Alternative Medicine News and Research

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Ephedra substitute - Seville orange may have risks

People taking “ephedra-free” weight loss products that contain the herb Citrus aurantium, or Seville orange, may be doing more harm to their body than good, according to a new review published by Georgetown University Medical Center researchers.

27 Aug 2004

Effectiveness of gingko to treat early dementia

Researchers in London are to explore the effectiveness of gingko, a complementary medicine traditionally used to treat circulatory problems, as a treatment for early dementia.

23 Aug 2004

80% of cancer patients use some form of complementary or alternative therapies

Plug the terms "alternative" and "cancer" into Google and the Internet search engine returns a list of 3.27 million - yes, million - sites with information both credible and questionable about nontraditional treatments for cancer. What's a cancer patient to make of such a vast array of options?

18 Aug 2004

Health web sites providing bogus information to peddle alternative medicinal treatments

Researchers from the University of Exeter in England have found that cancer patients are being mislead by many popular health web sites providing bogus information to peddle alternative medicinal treatments.

3 Aug 2004

One-third of U.S. adults use some form of alternative medicine

More than one-third of U.S. adults use some form of alternative medicine such as herbal supplements and other therapies, showed in a nationwide survey by NIH's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine published in May 2004.

2 Aug 2004

Need for more research on complementary and alternative medicine is highlighted in a major report

The report, the culmination of three years work by the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Complementary and Alternative Health (MACCAH), forms the committee's final advice to the Minister of Health, Annette King.

2 Aug 2004

Will the insured sacrifice to help cover the uninsured? New study suggests the answer may be yes

One of the biggest questions facing Americans as the 2004 elections approach involves a tradeoff: Will those who currently have health insurance be willing to sacrifice in order to insure the 44 million people who don't?

21 Jul 2004

Study to establish the effectiveness of Devil’s Claw as a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee joint

The University of Southampton’s Complementary Medicine Research Unit is looking for volunteers to take part in a new study which aims to establish the effectiveness of a well-known herbal remedy as a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

19 Jul 2004

You may have overstepped the mark, cancer expert warns Prince of Wales

"You may have overstepped the mark" cancer expert warns Prince of Wales. An open letter to the Prince of Wales: with respect, your highness, you've got it wrong BMJ Volume 328, p 118.

8 Jul 2004

Prince Charles has called for more research into the benefits of complementary therapies for cancer patients

His Royal Highness was speaking at a conference hosted by five major charities, including The Prince of Wales’s Foundation for Integrated Health of which he is President.

28 Jun 2004

Answers to childhood asthma may be in herbal medicine

A clinical trial to determine whether a herbal medicine can ease the symptoms of asthma in children is underway at RMIT University.

24 Jun 2004

New guidelines to develop reliable information for consumer use of alternative medicines

Since traditional, complementary and alternative medicines remain largely unregulated, consumers worldwide need to be informed and given the tools to access appropriate, safe and effective treatment.

23 Jun 2004

Effects of Zen meditation and how the brain functions during meditative states

Zen meditation is an ancient spiritual practice that promotes awareness and presence through the undivided engagement of mind and body.

17 Jun 2004

Low back pain research using surface electromyography (SEMG) technology

Low back pain research using surface electromyography (SEMG) technology may lead to the development of a valid and reliable tool to prevent the condition, it was announced today.

17 Jun 2004

Just six months of yoga significantly reduces fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis

Just six months of yoga significantly reduces fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis, but it has no effect on alertness and cognitive function, says a new Oregon Health & Science University study.

11 Jun 2004

36 percent of Americans are using complementary and alternative medicines

A new, comprehensive government survey, released by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), reveals that 36 percent of Americans are incorporating complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) into their health care regimen.

1 Jun 2004

A third of U.S. adults use some form of complementary and alternative medicine

According to a new nationwide government survey, 36 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 years and over use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

27 May 2004

Clinical trial of traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of male infertility

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) researcher Jann Mehmet knows the effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in treating male infertility. Now she is putting her observations to the test in a formal clinical trial of the benefits of TCM, the first time such a study has been conducted in Australia - or overseas.

18 May 2004

Back-pain sufferers cost US more than $100 billion annually

Back-pain sufferers in America cost this country more than $100 billion annually in medical bills, disability and lost productivity at work. And 80 percent of Americans will battle back pain at some point in their lives, making it the number two reason for doctor visits, after coughs and other respiratory infections, Newsweek reports.

18 Apr 2004

A new system of health and wellbeing

Hands up who goes to the doctor when they are feeling well? Hands up who goes to the doctor just to chat about how they can stay well? The fact is most of us drag ourselves off to the doctor only when there are signs of trouble, when we are feeling sick.

14 Apr 2004