Kava

(Source: SaluGenecists, Inc.) Summary Kava, a member of the pepper family that originates from Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, is a large perennial shrub with a thick, pithy rootstock, which is the part used for medicinal purposes. Kava usage predates written history in the Pacific Islands, being used ceremoniously by Pacific…

Thyroid Autoimmune Disease

Abstract Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the immune system dysfunctions and attacks host tissues. Although the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease has not been elucidated, there are several factors that have been associated with the disorder. Factors include genetic predisposition, nutrient deficiencies, use of certain medications…

The Use of Convallaria and Crataegus in the Treatment of Cardiac Dysfunction

Abstract Herbal medicines have been effectively used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases for many years. Herbs such as Convallaria (Lily of the Valley) root and Crataegus (Hawthorne) have shown significant benefits as adjunctive or stand alone therapies for the treatment of cardiac disorders such as arrhythmia, mitral valve prolapse…

The Effect of Rosmarinic Acid on Immunological and Neurological Systems: A Basic Science and Clinical Review

Abstract Rosmarinic acid (RosA) is an ester of caffeic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylactic acid. RosA has a number of beneficial biological activities, including antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Oxidative stress is recognized as a common factor in many neurodegenerative diseases and is a proposed mechanism for age-related degenerative processes as…