 Autumn crocus Böhringer Friedrich |
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The Autumn Crocus and Its Constituent Colchicine: The Story of a Late Bloomer In January 2021, researchers published the initial results of a large clinical trial that assessed the potential benefits of colchicine, an alkaloid from the autumn crocus, in patients with COVID-19. The study, which has not been peer reviewed, reported promising, significant reductions in hospitalization and death rates. ABC Chief Science Office Stefan Gafner describes the current state of research on colchicine for COVID-19 and explores the historical uses of this “late bloomer.” Read more >> |
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The Evolution of the American Botanical Council Website: 1995-2021 |
 Jean Beaufort |
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Dark Chocolate Improves Verbal Episodic Memory Compared to White Chocolate in Healthy Young Adults The flavonoids present in cacao reportedly benefit cardiovascular health and cognitive function, possibly by improving blood flow. A study of healthy adults sought to compare the effect of dark chocolate, which contains cocoa flavonoids, with white chocolate, which contains no flavonoids, on episodic memory and subjective mood. Consumption of dark chocolate was associated with greater recall than white chocolate, so go ahead and indulge in some Valentine’s Day flavonoids. Read more >> |
Sustainable Herbs Program News
Ethnobotany as Reciprocity. February 10, 2021.
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Herb Profile:
Tart Cherry
ABC News:
Maca and Andrographis Adoptions Support ABC
Organization News:
Four Elements Receives USDA Grant
In Memoriam:
Cyrus Thomas Hyde: 1930-2020
Did you know? HerbalGram is available in three digital formats: PDF, page-flip, and HTML. Check them out!
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The Lotus and the Bud: Cannabis, Consciousness, and Yoga Practice was written by Christopher S. Kilham and published by Park Street Press in 2021. The excerpt includes the title page, table of contents, foreword by Robyn Griggs Lawrence, and a selection from Chapter 3, the section “Cannabis as Medicine.”
Psychoactive expert and yogi Chris Kilham explores the synergistic benefits of thoughtfully combining medicinal cannabis use and yoga practice in his latest book. Beginning with a historical overview of the use of cannabis and practice of yoga, Kilham balances scientific vigor with his personal experiences and perspectives on combining the two. Mindful of varying international laws regarding the use of cannabis, Kilham also specifies the differences between nonintoxicating hemp and intoxicating cannabis. The Lotus and the Bud describes how yoga practice can benefit the human nervous system and how, through the endocannabinoid system, cannabis harmonizes a multitude of functions, from respiration to pain control, in ways that enhance yoga. At the end, Kilham instructs readers on breathwork, meditation, and proper postures, and provides an illustrated example of a cannabis-enhanced yoga session.
The Lotus and the Bud can be purchased from the publisher. All material ©2021, Inner Traditions. This material is reprinted with permission from the publisher and may not be used for any other purpose.
Why Is Everyone So Obsessed with Mushrooms Right Now? Real Simple. February 22, 2021. Growing consumer awareness of medicinal mushrooms has created a booming market share for fungi, which have culinary and medicinal value in addition to a favorable environmental footprint.
Aspirin, Morphine, and Chemotherapy: The Essential Medicines Powered by Plants. Natural History Museum. February 19, 2021. Eleven percent of drugs deemed “basic” and “essential” by the World Health Organization are derived from flowering plants, and scientists still turn to the natural world as a potential source for the next medicinal breakthrough.
Study: Curcumin Extract Combats the One-Two Punch of Gut Discomfort and Anxiety. NutraIngredients.com. February 18, 2021. A new study has investigated curcumin extract’s effect on stress-related digestive problems.
Essential Oils and Eczema: Effectiveness, Side Effects, and More. Medical News Today. February 17, 2021. Though clinical evidence regarding the use of essential oils for eczema is lacking, some oils have anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial effects that may ease symptoms.
What’s Next for the Dietary Supplement Industry? Drug Store News. February 8, 2021. As the dietary supplement industry enjoys continued growth, discussions around issues such as government regulation, consumer confidence, and industry transparency will continue to be both contentious and vital.
Use of Goldenseal May Compromise Glucose Control in Diabetics on Metformin. EurekAlert! February 8, 2021. A study on goldenseal and potential drug interactions found that participants with diabetes and taking metformin had approximately 25% less metformin in their system while also taking goldenseal.
Read more Herbal MediaWatch headlines here.FDA Warns 10 Companies for Illegally Selling Dietary Supplements Claiming to Treat Depression and Other Mental Health Disorders. US Food & Drug Administration. February 19, 2021.
Clinical Trial: Cannabis Inhalation Associated with Clinical Improvement in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis. NORML. February 18, 2021.
Legal Marijuana Industry Employs 321,000 Full-Time Workers. NORML. February 18, 2021.
The Herbal Journey Continues at the 15th International Herb Symposium. United Plant Savers. February 16, 2021.
AHPA Continues Engagement with NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. American Herbal Products Association (AHPA). February 12, 2021.
Bipartisan Legislation to Regulate Hemp-Derived CBD Re-introduced in Congress. AHPA. February 5, 2021.
The New York Botanical Garden’s Black History Month at Home Honors Black Contributions to Art, Culture, and Science. New York Botanical Garden. February 1, 2021.
National Science Foundation Awards $1.9M to Support Plant Exploration. Botanical Research Institute of Texas. January 19, 2021.
Webinar: Rapid Change in Himalaya Ethnobotany. Online. March 4, 2021. In this webinar, Ann Armbrecht will speak with ethnobotanists Jan Salick, PhD, and Robbie Hart, PhD, about their research on the impacts of climate change on alpine plants in the Himalayas. More information.
SupplySide365. Online. Free trial through August 31, 2021.
Southwest Conference on Botanical Medicine 2021. Online. March 26-28, 2021.
The National Symposium on Herbal and Naturopathic Medicine. Coolangatta, Australia. May 1-2, 2021.
Medicines from the Earth Symposium 2021. Online. June 4-7, 2021.
ISEO 2021 51st International Symposium on Essential Oils. Nicosia, Northern Cyprus. August 29 – September 1, 2021.
More event listings can be found on ABC’s website.
In the language of flowers, a bouquet of these means “love.” In the annals of history, it has been used as a skin conditioner, throat soother, and mood enhancer. Show some love to the body and soul and learn more here.