Introduction: Black seeds, also called black cumin, and known as Habb-es-Sauda and Habbat-ul-Barakah (Seeds of Blessing) in Arabic, are reverently used by Muslims all over the world, because their usefulness and health benefits are mentioned in a Hadith of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). All ancient and modern cultures, be it Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Mediterranean, Hindu or others have used black seeds in one or the other form since millennia.

Purpose: This review is an attempt to critically evaluate the experimental and clinical evidence in support of the health benefit claims about black seeds or lack thereof. The major focus of this review was on studies that involved whole seeds, powdered seeds, their aqueous decoction/extract or black seeds oil, administered orally. Reports that did not specify the nature of the extract used in the studies, or studies involving isolated constituents were generally avoided.

Results: In most clinical trials, a daily dose of 2 g of black seeds was found optimum to achieve health benefits, including on blood glucose, lipid profile, inflammation, gastrointestinal symptoms and the central nervous system (CNS). Most of the effects on the CNS were reported by the volatile oil. Other positive results reported in clinical trials have not been reproduced or expanded to validate their outcomes.

Discussion: A number of positive results were achieved in many clinical trials on black seeds, but a paucity of clinical studies reproducing these reported clinical benefits necessitates clinical trials in more diverse populations, of longer duration, and involving a significantly higher number of patients to establish the reproducibility.

Background: Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Western countries. Mistletoe extract has been used for decades as a complementary cancer therapy in Europe to improve patient general condition, vitality, pain and appetite.

Aim: To examine the effect of mistletoe extracts (Quercus, Fraxini and Mali) on the viability of colon cancer and normal intestinal cells.

Materials/methods: Cell viability of IEC-6 (non-transformed) and Caco-2 (colon cancer) cells was determined by MTT assay for mistletoe extracts (Quercus, Fraxini and Mali; aqueous; 1–100 µg/mL) alone and in combination with 5-Flurorouracil (5-FU). p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: IC50 values on Caco-2 cells for Fraxini, Mali and Quercus were 42.7, 65.5 and 84.4 µg/mL, respectively. IC50 values for Fraxini, Mali and Quercus on IEC-6 cells were 71.74, 65.52 and 84.39 µg/mL, respectively. Fraxini (50 µg/mL), when combined with 5-FU (5 µM), significantly increased the potency of 5-FU on IEC-6 cells compared to Fraxini (50 µg/mL) alone (p<0.05). Quercus was less effective than Fraxini at reducing Caco-2 cell viability. However, effects on IEC-6 cells were also less pronounced. Mali was the least effective extract on both cell lines.

Conclusion: Fraxini was the most potent mistletoe extract at decreasing colon cancer cell viability.

This case study describes the treatment of a middle-aged woman with symptoms of increased urgency and frequency of urination, and incomplete voiding, consistent with the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis (IC). Treatment was underpinned by holistic philosophy and incorporated the naturopathic principle, ‘treat the whole person’. Aggravating and sustaining factors, including chronic stress, nervous system dysregulation and inflammation, were identified and addressed using herbal medicine. The client reported alleviation of symptoms within two weeks of naturopathic treatment, as well as improvements of other characteristic symptoms, including sleep onset and quality, increased energy levels, resolution of restless legs, and decreased oedema in her feet and ankles. This case demonstrates the efficacy of naturopathy for treatment of symptoms associated with IC.

The 2018 International Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health (ICIMH) took place in Baltimore, America, and focused on the advancement of integrative health through research, education, clinical practice and policy. The Congress served as a platform 
to share novel research in integrative medicine and health. Major themes of the 2018 ICIMH include the mechanism of action behind traditional and complementary therapies, mindfulness and non-pharmaceutical pain management techniques. Throughout the Congress, trends were seen suggesting a new paradigm of health care is necessary, moving away from solely conventional medicine to an integrative approach, utilising manual therapies, mindfulness practice and dietary interventions in conjunction with conventional care. Delegates who attended the 2018 ICIMH networked with international researchers and health care practitioners, forming new relationships and strengthening pre-existing partnerships.

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.