More Research on Herbal Remedies

Researchers at Iowa State University had a busy summer studying botanicals used in dietary supplements, thanks to a grant from the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS).

St. John’s wort (Hypericum), Self-heal (Prunella) and Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) are among the herbal remedies that continue to be examined to evaluate their antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) also financially contributed to this study of herbal remedies which included experts not only from ISU, but also from the University of Iowa and Yale University.

Acting Director of NCCAM, Ruth Kirschstein, explained that millions of Americans employ the use of natural products for their healing effects. The results from this study can be compiled with many other studies conducted at six dietary supplement research centers sponsored by the National Institutes of Health that focus on botanicals.