Here you will find links to recently published peer reviewed research papers in the fields of phytotherapy, phytochemistry and ethnomedicine, as well as my own articles and videos about herbal therapeutics.
Photo: Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus Spenn.) growing from a rock on the clifftop at Cap des Mossons, Ibiza. Photo by the author.
Persian Walnut. Photo from Piklist.com. Free to use.
This review summarises ethnobotanical use, pharmacology, nutritional value, preclinical and clinical studies, toxicity, other uses and current research prospects of Juglans regia L. (Walnut).
Walnut leaf has been found to possess the following properties of potential clinical significance:
Antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-viral.
Anti-inflammatory.
Antidiabetic.
Antityrosinase (against skin hyperpigmentation).
Anti-cancer
Walnut bark shares some of these properties but in particular, it is anthelmintic.
Walnut fruit (the nut) is antidepressant, antitrigliceridaemic, hepatoprotective, anti-amyloidogenic improves motor and cognitive performance.
Nael Abu Taha and Mohammed A. Al-wadaan (2021) Significance and use of walnut, Juglans regia Linn: A review. Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2736-1756Vol. 15 (1), pp. 001-010, January, 2021.
Image: Jan Kops: Flora Batava, Volume 4 (1822). Public domain.
This randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial showed a reduction in liver enzymes ALT and AST as well as serum triglycerides in subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease who took 2 g Plantago major (Common Plantain) seed twice weekly for 12 weeks.
This literature review details the phytochemistry of some commonly used medicinal plants in Romania. Many of the plants listed are common to use in other European countries. A PDF download of the full article is available from the link below.
Isabelle P, Monica B (2021) Highlighting the Compounds with Pharmacological Activity from Some Medicinal Plants from the Area of Romania. Med Aromat Plants (Los Angeles) 10: 370.
This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial from Iran indicates that taking Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) or Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) can reduce some of the biomarkers and inflammatory markers associated with rheumatoid arthritis, although over the three month period of the trial there was no significant difference in patients’ symptoms.
Abd-Nikfarjam B. et al. (2021). Therapeutic Efficacy of Urtica dioica and Evening Primrose in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Research Square. DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-309562/v1 (Retrieved 30/03/2021).
N.B. This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal.