Regulation for medical herbalists

The Secretary of State Andy Burnham has today announced that regulation of herbalists will go ahead under the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council.

The statutory regulation of herbal and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners has been under consideration by the government for the last decade. The announcement today, though short on detail, is welcomed by many herbalists and by professional bodies including the National Institute of Medical Herbalists.

Read the press release by the European Herbal and Traditional Medicines Practitioners Association.

good fats cut heart disease risk

The BBC news channel reports that 'good fat' can cut heart risk by one fifth, see the article here.

The article discusses research from the USA which analysed the effects of replacing saturated fats in the diet with polyunsaturated fats. They suggested that for each 5% increase in polyunsaturated fat consumption the risk of development of heart disease was decreased by 10%.

You can read the research article here.

However, it may be wise to choose your polyunsaturated fats carefully.

See these information sheets fats and oils, and essential fatty acids and prostaglandins to see why all polyunsaturated fats are not the same.

antidepressants may only work for severe depression

Some new research suggests that antidepressants may only really be effective for severe depression.

See the abstract here Antidepressant drug effects and depression severity: a patient-level meta-analysis.

The results of this randomised placebo controlled trial showed that for mild or moderate depression antidepressants may show no benefit.

The herbal remedy St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) however has been shown to be effective for mild to moderate depression and therefore a better option if you are feeling a bit down may be to visit your local qualified herbalist.

A qualified herbalist will be able to tell if St. John's wort is likely to help you and provide an individualised prescription based on an holistic assessment.

Please see www.hhcentre.co.uk for more information. Or follow the links here to previous blogs on St. John's Wort and depression.

salt and high blood pressure

A BBC article this week warns of high salt levels in many soups sold in the UK, in high street cafes and in supermarkets. The Food Standards Agency said that although salt levels in ready to eat ranges of soup had fallen since the last survey many still failed to meet current targets for salt content.

Since high salt intake is linked with increased risk of developing high blood pressure the current recommendations are that adults consume no more than 6g salt per day. However some of the soups tested had more than 6g in one portion.

Mild high blood pressure may be brought under control with diet and lifestyle changes, see the following article on high blood pressure for suggestions on how to lower blood pressure.

rosehips reduce pain of osteoarthritis

A number of studies suggest that rosehips may provide moderate relief for arthritic pain. Not only did rosehips alleviate the pain of osteoarthritis but sufferers were able to reduce their consumption of 'rescue medication' if they took the rosehip remedy.

A one-year survey on the use of a powder from Rosa canina lito in acute exacerbations of chronic pain; abstract

Does the hip powder of Rosa canina (rosehip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients?--a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials; abstract

COX-1 and -2 activity of rose hip; abstract

[The clinical effectiveness of rosehip powder in patients with osteoarthritis. A systematic review]; abstract

The evidence for clinical efficacy of rose hip and seed: a systematic review; abstract

A powder made from seeds and shells of a rose-hip subspecies (Rosa canina) reduces symptoms of knee and hip osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial; abstract

A herbal remedy, Hyben Vital (stand. powder of a subspecies of Rosa canina fruits), reduces pain and improves general wellbeing in patients with osteoarthritis--a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial; abstract

Turmeric is as effective as ibuprofen for osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, which means inflammation of one or more joints. Osteoarthritis is often described as ‘wear and tear’ arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the layer of protective cartilage lining a joint becomes damaged and wears away. This can eventually lead to bones rubbing together causing inflammation with pain and limited joint movement.

A study compared the efficacy and safety of ibuprofen and turmeric (Curcuma longa) in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee. The trial showed that turmeric was at least as effective as ibuprofen for pain reduction and improving joint mobility. The trial also showed that turmeric had fewer side effects than the ibuprofen.

Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts in patients with knee osteoarthritis; abstract

Turmeric contains compounds with potent anti-inflammatory properties, such as curcumin. The following article discusses possible mechanisms for curcumin’s actions in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Biological actions of curcumin on articular chondrocytes; abstract

Other herbs which also contain potent natural anti-inflammatory compounds include ginger, rosemary and devil’s claw.

Patented antiinflammatory plant drug development from traditional medicine; abstract

Effects of a ginger extract on knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis; abstract

Consult a local qualified herbalist for help with management of osteoarthritis with herbal medicines. Follow the links on my website for help with finding a herbalist local to you.

Study shows herbal remedies reduce PMS-like symptoms in perimenopause

While menopause is simply the last menstrual period and usually occurs around the age of 50, perimenopause is the time leading up to the menopause when your body is dealing with the hormonal changes which cause symptoms such as hot flashes, irregular periods and mood swings.

The perimenopause can start in your early 40s and it has been suggested that many of the symptoms thought of as menopausal may in fact be related to an increased sensitivity to PMS-like symptoms during this time.

Vitex agnus-castus has long been used by herbalists for symptoms related to premenstrual syndrome as it helps to balance hormones. Hypericum perforatum may be useful as a nervine at this time, when mood swings and depression can be a problem.

This study showed that a herbal remedy containing a combination of St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) and Chaste-tree berry (Vitex agnus-castus) reduced PMS-like symptoms in perimenopausal women, compared to women taking placebo.

Effects of a combination of Hypericum perforatum and Vitex agnus-castus on PMS-like symptoms in late-perimenopausal women: findings from a subpopulation analysis; abstract

During perimenopause a balanced diet can make a big difference. Eating foods rich in plant oestrogens (phytoestrogens) such as beans, pulses and lentils can help to balance hormones. Ensuring a good intake of oily fish such as herrings, mackerel and salmon, as well as eating a variety of nuts and seeds helps to boost essential fatty acids. These are as the name suggests ‘essential’ for good health.
Check out the research reviews below:

Alternative therapies for menopause; abstract

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and the regulation of bone metabolism; abstract