Massage therapy has a long history in cultures around the world. Today, people use many different types of massage therapy for a variety of health-related purposes. In the United States, massage therapy is often considered part of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), although it does have some conventional uses. This fact sheet provides a general overview of massage therapy and suggests sources for additional information.

Key Points

• Scientific evidence on massage therapy is limited. Scientists are not yet certain what changes occur in the body during massage, whether they influence health, and, if so, how. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is sponsoring studies to answer these questions and identify the purposes for which massage may be most helpful.
• Massage therapy appears to have few serious risks if it is used appropriately and provided by a trained massage professional.
• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb hoodia—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Hoodia is a flowering, cactus-like plant native to the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa. Its harvest is protected by conservation laws.

How Hoodia Is Used

• Dried extracts of hoodia stems and roots are used to make capsules, powders, and chewable tablets. Hoodia can also be used in liquid extracts and teas.
• Hoodia products often contain other herbs or minerals, such as green tea or chromium picolinate.

This fact sheet provides basic information about hawthorn—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Hawthorn is a spiny, flowering shrub or small tree of the rose family. The species of hawthorn discussed here are native to northern European regions and grow throughout the world.

What Hawthorn Is Used For

• Hawthorn fruit has been used for heart disease since the first century. It has also been used for digestive and kidney problems.
• More recently, hawthorn leaf and flower have been used for heart failure, a weakness of the heart muscle that prevents the heart from pumping enough blood to the rest of the body, which can lead to fatigue and limit physical activities.
• Hawthorn is also used for other heart conditions, including symptoms of coronary artery disease (such as angina).

Studies of the safety, effectiveness, and biological action of botanical products are major focuses for the five dietary supplement research centers selected to be jointly funded by the Office of Dietary Supplements and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, two components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH's National Cancer Institute is co-supporting two of the five centers.

Throughout the year-long strategic planning process, NCCAM is seeking input from its stakeholders through many different channels, including both in-person and Web-based meetings and workshops and through other online vehicles. We particularly encourage input from the public and will be offering several opportunities for people to contribute their thoughts and feedback.

The draft Strategic Plan has be posted for comment. Comments will be accepted between August 30 and September 30, 2010.

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound in the body made from amino acids that supplies energy to muscles. Creatine is also found in meat and fish. The use of creatine supplements by athletes became popular in the 1990s as a way to reportedly enhance athletic performance and build lean muscle mass. Today, creatine remains one of the more widely used supplements by athletes, particularly among adolescents.

Recently, there have been reports of contaminated creatine supplements. Side effects of creatine and interactions with other medications also have been reported. People who are using or are considering using dietary supplements, including creatine, should discuss this decision with their health care provider.

A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) showed a positive outcome for tai chi in the management of the troubling symptoms of fibromyalgia—a condition with which many patients struggle and for which conventional medicine has little to offer. That is why this study is so provocative—can a CAM modality really affect this condition?

Tai chi is one CAM practice that clearly illustrates the challenge of conducting clinical research in CAM. As an accompanying editorial in NEJM notes, it is a complex intervention involving multiple components: exercise, breathing, meditation, relaxation, and a practitioner. How do you control for all of these variables when designing a study? Some CAM proponents will say that it is the combination that makes the intervention work; many conventional researchers will say you must isolate the components to identify the active "ingredient." Critics will say it all just the placebo effect—you expect the intervention to work, and so it does.

FDA notified healthcare professionals, their patients, and consumers not to consume Vita Breath, a dietary supplement manufactured by American Herbal Lab and marketed at health fairs and on the Internet, because the product may contain hazardous levels of lead. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene analyzed a sample of Vita Breath and reported it contained 1,100 parts per million of lead. This level is more than 10,000 times higher than FDAs maximum recommended level for lead in candy.

People with fibromyalgia may benefit from practicing tai chi, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by muscle pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. People with fibromyalgia have chronic widespread pain, as well as "tender points" on areas of the body, which hurt when slight pressure is applied. Although exercise appears to be an important part of fibromyalgia treatment, many people with fibromyalgia need medication to control symptoms and are unable to maintain muscle strength, flexibility, and overall fitness.

