Onion quercetin & Parsley apigenin flavonoids Poorly Absorbed: 5g/d parsley resulted in no measurable blood level. No impact of hemostatic variables, e.g. thromboxane 2, platelet aggregation, etc. Quercetin from 220 g/d onions were measurable but no impact on hemostatic measures. Am J Clin Nutr 2/98

Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Cinnamon High Anti-Oxidant: Oregano. Dill. Thyme. Sage. Parsley. These herbs are antioxidants are 3 to 20 times as much as other herbs, which some studies suggest lower the risk of cancer, stroke, and heart disease by blocking certain types of cell damage caused by free radicals. Shiow Y. Wang, PhD, USDA, J Agricultural & Food Chemistry, studied the antioxidant activity of 39 herbs. Oregano came in first. 4 times more than blueberries. 

Padma 28 Helped Intermittent Claudication in 3 DB Studies: In a 4-month DB PC study of 36 patients with intermittent claudication, those who received two tablets bid containing 340 mg of a dried herbal mixture composed according to an ancient lamaistic preparation (Padma 28) had a significant increase in the pain-free walking distance from 52 m to 86 m; P < 0.05) and in the maximal walking distance from 115 m to 227 m (P < 0.05). The placebo group showed no improvement. A botanical compound, Padma 28, increases walking distance in stable intermittent claudication. Drabaek H, Mehlsen J, et al. Frederiksberg Hospital, Denmark. Angiology. 1993 Nov;44(11):863-7. Similar results are reported from a DB PC Polish study of 50 patients. There was also a decrease in the index of blood platelets aggregation, a drop in the level of cholesterol, triglycerides, total lipids, beta lipoproteins, and an increase in ++alpha lipoproteins. Ann Acad Med Stetin. 1991;37:191-202. The first study was a 48 patient DB PC German study with similar results. Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1985 Jun 1;115(22):752-6. It reduced atherosclerotic plaques in rabbits. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz). 1992;40(5-6):291-5. 

Passion Flower: Aztecs. For sleep. One study with valerian showed benefit for adjustment disorder with anxiety .25-1g TID. Reports of hypersensitivity vasculitis and altered consciousness. Avoid in pregnancy and lactation. Wong.

Phosphatidyl Choline Helped Fulminant Hepatitis: A DB PC study using polyunsaturated phosphatidyl choline 350 mg t.i.d. found better survival, encephalopathy recovery and resolution of ascites. (p=.0022). A pilot study of polyunsaturated phosphatidyl choline in fulminant and subacute hepatic failure. Singh NK, Prasad RC. J Assoc Physicians India. 1998 Jun;46(6):530-2

Pomegranate juice supplementation no benefit in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a 5-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Cerda B. et al. Murcia , Spain .

Pomegranate Juice Helps Mice: Dietary supplementation of polyphenol-rich pomegranate juice to atherosclerotic mice significantly inhibited the development of atherosclerotic lesions and this may be attributed to the protection of LDL against oxidation. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 2002;28(2-3):49-62.; Similar results in J Nutr. 2001 Aug;131(8):2082-9.; An Israeli study found that in humans pomegranate juice consumption decreased LDL susceptibility to aggregation and retention and increased the activity of serum paraoxonase (an HDL-associated esterase that can protect against lipid peroxidation) by 20%. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 May;71(5):1062-76

Pomegranate Juice Appeared to Lower Blood Pressure in Hypertensives: In a very small and short 2-week Israeli study of patients with high blood pressure, those drinking 2 ounces of pomegranate juice per day for two weeks had a 5% decrease in blood pressure and a 36% inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme activity. Pomegranate juice consumption inhibits serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity and reduces systolic blood pressure. Aviram M, Dornfeld L. Atherosclerosis. 2001 Sep;158(1):195-8

Primrose Oil/GLA Helps Cyclic Mastitis: About the only proven value except when combined in fish oil for ADHD. Mansel RE, Gateley CA, Harrison BJ, et al. Effects and tolerability of n-6 essential fatty acid supplementation in patients with recurrent breast cysts—a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. J Nutr Med. 1990;1:195–200.

