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NCCAM Featured Content

Lifestyle Changes May Affect Cell-Level Processes Related to Disease
Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:30:00 -0500
Disease risk, progression, and premature mortality—in many types of cancer and in cardiovascular and infectious diseases—have been linked to telomeres, which are protective DNA-protein complexes that keep cells genetically stable. The cellular enzyme telomerase is an important part of the body's maintenance system for these essential complexes. For example, a previous investigation found that increased stress among caregivers of Alzheimer's patients was associated with lower telomerase activity and telomere shortening. In a recent pilot study funded by NCCAM and several other sponsors, researchers at the University of California-San Francisco investigated the effects of lifestyle changes on telomerase levels in 24 men with low-risk prostate cancer.
Talk About Prescriptions Month, October 2008
Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:30:00 -0500
October is Talk About Prescriptions Month, which is dedicated to making both health care professionals and patients aware of the importance of understanding how to use medicines safely. As with prescription pharmaceuticals, health care providers and patients should also discuss the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). If you are seeing a CAM provider (e.g., acupuncturist, chiropractor, etc.), share any information about conventional treatments and prescriptions you are taking. Some CAM approaches can have an effect on conventional medicine.
CAM at the NIH - October 2008
Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:30:00 -0500
Feature Stories Tips for Talking with Your Health Care ProviderAre you using—or thinking about using—complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)? If so, NCCAM provides some ideas on how to get a conversation started about CAM use when you talk to your health care providers. NCCAM Hosts Meditation WorkshopExperts from a wide range of fields and disciplines who share a common interest in meditation for health purposes met to assess current scientific knowledge and identify areas of opportunity for future research. Meet NACCAM Member Margery Gass, M.D.What are some things that women can do to stay healthy at midlife and beyond? NCCAM National Advisory Council member Margery Gass, M.D., a specialist in women's health, discusses this topic. Happiness and Systematic Mind-Body TrainingWhat do monks, meditation, and music have in common? Dr. Richard Davidson discusses his work on the science of happiness and on systematic training of the mind and body.

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - current issue

eCAM: Early Harvest
Cooper, E. L. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0000

Second World Ayurveda Congress (Theme: Ayurveda for the Future)--Inaugural Address: Part II
Mashelkar, R. A. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0000

Can Vitex Agnus Castus be Used for the Treatment of Mastalgia? What is the Current Evidence?
Carmichael, A.R. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0000
There have been many treatments suggested for the management of mastalgia; one of these is the fruit extract of Vitex Agnus castus L. commonly known as Agnus castus, an extract of a deciduous shrub native to Mediterranean Europe and Central Asia. It is postulated that A. castus suppresses the stress-induced latent hyperprolactinemia which is a release of supra-physiological levels of prolactin in some patients in response to stressful stimuli. It is postulated that A. castus could be effective in the treatment of cyclical mastalgia by inhibiting the release of excess prolactin by blocking Dopamine-2 receptor type on pituitary. The adverse events following A. castus treatment are mild and reversible. The aim of this review is assess the efficacy of A. castus in the treatment of mastalgia. Data from randomized and non-randomized studies regarding the efficacy and safety of A. castus is reviewed in a systematic fashion. It is concluded that A. castus can be considered as an efficient alternative phytotherapeutic agent in the treatment of mastalgia.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - Latest articles

