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herbal medicines

10/10/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Has the cure for MRSA been found? A traditional Côte d’Ivoire medicine shows great potential in treating the infection

An African medicinal plant might be a potential means of treating infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Researchers from Côte d’Ivoire studied the therapeutic potential of extracts from cherry mahogany (Tieghemella heckelii), a tree that grows in certain African countries like Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire. S. aureus is one of the bacteria commonly involved in […]

10/01/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Ginseng and red sage reduce arterial stiffening caused by exercise

Taiwanese researchers tested the ability of two Chinese medicinal herbs to delay the onset of vascular stiffening in muscles after excessive exercise. They reported that a week-long treatment using ginseng (Panax ginseng) and red sage (Salvia miltiorrhiza) were able to improve the symptoms of arterial stiffening. This study was conducted by the National Taiwan University. […]

09/28/2018 / By Edsel Cook

The therapeutic potential of cherry mahogany in treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Côte d’Ivoire researchers tested cherry mahogany (Tieghemella heckelii) for its antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). They reported that extracts from the stem bark of the African medicinal plant were able to inhibit the growth of different strains of the drug-resistant pathogenic microbe. The study was supported by the Institut Pasteur Côte d’Ivoire. Its findings were published in […]

09/19/2018 / By Edsel Cook

A natural chemical compound found in natto and cocoa beans found to alleviate airway inflammation

An animal study demonstrated the ability of ligustrazine to alleviate airway inflammation in mice with neutrophilic asthma. Found in cocoa beans and natto, the chemical compound outperformed a corticosteroid drug when it came to alleviating the inflammation caused by this type of asthma. The animal trial was supported by the Shandong University. Its findings were published in the Chinese Journal of […]

09/10/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) helps patients with multiple sclerosis maintain their cognitive function

Rehmannia (Radix rehmanniae) is a staple of traditional Chinese medicine. This medicinal herb contains many beneficial compounds such as catalpol, which can protect against brain diseases. A recent study showed that the catalpol extract from Rehmannia could preserve the cognitive capabilities of people afflicted with multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis inflames cerebral tissue, breaks down the […]

09/10/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Natural brain food: Rhubarb protects against severe damage caused by traumatic brain injury

Roll out all your recipes for rhubarb, because the herb is a powerful brain food packed with the protective compound rhein. A Chinese study reported that eating rhubarb can shield your brain against the side effects of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that are growing more common these days. Dubbed the “silent epidemic,” TBI is caused […]

09/08/2018 / By Edsel Cook

The Chinese ground orchid discovered to be a powerful antibiotic

Chinese researchers examined the antibiotic potential of phenanthrene, a fraction derived from the tuber of the Chinese ground orchid (Bletilla striata). They reported that phenanthrenes showed significant bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects on several pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The research was supported by the Zhejiang Chinese Medical University. The outcome was published in the […]

09/08/2018 / By Edsel Cook

An edible weed from Uganda shows promise in treating scalp ringworm

African cabbage (Cleome gynandra) is traditionally used by Ugandans to treat the fungal disease scalp ringworm (Tinera capitis). A study confirmed that extracts derived from the edible weed demonstrated potent anti-fungal activities that can neutralize different strains of disease-causing fungi. The experiment was conducted under the auspices of the Mbarara University of Science and Technology. […]

09/06/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Cucumbers suppress inflammation in vascular endothelial cells

An Italian study investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) on vascular endothelial cells that line the inner side of blood vessels. It concluded that cucumber-derived extracts could protect the endothelium’s vulnerable cells against the inflammation caused by lipopolysaccharides. The study was supported by the University of Bologna. Its findings were published in the […]

09/05/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Researchers say that this traditional Chinese herbal complex can promote hair growth

A herbal complex from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) might offer a safe and natural means of restoring the hair of people who suffer from spot baldness. In an animal study, Korean researchers showed that this complex could encourage bald mice to regenerate their lost hair. The Chinese herbal complex is made from the chameleon plant, […]

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