Lab analysis has found Prolatis' to contain Sulfoaildenafil, an analogue of Sildenafil, an FDA-approved drug used as treatment for male Erectile Dysfunction (ED), making Prolatis' an unapproved drug. The active drug ingredient is not listed on the product label. The analogue may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates. ED is a common problem in men with these conditions, and consumers may seek these types of products to enhance sexual performance

At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a U.S. district court has ordered the marketers of acai berry supplements, "colon cleansers," and other products to temporarily halt an Internet sales scheme that allegedly scammed consumers out of $30 million or more in 2009 alone through deceptive advertising and unfair billing practices. The FTC will seek a permanent prohibition. Since 2007, victimized consumers have flooded law enforcement agencies and the Better Business Bureau with more than 2,800 complaints about the company.

Novacare LLC announced today that it is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall of products sold under the following names: Stiff Nights, Aziffa, Size Matters, Erex, Mojo, Hard Drive, Eyeful, Red Magic, Straight Up, Zotrex, Monster Excyte, WOW, Xaitrex, Verect, Prolatis', Xytamax, Maxyte, Libidinal, OMG, OMG45, and Zilex (with Golden Spear).

This fact sheet provides basic information about green tea—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. All types of tea (green, black, and oolong) are produced from the Camellia sinensis plant using different methods. Fresh leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant are steamed to produce green tea.

What Green Tea Is Used For

• Green tea and green tea extracts, such as its component EGCG, have been used to prevent and treat a variety of cancers, including breast, stomach, and skin cancers.
• Green tea and green tea extracts have also been used for improving mental alertness, aiding in weight loss, lowering cholesterol levels, and protecting skin from sun damage.

This fact sheet provides basic information about grape seed extract—uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. The grape seeds used to produce grape seed extract are generally obtained from wine manufacturers. The leaves and fruit of the grape have been used medicinally since ancient Greece.

What Grape Seed Extract Is Used For

• Grape seed extract is used for conditions related to the heart and blood vessels, such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and poor circulation.
• Other reasons for the use of grape seed extract include complications related to diabetes, such as nerve and eye damage; vision problems, such as macular degeneration (which can cause blindness); and swelling after an injury or surgery.
• Grape seed extract is also used for cancer prevention and wound healing.

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb goldenseal—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Goldenseal is a plant that grows wild in parts of the United States but has become endangered by overharvesting. With natural supplies dwindling, goldenseal is now grown commercially across the United States, especially in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

What Goldenseal Is Used For

• Historically, Native Americans have used goldenseal for various health conditions such as skin diseases, ulcers, and gonorrhea.
• Now, goldenseal is used for colds and other respiratory tract infections, infectious diarrhea, eye infections, and vaginitis (inflammation or infection of the vagina). It is occasionally used to treat cancer.
• It is also applied to wounds and canker sores, and is used as a mouthwash for sore gums, mouth, and throat.

As a Health Scientist Administrator with the NIH you will serve as a Program Officer with responsibility for providing scientific leadership and guidance in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of biomedical, behavioral health, or health-related research.  In this role you will:

• Identify and formulate program needs to achieve an integrated and responsive effort in the assigned program area.
• Provide leadership and scientific expertise in the planning and implementation of IC-supported studies or other activities.
• Formulate and present new basic, translational, and clinical research concepts, projects, and initiatives to appropriate advisory groups and formulate and develop Funding Opportunity Announcements to achieve objectives.
• Perform scientific and administrative reviews and analyses of applications/proposals from a programmatic viewpoint.
• Consult with and advise grantees/contractors during preparation of applications/proposals and provide guidance on program issues.
• Develop, coordinate, and administer grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts established to fulfill the mission of the Branch and Division.
• Organize and conduct workshops, conferences, symposia, or similar activities.  Visit universities, research institutions, commercial organizations, other government agencies, and public and private organizations to promote and explain the objectives of the program.

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb ginkgo—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. The ginkgo tree is one of the oldest types of trees in the world. Ginkgo seeds have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, and cooked seeds are occasionally eaten.