Prrrikweg Gel No Good: 100 volunteers bitten by mosquito applied the homoepathic gel. Some decrease in erythema (p<.10) but no effect on itching. Pharm World Sci 1/96, 1:35-41. London

Pumpkin Seeds May Help BPH: In randomized, double-blind study, the preparation Curbicin, obtained from pumpkin seeds and dwarf palm plants (Cucurbita pepo L. and Sabal serrulata), was compared with a placebo in the treatment of symptoms caused by prostatic hyperplasia; 53 patients took part in the study, which was carried out over a 3-month period. Urinary flow, micturition time, residual urine, frequency of micturition and a subjective assessment of the effect of treatment were all significantly improved in the treatment group. No untoward side effects were noted. Br J Urol 1990 Dec;66(6):639-41

Pumpkin Seeds May Help Bladder Stones: pumpkin-seed supplementation on oxalcrystalluria and urinary composition in 20 boys age 2-7 yr from a hyperendemic area of Ubol province in Thailand. The experiment had four periods: control (before treatment), oxalate supplementation 5mg X kg-1 body wt X day-1, pumpkin-seed or orthophosphate supplementation 60 mg X kg body wt-1 X day-1, and posttreatment. Causal morning and 24-h urines were collected analyzed for crystalluria, pH, calcium, phosphorous, oxalate, creatinine, sodium, potassium, citrate glycosaminoglycans, and pyrophosphate. The results demonstrated that the longer the supplementation period of pumpkin seeds, the better were the results. Pumpkin seeds lowered calcium-oxalate crystal occurrence and calcium level but increased phosphorus, pyrophosphate, glycosaminoglycans, and potassium values in urine as compared with orthophosphate supplementation. Pumpkin seeds provide high phosphorus levels and can be used as a potential agent in lowering the risk of bladder-stone disease. Am J Clin Nutr 1987 Jan;45(1):115-21

Pycnogenol Helped Diabetes a Little: In a DB PC study of 77 diabetes type II patients of the French maritime pine bark extract, Pynogenol(R) 100 mg for 12 weeks, during which a standard anti-diabetic treatment was continued, the supplement significantly lowered plasma glucose levels as compared to placebo. HbA1(c) was also lowered, but this was statistically significant only for the first month. In the Pycnogenol(R)-group endothelin-1 was significantly decreased, while 6-ketoprostaglandin F(1a) in plasma was elevated compared to placebo. Nitric oxide levels in plasma increased during treatment in both groups, but, differences did not reach statistical significance. Pycnogenol(R) was well-tolerated with ECG, electrolytes, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen remaining unchanged in both groups. Mild and transient unwanted effects were reported for both groups without significant differences. Antidiabetic effect of Pycnogenol(R) French maritime pine bark extract in patients with diabetes type II. Liu X, Wei J, Tan F, Zhou S, Wurthwein G, Rohdewald P. Beijing, PR China. Life Sci. 2004 Oct 8;75(21):2505-13

Pycnogenol vs. Methylphenidate Studied: A PC DB study of only 24 adult ADHD didn't find any superiority from either med. The lack of benefit may have been due to lower dosages being used. An experimental comparison of Pycnogenol and methylphenidate in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Tenenbaum S, Paull JC, Sparrow EP, Dodd DK, Green L. J Atten Disord. 2002 Sep;6(2):49-60

Pygeum Helps Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy: Review says numerous open and DB trials find of value for mild to mod BPH. Reports own open trial at three centers with good 40% decr symptoms after two months on 50mg bid in 85 pt without any s-e noted. J Breza, Bratislava, Curr Med Res Opin ’98;14:127. Rat research suggests mechanism of action by inhibition of prostatic fibroblast growth factors. In a DB study of 263 pts at 8 German centers, 5 pygeum pts with nausea. Pygeum worked better than placebo with 66% improvement on 50mg bid x 2 mo. Wien Klin Wochenschr ’90;102:667. First study in 1971. Pygeum $20.mo vs $7.50 for Saw Palmetto.

Pyruvate: is promoted on internet as resulting in considerable wt loss, increase stamina, inhibiting deposition of fat and increasing muscle performance. Once again, internet claims vastly exaggerate any reported research findings. Pub Med last reviewed 9/29/03.

Pyruvate No Help Exercising: Results in a 30-day DB PC study of 23 females indicate that 5 g/d of calcium pyruvate supplementation during training does not significantly affect body composition or exercise performance and may negatively affect some blood lipid levels. Univ. Tennessee. Nutrition. 2005 Mar;21(3):312-9.

