Cuba has a rich herbal medicine culture that works alongside modern pharmaceuticals. The Cuban government endorses the use of herbal medicine by ensuring people’s access is equivalent to pharmaceutical agents. Baracoa, located in the Guantanamo province, possesses a unique microclimate that produces both food and phytotherapeutics that are only found on this part of the Caribbean nation. This article focuses on the green pharmacies of Cuba, as well as some of the herbal remedies used in this region.

Keywords: Cuba, traditional herbal medicine, green pharmacy

While at face level military intelligence and the holistic complementary medicine consultation may seem diametrically opposed, the analytical process is similar. The military intelligence cycle may be adapted and applied to the consultation to aid the development of a tailored, outcome-focused and person-centred treatment. This proposed cycle — the complementary medicine consultation intelligence cycle — has four steps: (1) identify the themes; (2) understand the holistic environment; (3) understand the client; and (4) determine client treatment. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the complementary medicine consultation intelligence cycle and how it may support practitioner critical analysis, decision-making and treatment development.

Keywords: Naturopathic consultation procedure; case analyses

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.

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.

The AJHNM-based CPE questionnaire system is a voluntary system designed to assist members in the accumulation of NHAA CPE points. Questions are divided into the appropriate subject categories (herbal medicine and medical science) and each question refers to an article in this issue of the Australian Journal of Herbal and Naturopathic Medicine. Points accumulated through completion of these questions should be recorded in the NHAA CPE diary. Each completed question is worth one mark in the relevant category. Your completed CPE diary should be returned with your membership renewal at the end of the calendar year. For further information, please see the NHAA CPE Members’ Manual on the NHAA website www.nhaa.org.au.