What Ginkgo Biloba Is Used For

• Ginkgo leaf extract has been used to treat a variety of ailments and conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, fatigue, and tinnitus (ringing or roaring sounds in the ears).
• Today, people use ginkgo leaf extracts hoping to improve memory; to treat or help prevent Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia; to decrease intermittent claudication (leg pain caused by narrowing arteries); and to treat sexual dysfunction, multiple sclerosis, tinnitus, and other health conditions.

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb ginger—uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Ginger is a tropical plant that has green-purple flowers and an aromatic underground stem (called a rhizome). It is commonly used for cooking and medicinal purposes.

What Ginger Is Used For

• Ginger is used in Asian medicine to treat stomach aches, nausea, and diarrhea.
• Many digestive, antinausea, and cold and flu dietary supplements sold in the United States contain ginger extract as an ingredient.
• Ginger is used to alleviate postsurgery nausea as well as nausea caused by motion, chemotherapy, and pregnancy.
• Ginger has been used for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and joint and muscle pain.

As many as one in five Americans have symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Many people with IBS turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to help relieve their symptoms. This fact sheet provides basic information on IBS and "what the science says" about CAM practices that many people with IBS use. If you are considering a CAM therapy for IBS, this information can help you talk to your health care provider about it.

This fact sheet provides basic information about garlic—uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Garlic is the edible bulb from a plant in the lily family. It has been used as both a medicine and a spice for thousands of years.

What Garlic Is Used For

• Garlic's most common uses as a dietary supplement are for high cholesterol, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
• Garlic is also used to prevent certain types of cancer, including stomach and colon cancers.

This fact sheet provides basic information about flaxseed and flaxseed oil—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Flaxseed is the seed of the flax plant, which is believed to have originated in Egypt. It grows throughout Canada and the northwestern United States. Flaxseed oil comes from flaxseeds.

What Flaxseed Is Used For

• Flaxseed is most commonly used as a laxative.
• Flaxseed is also used for hot flashes and breast pain.
• Flaxseed oil is used for different conditions than flaxseed, including arthritis.
• Both flaxseed and flaxseed oil have been used for high cholesterol levels and in an effort to prevent cancer.

• Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS): Product As Consumed Produces a Potent Bleach (FDA; 07/30/2010)
• Nutraloid Lab Recalls Ejaculoid XXTREME and Stimuloid II
  (FDA; 07/30/2010)
• Que She Herbal Supplement Sold for Weight Loss: Undeclared Drug Ingredients (FDA; 07/08/2010)

Recently, I was very disappointed to read an inaccurate news story that appeared in a respected consumer health publication (Prevention Magazine) and was picked up by the major news outlet MSNBC. The article stated that NCCAM and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) had endorsed "9 Natural Cures You Can Trust." This is not the first time—and will probably not be the last time—that such a misrepresentation of the facts has been disseminated, but I'd like to set the record straight.

Simply put, the article does not accurately portray the state of the science nor the perspective of NIH. First, it significantly overstates the strength of the evidence available, which in most cases is derived from small preliminary studies. While interesting, these data cannot be viewed as a sufficient basis for unequivocal government recommendations, much less use of the word "cure." Second, neither NCCAM, NIH, nor I endorse the use of these complementary and alternative medicine practices, products, or therapies.

The NCCAM Integrative Medicine Research Lecture Series provides overviews of the current state of research and practice involving complementary and alternative medicine practices and approaches, and explores perspectives on the emerging discipline of integrative medicine.

Date: August 9, 2010
Speaker: Claudia Witt, M.D., Professor for Complementary Medicine and Vice Director at the Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics Charite University Medical Center in Berlin, Germany
Topic: The acupuncture trials from Germany: What do they tell us about efficacy, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and safety?

People with cancer want to do everything they can to combat the disease, manage its symptoms, and cope with the side effects of treatment. Many turn to practices known collectively as CAM (complementary and alternative medicine)—for example, botanical (herbal) and other dietary supplements, acupuncture, massage, and yoga.