Pyruvate-Creatinine No Help to Athletes: One week of creatine-pyruvate supplementation at a rate of 7 g x d -1 does not beneficially impact on either endurance capacity or intermittent sprint performance in cyclists. DB PC. Effects of oral creatine-pyruvate supplementation in cycling performance. Van Schuylenbergh R, Van Leemputte M, Hespel P. Int J Sports Med. 2003 Feb;24(2):144-50

Pyruvate Didn’t Help Athletes: Oral pyruvate supplementation does not increase blood pyruvate content and does not enhance performance during intense exercise in well-trained cyclists. 7 day DB PC. U Guelph. Pyruvate ingestion for 7 days does not improve aerobic performance in well-trained individuals. Morrison MA, Spriet LL, Dyck DJ. J Appl Physiol. 2000 Aug;89(2):549-56

Pyruvate Said to Help Weight Loss in Poor Study: DB PC 6 week study. Abstract doesn’t say how placebo group did. Pyruvate group lost only 2.6# despite 3day/week exercising. The effects of pyruvate supplementation on body composition in overweight individuals. Peak Wellness, Inc. Kalman D, Colker CM, Wilets I, Roufs JB, Antonio J. Nutrition. 1999 May;15(5):337-40

Red Clover Helps Bone Density a Little: In a DB PC study of 205 women ages 49-65, red clover–derived isoflavone tablet (26 mg biochanin A, 16 mg formononetin, 1 mg genistein, and 0.5 mg daidzein) for one year resulted in significantly less lumbar spine bone mineral content and bone mineral density loss than those receiving placebo (P = .04 and P = .03). Treatment did not affect hip bone mineral content or bone mineral density, markers of bone resorption, or body composition. Cambridge Univ. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;79:326-333; In another study, isolated isoflavones from red clover enriched in biochanin (genistein precursor) but not in formononetin (daidzein precursor), lowered LDL-Cholesterol in men. This may partly explain the previous failure to demonstrate cholesterol-lowering effects with mixed isoflavones studied predominantly in women. Europ J Clin Nutr (2004) 58, 403-408. Ed: Red clover supplements are quite cheaper starting at $8 for 100 tablets.  While they may help a little, there are much more important and better tested methods that should definitely be used, e.g., markedly reducing salt, adding vitamin D 800 IU/day, vitamin K 1 mg/day, exercise, calcium supplements for women only, magnesium, fruits, and vegetables.

Red Clover No Impact on Insulin-Like Growth Factor: In a 1-month DB PC crossover study of 25 women, red clover isoflavones had a mild a positive effect on HDL cholesterol, but at most a small effect on IGF status in premenopausal and no effect in postmenopausal subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2004 Jan;58(1):173-9

Resveratrol: See Grapes

Red Vine Leaf Extract: In a 71-adult DB PC crossover study of red vine leaf extract AS 195 360 mg/d for 6 weeks on cutaneous microvascular blood flow, transcutaneous oxygen pressure (tcpO2), and leg edema in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), those on AS 195 had increased microvascular blood flow values (+242 arbitrary units [AU] versus a decrease of –41 for placebo; p < 0.0001). Oxygen increased to 1.35 mm Hg vs. -7.27 for placebo; p < 0.0001). Leg circumference was decreased (ankle level: by -0.39 vs. +0.29; p < 0.0001; calf level: by -0.54 vs. +0.14; p < 0.0001). Improvement of cutaneous microcirculation and oxygen supply in patients with chronic venous insufficiency by orally administered extract of red vine leaves AS 195: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Kalus U, Koscielny J, Grigorov A, Schaefer E, Peil H, Kiesewetter H. Berlin, Germany. Drugs R D. 2004;5(2):63-71 

Menopause: Red Clover Isoflavones No Clinically Significant Benefit: In an excellent 3-medical school, large 252-women DB PC 12-week study of two brands of red clover isoflavone extracts containing 82 mg and 57 mg of isoflavones, the reductions in mean daily hot flash count at 12 weeks were virtually identical for the Promensil (5.1), Rimostil (5.4), and placebo (5.0) groups. The Promensil group had an initial decrease in hot flashed slightly faster than the placebo but while the difference was statistically significant, it was not large enough to be clinically significant. UCSF. Phytoestrogen supplements for the treatment of hot flashes: the Isoflavone Clover Extract (ICE) Study: a randomized controlled trial. Tice JA, Ettinger B, Ensrud K, Wallace R, Blackwell T, Cummings SR. JAMA. 2003 Jul 9;290(2):207-14. Ed: This is the largest and best trial ever. Two earlier trials found red clover of no value for hot flashes (Ann Intern Med. 2002 Nov 19;137(10):805-13). Only one very small Dutch study appeared to find some benefit (Maturitas. 2002 Jul 25;42(3):187-93). Unfortunately, the naturopathic community continues to push red clover for menopausal although the evidence is clear that it is of very little value.

