Research studies from the 19th century suggest that cod liver oil reduced deaths from tuberculosis, a new review published this week indicates. Tuberculosis is still a major health concern in many parts of the world, and the work suggests that vitamin D (found in abundance in cod liver oil) could play a role in prevention… [Continue Reading]
Historical Literature Suggests Cod Liver Oil Could Treat Tuberculosis
December 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Acupuncture Reduces Levels of Stress Proteins in Rodent Model
December 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Acupuncture has been anecdotally linked to stress reduction, and new scientific evidence supports this. A recently published study has found that a protein called Neuropeptide Y, linked to stress, changes after acupuncture treatment of rats in a model of chronic stress. Acupuncture significantly reduces levels of a protein in rats linked to chronic stress, researchers… [Continue Reading]
New Resources Developed for Medicinal Plants
December 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Many drugs are developed from isolated plant compounds, and a new collection of resources to study these has been developed. Scientists have created a database of chemical profiles and genetic information, which could facilitate increased research into plants that can impact human health. Scientists from institutions around the nation and the world have collaborated to… [Continue Reading]
Building Touched Surfaces From Copper Could Prevent Infections
July 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A simple approach to sterilizing work surfaces could help prevent antibiotic resistance and the spread of infections, experts say. Building surfaces in hospitals that are often touched, like hospital bed rails and IV stands, out of copper, would prevent disease spread and could save lives. Professor Bill Keevil, Head of the Microbiology Group and Director… [Continue Reading]
Traditional Korean Medicine Reduces Pulmonary Inflammation
July 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Pulmonary inflammation is one of the key symptoms of asthma. While many patients use modern drugs to control their symptoms, new work suggests that traditional Asian medicine can also be effective, normalizing the immune system response in patients. Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) using a traditional Korean medicine, SO-CHEONG-RYONG-TANG (SCRT) that has… [Continue Reading]
Traditional Remedy of Frankincense May Help Arthritis Patients
June 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A species of frankincense used in some African medicine traditions is gaining new appreciation from scientists. Researchers examining the plant have found that it contains compounds that inhibit the inflammatory response that causes the pain of arthritis. The answer to treating painful arthritis could lie in an age old herbal remedy – frankincense, according to… [Continue Reading]
Acupuncture Improves Quality of Life for Patients With No Clear Diagnosis
June 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
When doctors are unable to determine what causes a patient’s symptoms, people often turn to alternative medicine. A new study examining the effects of acupuncture for such patients suggests that the treatment can make a significant difference for symptoms such as chronic pain and fatigue. Attending frequently with medically unexplained symptoms is distressing for both… [Continue Reading]
New Pain-Killer Synthesized, Based on Medicinal Tree Bark
May 26, 2011 By 1 Comment
Current painkillers are not appropriate for everyone, and the strongest available can have severe side effects. Researchers have succeeded in synthesizing a compound with pain-killing properties, that was originally isolated from a tree bark used in traditional medicine. Although how the compound works is not yet known, the potency is comparable to morphine. Scientists from… [Continue Reading]
New Book on the History and Health Claims of Probiotics
March 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The health claims made by manufacturers of supplements and food products are often trusted by consumers, but the basis for these claims isn’t always scientifically clear. A new book has come out describing how the practice of marketing probiotics for health began, and how the health claims of these products are evaluated. The medical benefits… [Continue Reading]