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb feverfew—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Originally a plant native to the Balkan mountains of Eastern Europe, feverfew—a short bush with daisy-like flowers—now grows throughout Europe, North America, and South America.

What Feverfew Is Used For

• Feverfew has been used for centuries for fevers, headaches, stomach aches, toothaches, insect bites, infertility, and problems with menstruation and with labor during childbirth.
• Recently, feverfew has been used for migraine headaches and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Feverfew has also been used for psoriasis, allergies, asthma, tinnitus (ringing or roaring sounds in the ears), dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb fenugreek—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. The first recorded use of fenugreek is described on an ancient Egyptian papyrus dated to 1500 B.C. Fenugreek seed is commonly used in cooking.

What Fenugreek Is Used For

• Historically, fenugreek was used for a variety of health conditions, including menopausal symptoms and digestive problems. It was also used for inducing childbirth.
• Today, it is used for diabetes and loss of appetite, and to stimulate milk production in breastfeeding women. It is also applied to the skin to treat inflammation.

This fact sheet provides basic information about evening primrose oil—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Evening primrose is a plant native to North America, but it grows in Europe and parts of the Southern hemisphere as well. It has yellow flowers that bloom in the evening. Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid. Essential fatty acids are required by the body for growth and development, and must be obtained from the diet.

What Evening Primrose Oil Is Used For

• Evening primrose oil has been used since the 1930s for eczema (a condition in which the skin becomes inflamed, itchy, or scaly because of allergies or other irritation).
• More recently it has been used for other conditions involving inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
• Evening primrose oil is used for conditions affecting women's health, such as breast pain associated with the menstrual cycle, menopausal symptoms, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
• Other conditions for which evening primrose oil is used include cancer and diabetes.

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb European mistletoe—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. European mistletoe is a semiparasitic plant that grows on several types of trees in temperate regions worldwide. Where the term "mistletoe" is used in this fact sheet, it refers to European mistletoe. (European mistletoe is different from American mistletoe, which is used as a holiday decoration.)

What Mistletoe Is Used For

• Mistletoe has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat seizures, headaches, and other conditions.
• Mistletoe is used mainly in Europe as a treatment for cancer.

This fact sheet provides basic information about European elder—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. European elder is a tree native to Europe and parts of Asia and Africa, and it also grows in the United States. There are several different types of elder, such as American elder, but European elder is the type most often used as a supplement.

What Elderberry Is Used For

• Parts of the elder tree—such as the berries and flowers—have long been used for pain, swelling, infections, coughs, and skin conditions.
• Today, elderberry and elder flower are used for flu, colds, fevers, constipation, and sinus infections.

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb ephedra—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Ephedra is an evergreen shrub-like plant native to Central Asia and Mongolia. The principal active ingredient, ephedrine, is a compound that can powerfully stimulate the nervous system and heart.

What Ephedra Is Used For

• Ephedra has been used for more than 5,000 years in China and India to treat conditions such as colds, fever, flu, headaches, asthma, wheezing, and nasal congestion.
• It has also been an ingredient in many dietary supplements used for weight loss, increased energy, and enhanced athletic performance.

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb echinacea—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. There are nine known species of echinacea, all of which are native to the United States and southern Canada. The most commonly used, Echinacea purpurea, is believed to be the most potent.

What Echinacea Is Used For

• Echinacea has traditionally been used to treat or prevent colds, flu, and other infections.
• Echinacea is believed to stimulate the immune system to help fight infections.
• Less commonly, echinacea has been used for wounds and skin problems, such as acne or boils.

This fact sheet provides basic information about dandelion—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Dandelion greens are edible and are a rich source of vitamin A. Dandelion has been used in many traditional medical systems, including Native American and traditional Arabic medicine.

What Dandelion Is Used For

• Historically, dandelion was most commonly used to treat liver diseases, kidney diseases, and spleen problems. Less commonly, dandelion was used to treat digestive problems and skin conditions.
• Today, dandelion is used by some as a liver or kidney "tonic," as a diuretic, and for minor digestive problems.

