Aim Oral cavity cancer is one of the most common and deadly malignancies of the head and neck, and is considered the sixth common cancer worldwide. Usual treatments have not been able to increase the survival of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) over decades, indicating a need for alternative and complementary treatments. This review study aims to gather components that may be effective in the prevention or inhibition of the progress of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Method We searched, gathered and assessed English articles in the databases of Google Scholar, Scopus, Pubmed and Science Direct using keywords of oral squamous cell carcinoma or OSCC and herbal medicine from 1960 to February 2020.

Results and Conclusion This overall review could be used firstly at the prevention phase through dietary recommendations and medication prescriptions regarding the effective dose for individuals with premalignant lesions or who are at risk; additionally, the components could help people to have a healthier lifestyle, thereby reducing the early occurrence and high global prevalence of OSCC over the following decades. Moreover, these components could be used as a complementary treatment with high efficiency, low toxicity and long survival.

Aim To compare the safety and efficacy of Withania somnifera (Withania) and Hypericum perforatum (St John’s wort, SJW) in the treatment of stress and anxiety in order to inform clinical practice.

Methods Integrative review methodology was followed. Four databases (CINAHL, AMED, ProQuest and MEDLINE) were searched to obtain peer-reviewed journal articles examining Withania or SJW for the treatment of anxiety and/or stress. Searches to identify herb–drug reactions (HDRs) and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with the use of these herbs in the treatment of anxiety and stress were also performed. Human studies, written in English, published between 2010 and 2020 were included. In vitro, animal and paediatric studies were excluded. Studies were screened by title, abstract and full text and assessed against the aims of the review.

Results After duplicates were removed, 781 studies were screened by title and abstract, leaving 64 to be screened by full text; 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies showed Withania to be a safe and effective treatment for anxiety and stress. No HDRs were identified for Withania, and reported ADRs were infrequent and mild. Key safety issues with SJW include an increased risk of psychosis in susceptible individuals, multiple known HDRs, and a higher incidence of ADRs.

Conclusion Withania is a safe and effective treatment for stress and anxiety and has a superior safety profile to SJW. Given the high rates of self-prescription, and the possibilities of ADRs and HDRs identified with SJW, healthcare practitioners should enquire about SJW use with all patients.

These abstracts are brief summaries of articles which have appeared in recent issues of herbal medicine journals, some of which may be held in the NHAA library.

These abstracts are brief summaries of articles in recent issues of medical journals. Articles selected are of a general nature for the information of practitioners of naturopathy and herbal medicine. A dominant theme is often present throughout the journals which will be reflected in the reviews.

The AJHNM-based CPD questionnaire system is a voluntary system designed to assist members in the accumulation of NHAA CPD hours. Each question refers to an article in this issue of the Australian Journal of Herbal and Naturopathic Medicine. Hours accumulated through completion of these questions should be recorded in the NHAA CPD diary. The completion of answering each issue’s questions qualifies for 4 hours within the Formal Learning category. Your completed CPD diary should be returned with your membership renewal at the end of the financial year. For further information, please see the NHAA CPD Guide on the NHAA website www.nhaa.org.au.