NHS Cancer Newsletter: use of CAM in cancer patients

This newsletter features an article by Dr Peter Fisher on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). He brings together the evidence of the benefits and the safety concerns of CAM for cancer patients (source: NHS Evidence).

Herbalists to be statutory regulated

I'm incredibly happy to pass on this information from the Department of Health that, amongst other things, announces herbalists will be statutory regulated through the Health Professions' Council (HPC). The full announcement is available here but the relevant section can be found on page 19, paragraph 4.13. Enjoy!

Effects of Sophora japonica flowers (huaihua) on cerebral infarction

Sophora japonica contains both anti-haemorrhagic and anti-haemostatic substances. Sophora japonica reduces cerebral infarction partly as a result of its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Further study is required to determine the relationship between Sophora japonica-mediated reduction in cerebral infarction size and its effects on platelet aggregation and cardiovascular function (source: BioMed Central Chinese Medicine).