Health Conditions
Gingko biloba
Alzheimer's patients taking Gingko bioloba showed a significant but mild
effect in the treatment of cognitive deficits. Further studies are needed
to determine if G. biloba reduces the development of AD.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
Patients taking Lemon balm showed reduction in the cognitive deficits and a good
sedative effect in patients with Alzheimers. Lemon balm extracts have been shown
to improve mood in some cases.
We recommend these Lemon balm products (if not visible turn off your popup
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Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Studies involving Sage were found to result in a reduction in cognitive
deficits. The exact mechanism is not clear but may work in ways similar to
pharmaceutical drugs for Alzheimer's.
Yi-Gan San
Patients taking Yi-Gan San showed reduction in the cognitive deficits and a
good sedative effect in patients with Alzheimers. Yi-Gan San extracts have been
shown to improve mood in some cases.
Folate (folic acid, vitamin B9)
In a few studies folate used in addition to other treatments improved anxiety
and depression. Folate by itself did not appear as effective as when used
in combination with other treatments. Folate, a natural vitamin, is safe
and can be found in certain foods.
We recommend this folate product, good quality and reasonably priced (if you
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Inositol
Inositol has been found to have modest effects in patients with panic
disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder in some studies.
We recommend this good quality inositol product (if you
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Kava Kava
Kava Kava is a psychoactive beverage used ceremonially for thousands of
years by residents of the Pacific Islands. Kava beverage is made from the root
of the pepper plant, Piper methysticum. It contains herbal ingredients for
reliving anxiety and tension. A mixture of compounds called kava lactones
found in Kava Kava are reported to reducs anxiety. Kava Kava has also been
reported to be a sedative and good for stress. Use of large amounts of Kava Kava
has is known to cause a skin disorder called dermapathy. Stopping Kava
usage resulted in the skin condition going away. In some places Kava Kava
has been banned due to the concern of possible liver toxicity. It is not
known to what extent Kava Kava might affect the liver but is the subject of
additional studies.
We recommend these good quality kava kava products (if you
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Lemon Balm (Melissa officianalis)
Melissa officinalis extracts have been shown in some studies to have worked very
well in reducing anxiety in people. Certain extracts were even found to
improve memory when they bound to cholinergic receptors. However, this
effect varied depending on the extract. Other studies found the aqueous extract
of Melissa officinalis was found to affect GABA metabolism in the brain.
GABA is involved in reducing anxiety in people and thus Lemon balm may work through
this natural brain chemical.
We recommend these Lemon balm products (if not visible turn off your popup
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fish Oil
In several studies that assessed the effect of omega-3 fatty acids found
that fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids) helped reduce the need for anti-inflammatory
drugs or corticosteriods. Although fish oil was not found to improve the
arthritic joints, a reduction in symptoms seemed to be observed in some case.
Buy Natural Health Bistro Fish Oil supplements with omega-3 fatty acids here.
Chinese Thunder God Vine
Patients were given an extract of the root of the Chinese Thunder God Vine for
rheumatoid arthritis. 80% of the high dose group showed rapid improvement in
symptoms compared with no improvement in the group not receiving the
extract. The extract is unique, because it slows down the overactive
immune system, reduces inflammation by turning off inflammatory genes such as
tumor necrosis factor alpha, and reduces the activity of B and T cells.
The extraction process, although time-consuming, is critical because it
transforms the otherwise toxic and deadly Thunder God Vine into a therapeutic
treatment. Patients should only use commercially prepared extracts as the
vine is toxic without special preparation.
Cancer
CAUTION! Taking supplements while being treated for cancer should only be done with
permission from your doctor. Some herbs are known to interfere with
chemotherapy used in cancer treatment, making them less effective.
Mistltoe
Laboratory studies have found that mistletoe kills cancer cells and stimulates
the immune system. The use of mistletoe to treat cancer has been studied
in Europe in more than 30 clinical trials. Although improvements in survival or
quality of life have been reported, almost all of the trials had major
weaknesses in their design that raise doubts about the findings. For example,
many of the studies had a small number of participants or did not have a control
group.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a natural curry spice commonly used in Indian foods. Turmeric
contains curcumen which is being studied for use against several different types
of cancer. A growing body of research suggests that curcumin has potential
for the prevention and therapy of cancer. Clinical trials have revealed
that curcumin is safe and may produce antitumor effects in people with
precancerous condition or who are at a high risk for developing cancer. Preclinical
studies have shown curcumin's ability to inhibit carcinogenesis in various types
of cancer including colorectal cancer (CRC). Curcumin used in a recent
phase II clinical trial showed some benefits in patients with pancreatic cancer.
In mice, curcumin was found to kill leukemia cells in the laboratory.
Other trials have suggested the possible use of curcumin in bladder
pre-cancerous lesions and in stomach cancer. Many other types of cancer
are being targeted with curcumin although results are not yet available on
effectiveness. Curcumin is showing a lot of promise in various aspects of
cancer treatment.
We recommend these turmeric (curcumin containing) products (if not visible turn off your popup
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Green Tea Extracts
Laboratory studies suggest that green tea may help protect against or slow the
growth of certain cancers, but studies in people have shown mixed results.
St. John's Wort
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a long-living
plant with yellow flowers whose medicinal uses were first recorded in ancient
Greece. It contains many chemical compounds. Some are believed to be the active
ingredients that produce the herb's effects, including the compounds hypericin
and hyperforin.
