{"title":"Shilajit versus placebo in the management of patients with moderate coronavirus disease 2019: A triple-blind randomized controlled trial protocol","authors":"Narjes Bahri , Sareh Dashti , Fatemeh Mohammadzadeh , Milad Iranshahy , Roya Rahimi , Farnoosh Sharifi Mood , Tahereh Fathi Najafi","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100496","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100496","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global emergency. Regardless of the progress in vaccine development, no effective medication has yet been identified for COVID-19. This study aims to evaluate the effects of Shilajit on COVID-19 severity, admission duration, and mortality.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This phase 3 parallel-group triple-blind randomized controlled trial will be conducted on 110 patients with a documented diagnosis of COVID-19 in the COVID ward of the Bohlool Gonabadi Hospital, Gonabad, Iran. Randomization will be done using the permuted block randomization approach with variable sizes (2 and 4). Participants in the intervention group will receive 100 mg Shilajit (two 500 mg capsules) per day, while the control group will receive placebo capsules for two weeks. Study outcomes include clinical improvement at day 14 of the intervention. Therefore, the presence of cough, headache, sore throat, chills, smell disorder, myalgia, axillary temperature, and SPO2: FiO2 ratio will be recorded at baseline and day 14 of the intervention for patients in both groups.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>This study's findings may help physicians use a traditional medicine agent as an adjuvant treatment for symptomatic management of COVID-19.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 2","pages":"Article 100496"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144147668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christian Keinki , Mariska-Alenka Klein , Lukas Käsmann , Karsten Münstedt , Jutta Hübner
{"title":"Patients’ information on side effects of cancer treatment and usage of complementary and alternative medicine – A cross-sectional study","authors":"Christian Keinki , Mariska-Alenka Klein , Lukas Käsmann , Karsten Münstedt , Jutta Hübner","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100497","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100497","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Many cancer patients use complementary and alternative methods (CAM) to reduce side effects of cancer treatment. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of information patients receive on side effects on choice to use CAM.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Patients of a cancer center undergoing outpatient treatment were assessed using a structured questionnaire.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>From 150 cancer patients taking part, 102 (68.0 %) reported side effects. 138 patients (92.0 %) reported to have been informed on potential side effects before start of treatment and only 79 patients (52.7 %) received any supportive treatment. Only 95 and 97 patients (63.3 and 64.7 % resp.) reported having received information of prevention of side effects and 130 patients (86.7 %) reported using additional or complementary methods and 75 (50.1 %) used at least one CAM method. Females and patients with higher education were more likely to use CAM. Neither information on side effects nor on methods to prevent or treat side effects was associated with a reduction in the likelihood of using CAM.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Information on dealing with side effects is lacking for many patients and should be addressed in a more structured process. However, this lack of information does not seem to be a driver of usage of complementary methods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 2","pages":"Article 100497"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144146710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Influencing factors of place and healthcare seeking behaviour of pregnant women accessing care at a herbal clinic in Ghana","authors":"Kofi Sarkodie , Adjoa Afriyie Poku , Kojo Oppong Yeboah Gyabaah , Felix Kofi Damte , Dorothy Serwaa Boakye , Prince Ansah","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100491","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100491","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There is extensive evidence that indicate a considerable number of pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana, seek obstetric and gynaecological care in herbal clinics. However, the literature on the extent to which place-people relationships, particularly place attachment, place dependence and place location impact on this decision is limited. This study explored the influencing factors of place and healthcare seeking behaviour of pregnant women at a herbal clinic in Ghana. The study adopted a hermeneutic research design. Twelve pregnant women and four herbal practitioners were conveniently and purposively sampled and interviewed using unstructured interview guides. A thematic analysis was done. The study found that factors influencing place attachment including place location, familiarity, availability of services influenced pregnant women’s decision to seek healthcare at the herbal clinic. Pregnant women with low socioeconomic status preferred the herbal facility to the hospital due to affordability