Red Yeast Rice Lowers Cholesterol in DB: A UCLA PC DB study of 83 patients with high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) were treated for eight weeks. The red yeast rice decreased total cholesterol by 18% as well as bad LDL cholesterol without affecting good HDL cholesterol. Red yeast rice is a Chinese medicine that contains a statin chemical that lowers cholesterol in the same way as the much more expensive statin medications. Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement. Heber D, Yip I, Ashley JM, Elashoff DA, Elashoff RM, Go VL. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Feb;69(2):231-6. Ed: Red yeast rice is apparently taken as two 600 mg capsules twice day.  The capsules can be bought for 7 cents a capsule or 28 cents a day or $8.40 a month vs. over $100 per month for statin medications. The active ingredient in red yeast rice is called cholestin. Red yeast rice is made by fermenting the fungal strain Monascus purpureus Went on moist and sterile rice. It has HMG-CoA reductase inhibiting activity, the same as the statin family of medication.  Policosanol is another herbal treatment which has been better researched, equally or less expensive, and in some studies found superior to the statin medications.

Rosemary Extract Anti-oxidant: In study of meatball in freezer, rosemary extract slowed oxidation of lipids and appearance of rancidity and maintained taste and appearance. Nahrung 2000 Feb;44(1):38-41

Rosemary Promoted as Cure-All: Traditionally used as an antispasmodic in renal colic and dysmenorrhoea, in relieving respiratory disorders and to stimulate growth of hair. Extract of rosemary relaxes smooth muscles of trachea and intestine, and has choleretic, hepatoprotective and antitumerogenic activity. The most important constituents of rosemary are caffeic acid and its derivatives such as rosmarinic acid. antioxidant effect. It increases the production of prostaglandin E2 and reduces the production of leukotriene B4 in human polymorphonuclear leucocytes, and inhibits the complement system. It is concluded that rosemary and its constituents especially caffeic acid derivatives such as rosmarinic acid have a therapeutic potential in treatment or prevention of bronchial asthma, spasmogenic disorders, peptic ulcer, inflammatory diseases, hepatotoxicity, atherosclerosis, ischaemic heart disease, cataract, cancer and poor sperm motility. Libya. Indian J Exp Biol 1999 Feb;37(2):124-30. Rosmarinic acid is a phenolic compound widely distributed in Labiatae herbs such as rosemary, sweet basil, and perilla, which are frequently used with meat and fish dishes in Western and Asian countries.

Rosmaric Acid Enriched Perilla Helps Allergic Rhinitis: In a DB study of extract of Perilla frutescens enriched for rosmarinic acid (50 or 200 mg), no adverse events and no significant abnormalities were detected in routine blood tests. Extract of Perilla frutescens enriched for rosmarinic acid can be an effective intervention for mild Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis at least partly through inhibition of PMNL infiltration into the nostrils. Use of this alternative treatment for SAR might reduce treatment costs for allergic diseases. Tokyo. Extract of Perilla frutescens Enriched for Rosmarinic Acid, a Polyphenolic Phytochemical, Inhibits Seasonal Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis in Humans. Takano H, et al. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2004 Mar;229(3):247-54

Sage and Salvia: Click Here.

Saw Palmetto Inhibits Alpha1-Adreno receptors: Inhibits tamsulosin binding to human prostatic adreno-receptors and prasozin binding to human alpha1A and 1B adrenoreceptors. Univ Essen, Prostate 2/99;38:208

Herbal Meds, Shark Cartilage Popular for Cancer Pts: 143 cancer patients surveyed and 37% buying herbs (40%), vitamins(32%), minerals(6%), other including shark cartilage (10%)J Palliat Care Winter ‘98. Health foods stores most popular location and health store staff #1 guide. Shark Cartilage has anti-angiogenic factor that is being researched. Has anti-oxidant properties.

