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herbal medicine

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

Pine bark: Cardiometabolic health

This research seed summarises a systematic review exploring the influence of pine bark extract...

Ashwagandha: Testosterone and male vitality

This study explores the effects of ashwagandha on fatigue and hormone levels in an...

Basil: Alleviation of menopausal symptoms

In this triple-blinded, placebo-controlled study, 500mg of basil daily reduced physical and psychological menopausal...

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

This study explored the use of a milk thistle extract and isolated constituent, silibinin,...

Pomegranate: Improved liver and metabolic health

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

Shatavari: Muscle function in older women

This study discovers the effect of shatavari with resistance training on a number of...

Shatavari: Musculoskeletal health in postmenopausal women

Shatavari has long been used in Ayurveda for female reproductive health. This study explores...

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

Sympathetic and parasympathetic activity shifts in response to certain stimuli. This study explores how...

Cannabis: Stress and pain treatment

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

Kava: Treatment of anxiety

In this article, we discuss Kava in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder: a...

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...

Cinnamon: Postprandial hyperglycaemia suppression

This randomised single-blinded clinical trial compares the efficacy of cinnamon, in capsules and as...

Thyme: To alleviate asthmatic cough

This research seed explores how coadministration of thyme alongside typical asthma medication can improve...

Elderberry: Easing cold symptoms and speeding recovery

Here, we present a study on how two-week elderberry supplementation affects the duration of...

Saffron: Happiness in postmenopausal women

In this article, we discuss “The effect of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) herbal tea on happiness...

Culinary herbs and spices: Blood pressure

In this article, we summarise the study, Herbs and spices at a relatively high...

Ginger and aloe vera: Dry mouth in diabetes

In this article, we discuss the comparison of the effect of ginger and aloe...

Ginger: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in T2DM

In this article, we discuss the “Effects of Ginger (Zingiber Officinale Roscoe) on Non-Alcoholic Fatty...

Sage, rosemary and lemon balm: Memory

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

Plantain: Pressure ulcer recovery

In this article, we discuss the paper “Clinical and phytochemical studies of Plantago major...

Saffron: As antidepressant as fluoxetine

In this article, we discuss the effects of saffron of mild to moderate depression...

Cat’s claw: Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia

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

Passionflower: Anxiety relief

In this article, we discuss “Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: A pilot...

Mistletoe: Quality of life in cancer care

In this article, we discuss the “Impact of complementary mistletoe extract treatment on quality...

Turmeric vs omeprazole for stomach acid relief

Pharmaceutical side effects can be avoided by using effective herbal medicines instead. This article...

Turmeric: An alternative to omeprazole for functional dyspepsia

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

Cinnamon: Lowering blood glucose

We discuss a study that investigates the blood glucose lowering effect of cinnamon on...

Lion’s mane: Improving cognitive function

We discuss a study that investigates the improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium...

Cocoa: Supporting the gut microbiome

We discuss a study that investigates the cocoa polyphenols and gut microbiota interplay: bioavailability,...

Chilli: Capsaicin improves gut microbiota composition

We discuss a study that investigates how healthy subjects differentially respond to dietary capsaicin...

Meadowsweet: Anti-inflammatory mechanisms via COX inhibition

We discuss a study that investigates the in vitro and in vivo assessment of...

Garlic: Lowering cholesterol and cardiovascular risk

We discuss a study that investigates the effects of time-released garlic powder tablets on...

Lemon balm: Post-partum pain relief

We discuss a study that investigates the effect of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) in...

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...

Calendula: Vaginal health

We discuss a study that explores the effect of Calendula officinalis versus metronidazole on...

Sage, rosemary and lemon balm: Supporting memory

We discuss a study that investigates the enhancement of memory with a combined extract...

Gotu kola: Improving post-stroke cognitive function

We discuss a study that investigates the effectiveness of Gotu Kola extract in improving...

Rosehip: Joint health and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis

We discuss a study that investigates the standardised powder made from rosehips to see...

Turmeric: Psoriasis, ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis

We discuss a study that collates clinical trial research on turmeric and one of...

Fenugreek: Reducing blood cholesterol in diabetes

We discuss a study that investigates the effect of fenugreek on the lipid profile...

Psyllium husk: Maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis

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

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