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Recent scientific research include:

A combination herbal drop (Lamigex) containing clove (Syzygium armoaticum), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and herb robert (Geranium robertianum) essential oils, was found to be as effective as ciprofloxacin 0.3% drops in the treatment of acute external otitis, in a randomised controlled trial of seventy patients (see abstract).

One hundred and twenty women, 18-44 years old, diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis were randomly assigned to receive garlic tablet (Garsin) or oral metronidazole for seven days. Therapeutic effects were similar for both garlic and metronidazole, but garlic tablets had fewer side effects (see full text).

A large randomised controlled trial of 194 women showed the addition of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) to clomiphene citrate for inducing ovulation with timed intercourse in women under 35 years old being treated for infertility and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) resulted in significantly higher pregnancy rates and improved cycle outcomes compared to clomiphene citrate induction alone (see abstract).

A randomised, placebo-controlled trial of 68 infertile men, with abnormal semen quality, reported that black cumin seed (Nigella sativa) oil (2.5 ml twice a day) taken for 2 months period resulted in a significant improvement in sperm count, motility and morphology, semen volume, pH and round cells, without any adverse effects (see abstract).

Over a 12-month period Saffron (Crocus sativa) extract (30 mg/day) was found to be comparable to memantine (20 mg/day) in reducing cognitive decline in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease in a medium-sized randomised controlled trial involving 68 patients (see abstract).

A pilot randomised controlled study of 83 outpatients with indwelling urinary catheters showed that Cistimev plus®, a tablet containing solidago, orthosiphon, birch and cranberry extracts, significantly reduced the rate of urine samples testing positive for microbial colonisation (including Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis), compared to no treatment (see abstract).

Topical application of Russian comfrey (Symphytum x uplandicum) cream, made from the aerial parts of the plant, was found to quickly relieve the pain associated with induced muscle soreness in healthy volunteers in a small randomised placebo-controlled trial. Uebelhack, R., Schaudt, M. and Schmidt, M. (2014). Comfrey herbal extract cream for pain relief in training-induced muscle pain – A randomized, placebo-controlled study. Journal für Pharmakologie und Therapie, 23(1):3-11 [in German] (see full text)