SAMe Helps Alcohol Cirrhosis: double-blind trial was performed in 123 patients treated with AdoMet (1200 mg/day, orally) or placebo for 2 years. All patients had alcoholic cirrhosis. Placebo had 30% death or transplant vs 16%. J Hepatol 1999 Jun;30(6):1081-9

SAMe Helps Fibromyalgia: 800 mg orally administered s-adenosylmethionine daily versus placebo for six weeks was investigated in 44 patients with primary fibromyalgia in double-blind settings. Tender point score, isokinetic muscle strength, disease activity, subjective symptoms (visual analog scale), mood parameters and side effects were evaluated. Improvements were seen for clinical disease activity (P = 0.04), pain experienced during the last week (P = 0.002), fatigue (P = 0.02), morning stiffness (P = 0.03) and mood evaluated by Face Scale (P = 0.006) in the actively treated group compared to placebo. The tender point score, isokinetic muscle strength, mood evaluated by Beck Depression Inventory and side effects did not differ in the two treatment groups. Scand J Rheumatol 1991;20(4):294-302. May help osteoarthritis. Helps depression—see under depression.

Sea Cucumber Toothpaste Helped Chronic Gingivitis and Periodontitis: A DB PC study of Gamadent toothpaste by Univ of Malaya for 3 months found steady improvement with significant advantages in Plaque Index, Gingival Index, Papilla Bleeding Index and Probing Pocket Depth (p<.001). Efficacy of 'Gamadent' toothpaste on the healing of gingival tissues: a preliminary report. Taiyeb-Ali TB, Zainuddin SL, Swaminathan D, Yaacob H. J Oral Sci. 2003 Sep;45(3):153-9; Sea Cucumber toothpaste is apparently not yet for sale. Sea cucumber capsules are available through vitamin companies, but there is very little animal research and no human research on PubMed as of 1/3/04. Sea cucumber is a bottom dwelling marine echinoderm animal herbivore used in oriental cooking. It has been used some in oriental medicine. It contains chondroitin and omega-3 fatty acid like fish oil so is used for arthritis. It is suffering for overfishing in some areas. 

Shark Cartilage Not Help Mice: Mice injected with cancer and injected with shark cartilage concentrate up to 100 mg/day and no ill or beneficial effects from shark cartilage. Horsman, Denmark, Acta Oncol ‘98;37:441

Shark Cartilage No Help in Advanced Cancer: A phase I/II DB PC study 60 pt found no benefit in a variety of cancers from 1g/d for up to 12 weeks. DR Miller J Clin Oncol ’98;1:3649. Only human study, DB or otherwise, on PubMed 3/3/99

Shark Cartilage: No Benefit in Advanced Cancer: In a DB PC study of 83 patients with incurable breast or colorectal carcinoma and good performance status and organ function, patients were all to receive standard care and then to be randomly selected to receive either a shark cartilage product or an identical-appearing and smelling placebo 3 to 4 times each day. There was no difference in overall survival between patients receiving standard care plus a shark cartilage product versus standard care plus placebo. Evaluation of shark cartilage in patients with advanced cancer. Loprinzi CL, Levitt R, et al. Mayo Clinic. Cancer. 2005 May 23

Dietary Supplement Use, Shark Cartilage Very Common in CA: 435 women with breast CA found 80% using dietary supplements, Vitamin C, n-3 fatty acids, evening primrose oil, shark cartilage. UC, San Diego, J Am Diet Assoc 3/98

Silicon Promoted For Joints & Heart: Jarrow Inc promotes orthosilicic acid in 2001 as the "ultimate silicon" which it says is "necessary to ensure healthy bones, joints, hair, mails, and connective tissue. It mentions "studies at UCLA" and elsewhere but the references are mostly very old and none refer to are studies showing benefit but only that silicon levels in the blood and cartilage can be increased by oral orthosilicic acid in cows and horses. Search on PubMed found only five references to orthosilicic acid and many references suggesting silica or silicon can trigger autoimmune arthritis!

Skullcap: Chinese used roots and western used upper. S-E giddy, confusion, sedation, seizures, possible hepatotoxic. Used as sedative and anti-convulsant. Wong. No evidence of benefit.

Slippery Elm: While this is added to many remedies for sore throats, there was no published research on PubMed as of 11/30/05.