This fact sheet provides basic information about cranberry—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Cranberries are the fruit of a native plant of North America. These red berries are used in foods and in herbal products.

What Cranberry Is Used For

• Historically, cranberry fruits and leaves were used for a variety of problems, such as wounds, urinary disorders, diarrhea, diabetes, stomach ailments, and liver problems.
• Recently, cranberry products have been used in the hope of preventing or treating urinary tract infections or Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) infections that can lead to stomach ulcers, or to prevent dental plaque. Cranberry has also been reported to have antioxidant and anticancer activity.

The undeclared ingredient may pose a threat to the consumer because the interaction of the analogue with some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take other prescription drugs.

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb chasteberry—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Chasteberry is the fruit of the chaste tree, a small shrub-like tree native to Central Asia and the Mediterranean region. The name is thought to come from a belief that the plant promoted chastity—it is reported that monks in the Middle Ages used chasteberry to decrease sexual desire.

What Chasteberry Is Used For

• Chasteberry has been used for thousands of years, mostly by women to ease menstrual problems and to stimulate the production of breast milk.
• Chasteberry is still used for menstrual problems, such as premenstrual syndrome, as well as for symptoms of menopause, some types of infertility, and acne.

This product poses a threat to consumers because Sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias or stroke.

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb chamomile—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Two types of chamomile are used for health conditions: German chamomile and Roman chamomile. While the two kinds are thought to have similar effects on the body, the German variety is more commonly used in the United States and is the focus of this fact sheet.

What Chamomile Is Used For

• Chamomile has been widely used in children and adults for thousands of years for a variety of health conditions.
• The herb is often used for sleeplessness; anxiety; and gastrointestinal conditions such as upset stomach, gas, and diarrhea.
• It is used topically for skin conditions and for mouth ulcers resulting from cancer treatment.

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb cats claw—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Cats claw grows wild in many countries of Central and South America, especially in the Amazon rainforest. The use of this woody vine dates back to the Inca civilization.

What Cat's Claw Is Used For

• Cat's claw has been used for centuries in South America to prevent and treat disease.
• It has been used for a variety of health conditions, including viral infections (such as herpes and HIV), Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and arthritis.
• Cat's claw has been used to support the immune system and promote kidney health, as well as to prevent and abort pregnancy.

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb black cohosh—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Black cohosh, a member of the buttercup family, is a plant native to North America. It was used in Native American medicine and was a home remedy in 19th-century America.

What Black Cohosh Is Used For

• Black cohosh has a history of use for rheumatism (arthritis and muscle pain) but has been used more recently to treat hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and other symptoms that can occur during menopause.
• Black cohosh has also been used for menstrual irregularities and premenstrual syndrome, and to induce labor.

A review of scientific literature suggests that there is strong evidence of beneficial health effects of tai chi and qi gong, including for bone health, cardiopulmonary fitness, balance, and quality of life. Both tai chi and qi gong (also known as qigong) have origins in China and involve physical movement, mental focus, and deep breathing. Because of the apparent similarities between tai chi and qi gong, the researchers reviewed the literature on both practices together. The review was published in the American Journal of Health Promotion.

This fact sheet provides basic information about bitter orange—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. The bitter orange tree is native to eastern Africa and tropical Asia. Today, it is grown throughout the Mediterranean region and elsewhere, including California and Florida. Bitter orange oil is used in foods, cosmetics, and aromatherapy products. Bitter orange oil from the trees leaves is called petitgrain, and oil from the flowers is called neroli.

What Bitter Orange Is Used For

• Bitter orange has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and by indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest for nausea, indigestion, and constipation.
• Current uses of bitter orange are for heartburn, loss of appetite, nasal congestion, and weight loss. It is also applied to the skin for fungal infections such as ringworm and athlete's foot.

A laboratory study suggests that silymarin—an extract from the milk thistle plant—has multiple effects against the lifecycle of the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C is a chronic (long lasting) disease that primarily affects the liver and is often difficult to cure. The laboratory study examined the antiviral properties and mechanisms of silymarin on cultured (grown in a lab) human liver cells infected with the virus. The study, funded in part by NCCAM, was published in the journal Hepatology.

