ERB

Herbs for Rememberance

As there is so much to do and remember these days, wonder premature memory loss is not uncommon. Many people find prolonged stress and too much work causing lack of concentration, memory loss and even personality changes. Dramatic alterations in memory and neurotransmitters are found in senile dementia, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. // The fundamental cause...

Ranbaxy trying to make inroads in herbal drugs market

Ranbaxy Laboratories Chairman, Tajendra Khanna, in a recent seminar organised by Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University on 'Managing Corporate Reputation', spoke about the comapny's plan of foraying into the herbal drugs market. He said that their products would create stiff competition for the key player in the market - Dabur, which has 60 per cent market share. The company plans to m...

Self-Prescribed Vitamins And Herbal Remedies Can Do More Harm Than Good

The common belief that medicinal formulations based on alternative and complementary medicine are tested before they can be approved for use has been accounted for misuse of these products by Australian citizens // .More than 50% of the Australian population have been using alternative medicines in some form or the other, according to a study conducted recently. "This is in contrast to...

A Chinese herb kills cancer cells

A herb of Chinese origin which is basically used to treat malaria, kills cancer cells too using a similar mechanism. The drug artemisinin is extracted from the wormwood plant. Knowing that artemisinin works by interacting with high iron levels in malaria parasites, researcher Henryi of the University of Texas wondered if the same approach would work with cancer cells. For it's known that...

Butterbur does wonders

A team of Swiss researchers found that butterbur extract is an effective antihistamine without any side effects. Mr John de Carpentier said,presumably it contains an active biochemical agent,// otherwise it would not work - and therefore it is possible that this might react with other medications. It was used in treating hayfever The researchers gave 154 hayfever patients either butte...

Thumb Sucking in children Lead to Overbite

Thumb sucking in children should be stopped in order to prevent problems realted to the teeth. Kids who continue to suck their fingers or use a pacifier after the age of 2 may be more likely to end up// in the orthodontist's office by the time they reach adolescence, a team of dentists reports.Their study found that kids who used a pacifier or sucked their fingers or thumb by the age of 4...

Herbal Drug In Controversy

Kava is derived from a leafy plant native to the South Sea Islands. It is a herb that has been implicated in approximately 25 cases of liver diseases. The herb is commonly used by consumers as a general relaxant and to treat insomnia, anxiety, stress and muscle spasms. According to experts, the herb behaves like a class of drugs known as// benzodiazepines but is not chemically related....

Herbal treatment not to be sneezed at

Pollen pains spring can be a nightmare for hay fever sufferers. According to a new study in Arizona hay fever sufferers should be pointing to their garden for help and not trying to avoid it.// The study has found that a herbal treatment called butterbur is as effective as antihistamines with less side effects. A team headed by Andreas Schapowal, from the Allergy Clinic in Arizona gav...

Herbs: rich soure of antioxidants

Better health may be only a dash and sprinkel away: Researchers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture have found that herbs, in addition to making food tastier, are an abundant source of antioxidants and could provide potential anticancer benefits when supplementing a balanced diet.Herbs have higher antioxidant activity than frutis, vegetables and some spice,s including garlic, the rese...

Herbs: rich soure of antioxidants

Better health may be only a dash and sprinkel away: Researchers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture have found that herbs, in addition to making food tastier, are an abundant source of antioxidants and could provide potential anticancer benefits when supplementing a balanced diet.Herbs have higher antioxidant activity than frutis, vegetables and some spice,s including garlic, the rese...

Herbs With Estrogen Action Aggravate Cancer Risk

Some commonly used herbal treatments may further increase the risk of breast and uterine cancer for women already predisposed to those diseases. //Researchers offer new evidence that herbs such as red clover and motherwort - traditionally used for gynecological complaints - as well as saw palmetto and rhodiola rosea root can have such a strong estrogenic effect they could increase the ris...

Herbal treatment should be estimated

According to a new study in Texas, Hay fever sufferers should be turning to their garden for help, not trying to avoid it,. The study has found that a herbal treatment called butterbur is as effective as antihistamines with less side effects. A team headed by Andreas Schapowal, from the Allergy Clinic in Texas, gave 150 participants in Texas and Germany either butterbur extract or cetiri...

Herbal extract aids in rheumatoid arthritis

Relief from Arthirits through Chinese therapy is effective. An ancient Chinese herbal remedy helps relives the painful symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. In China, an extract from a vine known as TWHF// (short for Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F) s long been used to treat arthritis and immune system problems. Now a study by researchers for the US National Institutes of Health provides scient...