Soy and Melatonin No Benefit for Menopause in DB: In a 3-month DB PC study of 262 menopausal women, women received placebo or soy isoflavones 80 mg. or melatonin 3 mg/day. Neither supplement did any better than the placebo. Soy isoflavones and melatonin for the relief of climacteric symptoms: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized study. Secreto G, Chiechi LM, et al. Maturitas. 2004 Jan 20;47(1):11-20. Ed: This was a large study and thus more likely to detect any benefit.

Stinging Nettle Helped Arthritis: Once a day for 7 day application of stinging nettle leaf to osteoarthritic, painful thumbs or index fingers at base helped vs. placebo. Randall, U Plymouth, J R Soc Med 2000 Jun;93(6):305-9

Stinging Nettle Root May Help Prostate: Methanolic extract of root effective in vitro and in vivo model against proliferation of human prostate epithelium. Planta Med 2000 Feb;66(1):44-7

Stinging Nettle Used for Rheum Arth: Stinging nettle leaf extracts are registered in Germany for adjuvant therapy of rheumatic diseases. In a whole blood culture system the nettle extract IDS 23 (Rheuma-Hek) inhibited lipopolysaccharide stimulated monocyte cytokine expression, indicating an immunomodulating effect. Stinging nettle leaf extracts are registered in Germany for adjuvant therapy of rheumatic diseases. In a whole blood culture system the nettle extract IDS 23 (Rheuma-Hek) inhibited lipopolysaccharide stimulated monocyte cytokine expression, indicating an immunomodulating effect. J Rheumatol 1999 Dec;26(12):2517-22. Eighteen self-selected patients using the nettle sting of Urtica dioica were interviewed. Information regarding patients' use of nettle therapy was elicited, in particular mode of application, dosage and effects. All except one respondent were sure that nettles had been very helpful and several considered themselves cured. No observed side effects were reported, except a transient urticarial rash. Complement Ther Med 1999 Sep;7(3):126-31

Stinging Nettle Used for BPH: Phytotherapeutic preparations are still commonly used for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in Germany; in recent years there has even been an increase in their use, so that sales now amount to more than DM 220 millions per year. The preparations most frequently used are extracts of Hypoxis rooperi, the roots of the stinging nettle, the fruits of the saw palmetto, pumpkin seeds and rye pollen. Urologe A 1995 Mar;34(2):119-29

Thyme and Thyme Oil Potent Anti-Oxidants: Thyme Oil Helped Burns, Repels Mosquitos, Inhibits H. Pylori: Study of mice brains found significant declines in superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) and glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9) activities and the total antioxidant status in the untreated rats with age, while thyme-oil- and thymol-fed rats maintained significantly higher antioxidant enzyme activities and total antioxidant status. Br J Nutr 2000 Jan;83(1):87-93. Results demonstrate that there is more than a 1000-fold difference among antioxidant concentrations of various herbs. Of the dried culinary herbs tested, oregano, sage, peppermint, garden thyme, lemon balm, clove, allspice and cinnamon all contained very high concentrations of antioxidants (i.e., >75 mmol/100 g). J Nutr 2003 May;133(5):1286-90. Thyme oil repels mosquitos and is a preservative against fungal and bacterial spoilage. Thyme oil helped burn wound healing in one rat study better than sulfadine. Thyme and cinnamon inhibited H. pylori in vitro. J Appl Bacteriol 1996 Jun;80(6):667-72.

Potentilla Tormentilla Helps Kids Rotavirus Diarrhea: Aug. 22, 2003 Long used in European folk medicine to manage diarrhea, also reduces the amount of fluid loss associated with the condition, say Maria D. Subbotina, St. Petersburg, Russia. 40 children ranging in age from three months to seven years with rotavirus diarrhea.DB PC. All patients received three drops of tormentil root extract or placebo per year of life, three times daily until discontinuation of diarrhea, or a maximum of five days. In the tormentil root extract treatment group, diarrhea lasted three days compared with five days in the control group (P < .0001). Eight (40%) of 20 children in the treatment group were diarrhea-free 48 hours after admission to the hospital compared with 1 (5%) of 20 children in the control group (P < .0001).. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2003;22:706-710.

Tiratricol: In some weight loss formulas.  FDA warned in 2000 that this thyroid hormone can cause stroke and heart attacks. Nutrition Action recommends to totally avoid it.