How these compounds actually work is not yet fully understood, but several theories have been suggested. Preliminary studies suggest that St. John's wort might work by preventing nerve cells in the brain from reabsorbing the chemical messenger serotonin, or by reducing levels of a protein involved in the body's immune system functioning. St. John's wort has been used over the centuries for mental conditions, nerve pain, and a wide variety of other health conditions. Today, St. John's wort is used for anxiety, mild to moderate depression, and sleep disorders.
In Europe, St. John's wort is widely prescribed for depression. In the United States, there is public interest in St. John's wort as a treatment for depression, but it is not a prescription medicine; it is, however, one of the most commonly used herbal supplements.
We recommend these St. John's Wort products. Note that recent research
suggests that the active components might by hypericin and hyperforin working
together. Not all products have both! These do (if not visible turn off your popup
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Folate (folic acid, vitamin B9), Vitamin B12
Patients with depression have consistently been found to have lower levels
of serum and red blood cell folate than normal or nondepressed psychiatric
patients. Decreased folate levels have been associated with lowered response
rates to standard antidepressant treatment. Recent studies have shown that a
folate supplement increases medication response in depressed patients
irrespective of whether there is folate deficiency.
Controlled studies have also suggested that folate and vitamin B12 were found have decreased symptoms of depression.
We recommend these folate and vitamin B12 products, good quality and reasonably priced (if you
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Fish Oil
In western countries, the decline in the amount of fish consumption (as
source of fish oil and EPA) is thought to contribute to the increased amount of
major depression in our society.
A study comparing EPA (a component of fish oil) versus the pharmaceutical drug fluoxetine was found to be equally effective. Further, EPA + fluoxetine combination was superior to either of them alone.
Fish oil has been tested in Parkinson's disease patients experiencing depression with or without antidepressants. Patients showed improvement in depressive symptoms and indicate that the intake of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) can be used alone or in combination with pharmaceutical medications. Further study is underway to more clearly describe the benefits of fish oil in depressed Parkinson disease patients.
We recommend our Natural Health Bistro Fish Oil supplements for omega-3 EPA. We have one of the best products on the market for Fish Oil with omega-3 EPA. Click here to buy.
Peppermint Oil
Results from several studies suggest that peppermint oil may improve symptoms of
irritable bowel syndrome. A few studies have found that peppermint oil, in
combination with caraway oil, may help relieve indigestion, but this evidence is
preliminary.
We recommend this peppermint oil product, good quality and reasonably priced (if you
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Feverfew
Some research suggests that feverfew may be helpful in preventing migraine
headaches; however, results have been mixed and more evidence is needed from
well-designed studies.
We recommend this feverfew product, good quality and reasonably priced (if you
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Valerian
Valerian has been used as a medicinal herb since at least the time of
ancient Greece and Rome. Its therapeutic uses were described by Hippocrates, and
in the 2nd century, Galen prescribed valerian for insomnia. In the 16th century,
it was used to treat nervousness, trembling, headaches, and heart palpitations.
During World War II, it was used in England to relieve the stress of air raids.
In addition to sleep disorders, valerian has been used for gastrointestinal
spasms and distress, epileptic seizures, and attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder. However, scientific evidence is not sufficient to support the use of
valerian for these conditions
We recommend these valerian products. Valerenic acid is the active
component, extracts high in this component are listed (if you
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Devil's claw
Two high-quality trials utilizing Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's claw) found
strong evidence for short-term improvements in pain for daily doses standardized
to 50 mg or 100 mg harpagoside. Another clinical trial demonstrated
relative equivalence to pharmaceuticals used in back pain treatment.
We recommend this Devil's claw product. Harpagoside is the active
component, extracts high in this component are listed (if you
cannot see the product turn off your ad blocking software):
White willow bark
Two moderate-quality trials utilizing Salix alba (White willow bark) found
moderate evidence for short-term improvements in pain and rescue medication for
daily doses standardized to 120 mg or 240 mg salicin. An additional
clinical trial demonstrated similar effectiveness to a pharmaceutical used in
back pain treatment.
We recommend this White willow bark product. Salicin is the active
component, extracts high in this component are listed (if you
cannot see the product turn off your ad blocking software):
Cayenne
Three low-quality trials using Capsicum frutescens (Cayenne) using various
topical preparations found moderate evidence for favorable results against
placebo
Ginger
Studies suggest that the short-term use of ginger can safely relieve
pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. Studies are mixed on whether ginger
is effective for nausea caused by motion, chemotherapy, or surgery.
We recommend these ginger products (if you
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Osteoarthritis
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the popular
dietary supplement combination of glucosamine plus chondroitin sulfate found a
subgroup of study participants with moderate-to-severe pain showed significant
relief with the combined supplements. For participants in the
moderate-to-severe pain subgroup, glucosamine combined with chondroitin sulfate
provided statistically significant pain relief compared to placebo--about 79
percent in this group had a 20 percent or greater pain reduction compared to 54
percent for placebo.
We recommend these glucosamine and chondroitin products (if you
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Coenzyme Q
Results of the first placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical
trial of the compound coenzyme Q10 suggest that it can slow disease
progression in patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD). While the
results must be confirmed in a larger study, they provide hope that this
compound may ultimately provide a new way of treating PD. All of the
patients who took part in the new study had the three primary features of PD -
tremor, stiffness, and slowed movements.
During the study period, the group that received the largest dose of coenzyme Q10 (1,200 mg/day) had 44 percent less decline in mental function, motor (movement) function, and ability to carry out activities of daily living, such as feeding or dressing themselves. The greatest effect was on activities of daily living. The groups that received 300 mg/day and 600 mg/day developed slightly less disability than the placebo group, but the effects were less than those in the group that received the highest dosage of coenzyme Q10 .
We recommend these coenzyme Q products (if you
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