This fact sheet provides basic information about bilberry—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Bilberry is a relative of the blueberry, and its fruit is commonly used to make pies and jams. It has been used for nearly 1,000 years in traditional European medicine. Bilberry grows in North America, Europe, and northern Asia.

What Bilberry Is Used For

• Historically, bilberry fruit was used to treat diarrhea, scurvy, and other conditions.
• Today, the fruit is used to treat diarrhea, menstrual cramps, eye problems, varicose veins, venous insufficiency (a condition in which the veins do not efficiently return blood from the legs to the heart), and other circulatory problems.
• Bilberry leaf is used for entirely different conditions, including diabetes.

Fish oil, when combined with epigallocatechin‑3‑gallate (EGCG—a polyphenol and antioxidant found in green tea), may affect chemical processes in the brain associated with Alzheimers disease, according to a study published in Neuroscience Letters. This study, which used an animal (mouse) model of Alzheimers disease, builds on previous research linking the disease to peptides (amino acid chains) called beta‑amyloids and laboratory studies suggesting that EGCG decreases memory problems and beta‑amyloid deposits in mice.

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb astragalus—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Native to China, astragalus has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. In the United States, the herb gained popularity in the 1980s. There are actually over 2,000 species of astragalus; however, the two related species Astragalus membranaceus and Astragalus mongholicus are the ones primarily used for health purposes.

What Astragalus Is Used For

• Historically, astragalus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine, usually in combination with other herbs, to support and enhance the immune system. It is still widely used in China for chronic hepatitis and as an adjunctive therapy in cancer.
• It is also used to prevent and treat common colds and upper respiratory infections.
• Astragalus has also been used for heart disease.

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb Asian ginseng—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Asian ginseng is native to China and Korea and has been used in various systems of medicine for many centuries. Asian ginseng is one of several types of true ginseng (another is American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius). An herb called Siberian ginseng or eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is not a true ginseng.

Common Names—Asian ginseng, ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Korean ginseng, Asiatic ginseng

Latin Name—Panax ginseng

This fact sheet provides basic information about aloe vera—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Aloe veras use can be traced back 6,000 years to early Egypt, where the plant was depicted on stone carvings. Known as the "plant of immortality," aloe was presented as a burial gift to deceased pharaohs.

Common Names—aloe vera, aloe, burn plant, lily of the desert, elephants gall

Latin Names—Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis

Nadie desea que llegue la temporada de los resfriados y la gripe. En los Estados Unidos se registran alrededor de mil millones de resfriados al año. De hecho, el resfriado común se encuentra entre las causas principales de consultas médicas y ausencias de escuela o de trabajo. Pero la gripe y sus posibles complicaciones causan aún más preocupación. Se calcula que anualmente entre el 5 y 20 por ciento de la población de los Estados Unidos es afectada por la gripe. Aunque la mayoría de la gente se recupera sin problemas, las complicaciones relacionadas con la gripe resultan en más de 200.000 hospitalizaciones y 36.000 muertes cada año.

A fin de prevenir o tratar estas enfermedades tan comunes, hay quienes buscan soluciones en la medicina complementaria y alternativa. Esta hoja informativa ofrece información básica sobre los resfriados y la gripe, al igual que la perspectiva científica acerca de algunos de estos enfoques de medicina complementaria y alternativa. Si está considerando emplear terapias de medicina complementaria y alternativa para estos malestares, esta información le ayudará a hablar con su médico sobre el tema.

On June 22, I was invited to participate on National Public Radio's The Diane Rehm Show along with Dr. Richard Davidson, NCCAM grantee at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Mr. Jonathon Foust, founder of the Mindfulness Training Institute in Washington, D.C. The topic was "The Power of Meditation."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers that Magic Power Coffee, an instant coffee product marketed as a dietary supplement for sexual enhancement, contains an active drug ingredient that can dangerously lower blood pressure.

A physician's credentials—the licenses, certificates, and diplomas on the office walls—tell us about that person's professional qualifications to advise and treat us. We seek similar assurances when we choose a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioner, such as an acupuncturist, a chiropractor, or a massage therapist. This fact sheet provides a general overview of the status of CAM credentialing, summarizes licensure for selected types of CAM practitioners, and suggests sources for additional information.

Antioxidants found in green tea may help repair DNA damage caused by sun exposure, according to a recent study in mice. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage DNA and, in turn, trigger suppression of the immune system—a risk factor for developing skin cancer. The study, funded in part by NCCAM and published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research, examined the effects of polyphenols from the leaves of the green tea plant, which are thought to fight free radicals (highly unstable molecules that can damage cells) and have anticarcinogenic activity.

An extract derived from shark cartilage—AE‑941—did not improve overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, according to a study jointly funded by NCCAM and the National Cancer Institute. Shark cartilage has been reported to have antiangiogenic properties (preventing the growth of new blood vessels around tumors), and preliminary research in animals suggested that AE‑491 has antitumor activity. Findings from this study were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Circadian rhythms are the physical, mental, and behavioral changes that occur over the course of a day, responding primarily to light and darkness in the environment. Special non-image forming cells in the eye's retina that contain melanopsin (a pigment involved in the regulation of nonvisual responses) and are sensitive to blue light are known to affect these daily rhythms. These nonvisual responses also have been noted with higher intensity light levels. Now, new research reveals that green light and the cones and rods in the retina used for vision are also involved. The research, published in Science Translational Medicine, examined how melatonin (a major hormone associated with human sleeping patterns) responds to different wavelengths of light and suggests that light therapy for sleep disorders may be optimized by stimulating both visual and nonvisual systems.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning of the potential risk of overdosing infants with liquid vitamin D.

Some liquid vitamin D supplement products on the market come with droppers that could allow parents and caregivers to accidentally give harmful amounts of the vitamin to an infant. These droppers can hold a greater amount of liquid vitamin D than an infant should receive.

Many adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease are currently using or would consider using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)—specifically mind-body therapies such as relaxation and guided imagery—to help manage their symptoms, according to a study published in the journal Inflammatory Bowel Disease. This disease is actually a group of disorders (including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) that cause inflammation of the intestines. The physical and emotional problems associated with irritable bowel disease in adolescents often affect quality of life.

Some previous studies have reported associations between low magnesium consumption and the development of asthma. Now, recent research supported by NCCAM and published in the Journal of Asthma provides additional evidence that adults with mild-to-moderate asthma may benefit from taking magnesium supplements.

Recent research, funded in part by NCCAM and published in the journal Gastroenterology, has shown that an extract of the milk thistle plant may help treat hepatitis C virus infection. Hepatitis C, a liver disease caused by a virus, is usually chronic (long-lasting), with symptoms ranging from mild (or even none) to severe.

In a recent laboratory study, a fatty acid from seaweed reduced the ability of HIV‑1 viruses to enter immune system cells. The study was reported in the journal AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. Drug-resistant strains of HIV‑1 have been on the rise, prompting the need for new therapeutic agents. Previous studies have demonstrated that products derived from natural sources have the potential to inhibit HIV‑1 infection. In this laboratory study, researchers evaluated palmitic acid (from Sargassum fusiforme, a type of seaweed that grows off the coasts of Japan and China) to see if palmitic acid reduced the ability of HIV‑1 viruses to enter CD4+ T‑cells (white blood cells that are HIV‑1's main target).

Citing study results in mice, researchers at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine reported for the first time that the form of vitamin E found primarily in food (gamma‑tocopherol) increased lung inflammation in induced asthma, while the form of vitamin E found primarily in dietary supplements (alpha‑tocopherol) reduced inflammation. The study, supported in part by NCCAM and published in the Journal of Immunology, has implications for understanding why asthma rates have increased during the last 40 years.

Transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation (TEAS), a form of acupuncture that uses skin electrodes to apply electrical stimulation at different points on the body, may help people addicted to opioid drugs, according to researchers at Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital near Boston. The study, supported in part by NCCAM and published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, also suggests that combining this technique with prescribed drugs that ease withdrawal symptoms may improve other outcomes for people addicted to opioids.

