The use of herbal therapies for treatment and management of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is increasing. Plants contain a bounty of phytochemicals that have proven to be protective by reducing the risk of various ailments and diseases. Indeed, accumulating literature provides the scientific evidence and hence reason d'etre for the application of herbal therapy in relation to CVDs. Slowly, but ...

Objective: to describe the case of a Brazilian Amazon woman presenting macroscopic melanosis coli associated with the chronic use of laxative herbal teas. Case Report: a 48years-old woman was referred for evaluation of a diffuse abdominal pain, intestinal meteorism, gastric plenitude, eructation and chronic constipation. The patient confirmed the use of laxatives and herbal teas as auto-medicat...

BACKGROUND Biologic based therapies are frequently used as complementary medicines in diabetes. The aim of this study was to identify the commonly used herbal remedies and their preparations in Sri Lankan patients with Type 2 diabetes. METHODS This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study on 220 diabetic patients using herbal remedies for perceived glycemic benefit. RESULTS All the patients ...

BACKGROUND A large proportion of patients use herbal remedies with a potential to interact with prescribed drugs. Such interactions can be dangerous, particularly if the therapeutic window of the prescribed drug is small, as with warfarin. AIMS Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of the use of herbal medicines by patients taking warfarin (co-ingestion). DESIGN OF STUDY Postal questionnai...

BACKGROUND Little is known about use of herbal medicines by older Mexican Americans. The objective of this study was to determine the characteristics among older Mexican Americans that correlate with use of herbal medicines. METHODS We administered a cross-sectional regional sample survey, the 1993-1994 Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly of Mexican Ame...

Healthcare professionals face significant challenges in providing evidence-based healthcarewhen the evidence base is limited. A prime example of this dilemma is finding the evidence base for answering patient questions about the use of herbal therapies. This article summarizes the current resources available to healthcare professionals. An example of the types of information available for selec...

BACKGROUND The use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) is growing in the general population. Herbal medicines are used in all countries of the world and are included in the top CAM therapies used. METHODS A multinational study on how women treat disease and pregnancy-related health ailments was conducted between October 2011 and February 2012 in Europe, North and South America an...