Printer friendly versionHerbal and Dietary Supplements
This text is based on Cochrane reviews, which are recognized scientific articles.
What is a Cochrane Review?Authors: Department of Clinical Epidemiology at Aarhus University Hospital and ViFAB.
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| What is Positive Effect?What is Possible Positive Effect?What is No Effect? |
None of the Cochrane reviews on herbal and dietary supplements report a positive effect of the treatment.
The following treatments show a tendency towards a possible positive effect. However, the evidence is insufficient and cannot form the basis of general recommendations:
Asthma and allergies
None of the Cochrane reviews on herbal and dietary supplements report a possible positive effect on the treatment of bone fracture and osteoporosis.
Bone fractures and osteoporosis
None of the Cochrane reviews on herbal and dietary supplements report a possible positive effect on the treatment of bone fracture and osteoporosis.
Cancer
Chinese medical herbs for chemotherapy side effects in colorectal cancer patients
Diabetes
Chinese herbal medicines for type 2 diabetes mellitus
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) for type 2 diabetes mellitus
Eczema and skin problems
Chinese herbal medicine for atopic eczema
Eye diseases
None of the Cochrane reviews on herbal and dietary supplements report a possible positive effect on the treatment of eye diseases.
Gynecological condition excl. pregnancy and birth
Acupuncture for primary dysmenorrhoea
Acupuncture for uterine fibroids
Chinese herbal medicine for endometriosis
Chinese herbal medicine for premenstrual syndrome
Chinese herbal medicine for primary dysmenorrhoea
Herbal and dietary therapies for primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea
Herbal preparations for uterine fibroids
Spinal manipulation for dysmenorrhoea
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for primary dysmenorrhoea
Heart and circulatory diseases
Artichoke leaf extract for treating hypercholesterolaemia
Chinese herbal medicine suxiao jiuxin wan for angina pectoris
Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure
Horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency
Shengmai (a traditional Chinese herbal medicine) for heart failure
Tongxinluo (Tong xin luo or Tong-xin-luo) capsule for unstable angina pectoris
Infectious diseases
Chinese medicinal herbs for acute pancreatitis
Chinese medicinal herbs for chronic hepatitis B
Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold
Pelargonium sidoides extract for acute respiratory tract infections
Probiotics for preventing acute upper respiratory tract infections
Xylitol for preventing acute otitis media in children up to 12 years of age
Liver diseases
Chinese medicinal herbs for chronic hepatitis B
Lung diseases
None of the Cochrane reviews on herbal and dietary supplements report a possible positive effect on the treatment of lung diseases.
Mental disorders
Chinese herbal medicine for schizophrenia
Kava extract versus placebo for treating anxiety
Omega-3 fatty acids for bipolar disorder
St John's wort for major depression
Neurological disorders
Coenzyme Q10 for Parkinson's disease
Huperzine A for Alzheimer's disease
Newborns and children
Xylitol for preventing acute otitis media in children up to 12 years of age
Nutritional problems and overweight
Chitosan for overweight or obesity
Pain in head, neck or back
Acupuncture and dry-needling for low back pain
Acupuncture for migraine prophylaxis
Acupuncture for neck disorders
Acupuncture for tension-type headache
Chinese herbal medicine for chronic neck pain due to cervical degenerative disc disease
Conservative treatments for whiplash
Feverfew for preventing migraine
Herbal medicine for low back pain
Manipulation or mobilisation for neck pain
Massage for mechanical neck disorders
Spinal manipulative therapy for low-back pain
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) versus placebo for chronic low-back pain
Pain - other
Acupuncture for lateral elbow pain
Acupuncture for pain in endometriosis
Interventions for the treatment of burning mouth syndrome
Non-surgical treatment (other than steroid injection) for carpal tunnel syndrome
Pain control in first trimester surgical abortion
Stimulation of the wrist acupuncture point P6 for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting
Topical capsaicin for chronic neuropathic pain in adults
Touch therapies for pain relief in adults
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic pain
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for acute pain
Vitamin B for treating peripheral neuropathy
Vitamin D for the treatment of chronic painful conditions in adults
Pregnancy and birth
Acupuncture and assisted conception
Acupuncture for induction of labour
Acupuncture or acupressure for pain management in labour
Antenatal perineal massage for reducing perineal trauma
Antioxidants for male subfertility
Antioxidants for preventing pre-eclampsia
Aromatherapy for pain management in labour
Breast stimulation for cervical ripening and induction of labour
Calcium supplementation during pregnancy for preventing hypertensive disorders and related problems
Cephalic version by moxibustion for breech presentation
Chinese herbal medicine for subfertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome
Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of pre-eclampsia
Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy
Complementary and alternative therapies for pain management in labour
Creams for preventing stretch marks in pregnancy
Different methods for the induction of labour in outpatient settings
Effects and safety of periconceptional folate supplementation for preventing birth defects
Garlic for preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications
Homoeopathy for induction of labour
Interventions for leg cramps in pregnancy
Interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy
Interventions for preventing and treating pelvic and back pain in pregnancy
Interventions for treating constipation in pregnancy
Interventions for varicose veins and leg oedema in pregnancy
Magnesium supplementation in pregnancy
Mind-body interventions during pregnancy for preventing or treating women's anxiety
Multiple-micronutrient supplementation for women during pregnancy
Music during caesarean section under regional anaesthesia for improving maternal and infant outcomes
Pain control in first trimester surgical abortion
Probiotics for preventing preterm labour
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) supplementation in pregnancy
Relaxation techniques for pain management in labour
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain relief in labour
Treatments for breast engorgement during lactation
Treatments for iron-deficiency anaemia in pregnancy
Uterine massage for preventing postpartum haemorrhage
Vitamin A supplementation during pregnancy for maternal and newborn outcomes
Vitamin A supplementation for postpartum women
Vitamin C supplementation in pregnancy
Vitamin E supplementation in pregnancy
Vitamin supplementation for preventing miscarriage
Zinc supplementation for improving pregnancy and infant outcome
Prostate, renal and urinary tracts conditions
Beta-sitosterols for benign prostatic hyperplasia
Chinese herbal medicine Huangqi type formulations for nephrotic syndrome
Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections
Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic hyperplasia
Rheumatic diseases
Herbal therapy for treating osteoarthritis
Herbal therapy for treating rheumatoid arthritis
Sclerosis
None of the Cochrane reviews on herbal and dietary supplements report a possible positive effect on the treatment of sclerosis.
