Research Seeds

Coconut and sunflower oils: Skin integrity and weight gain in premature babies

Premature babies given massages with coconut or sunflower oils were found to have improved skin integrity and greater weight gain.

Ivy: Acute cough symptoms

This randomised, placebo-controlled trial showed that ivy taken three times a day for seven days reduced the severity of acute cough symptoms.

Spirulina: Cardiovascular health

This systematic meta-analysis of RCTs found spirulina supplementation to improve biomarkers that are risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

Mistletoe: Cancer-related fatigue

Investigating the efficacy of mistletoe in alleviating cancer-related fatigue, this systematic review found subcutaneous mistletoe to improve symptoms.

Liupao tea: Supporting metabolic health

Studies found that Liupao tea affects blood pressure, blood lipids, body weight and composition in adults with metabolic syndrome.

Fermented cordyceps: Improved sleep quality

Clinical trial data demonstrates that nightly consumption of fermented cordyceps significantly improves sleep quality and reduces insomnia symptoms.

Chinese raisin tree: Alcohol metabolism and hangover severity

Viv Rolfe summarises a study investigating the Chinese raisin tree to explore how it affects hangover symptoms and alcohol metabolism.

Turmeric: Knee osteoarthritis

In this article, we summarise the study, Effect of turmeric products on knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Chamomile: An anti-inflammatory for oral health

This review found chamomile to be effective in reducing inflammation, suggesting its potential use as an anti-inflammatory for oral health.

Ginseng: Hangover symptom relief

Viv Rolfe summarises a study that found how ginseng root efficiently decreases serum alcohol levels and hangover symptoms.

Valerian and hops: Improved sleep duration

Sleep medication can impair attention and memory. This clinical study explores whether two sedative herbs, valerian and hops, improve sleep and cognition.

Skullcap Scutellaria Lateriflora Insomnia Treatment

Skullcap: Insomnia treatment

We summarise a skullcap study that demonstrates the efficacy of 400mg daily skullcap supplementation in the treatment of primary insomnia.

Jiaogulan: Exercise performance and mitochondrial function

Supplementation of TCM herb jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) enhanced exercise performance in a cycling fitness test and improved mitochondrial function.

Bitter gourd: Blood glucose in diabetes

In this article, we summarise the paper "Bitter gourd supplementation for twelve weeks improves biomarkers of glucose homeostasis in a prediabetic population".

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pomegranate: Improved liver and metabolic health

This eight-week study explored the benefits of pomegranate on liver health in patients with liver fibrosis.

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

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

This study investigated the perspectives of healthcare practitioners on the use of herbal medicine.

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

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

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

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

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

This research seed explores how coadministration of thyme alongside typical asthma medication can improve cough in children with asthma exacerbation.

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.

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”.

Research seed Herbs and spices for blood pressure

Culinary herbs and spices: Blood pressure

We summarise "Herbs and spices at a relatively high culinary dosage improves 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure in adults at risk of cardiometabolic diseases".

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.

Ginger: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in T2DM

In this article, we discuss the “Effects of Ginger on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus".

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: 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”

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.

Cat’s claw: Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia

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

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: 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

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

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.

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: Improving cognitive function

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

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.

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: 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: 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.

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.

Echinacea: Immune stimulation via increased mediator release

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

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.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

Psyllium husk: Maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis

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

Ayurvedic herbs

Chinese herbs

Western herbs

Cardiovascular system

Digestive system

Endocrine system

Eye health

Immune system

Musculoskeletal system

Nervous system

Reproductive system

Respiratory system

Skin health

Stages of life

Urinary system

Health and lifestyle

Herbalism

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