A new herbal therapy to quit smoking

Smokers trying to quit now have one more way out of their nicotine addiction. Newtrition Remedies, a herbal medicine manufacturer, launched its "Quit Smoking Programme". Known as the "Trans-Alpha-Herbal Therapy", //the programme will focus on assisting smokers overcome physical and psychological addiction to tobacco and will begin with an attempt to de-automise the habit. This will turn s...

Spreading knowledge to doctors about herbal medicine

Recently an internet-based learning exercise has helped a group of doctors increase their knowledge of herbal remedies and food supplements. Many people take herbs and other dietary supplements, but find their doctors are lacking in knowledge// about these complementary medicines. A group called the Longwood Herbal Task Force, drawn from health professionals of the Harvard Medical School...

Chinese herbal remedies aids in cancer treatment

Researchers in Hong Kong are observing the effect of Chinese herbal extracts along with cancer chemotherapy. Chinese herbal medicine is popular in the East as a way of increasing the side effects of cancer chemotherapy.// Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong are now subjecting the extracts to a conventional clinical trial. They have so far recruited 75 patients with eit...

Herbal supplement ephedra posing threat to people's health

A study published in the online version of Annals of Internal Medicine has suggested that the herbal supplement ephedra, often used for weight loss or to boost energy, is posing a threat to people's health and experts are calling for authorities to ban or restrict access to the supplement. The study used data gathered by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Researchers clai...

Herbal Remedy Risky for Cancer Patients

For many women, taking the herbal extract black cohosh is an effective way to relieve menopausal symptoms. However, new research shows the supplement may not be safe for women with breast cancer or women who have undetected breast tumors. Researchers from the Mylan School of Pharmacy at Duquesne University studied how the herbal treatment affected female mice. Results show black cohosh di...

Herb 'does not lower cholesterol'

Scientists say there is no evidence to support claims that a popular herbal supplement reduces cholesterol. They have suggested that guggul may actually increase cholesterol rather than lower it. Guggul extract has been used in traditional Indian medicine for thousands of years. Besides its supposed impact on cholesterol, there have been claims that it protects against heart disease, st...

The Dangers Of Herb-Drugs Evaluated

St. Johns wort is a popular herb taken by many Americans. While some research suggests St. John’s wort interacts with certain drugs and that it can be dangerous,// none of the research has been conclusive. Investigators reviewed 22 research trials that examined drug interactions with St. John’s wort. The studies included around 12 participants each. Researchers reviewed how the studies we...

Herb Found To Be Effective In Controlling Blood Sugar Levels

Researchers have found a herb used in traditional Indian medicine to treat diabetes seems to lower blood sugar and insulin levels // in a manner similar to prescription drugs. The study examined the effectiveness of a herb called salacia oblonga, which is native to regions of India and Sri Lanka. Salacia oblonga binds to intestinal enzymes that break down carbohydrates in the body. These...

Herbal remedies can have harmful interaction when taken with drugs for rheumatic arthritis

A recent study had pointed out the fact that herbal preparations and over the counter alternative medicines// may react badly when taken along with medication for rheumatic arthritis. The study points out that herbal preparations and alternate medicines are widely used by people suffering from rheumatic arthritis. Most of these preparations are exempted from the government regulations...

Using herbal remedies with chemotherapy may not be a good idea

Black cohosh, an herb, is often used for treatment of menopausal symptoms. However if this is used in// conjunction with the chemotherapy taken for breast cancer the results may be altered. Scientists of Yale School of Medicine in a research report have said that alternative medication or self medication taken by breast cancer patients may alter the way cells respond to chemotherapy. M...

Herbal Remedies For Insomnia And Anxiety May Be Ineffective

Two herbal remedies, kava used to relieve anxiety symptoms, and valerian used for insomnia,// may not be anymore effective than placebo. This was reported in the first research study to be monitored over the Internet and published in the latest issue of the journal Medicine. The researchers Dr. Bradly P. Jacobs and his colleagues of University of California-San Francisco had performed...

Prohibited diet medicine found in Chinese herbs

According to researchers they have discovered fenfluramine, the diet medicine pulled from the market five years ago because it was linked to heart valve problems, in Chinese herbal remedies being sold to help people lose weight. According to reports of this study, there has been serious side effects, such as pulmonary hypertension, among a handful of patients led a group from Southend Hos...

New insights into herbal supplements

The past decade has seen a sharp rise in the use of alternative treatments and research is under way all over the globe to scientifically document the effects of hundreds of herbs and other dietary supplements. However, until now, there was// no easy access to current, comprehensive information about these agents. Experts at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City have...

Remifemin, An Indian Herb For Hormone Replacement Therapy

Remifemin, herbal drug which was extracted from the Herb Black Cohosh [An Indian herb], was found to be an effective natural Hormone Replacement Therapy [HRT]. Doctors say herb used by American Indians for hundreds of years could // provide a new alternative therapy for women going through menopause. As synthetic HRT use is under controversy due to its link to causing breast cancer....