of services. Cultural dimensions of a place such as belief in spiritualism/spiritism about herbal medicine and childlessness influenced preferences and choices in accessing healthcare. Also, place dependence factors which includes challenges in formal healthcare system, positive attitudes of herbal practitioners, and flexible payment plans influenced healthcare seeking behaviour of pregnant women. Distance and cost of travel indirectly influenced healthcare seeking behaviour of pregnant women at the herbal clinic. The implication of the findings is that positive feelings about a place influence and maintain healthcare seeking behaviour of pregnant women who access healthcare at herbal clinics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 2","pages":"Article 100491"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144146709","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Artificial intelligence versus human analysis: Interpreting data in elderly fat reduction study” [Adv. Integr. Med. 12 (1) (2025) 13–18]","authors":"Mariusz Konieczny, Piotr Sporek","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100488","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100488","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 2","pages":"Article 100488"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144147285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Samreen Khan , M. Anas , Diwan Israr Khan , Deeba Khanam
{"title":"The effect of Shuneez (Nigella sativa) as galactogogue on mothers complaining of insufficient breast milk: A single-blind clinical trial","authors":"Samreen Khan , M. Anas , Diwan Israr Khan , Deeba Khanam","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100481","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100481","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite the fact that exclusive breastfeeding has many health advantages for both mother and baby, only a small percentage of mothers actually adhere to this ideal practise leaving majority of infants without access to it. Most mothers (roughly 30–80 %) who stop exclusive breastfeeding for the first half year of baby's life complain about insufficient milk production. Therefore, this study was conducted on 100 mothers enrolled from Obstetrics and Paediatrics OPD of dept. of Amraze-Niswan wa Atfal Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College and Maternity Ward of Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh from March 2021 to September 2022 on mothers complaining of insufficient breast milk secretion having child not more than a month in the absence of any systemic disease to the mother and her baby.The effect of the test drug on maternal serum prolactin and neonatal anthropometric measures (weight, length and head circumference) was significant with P < 0.0001. Furthermore, it did not exert any adverse effect on maternal Hb, ALT, AST, ALP and S. creatinine (‘P’values 0.9178, 0.3146, 0.2242, 0.3282, 0.7320 respectively) and found safe on the above parameters.Therefore, it has been concluded from the study that the test drug <em>(Nigella sativa</em>) was effective and safe in enhancing breast milk secretion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 2","pages":"Article 100481"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144147284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Md. Juel Rana , Manik Kumar , Margubur Rahaman , Mohammad Hifz Ur Rahman
{"title":"Awareness, preference, and utilisation of Ayush in India: Evidence from National Sample Survey, 2022–23","authors":"Md. Juel Rana , Manik Kumar , Margubur Rahaman , Mohammad Hifz Ur Rahman","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.03.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.03.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Integration of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homeopathy (Ayush) for universal healthcare coverage is a key policy agenda in India. Despite growing debate on its integration with mainstream healthcare, previous studies lack exclusive data on awareness, preference, and utilisation of Ayush. This study aims to analyse Ayush awareness, preference, and utilisation in rural and urban areas of India to inform policy recommendations.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>The present study used the latest exclusive National Sample Survey (NSS) survey data on Ayush (2022–23). Descriptive, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses were applied to present the levels and patterns of awareness, preference, and utilisation of Ayush care in India.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Over 95 % of individuals in India are aware of Ayush, while about 60 % prefer to use Ayush for their treatment and 53 % utilise Ayush. There is an insignificant difference in awareness and preference between rural and urban areas, but there is considerable gap exists in the utilisation of Ayush. A higher utilisation is noted among older individuals, females, Scheduled Tribes (STs), and urban residents as compared to their counterparts. Self-medication with Ayush is very common among the users. Predominant treatments are rejuvenation (45.4 %) and therapeutic care (27 %). Key reasons for utilisation of Ayush care include effectiveness (72.1 %), faith (58.1 %), and low side effects (50.4 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The preference and accessibility of Ayush services need to be enhanced particularly at the community level, to reduce reliance on self-medication and folk healers. Tailored strategies must address socio-demographic, religious, and caste-based variations to ensure equitable and broader acceptance of Ayush. Expanding rejuvenation and therapeutic care services can foster a preference for Ayush. Additionally, investment in research to understand factors influencing Ayush use and improve service infrastructure is essential for sustainable and effective integration of Ayush into the healthcare system.