What Is Spikenard? Spikenard, also known as card, nardin and muskroot, is an essential oil derived from the rhizome (root) of Nardostachys jatamansi (N. jatamansi). N. jatamansi is a plant of the Valerian family and grows from the northern alpine to the sub alpine area of the Himalayan region, at high altitudes of 3,000 to… Continue reading
Pine bark extract must be the secret ingredient in the mythical elixir of life considering the fact that it is touted as an anti-infective, anti-cancer, anti-ageing, anti-hypertensive, anticoagulant, anti-diabetes, anti-erectile dysfunction, anti-allergy, anti-PMT, anti-endometriosis, anti-diabetic foot ulcer, pro-circulation, pro-analgesic, pro-stamina, and AHDH remedy (to name just a few). It supposedly brings us all the benefits… Continue reading
What is Hyperlipidemia? Hyperlipidemia is a key preventable risk factor for the number one cause of death and disability in the developed world – heart disease. Hyperlipidemia refers to high levels of lipids in the blood. Hyperlipidemia (also called dyslipidemia) can be asymptomatic (until you get really sick or it kills you) but can be diagnosed… Continue reading
Palo santo is recommended for a wide range of health issues including immune boosting, muscle and joint aches, allergies, headaches and as a bug repellant. And the list goes on (that is if you indiscriminately believe what you read on the internet). I hate to be difficult but palo santo is a tree so which… Continue reading
The use of shea butter as a beauty aid may date back as far as Cleopatra’s reign in ancient Egypt. Shea butter is also used for cooking, lighting, soap and craft making. It is sometimes used as a cocoa butter substitute in the chocolate industry (1). Prior to the 1980s, shea butter was positioned as… Continue reading
Living in today’s fast-paced society can mean our bowel motions slow down to a halt. Literally. We all know the effects of travel, stress and poor eating habits…. Constipation! Constipation, infrequent bowel movements or difficulty in passing stools, is a common and uncomfortable complaint. It is suspected to affect upwards of 15% of all Americans… Continue reading
Claim IVF treatment proven to increase risk of birth defects in children. Verdict Clinical studies do not support the claim that assisted reproductive technology has been proven to increase the risk of birth defects. Origin An article in Time Health Land entitled ‘IVF Linked to More Birth Defects’ interprets the findings of a seminal research… Continue reading
Claim CT scans increase your risk of cancer by 35%. Verdict There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that CT scans increase the risk of cancer. Origin CT or computerized tomography helps visualize internal body organs such as the brain, kidney, spleen, liver. CT uses ionizing radiation at a higher dose than standard… Continue reading
Claim Insulin injection more than doubles the risk of death in type 2 diabetes. Verdict Scientific studies do not support the claim that insulin injections increase the risk of death in people with diabetes. Origin Websites such as greenmedinfo.com claim that a clinical research study ‘clearly’ shows that insulin injections increase the risk of death… Continue reading
Claim Ginko Reduces Brain Damage From Stroke Verdict A Comprehensive Cochrane meta-analysis failed to show any quality evidence to support a role for Ginkgo bilboa in the management of acute ischemic stroke. Origin Ginkgo bilboa is believed to have a neuroprotective effect and is widely used in the management of acute ischemic stroke in China…. Continue reading
An increasing number of physical therapists (PTs), in the United States and throughout the world, are incorporating the dry needling (DN) technique to treat mainly musculoskeletal pain (MSP). So much so, the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), in their most recent DN resource paper (1), dated July 2013 (pp2), state that “The volume… Continue reading
Claim Breuss Total Cancer Treatment cured 45000 cancer patients. Verdict There is no independent scientific evidence to back up this claim and there are concerns about the safety of the diet. Origin Interest in the Breuss diet began with the publication of The Breuss Cancer Cure book in 1995 (1, 2). The Breuss cancer cure… Continue reading
Many of the big commercial fads today are related to the beauty industry. The beauty industry goes beyond cosmetics. It brings together all economic niches that offer consumers goods and services to look better. That goes from fashion to fitness, from food to cosmetic surgery, and much more. In an aging world, or in a… Continue reading
15 Second Summary While it may seem a natural and safe alternative, there is limited quality research on the effectiveness of apitherapy treatments, and there is the potential for associated adverse events. The scientific community is divided on the effectiveness of apitherapy, and although there is enthusiasm surrounding its potential medicinal uses, until there is… Continue reading