Complementary and Alternative Medicine

This collection features AFP content deemed current by the AFP online medical editor on complementary and alternative medicine and related issues, including herbs and dietary supplements (black cohosh, chasteberry, coenzyme Q10, cranberry, echinacea, evening primrose oil, garlic, ginger, gingko biloba, glucosamine, green tea, hawthorn, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, peppermint oil, probiotics, soy, St. John’s wort, valerian, zinc), acupuncture, meditation, and yoga. New research may affect the interpretation and application of this material. Clinical judgment is advised. Note that AFP content published within the past 12 months is accessible to AAFP members and paid subscribers only.

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Last Update: 07/30/2011

Herbs and Dietary Supplements Mind-body Modalities

Improving Practice Patient Education, Self-Care

Herbs and Dietary Supplements

• Black Cohosh (07/01/2003)
• Chasteberry (09/01/2005)
• Coenzyme Q10 (09/15/2005)
• Cranberry for Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections (12/01/2004)
• Cranberry Products for Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection [Cochrane for Clinicians] (08/01/2008)
• Echinacea (01/01/2003)
• Evening Primrose Oil (12/15/2009)
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids (07/01/2004)
• Health Effects of Garlic (07/01/2005)
• Ginger: An Overview (06/01/2007)
• Gingko Biloba (09/01/2003)
• Glucosamine (08/15/2008)
• Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Osteoarthritis [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries] (04/01/2006)
• Glucosamine Treatment for Osteoarthritis [Cochrane for Clinicians] (04/01/2006)
• Green Tea: Potential Health Benefits (04/01/2009)
• Health Effects of Hawthorn (02/15/2010)
• Herbal and Dietary Supplements for Treatment of Anxiety Disorders (08/15/2007)
• Therapeutic Uses of Magnesium (07/15/2009)
• Peppermint Oil (04/01/2007)
• Probiotics (11/01/2008)
• Probiotics for Persistent Diarrhea in Children [Cochrane for Clinicians] (07/01/2011)
• AAP Reports on Use of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Children [Practice Guidelines] (04/01/2011)
• Soy: A Complete Source of Protein (01/01/2009)
• St. John's Wort (12/01/2005)
• St. John's Wort for Depression [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries] (04/01/2005)
• Valerian (04/15/2003)
• Zinc: An Essential Micronutrient (05/01/2009)

Mind-body Modalities

• Acupuncture for Pain (09/01/2009)
• Acupuncture for Migraine Headaches [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries] (04/15/2010)
• Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Migraine Prophylaxis [Cochrane for Clinicians] (01/01/2010)
• Exercise, Yoga, and Meditation for Depressive and Anxiety Disorders (04/15/2010)
• Mind-Body Therapies for Headache (11/15/2007)
• Acupuncture for Chronic Back Pain: What Level of Evidence? [Letters to the Editor] (10/15/2010)

Improving Practice

FROM FAMILY PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

AAFP's Journal of Practice Improvement

• Are You Ready to Discuss Complementary and Alternative Medicine? (07/01/2007)
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Primer (03/01/2001)

Patient Education, Self-Care

FROM FAMILYDOCTOR.ORG

AAFP's Patient Education Resource

• Herbal Products and Supplements