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 2","pages":"Article 100476"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144147283","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Why individuals studied naturopathy and what they hoped to contribute as naturopaths: A New Zealand study","authors":"Asmita Patel , Robyn Carruthers , Sandra D. Smith","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.03.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.03.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>There has been a global increase in the utilisation of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine modalities, including that of naturopathy. Limited research exists that has explored why individuals want to study naturopathy. The present study was designed to identify and explore why individuals wanted to study naturopathy and what they hoped to contribute as practising naturopaths.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Participants were 15 graduates of a naturopathy degree completed in Auckland, New Zealand. Participants were individually interviewed. Interviews were analysed using an inductive thematic approach.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Five main themes were identified: (1) Personal interest in natural medicine, (2) initial interest in nutrition, (3) family influence, (4) own health reasons, and (5) cultural factors. One main theme was identified regarding what participants hoped to contribute as practising naturopaths, and that was to help and support people on their health journey.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>A personal interest in natural medicine and its holistic approach to health and healing, including the role of nutrition was prominent in influencing individuals to enrol in a naturopathy degree. Childhood exposure to naturopathy, including having a relative working in the profession, as well as positive, efficacious experiences of naturopathic care for a chronic health condition were also influencing factors. Cultural factors influenced indigenous Māori to study naturopathy so they could support family members and other Māori who had chronic health conditions through naturopathic care. There was a strong desire to help and support future clients through the utilisation of naturopathic principles of practice that centred around client education, use of natural treatments and nutritional support.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 2","pages":"Article 100475"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144147939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ali Akbar Safari , Meysam Shirzad , Mohammad Sadegh Adel Mehraban , Leila Mohammad Taghizadeh Kashani , Hamid Shams-Baghbanan , Kumars Pourrostami , Mohammad Mahdi Ahmadian-Attari
{"title":"Sweet violet syrup reduces restlessness and improves appetite in children with fever: A double-blind randomized controlled trial","authors":"Ali Akbar Safari , Meysam Shirzad , Mohammad Sadegh Adel Mehraban , Leila Mohammad Taghizadeh Kashani , Hamid Shams-Baghbanan , Kumars Pourrostami , Mohammad Mahdi Ahmadian-Attari","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.03.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.03.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div><em>Viola odorata</em> L. (sweet violet) has been mentioned in Iranian traditional medicine as an herb with antifebrile, antitussive, anti-headache, and sedative activities. In this study, we tried to evaluate the effect of this medicinal plant on fever, sleep, restlessness, and appetite of children with fever.</div></div><div><h3>Designs</h3><div>This double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on 100 febrile children (body core temperature <39°C) aged between 3 and 7 years with the clinical diagnosis of a viral common cold. These children visiting a university pediatric clinic in Karaj, Iran were divided into two equal groups (sweet violet syrup vs placebo).</div></div><div><h3>Interventions</h3><div>One group received sweet violet syrup (2 ml for children<15 kg; 3 ml for children>15 kg TID) + acetaminophen syrup (15 mg/kg QID) and another group received placebo syrup + acetaminophen syrup with similar doses.</div></div><div><h3>Outcome measures</h3><div>To evaluate the status of fever, sleep, restlessness, and appetite, a self-reported form was filled out by one of the parents and finally submitted to the clinic.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results showed that sweet violet syrup can significantly reduce restlessness (P = 0.03) and improve appetite (P = 0.05). However, this syrup had no effect on sleep. Surprisingly, concomitant intake of the first dose of acetaminophen and sweet violet syrup weakened the antifebrile activity of acetaminophen (P = 0.04).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Sweet violet syrup can reduce restlessness and improve the appetite of febrile children. Due to probable chemical or physical interactions between this syrup with acetaminophen, it is suggested that these syrups be taken separately.