Traditionally, crude extracts from various plants were used for treatment of diseases and ailments, while spices have been used for flavour, as preservatives, in rituals and as medicines for treating infectious diseases. The essential oils of 12 medicinal plants and spices were extracted and tested against Escherichia coli 0157:H7 (EHEC) to determine the antimicrobial properties. The selected plants and spices are Eugenia caryophyllata (F), Jasminium (F), Eucalyptus globulus (L), Zingiber officinale (R), Allium sativum (L), Occimum sanctum (L), Azadirachta indica (L), Psidium guajava (L), Citrus limon (L), Carica papaya (L), Morinda citrifolia (L) and Azadirachta indica (seed). These plants and spices were chosen due to their dependence by local households as a means of traditional medicine. Essential oils extracted from the plant and spices showed growth inhibition of E. coli 0157:H7, whereas the highest antimicrobial activity was recorded for clove oil. Jasmine, pawpaw and neem (seed oil) had the lowest growth respectively. All other extracts had moderate activity. Additionally, the aqueous and ethanol extracts of each plant were used to determine the total phenolic content (TPC). From the plants tested, the TPC of aqueous extract varied from 612±3.15 to 2.67±0.11 (mg GAE/100gdw), while TPC of ethanol extract varied from 434±2.87 to 1.02±0.09 (mg GAE/100gdw). The highest TPC was recorded for noni aqueous extract and the lowest was for jasmine ethanol extract. This study reports the inhibitory effects and phenolic content of 12 herbs and spices and thus its potential use for developing safe pharmaceutical agents.

Objective To assess the access to conventional cancer services and traditional and complementary medicine (TC&M) use during the COVID‑19 pandemic by cancer patients.

Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 202 cancer patients at the Béni Mellal regional oncology centre in Morocco between June and July 2020. Documentary analysis of the centre’s information system and a structured interview of 47 items made it possible to collect data.

Results A total of 69 patients (34.2%) found it difficult to access conventional care during the COVID‑19 crisis. The prevalence of T&CM use during the COVID‑19 pandemic was 35%. Plants were the most used T&CM category (97%). Cancer patients with cancer duration of less than a year, receiving radiotherapy or chemotherapy alone and perceiving the danger of T&CM had used these therapies less.

Conclusion The difficulty of accessing care and the fear of attending oncology care organisations require a review of the treatment protocol and guidelines adapted to this crisis. Therapeutic education targeting T&CM used is considered necessary.

Eczema is a common irritating dermatitis for which there are limited conventional treatment options. A traditional Chinese herb Smilax glabra Roxb (SGR) has been reported to have benefits in the management of eczema. SGR belongs to the Liliaceae family which has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties. In this paper we discuss the relevant clinical research of SGR and its common traditional Chinese medicine formulations in clinical studies containing Smilax glabra used for treating combating eczema.

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.