Researchers Present Data Regarding The Efficiency Of Herbs

Researchers from Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, had presented a list of 60 herbs and their benefits and efficiency levels for pregnant and lactating women at the 20th Annual Meeting and Convention of the // American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. The researchers had conducted their analysis in two phases. They had searched seven databases for reports relat...

Herbal remedies to be tested by Zambia for AIDS treatment

In response to the global burden imposed by the widespread incidence of AIDS, Zambia has initiated clinical drug trials involving herbal medicines. //It has been estimated that one in every six Zambians are afflicted with the disease. The initiative would focus on the efficacy of herbal remedies in the treatment of AIDS/HIV. About 14 natural remedies were considered out of which three h...

Compulsory testing for heavy metal content in herbal medicines

In response to reports of heavy metal contamination in herbal/ayurvedic medicines, testing of levels of such substances// would be made mandatory January 1, 2006. The Indian Government has already issued a notification to test products for heavy metals. However, this testing is only meant for products meant for export. It is likely to be extended to products sold in the country as well....

The potent anti-leukemia activity of Berbamine

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell disorder characterized by accumulation of mature and immature granulocytes in peripheral blood and bone marrow due to uncontrolled growth // and resistance to apoptosis. The dysregulated activity of the bcr/abl oncoprotein tyrosine kinase, which is encoded by the bcr?abl fusion gene, has been shown to be responsible...

High concentration of heavy metals in Herbal medicines

Everything I eat has been proved by some doctor or other to be a deadly poison, and everything I don't eat// has been proved to be indispensable for life. But I go marching on. -George Bernard Shaw The human body is designed to function at an optimal range possible to preserve the health of an individual. Every cell (Eg. liver cell, a brain cell, a bone cell, etc) in our body is progra...

Law ensuring safety and quality of Herbal drugs

The European Union has introduced a new law by which the consumers using herbal products for medical remedies are informed of the composition of the drugs, toxicity levels and the safety of these drugs by the manufacturers. // The new directive will provide consumers with labelled information about the quality and safety of the herbal drug. The new directive will not allow registering...

Wrong Vaccination given during surgery in Derbyshire

Paige, was given a wrong vaccine before a surgery in Derbyshire the child was given a vaccine which is supposed to be given during pre-school booster. The booster contained vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio. // The parents Natacha and Roger Cockerill of the child was very much angry and upset over the mix up of jab and said, You put your trust in these peopl...

Herbal Medicine May Improve Blood Count In AID Patients

Madurai: Fantastic initial results have been claimed in treating AIDS patients using a herbal concoction that leads to increase in weight and increase in white blood cell count. // Dr P L Meenakshisundaram, a specialist in HIV/AIDS treatment, told reporters that the Herbal medicine helped HIV patients to gain weight and their CD4 (lymphocyte 4 - white blood cell) count increased du...

A herbal drug addiction releiver

In a study it has been found that a herbal supplement can effectively combat cocaine addiction. The combater is N-acetylcysteine (NAC) which is a potential agent to modulate the effects of cocaine addiction.// This has been successfully tried in animal models for the treatment of heroin addiction, and possibly alcoholism. NAC is available over the counter as an herbal suppleme...

The MRSA Superbug May Yet Be Overcome

Scientists in Scotland have discovered that an ordinary kitchen sponge can play a prominent role in destroying MRSA superbug, which is capable of resisting many // antibiotics. It has already claimed several thousand lives. One single brand of the kitchen-scouring pad alone contains the cure to this on its surface. The antibiotic, according to reports can be grown on one particular ki...

Mobilizing Stem Cells at the Injured Site Using Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments.

The research was done by Stephen Thom, MD, Ph.D., Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine. // He said that a course of hyperbaric oxygen treatments would increase the number of circulating stem cells in the body of the patient. Stem cells are progenitor cells which are totipotent and pluripotent meaning that they have the ability t...

Stem cells mobilized by hyperbaric oxygen

Hyperbaric oxygen treatments boost tissue repair and recovery from injury tissue by increasing the number of circulating stem cells, according to a new study // . The report, to be published in the April 2006 issue of American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulation Physiology, says a typical course of hyperbaric oxygen treatments increases the number of stem cells circulating in a p...

How Healthy Are Herbal Products? US Findings.

Indian herbal products have been banned by the New York City health officials. The reason is that they contain high levels of lead and mercury which is detrimental // for the people using them. The Food and Nutrition Board of Institute of Medicine advices that foods should contain not more than 2 ppm (parts per million) of lead and no more than one ppm of mercury. The three...