An investigation on how aromatherapy affects health failed to show any improvement in immune status, wound healing, or pain control among people exposed to two scents. But results of the randomized controlled trial, published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology, did show that lemon (considered to be a stimulant) appeared to enhance mood, while lavender (thought to be a relaxant) had no effect on mood.

A popular dietary supplement and a curry spice may affect Alzheimer's disease–related chemical processes in the brain, according to a study reported in The Journal of Neuroscience. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in older people. This study, which used an animal (mouse) model of Alzheimer's disease, builds on previous research linking the disease to peptides (amino acid chains) called β‑amyloids and to defective insulin-processing by the brain. A particular β‑amyloid, Aβ‑42, is associated with Alzheimer's disease. There is also epidemiological evidence—type II diabetes appears to increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease—to suggest a connection between insulin resistance and the disease.

Results of laboratory research are the first to indicate that extracts of the herb black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) may stimulate bone formation, according to a study published in the journal Bone. Although results from the study suggest that black cohosh may have potential implications for the prevention or treatment of postmenopausal bone loss, there is no evidence yet that this laboratory research can be extended to treatments in people.

A better understanding of the brain mechanisms behind the placebo effect may help clinicians maximize people's health beyond the power of positive thinking, according to an article published in the journal Brain. The placebo effect is a beneficial health outcome resulting from a person's anticipation that an intervention—pill, procedure, or injection, for example—will help them. A clinician's style in interacting with patients also may bring about a positive response that is independent of any specific treatment.

Add a widget/button to your Web site or to your local social network profile. Four out of 10 adults in the U.S. use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Help spread the news that it's important for patients and health care providers to discuss the use of CAM.

According to a recent analysis of the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, approximately 6 percent of U.S. adults used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat their back pain during the previous year. The data from this analysis, published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, also revealed that a majority (60 percent) of survey respondents who used the most common CAM therapies for back pain perceived "a great deal" of benefit.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) brings you a new issue of the newsletter Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Focus on Research and Care, at http://nccam.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2010_may/. Among the stories we are featuring:

• Natural products are the among the most popular CAM approaches used by Americans. What does the science say so far about three—fish oil, cranberry, and probiotics?
• An NCCAM staff member who specializes in medicinal uses of plants shares his perspective.
• Do antixodants help counter "free radicals" and "oxidative stress? Find out what the science says about these substances found in foods and supplements.
• One of NCCAM's first large clinical trials sheds light on health issues in older adults and on conducting research on supplements.
• Dr. Briggs discusses NCCAM's strategy for researching natural products.

In addition to this newsletter, you can subscribe to the "NCCAM Update" eBulletin, now published twice per month. To learn more about subscriptions NCCAM offers, visit http://nccam.nih.gov/news/subscribe.htm.

We appreciate your continuing interest in NCCAM.

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) extract caused laboratory cultures of colorectal cancer cells to die, indicating that the herb may have an anti-cancer effect, according to a study published in the journal Cancer Letters. Although results from the study suggest that combining ginseng with antioxidants such as vitamin C may potentially enhance this effect, there is no evidence yet that this laboratory research can be extended to treatments in people.

People with heart failure may benefit from practicing tai chi, according to research supported in part by NCCAM and published in the journal Sleep Medicine. Because patients with chronic heart failure often experience insomnia and impaired breathing during sleep—which could further impair heart function and lead to potentially dangerous heart rhythm disturbances—improving sleep and sleep breathing is an important goal.

A form of vitamin E (gamma-tocopherol) commonly found in foods may be a useful additional treatment for asthma, according to preliminary research. Because of its antioxidant properties, vitamin E has been thought to have potential therapeutic benefits for people with asthma. However, there have been discrepancies in benefits reported for dietary vs. supplemental vitamin E, possibly because the gamma-tocopherol form of the vitamin is often found in food, whereas most supplements contain another form (alpha-tocopherol).

A physicians response to a patient with low-back pain (LBP) should take into account psycholo