 Andrographis ©2021 Steven Foster |
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Thailand Approves Asian Herb Andrographis to Treat COVID-19 |
 Pomegranate ©2021 Steven Foster |
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Food as Medicine: Pomegranate (Punica granatum, Lythraceae) |
 Image courtesy of cottonbro |
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The Top 10 HerbalEGram Stories of 2020 |
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2020: American Botanical Council’s Year in Review |
ABC News
Nonprofit American Botanical Council Launches New, More Powerful Website. January 12, 2021.
Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program News
Botanical Adulterants Monitor #21 is now available! This issue includes regulatory alerts on amla fruit and reviews of rhodiola root authentication methods, commercial passionfruit extracts, and more.
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Feature:
Cactus Moth Arrives in Texas
World News:
Kiss the Ground Documentary Review
Research Review:
Eshnan and Recurrent Cystitis
In Memoriam:
Tony Hayes: 1955-2020
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Part field guide and part scientific reference, the third edition of Edible & Medicinal Wild Plants of the Midwest draws on author, educator, and master herbalist Matthew Alfs’s extensive experience foraging in the varied landscapes of the Midwestern United States. The bulk of the book contains plant profiles that include color photos for ease of identification and several pages of information including the plant’s use as a food product and medicinal ingredient as well as chemical constituents. Other features of the book include a beginner’s guide to medicine-making, extensive safety tips for enjoyable foraging, and a bibliography of more than 1,000 references for further study.
Excerpted with permission from Edible & Medicinal Wild Plants of the Midwest by Matthew Alfs, published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press. This material is reprinted with permission from the publisher and may not be used for any other purpose. For more information about the author, visit Midwest School of Herbal Studies.
Research Suggests Seaweed Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine Could Protect Against COVID-19. News Medical. January 18, 2021. An in vitro investigation found that a polysaccharide from Ecklonia kurome seaweed completely blocked the activity of an enzyme found in coronaviruses called 3C-like protease, which is essential for viral transcription and replication.
Researchers Show Irish Soil Can Offer More Hope in Fight Against Antibiotic Resistance. EurekAlert! January 14, 2021. In the search for more effective antibiotics, an unusual source may offer the next breakthrough: soil from the West Fermanagh Scarplands, an ingredient in ancient Irish folk medicine.
USDA Nears Completion of Final Rule for US Hemp Production. Natural Products Insider. January 13, 2021. The USDA is in the final stages of rulemaking for domestic hemp production, which would supplant the controversial interim final rule implemented in 2019.
Review Backs Role of Grape Polyphenols in Sports Performance. NutraIngredients. January 11, 2021. A recent review suggests that polyphenols in grape products, including juice and supplements made with grape extracts, can be beneficial in managing the oxidative stress associated with long-term, high-intensity exercise.
Apple Cider Vinegar: The Science and Trends. Nutritional Outlook. December 29, 2020. The market for apple cider vinegar is expected to grow considerably in 2021, but which health benefits are supported by science?
Keep Calm and Carry on with Herbal Remedies This Winter. Times Union. December 20, 2021. Teas, herbs, and tinctures can support the immune system and promote well-being during an anxious time.
Higher Levels of Omega-3s Associated with Better Heart Rate Recovery, Says New Study. Nutritional Outlook. December 15, 2020. A new study sheds some light on how omega-3 fatty acids may support heart health in healthy adults.
Chemists Re-engineer a Psychedelic to Treat Depression and Addiction in Rodents. Science. December 9, 2020. Researchers report that they have created a nontoxic and non-hallucinogenic chemical cousin of the phytochemical ibogaine that combats depression and addictive behaviors in rodents.
Read more Herbal MediaWatch headlines here.
NSF Awards $1.9 Million to Support Plant Exploration. Botanical Research Institute of Texas. January 19, 2021.
Study: Marijuana Use Not Associated with Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease. NORML. January 14, 2021.
Overdoses from Contaminated Poppy Seeds Suggest Need for Action by FDA, DEA. Center for Science in the Public Interest. January 12, 2021.
CRN Announces New Chairman, 2021 Board of Directors. Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN). January 12, 2021.
New FDA Announcement on CBD Signals Continued Agency Inaction. CRN. January 8, 2021.
Study: Medical Cannabis Associated with Prolonged Reductions in Opioid Use. NORML. January 7, 2021.
NPA Welcomes New Members of Congress, Expresses Concern Over CBD Regulations and Import Alerts. Natural Products Association. January 4, 2021.
CRN Launches ‘4 Things to Know’ Video Series. CRN. January 2021.
Dr. Glen Nagel Is ACHS’ New Herbal Medicine Program Chair. American College of Healthcare Sciences. December 29, 2020.
2020 Year in Review: NORML’s Top Ten Events in Marijuana Policy. NORML. December 28, 2020.
Indigenous Women Achieve ‘Mamakunapa’ Civil Society Nature Reserve. Amazon Conservation Team. December 22, 2020.
FDA Warns Companies Illegally Selling CBD Products. US Food & Drug Administration. December 22, 2020.
Can Cannabis Help Ease the Mind in the Age of COVID-19? The University of New Mexico. December 21, 2020.
The Ugliest Orchid in the World Tops Kew’s 2020 New Species List. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. December 17, 2020.
Maryland University of Integrative Health Announces Educational Partnership with Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Maryland University of Integrative Health. December 17, 2020.
Call for Member Contributions to the Journal of Medicinal Plant Conservation. United Plant Savers. December 17, 2020.
Webinar: The Development of Crofelemer: Connecting Ethnobotany, Conservation, Biocultural Diversity, Indigenous Knowledge, and Global Public Health. Online. February 4, 2021. 2 p.m. EST.
2021 Food as Medicine Symposium. Online. February 19-21, 2021.
Nutraceuticals Europe. Barcelona, Spain. February 24-25, 2021.
Southwest Conference on Botanical Medicine 2021. Online. March 26-28, 2021.
Environmental Health Symposium 2021. Tucson, Arizona. April 14-17, 2021.
20th International Congress of the International Society for Ethnopharmacology. Thessaloniki, Greece. April 18-21, 2021.
More event listings can be found on ABC’s website.
New year, new microbes. This popular food is correlated with a cornucopia of health benefits, but a recent study adds a new one: improving gut health. Green with envy? Find out more here!