Echinacea purpurea and osteopathic manipulative treatment in children with recurrent otitis media: a randomized controlled trial
Richard A Wahl, Michael B Aldous, Katherine A Worden and Kathryn L Grant Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Recurrent otitis media is a common problem in young children. Echinacea and osteopathic manipulative treatment have been proposed as preventive measures, but have been inadequately studied. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of Echinacea purpurea and/or osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for prevention of acute otitis media in otitis-prone children. Methods: A randomized, placebo-controlled, two-by-two factorial trial with 6-month follow-up, conducted 1999 - 2002 in Tucson, Arizona. Patients were aged 12-60 months with recurrent otitis media, defined as three or more separate episodes of acute otitis media within six months, or at least four episodes in one year. Ninety children (44% white non-Hispanic, 39% Hispanic, 57% male) were enrolled, of which 84 had follow-up for at least 3 months. Children were randomly assigned to one of four protocol groups: double placebo, echinacea plus sham OMT, true OMT (including cranial manipulation) plus placebo echinacea, or true echinacea plus OMT. An alcohol extract of Echinacea purpurea roots and seeds (or placebo) was administered for 10 days at the first sign of each common cold. Five OMT visits (or sham treatments) were offered over 3 months. Results: No interaction was found between echinacea and OMT. Echinacea was associated with a borderline increased risk of having at least one episode of acute otitis media during 6-month follow-up compared to placebo (65% versus 41%; relative risk, 1.59, 95% CI 1.04, 2.42). OMT did not significantly affect risk compared to sham (44% versus 61%; relative risk, 0.72, 95% CI 0.48, 1.10). Conclusions: In otitis-prone young children, treating colds with this form of echinacea does not decrease the risk of acute otitis media, and may in fact increase risk. A regimen of up to five osteopathic manipulative treatments does not significantly decrease the risk of acute otitis media. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00010465
Neuroprotective efficacy and therapeutic window of curcuma oil: in rat embolic stroke model
Preeti Dohare, Puja Garg, Uma Sharma, N. r. Jagannathan and Madhur Ray Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Among the naturally occurring compounds, turmeric from the dried rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa has long been used extensively as a condiment and a household remedy all over Southeast Asia. Turmeric contains essential oil, yellow pigments (curcuminoids), starch and oleoresin. The present study was designed for investigating the neuroprotective efficacy and the time window for effective therapeutic use of Curcuma oil (C. oil). Method: In the present study, the effect of post ischemic treatment of C.oil after ischemia induced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in the rat was observed. C.oil (500mg/kg body wt) was given 4hrs post ischemia. The significant effect on lesion size as visualized by using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and neuroscore was still evident when treatment was started 4 hours after insult. Animals were assessed for behavioral deficit scores after 5 and 24 hours of ischemia. Subsequently, the rats were sacrificed for evaluation of infarct and edema volumes and other parameters. Results: C.oil ameliorated the ischemia induced neurological functional deficits and the infarct and edema volumes measured after 5 and 24 hrs of ischemia. After 24hrs, immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis demonstrated that the expression of iNOS, cytochrome c and Bax /Bcl-2 were altered after the insult, and antagonized by treatment with C.oil. C.oil significantly reduced nitrosative stress, tended to correct the decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and also affected caspase-3 activation finally apoptosis. Conclusion: Here we demonstrated that iNOS-derived NO produced during ischemic injury was crucial for the up-regulation of ischemic injury targets. C.oil down-regulates these targets this coincided with an increased survival rate of neurons.
Antioxidant activities and phenolic contents of the methanol extracts of the stems of Acokanthera oppositifolia and Adenia gummifera
Adeolu A Adedapo, Florence O Jimoh, Anthony J Afolayan and Patrick J Masika Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0000
Background: Acokanthera oppositifolia Lam (family: Apocynaceae) is a shrub or small tree with white latex, and the leaves of this plant are used in the form of a snuff to treat headaches and in infusions for abdominal pains and convulsions and septicaemia. Adenia gummifera Harv of the family Passifloraceae is a distinctive woody climber whose infusions are used as emetics and are said to help with some forms of depression. Lipid peroxidation has gained more importance today because of its involvement in pathogenesis of many diseases. Free radicals are the main agents in lipid peroxidation. Antioxidants thus play an important role of protecting the human body against damage by the free radicals. Plants containing phenolic compounds have been reported to possess strong antioxidant properties. Methods: The antioxidant activities and phenolic contents of the methanol extracts of the stems of Acokanthera oppositifolia and Adenia gummifera were evaluated using in vitro standard procedures. Spectrophotometry was the basis for the determinations of total phenol, total flavonoids, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins. Tannins, quercetin and catechin equivalents were used for these parameters. The antioxidant activities of the stem extract of Acokanthera oppositifolia were determined by the 2,2'-azinobis-3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferrous reducing antioxidant property (FRAP) methods. Results: The results from this study showed that the antioxidant activities of the stem extract of Acokanthera oppositifolia as determined by the 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferrous reducing antioxidant property (FRAP) methods, were higher than that of Adenia gummifera. The levels of total phenols and flavonols for A. oppositifolia were also higher. On the other hand, the stem extract of Adenia gummifera had higher level of total flavonoids and proanthocyanidins than that of Acokanthera oppositifolia. The 2, 2'-azinobis-3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) activities of the 2 plant extracts were similar and comparable to that of BHT. Conclusion: Thus, the present results indicate clearly that the extracts of Acokanthera oppositifolia and Adenia gummifera possess antioxidant properties and could serve as free radical inhibitors or scavengers, acting possibly as primary antioxidants. This study has to some extent validated the medicinal potential of the stems of Acokanthera oppositifolia and Adenia gummifera.