Tribulus Terrestris: From plant root. Promoted against genetic damage. Sheep stagger from eating plant. Used in Ayurvedic medicine. Bhakri is name of indian food from plant. Claimed to be an ideal medicine for angina. Study claims remission of angina in 82% vs 67% in some control group treated with another. Highly questionable and extremely optimistic study by Wang, Jilin Med, Chung His I ChiehHo Tsa Chih 2/90;10:85. Very little animal research and no other human research on PubMed 3/3/99

L-Tyrosine: No Benefit Depression in DB: 65 MDD 4 week DB PC 100mg/kg/d vs imipramine 2.5 mg/kd/d. U Ariz. Tyrosine for depression: a double-blind trial. Gelenberg AJ, Wojcik JD, Falk WE, Baldessarini RJ, Zeisel SH, Schoenfeld D, Mok GS. J Affect Disord. 1990 Jun;19(2):125-32

L-Tyrosine: No Benefit Narcolepsy in DB: Lancet. 1989 Nov 4;2(8671):1067-9

L-Tyrosine: No Benefit Schiz in DB: See under schizophrenia

L-Tyrosine: No Benefit Cocaine Addiction in DB: 6 mo 9g/d. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 1990;16(3-4):275-86.

L-Tyrosine Promoted by Depression: Despite an apparent complete absence of any benefit for treating any psychiatric disease, l-tyrosine is promoted and sold by several in the herbal medicine movement for treating depression. E.g. Life Extension at lef.org; Cardiovascular Research (sells N-acetyl-L-tyrosine to take with biopterin and pyridoxal-5-phosphate for depression: Dr Priscilla Slagle="The Way Up From Down" free on thewayup.com)

Usnic Acid: Found in lichen. Used in a few herb mixtures. Causes serious liver toxicity and should be totally avoided.

Valerian: Neither Valerian Nor Kava Helped Anxiety or Insomnia in Large Internet Study: It had to happen.  In the first internet-based, 4-week DB PC study of 391 adults with anxiety disorders from all across the U.S., neither those assigned to kava nor valerian did any better than placebo on tests for anxiety and insomnia. An internet-based randomized, placebo-controlled trial of kava and valerian for anxiety and insomnia. Jacobs BP, et al. University of California-San Francisco. Medicine (Baltimore). 2005 Jul;84(4):197-207

Valerian As Good as a Benzodiazepine in Large DB Study: In a 6-week, 202-patient DB study comparing 600 mg/die valerian extract (Sedonium) or 10 mg/day oxazepam, valerian was at least as effective as oxazepam with markedly increased sleep quality compared with baseline (p <0.01) including feeling of refreshment after sleep, psychic stability in the evening, psychic exhaustion in the evening, psychosomatic symptoms in the sleep phase, dream recall, and duration of sleep confirmed similar effects of both treatments. Most patients assessed their respective treatment as very good (83% for valerian, 73% for oxazepam). Efficacy and tolerability of valerian extract LI 156 compared with oxazepam in the treatment of non-organic insomnia--a randomized, double-blind, comparative clinical study. Ziegler G, Ploch M, Miettinen-Baumann A, Collet W. Stuttgart, Germany. Eur J Med Res. 2002 Nov 25;7(11):480-6

Valerian Mild Benefit in DBs for Sleep: GABA affinity. Mild sedative. Reported anxiolytic. 2-3g root TID or HS. Wong. JAMA 11/11/98 280:1566-7 report on cardiac diff and delirium fr valerian root withdrawal. Als delayed effects assoc with OD. DB benzodiaz vs valarian-hops combo both equal for sleep for 2 weeks tho benzo caused withdrawal and pts had improved during rx on both and deteriorated after d/c on both. Schmitz, Wien, Wien Med Wochenschr ’98;148:291; Five other very small earlier DB in German areas or Sweden. Two found no impact on sleep, one of which didn’t find a benzo to hav impact either. Used since times of ancient Greeks and in U.S. til 1950’s when replaced by benzodiazepines. From root. Far less sedating than benzodiazepines in 1993 German mouse study. 150-300mg am and 300-500 hs recommended by Kathryn Connor. U. Gerhard’s 1996 German study DB 60 pts valerian vs flurazepam or placebo found valerian equally effective with flurazepam and only 10% vs 50% of flurazepam with side-effects.

