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Coastal
cranberry bog. ©2012 Keith Weller
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Many who eat cranberry more frequently during the wintertime might find
themselves wondering about the fruit’s medicinal properties, such as its
ability to treat and prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). An article in
this HerbalEGram by staff writer Tyler Smith examines a recently updated
Cochrane Collaboration Review on cranberry for UTI prevention, analyzing
methodology that could explain this particular review’s conclusions.
This and several additional articles — covering topics such as a European Commission
proposal to facilitate nature-based research and a new botanical authentication
wiki website from the American Herbal Products Association — are available in
the Recent News section below.
Happy Holidays to all of our members from everyone at ABC!
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Cochrane Collaboration Revises 2008 Conclusions on Cranberry
for UTI Prevention. By
Tyler Smith, HEG Staff. Experts and researchers discuss the recent
Cochrane Review of cranberry for urinary tract infection prevention,
which — contrary to the organization's 2008 conclusions — found no
significant benefit in consuming cranberry for UTI prevention.
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Jim Simon
at a spice market in Sanquelle, Liberia.
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James Simon Honored with Scientific Excellence Award from
Presidentially Appointed BIFAD Council. By
Lindsay Stafford Mader, HEG Staff. Rutgers University Professor and
ABC Advisory Board member Jim Simon recently received a scientific excellence
award for his work in improving fruit, vegetable, and medicinal plant
production strategies in Africa. AHPA Launches New Botanical Authentication Wiki. By Tyler Smith, HEG Staff.
AHPA's new wiki-style website, launched earlier this year, allows registered
users to access an expanding database of industry-provided examples and
techniques of authentication tools for botanical materials, such as microscopy
and macroscopy images, white papers, and a list of known adulterants. EU Proposes Legislation to Encourage Nature-Based Research.
By Lindsay Stafford Mader,
HEG Staff. In October, the European Commission published a draft
regulation designed to foster mutually beneficial access to natural and genetic
resources in an effort to ease and increase important nature-based research.
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©2012
by Martin A. Lee
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Smoke Signals: A Social
History of Marijuana – Medical, Recreational, and Scientific by
Martin A. Lee, published in 2012 by Scribner. The featured excerpt includes the
book’s title page, table
of contents, and prologue.
Martin A. Lee, the well-known author of Acid
Dreams, presents a chronological historical review of the
“devil’s weed,” commonly known as marijuana. Lee covers a multitude of
important cannabis events and topics, including prohibition, veterans for
drug-war peace, and the emergence of a medicinal cannabis industry. The book’s
nine chapters are broken down into wittily named sections such as “Flower
Power” and “Reefer Sadness.”
Hardcover, 528 pages. $35.00. Available for purchase at the publisher's website. |
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We have tested the links of the following articles prior to publication;
however, some news organizations remove stories and disable links at various
times.
Forest Farming Key to Saving Wild Ginseng from Extinction.
BlueRidgeNow.com. 12-9-12. At the International American Ginseng Exposition,
experts discussed ways to protect populations of the highly prized wild
ginseng, including sustainably harvesting the plant on private lands.
Program to Boost Production, Export of Herbs, Essential Oils.
MyRepublica.com. 12-8-12. A three-year, multimillion dollar government program
in India will encourage the export and production of medicinal plants and
essential oils, boosting income for local farmers.
Med School Embraces Natural Remedies. U-T
San Diego. 12-8-12. Bastyr University, a renowned school of
science-based natural medicine, opened its second campus in San Diego,
California, in September, enrolling an inaugural class of nearly 50 students.
Daily
Dose of Red Wine Compound Backed for Cancer Fight. NutraIngredients.com.
12-5-12. Preliminary findings from UK researchers show that resveratrol, a
compound found in grape skins, may reduce the incidence of certain bowel
cancers by 50 percent, but many questions remain.
Harborside
Health Center: Landlord Can’t Evict Medical Marijuana Dispensary. SF Weekly
Blog. 12-3-12. A California state court has ruled that Oakland’s Harborside
Health Center — a distributor of medicinal cannabis — cannot be evicted
due to language allowing for the sale of cannabis in the Center’s lease.
Tea’s Health Benefits Look Promising. Dallas
Morning News. 12-3-12.
Camellia sinensis — the source of white, green, oolong, and
black teas — is rich in antioxidant flavonoids and has been found to lower
blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and aid weight loss.
Christmas Plant May Be Natural Alternative to Chemotherapy. EmaxHealth.com.
12-3-12. Researchers have reported that mistletoe extract reduces the viability
of colon cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells relatively intact, suggesting
a possible chemotherapy alternative.
Coffee: A Great Source of Antioxidants and an Effective Mood Enhancer. Fox
News. 11-28-12. Columnist Chris Kilham discusses the health benefits of
naturally antioxidant-rich coffee, which has been shown to reduce rates of
depression, boost attention, and increase mental alertness.
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