 
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Folk Medicine - Treatise prepared by a Penn State College of Medicine professor on the importance of recognizing cultural diversity of health beliefs and practices.
Meta Description: [ Cultural Diversity, Alternative medicine, & Folk Medicine, in New Directions in Folklore, July 1997. ]

A Brief Note Regarding Campa Medical Practices - Describes the author's experiences with Campa Indian remedies in the Amazon River Basin.
Meta Description: [ Short essay on personal experiences with herbal medical practices of the Campa Indians on the Pichis River in PerÏ. ]

Alternative Cancer Treatment - A treatment center in Thailand specializing in the use of natural healing methods and herbs to treat cancer.
Meta Description: [ In N.E. Thailand I met an old Buddhist monk who told me of a plant which grew in the region and was believed by many of the local people to be effective against a range of illnesses, including ailments now believed to be cancer. ]

American Indian Traditional Medicine in Treating Chronic Illness - Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona at Beth Israel's Center for Health and Healing presents research on how Native American traditional practices can integrate with traditional medicine to treat chronic illness. Includes comparison and demographic charts.
Meta Description: [ Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona, Native American healer: most recent paper on research of traditional Native American Medicine in treating AIDS, cancer and chronic illness. ]

Ancient Aztec Herbal Remedies - Index offers plant description, properties and method of use.
Meta Description: [ Ancient Aztec Herbal Remedies and Cures Database ]

Ascending Enterprises - Old Fashioned Remedies - By Lois Lenz, Medicine Woman. Offers solutions for a variety of everyday health problems.

Culturally Diverse Childrearing Practices: Abusive or Just Different? - Discusses non-traditional discipline and healing practices of various cultures as related to perceived abuse or neglect. Includes references.

Curanderismo: Folk Healing in the Southwest - Radio documentary describing traditional healing with herbs, aromas, massage and rituals. Requires Real Player.

404 Customary Uses of Ironweed by the Yuchi - Article by J. B. Jackson describing the use of Vernonia fasciculta by the Yuchi in Eastern Oklahoma, USA.

Folk Belief and Folk Medicine - An overview of folk medicine and its types, elements, and origins.

404 Folk Healing, Alternative, and Parallel Medicines - Treatise by Dr. Ian Carr, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba about the development of folk healing and its parallels in Chinese and Indic cultures.

Folk Medicine - Referenced article by a home healthcare nurse from West Virginia about the history of folk medicine and practices still in use.

Folk Medicine - Plant drawings, common ailments and remedies by a Newfoundland fifth-grade class.

Folk Medicine - Bordering the Future - Brief commentary on folk healing in the Texas border regions.

Folk Medicine in Hispanics in the Southwestern United States - Treatise prepared by a Baylor College of Medicine assistant professor outlining some Hispanic folkloric beliefs and the importance of considering such beliefs during standard medical treatment.

Folk Medicine, Amish and Swiss-Pennsylvania German - Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia article describing 18th and 19th century remedies and the proliferation of folk healing among Amish and Mennonite cultures.

Folk Medicine: UCLA Folklore Archive Resource - Includes searchable database by keyword, usage, condition, belief, date, region or ethnicity of origin.

404 Folk-Medicaments - By the Ministry of Culture, Republic of Turkey. Outlines the role of traditional medicine and its interaction with modern practices. Includes list of common remedies. Available in English, Turkish, German and Russian.
Meta Description: [ Folk Medicaments ]

Handbook of Texas Online: Folk Medicine - Referenced article describing beliefs and practices among the Anglo, Mexican and Black cultures in Texas.

Health 911 - Folk Remedies - Alphabetical listing of ailments, their causes and cures.

Herpes Relief - Describes home remedies for relief from the symptoms of herpes naturally, from a fellow sufferer.

Home Remedies and Holistic Cures - A guide to home remedies and holistic cures for common illnesses and ailments.
Meta Description: [ Website that contains home remedies and cures to many illnesses, including, cold, flu, fever, burns, and many more ]

Honey for the Treatment of Infections - Discusses the history of honey's medicinal use, recent research and antibiotic and antifungal properties.

India Parenting: Home Remedies - Cures for common childhood ailments and link to information about traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine.
Meta Description: [ Learn more about raising children with lots of information on feeding fussy kids, jealousy and sibling rivalry, speech and hearing, language development, anger and parenting, importance of playschools, enhancing your childs IQ or intelligence, effect of television and video games, sexual abuse, d... ]

Indian Child: Home Remedies - Provides home remedies for common ailments.

