Blog

Recent scientific research include:

Clinical trials

Warts: Fifty patients with multiple common warts resistant to treatment were randomised to receive topical lipid garlic extract or saline (placebo) control. Treatments were applied to single warts or the largest wart in multiple cases, until the lesions had completely cleared or for a maximum of 4 weeks. Garlic extract was shown to have a significant therapeutic effect, with 96% of cases completely clearing and without recurrence (see abstract).

Diabetes: Frankincense or Olibanum gum resin (Boswellia spp.) was shown have anti-oxidant properties and to significantly reduce glycaemic (fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, Insulin) and lipid (total Cholesterol, Low-density lipids, Triglyceride) profiles without any adverse effects. Seventy one patients with type 2 diabetes and taking standard metformin treatment were randomised to receive Frankincense resin (400mg) or placebo capsules twice daily for 12 weeks: glycaemic, blood lipid and liver/kidney function tests were measured (see full text).

Diabetes: A randomised controlled trial of 56 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus evaluated the effect of standardised Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) leaf extract compared to green tea extract and placebo capsules on glycaemic control and psychological state. Ginkgo, but not green tea extract or placebo, was shown to significantly reduce perceived stress and improve the psychological aspect of quality of life: a trend toward improved glycaemic control was also found (see abstract).

Diabetes: In another, randomised controlled trial involving 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus Dill (Anethum graveolens) (3.3g/day for 8 weeks) was found to have beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles, significantly reducing insulin levels, total cholesterol and low-density lipo-density protein-cholesterol (see full text).

Male subfertility: Seventy men with low semen quality, but without azoospermia, were randomly assigned to receive tablets containing a standardised extract of Pomegranate fruit (Punica granatum) and freeze-dried rhizome of Greater galanga (Alpinia glanaga) or placebo once a day for 3 months. Following treatment, men taking pomegranate and galanga tablets showed significant increase (62%) in total number of motile spermatozoa compared to placebo (20%): no change in sperm morphology was observed (see full text).

Dysmenorrhea: In a randomised placebo controlled trial involving 80 female students with primary dysmenorrhea, Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) (30mg, every 4 hours, 3 days before menstruation until day 5) was shown to significantly reduce nausea, weakness and duration of menses, and significantly improve well-being (see abstract).

Evidence reviews

Dry eye syndrome: A systematic review of placebo controlled randomised controlled trials found omega-3 essential fatty acids offer an effective treatment for dry eye syndrome. The review identified seven independent studies, containing 790 participants. Five studies were included in a meta-analysis which showed that omega-3 essential fatty acids were found to greatly increase tear break-up time and significantly improve Schirmer’s test (see full text).