Health & Wellness Tips
You know that there are a lot of effective herbal and alternative therapies out there, but what you may not know is that there is now accessible scientific evidence for many of these treatments.
The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center has an easy to use website that gives you links to individual studies and offers a clinical conclusion on many herbal and alternative therapies.
Below is a list of a few that received a gold star. You can access the website at: http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11570.cfm
St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is most commonly recognized for its use in the treatment of depression. Several studies have shown that St. John’s Wort is as effective as certain antidepressants in the treatment of mild to moderate depression.
One study showed that it was also effective in the treatment of severe depression. There is also some evidence that St. John’s Wort can provide relief for symptoms of PMS.
St. John’s Wort is known to decrease efficacy of many medications, so check with your doctor before using it. St. John’s Wort should not be used in combination with other antidepressants.
There are possible side effects, and it is recommended that medical supervision be sought while using this herb.
Chasteberry is often used to help balance hormones in women. It can be effective in treating PMS, menopausal symptoms, and amenorrhea.
"In human studies, it has been found to restore progesterone concentrations, prolong the hyperthermic phase in basal temperature curve, and restore the LH-RH test to normal” (http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69176.cfm).
Chasteberry may reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptives, other hormone therapies, and dopamine antagonists.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil is best known for its antiseptic properties. Studies have shown that it is effective in treating acne as well as reducing symptoms of nail fungus.
Tea Tree Oil should only be used topically and never ingested.
DHEA
Many studies have been done using DHEA. It is the most abundant hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. DHEA has shown to be effective in treating major depression, schizophrenia induced anxiety, systematic lupus erythematosus, osteoporosis, erectile disfunction, and
Addison’s disease.
Patients with prostate cancer, a history of prostate cancer, or another hormone-sensitive cancer should avoid DHEA. It should not be used with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents.
Those who are pregnant or breast feeding should also avoid DHEA.
DHEA is thought to induce mania. There are some drug interaction cautions.
Evidence-Based Herbal Remedies by Melissa King
The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center has an easy to use website that gives you links to individual studies and offers a clinical conclusion on many herbal and alternative therapies.
Below is a list of a few that received a gold star. You can access the website at: http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11570.cfm
St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is most commonly recognized for its use in the treatment of depression. Several studies have shown that St. John’s Wort is as effective as certain antidepressants in the treatment of mild to moderate depression.
One study showed that it was also effective in the treatment of severe depression. There is also some evidence that St. John’s Wort can provide relief for symptoms of PMS.
St. John’s Wort is known to decrease efficacy of many medications, so check with your doctor before using it. St. John’s Wort should not be used in combination with other antidepressants.
There are possible side effects, and it is recommended that medical supervision be sought while using this herb.
Chasteberry is often used to help balance hormones in women. It can be effective in treating PMS, menopausal symptoms, and amenorrhea.
"In human studies, it has been found to restore progesterone concentrations, prolong the hyperthermic phase in basal temperature curve, and restore the LH-RH test to normal” (http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69176.cfm).
Chasteberry may reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptives, other hormone therapies, and dopamine antagonists.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil is best known for its antiseptic properties. Studies have shown that it is effective in treating acne as well as reducing symptoms of nail fungus.
Tea Tree Oil should only be used topically and never ingested.
DHEA
Many studies have been done using DHEA. It is the most abundant hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. DHEA has shown to be effective in treating major depression, schizophrenia induced anxiety, systematic lupus erythematosus, osteoporosis, erectile disfunction, and
Addison’s disease.
Patients with prostate cancer, a history of prostate cancer, or another hormone-sensitive cancer should avoid DHEA. It should not be used with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents.
Those who are pregnant or breast feeding should also avoid DHEA.
DHEA is thought to induce mania. There are some drug interaction cautions.
Evidence-Based Herbal Remedies by Melissa King
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