International Home Remedies - An archive composed by students from around the world.
Meta Description: [ An archive of Home Remedies from around the world ]

Lithuanian Folk Medicine - Includes sections describing the concept of health and illness, determination of illness, doctors and cures.

Medicine Women - Writer Carolina Carlessi discusses growing up in Peru's culture of folk medicine and faith healing and how it affected her perception of modern medicine.
Meta Description: [ Carolina Carlessi writes of the women in her family/culture growing up in Peru and of their knowledge of herbs and healing ]

Midwives and Maternity Care in the Roman World - Comparisons between folk treatment and professional midwifery in Greco-Roman society, primarily based upon the writings of Pliny and Soranus. Includes references.

404 Music As Folk Medicine - Describes the therapeutic use of music in holistic healing.

My Home Remedies - A forum where readers can submit their own home remedies as well as rate and comment on others' submissions.
Meta Description: [ An extensive catalog of home remedies with rating system. ]

Ozarkian and Haitian Folk Medicine - Monograph with references describing the similarities between folkloric beliefs in Haiti and mid-western America.

Pascalite, Inc. - Discusses history and benefits of pascalite clay and provides a method to order pascalite.

Pediatric Oncall - Home-Made Remedies - Indian traditional treatments for common childhood ailments.
Meta Description: [ Home care of various diseases like acidity to cough with Indian traditional medicine at www.pediatriconcall.com ]

Philippine Alternative Medicine - A study of various alternative medicines in the Philippines.
Meta Description: [ Contents: A comprehensive study of alternative mediciine in the Philippines, Introduction, Herbal Therapy, Albularyos and Hilots, Fringe Therapy, Faith Healers, Miscellaneous Conditions ]

Remedies - Herb drying, storage and preparation descriptions and alphabetical list of tips for easing common complaints.
Meta Description: [ Traditional remedies can be an excellant alternative for everyday ailmants. ]

500 Russian Folk Medicine - Traditional treatments for ailments ranging from cancer to upset stomach.

RussianFoods.com - Folk Medicine - Includes suggestions for colds, constipation, toothache, insomnia, headache and breakdown as well as links to the full Russian cooking archive.
Meta Description: [ Folk Medicine, The Best Russian Cooking Recipes and Russian Ethnic Food Store ]

Safe Natural Cures - More Than Home Remedies - Suggests remedies for common problems such as stuffy noses, yeast infections, athlete's foot and hiccups.
Meta Description: [ NATURAL CURES, More Than Home Remedies & Prevention for Most Common Ailments (yeast infection, lice, athlete's foot, burns, pimple, cold, bites, heartburn, stretch marks, constipation, dandruff, water retention, hypoglycemia, diarrhea, sinus) ]

Skin Cancer Treatment Alternative Using Topical Pancreatin Enzymes - Describes home remedy using a popular contact lens cleaning solution mixed with aloe vera gel.
Meta Description: [ Skin cancer treatment and prevention information including strategies to optimize the natural defenses against squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma. ]

500 Some Common Medicinal and Poisonous Plants Used in Ethiopian Folk Medicine - Treatise by Amare Getahun, professor at Addis Abeba University, Ethiopia. Includes introduction to Ethiopian medical lore, glossary and description of plants and their uses.

404 Spirit Medicine - Native American uses of Common Everlasting (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium) in Eastern North America; article by J. B. Jackson [PDF].

State Department of Health Warns About Dangerous Mexican Folk Remedies - Public service announcement warning about the toxicity of azarcón and greta, remedies containing high amounts of lead.

500 The Folk Medicine Forum - Discusses alternative and complementary medicine. Includes chat room, message board and newsletter.
Meta Description: [ The alternative and complementary medicine forum on folk medicine. ]

The Vinegar Website - Folk uses, medicinal qualities, home remedies, history, and beauty and household uses of vinegar.

Toenail Fungus Remedies - Lists several easy and inexpensive ways to get rid of toenail fungus.

Traditional Health, Medicine and Healing - Describes the practices of the Alaska Native people and their applicability today. Includes reports, articles and resources.

Traditional Medicine - World Health Organization fact sheet outlining the place of traditional healing practices in modern society.

404 Traditions in Western Herbal Medicine - Introduction and description of several traditions that have contributed toward medicinal resources in North America. Includes references.

Warts - Archived article from the east Texas weekly newspaper column All Things Historical. Describes remedies the author experienced in childhood and lists cures for warts.
Meta Description: [ Warts: a collection of wart treatments, wart cures, natural home remedies, by the author and readers. Syndicated column in over 70 newspapers. ]


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