quality of life in breast, ovarian and non-small cell lung cancer patients:...

Turmeric vs omeprazole for stomach acid relief

Turmeric vs omeprazole for stomach acid relief

Pharmaceutical side effects can be avoided by using effective herbal medicines instead. This article shares how turmeric can be used instead of omeprazole.

Turmeric and dyspepsia research seed

Turmeric: An alternative to omeprazole for functional dyspepsia

We discuss a study that investigates the Curcumin in Turmeric and proton pump inhibitors for functional dyspepsia.

research seed cinnamon

Cinnamon: Lowering blood glucose

We discuss a study that investigates the blood glucose lowering effect of cinnamon on HbA1c, blood pressure and lipid profiles in people with type 2...

Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Lion’s mane: Improving cognitive function

We discuss a study that investigates the improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment.

research seeds cocoa

Cocoa: Supporting the gut microbiome

We discuss a study that investigates the cocoa polyphenols and gut microbiota interplay: bioavailability, prebiotic effect, and the impact on human health.”

research seeds chilli

Chilli: Capsaicin improves gut microbiota composition

We discuss a study that investigates how healthy subjects differentially respond to dietary capsaicin correlating with specific gut enterotypes.

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

Meadowsweet: Anti-inflammatory mechanisms via COX inhibition

We discuss a study that investigates the in vitro and in vivo assessment of meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) as anti-inflammatory agent.

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Garlic: Lowering cholesterol and cardiovascular risk

We discuss a study that investigates the effects of time-released garlic powder tablets on multifunctional cardiovascular risk in patients with coronary artery disease.

Research seeds Lemon balm

Lemon balm: Post-partum pain relief

We discuss a study that investigates the effect of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) in women who experience post-partum pain.

Research seeds Echinacea

Echinacea: Immune stimulation via increased mediator release

We discuss a study that looks at echinacea-induced cytokine production by human macrophages.

Research seeds Chamomile

Chamomile: Antidepressant in anxiety with comorbid depression

We discuss a study that explores the putative antidepressant effect of chamomile in people with anxiety and depression.

Research seeds Calendula

Calendula: Vaginal health

We discuss a study that explores the effect of Calendula officinalis versus metronidazole on bacterial vaginosis in women.

Neuroinflammation: An emerging role for herbs and spices?

Sage, rosemary and lemon balm: Supporting memory

We discuss a study that investigates the enhancement of memory with a combined extract of safe, rosemary and melissa.

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica)

Gotu kola: Improving post-stroke cognitive function

We discuss a study that investigates the effectiveness of Gotu Kola extract in improving vascular cognitive impairment after a stroke.

Rosehip (Rosa canina)

Rosehip: Joint health and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis

We discuss a study that investigates the standardised powder made from rosehips to see if it can reduce symptom scores in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Turmeric: Psoriasis, ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis

We discuss a study that collates clinical trial research on turmeric and one of its active compounds curcumin.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

Fenugreek: Reducing blood cholesterol in diabetes

We discuss a study that investigates the effect of fenugreek on the lipid profile of newly diagnosed type II diabetes patients.

Research seeds Psyllium husk

Psyllium husk: Maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis

We discuss a study that investigates the effects of psyllium seeds on patients with ulcerative colitis.

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