Valerian Helps Sleep as Well as Benzodiazepine: DB 75 patient, 28 day study of individuals with chronic insomnia showed clear improvement in both oxazepam and valerian 600 mg 30 min before bedtime groups. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd 2000 Apr;7(2):79-84. No negative impact on reaction time, alertness, or concentration vs placebo after 14 days. Pharmacopsychiatry 1999 Nov;32(6):235-41

Valerian Equals Benzo without Withdrawal: DB study found both helped chronic insomnia with deterioration with both when stopped, but withdrawal reaction only with benzo. Wien Med Wochenschr 1998;148(13):291-8

Valeriana > Salvia Miltiorrhiza for Angina: Valeriana officinalis var latifolia VOL was superior to SMCo on matter in the remission of symptoms, decreasing the attack frequency and shortening the duration of angina, or in restoring the blood supply to ischemic myocardium. In addition, it was discovered that VOL could lower plasma lipids as well. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1994 Sep;14(9):540-2.

Willow Bark as Good as Rofecoxib in Imperfect Study: In an open but randomized German study in which patients were allowed to take whatever additional medication they wished, 114 patients were treated with rofecoxib (Vioxx) 12.5mg/d or 240 mg/d willow bark extract salicin.  Both groups had an improvement in rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment of low back pain with a herbal or synthetic anti-rheumatic: a randomized controlled study. Willow bark extract for low back pain. S. Chrubasik, O. Künzel, A. Model, C. Conradt, A. Black. Rheumatology 2001; 40: 1388-1393. (Ed: Willow bark is the source of the parent compound of aspirin, salicylic acid. While the author promotes willow bark extract as 40% less expensive than Vioxx, it is still much more expensive than ibuprofen or naprosyn with no side-effect advantage.)

Wood Creosote as Good as Loperamide (Lomotil) for Diarrhea: Seirogan, an herbal medication containing wood creosote, a mixture of simple phenolic (single-ring) compounds, has been marketed in Asia for the past century for diarrhea. In a 123-patient DB PC study at 12 centers in the United States and Mexico, adults with acute diarrhea received wood creosote 135 mg (up to 5 doses/d) or loperamide 4 mg (loading dose) followed by 2 mg (up to 8 mg/d) after each loose stool for up to 3 days. The time to the last unformed stool was similar between groups (creosote 24.and loperamide 22 hours) and total relief (31 vs.28.5 hours). The numbers of unformed stools on day 1 were 3.3 and 2.2 (P < 0.002). The percentages of patients with improved or resolved abdominal cramping at the end of day 1 were 92.5% and 78% (P < 0.038). Both medications were well tolerated. Multicenter, double-blind, randomized comparison of wood creosote, the principal active ingredient of Seirogan, an herbal antidiarrheal medication, and loperamide in adults with acute nonspecific diarrhea. Kuge T, Shibata T, Willett MS., Osaka, Japan. Clin Ther. 2004 Oct;26(10):1644-51 

Xuezhikang Chinese Medicine Reduced Heart Attacks and Death in Huge Study: In a 4-year DB PC study of 4870 heart attack victims, the incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction and deaths from CHD in patients taking Xuezhikang were 5.72% vs. 10.41% for placebo, with a reduction of relative risk by 45.1% (P = 0.0000). The incidence of deaths from CHD was 3.79% in the treatment group and 5.49% for placebo, with a reduction of relative risk by 31.0% (P < 0.0048); The incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction reduced by 60.8% (1.93% vs 4.92%, P < 0.0000); Stroke, tumor, and PCI/CABG also decreased by 31.1% (6.92% vs 10.04% P < 0.0004). There were no significant differences in side effects and abnormal laboratory references between the two groups. China coronary secondary prevention study (CCSPS). Lu ZL et al. Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. Zhonghua Xin Xue Guan Bing Za Zhi. 2005 Feb;33(2):109-15.

Yogurt Re-establishes Bacteria But No Impact on H. Pylori Eradication: supplements of Lactobacillus- and Bifidobacterium-containing yogurt (AB-Yogurt) affect the success of Helicobacter pylori eradication. 160 pt random assignment. eradication rates were similar for both groups (93.5% vs. 89%, P = N.S.). Only patients supplemented with AB-Yogurt showed restoration of the percentage of Bifidobacterium in the anaerobes of stools at the fifth week to the level in the stools. Taiwan, Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2002 Sep;16(9):1669-75

Yohimbine: Can cause anxiety, panic, seizures, mania, nervousness, and palpitations.

Thomas E. Radecki, M.D., J.D.

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