</div></div><div><h3>Trial Registration</h3><div>This trial was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20190409043215N1).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 2","pages":"Article 100473"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144147938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Artificial Intelligence perspectives in advancing Persian Herbal Medicine: A systematic review","authors":"Somaieh Soltani , Laleh khodaie , Vilas Surana","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.03.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.03.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>In Persian Medicine (PM), herbal remedies are crucial in preventing and treating disease. The potential of AI has yet to be investigated in Persian Herbal Medicine (PHM). This study aimed to explore the potential of AI in PHM.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Five databases were used to collect data for this systematic review. Considering inclusion and exclusion criteria and quality assessment of the included papers led to a search strategy flowchart.</div></div><div><h3>Results and discussion</h3><div>AI, ML, and DL facilitated data analysis by prediction and pattern recognition. Predictive modeling could prognosticate herbal ingredients and chromatographic conditions, mechanism of action, toxicity, side effects, drug candidates and drug-target interactions, pharmaco-therapeutic effects, suitable drug delivery system, and interaction between drugs and herbs used in PM. Pattern recognition assists in recognizing associations among the identification of plant species, chemical ecology, optimum cultivation, harvesting conditions, and regeneration of threatened species. The mentioned facilities bring about drug discovery, standardization, and data Integration to acquire better patient outcomes, treatment, and personalized medicine. Natural medicine databases could be used to extract data for PHM. The challenges of using AI in PHM should be addressed. Since AI systems in healthcare rely on large amounts of patient data, ethical issues could be raised, and the protection of personal information necessitated. Incomplete, inaccurate data or biased algorithms and discrimination may occur.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The relationship between traditional herbal practices and cutting-edge technologies provides a more comprehensive and integrated healthcare approach, marking a transformative step towards optimized patient care and natural drug discovery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 2","pages":"Article 100471"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144147932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Complementary and alternative medicine use among children; A cross-sectional study from Iran","authors":"Monireh Sadat Motaharifard , Mahnaz Jamee , Atena Seifi , Maryam Sadat Paknejad , Masoumeh Mohkam","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.01.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.01.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Recently, the use of Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods has become more popular worldwide. One of the main steps to identify the status of CAM in the world is to assess the prevalence of its use among people. In this study, children's use of different CAM modalities and their related factors were investigated among a group of children in Iran.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The study was performed through oral interviews and completing a questionnaire with 400 mothers of children referred to Mofid Children’s Hospital clinics in the summer of 2021. Survey information included demographics, child health problems, CAM use methods, side effects and satisfaction with these methods in the past year. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney, Chi-square, and Fisher exact tests. The significance level was considered at 0.05.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Three hundred and nineteen out of 400 mothers (79.8 %) believed in alternative medicine. More than half of mothers (55.5 %) had used CAM products as medication at least once for their children during the last year. The most common treatments included medicinal herbs (95 %), oil rub (41 %), and massage (13.5 %). There was a significant association between familiarity and using CAM for children with an increased level of mothers’ education. 53.2 % of mothers did not inform the pediatrician about using CAM methods for their children. The majority of mothers (91 %) received their information from relatives and neighbors, and physicians consisted only 11 % of the information source. CAM was used most often in children with respiratory tract and gastrointestinal symptoms.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The results of this study indicate that CAM modalities appear to be popular among children. A great majority of mothers are inclined to use CAM methods as their children’s treatments along with conventional medication and usually, herbal products are preferred. Increasing community knowledge about the proper use of different kinds of CAM is recommended.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 2","pages":"Article 100469"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144147936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}