Smoking cessation and drug rehabilitation
None of the Cochrane reviews on herbal and dietary supplements report a possible positive effect on the treatment of smoking cessation and drug rehabilitation.
Other conditions
Artemisinin-based combination therapy for treating uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax malaria
Chinese herbal medicines for hypercholesterolemia
Chinese herbal medicines for hyperthyroidism
Honey as a topical treatment for wounds
Phytomedicines (medicines derived from plants) for sickle cell disease
Probiotics for preventing acute upper respiratory tract infections
In the following cases you should not expect an appreciable effect from the treatment:
Creatine for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease
Less that half the Cochrane reviews on vitamins and minerals conclude that there is a possibly positive effect or promising results in connection with the tested products.
The majority of the reviews call for more and better research in their field. This is due to the fact that often there is insufficient evidence on which to draw conclusions about the effect of the vitamins and minerals in question.
There are seldom reports of any severe adverse effects.
Acanthopanax for acute ischaemic stroke
Antioxidant supplements for liver diseases
Artemisinin-based combination therapy for treating uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax malaria
Artichoke leaf extract for treating hypercholesterolaemia
Ayurvedic medicine for schizophrenia
Beta-sitosterols for benign prostatic hyperplasia
Blood pressure lowering efficacy of coenzyme Q10 for primary hypertension
Capsaicin for allergic rhinitis in adults
Carnitine for fatigue in multiple sclerosis
Chinese herbal medicine for atopic eczema
Chinese herbal medicine for chronic neck pain due to cervical degenerative disc disease
Chinese herbal medicine for diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Chinese herbal medicine for endometriosis
Chinese herbal medicine for premenstrual syndrome
Chinese herbal medicine for primary dysmenorrhoea
Chinese herbal medicine for schizophrenia
Chinese herbal medicine for subfertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome
Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of pre-eclampsia
Chinese herbal medicine Huangqi type formulations for nephrotic syndrome
Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy
Chinese herbal medicine suxiao jiuxin wan for angina pectoris
Chinese herbal medicines for hypercholesterolemia
Chinese herbal medicines for hyperthyroidism
Chinese herbal medicines for type 2 diabetes mellitus
Chinese herbs combined with Western medicine for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
Chinese medical herbs for chemotherapy side effects in colorectal cancer patients
Chinese medicinal herbs for acute bronchitis
Chinese medicinal herbs for acute pancreatitis
Chinese medicinal herbs for asymptomatic carriers of hepatitis B virus infection
Chinese medicinal herbs for chronic hepatitis B
Chinese medicinal herbs for influenza
Chinese medicinal herbs for the common cold
Chinese medicinal herbs to treat the side-effects of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients
Chitosan for overweight or obesity
Chuanxiong preparations for preventing stroke
Chuanxiong-type preparations for acute ischemic stroke
Coenzyme Q10 for Parkinson's disease
Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections
Creams for preventing stretch marks in pregnancy
Creatine for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease
Dan Shen agents for acute ischaemic stroke
Danshen (Chinese medicinal herb) preparations for acute myocardial infarction
Dengzhanhua preparations for acute cerebral infarction
Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis
Dietary marine fatty acids (fish oil) for asthma in adults and children
Drug treatment for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold
Feverfew for preventing migraine
Fish oil for induction of remission in ulcerative colitis
Fish oil for kidney transplant recipients
Garlic for peripheral arterial occlusive disease
Garlic for preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications
Ginkgo Biloba extract for age-related macular degeneration
Ginkgo biloba for acute ischaemic stroke
Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia
Ginkgo biloba for intermittent claudication
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) for the prevention of cancer
Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure
Herbal and dietary therapies for primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea
Herbal interventions for chronic asthma in adults and children
Herbal medicine for low back pain
Herbal medicines for treating HIV infection and AIDS
Herbal medicines for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
Herbal medicines for viral myocarditis
Herbal preparations for uterine fibroids
Herbal therapy for treating osteoarthritis
Herbal therapy for treating rheumatoid arthritis
Honey and lozenges for children with non-specific cough
Honey as a topical treatment for wounds
Honey for acute cough in children
Horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency
Huperzine A for Alzheimer's disease
Huperzine A for vascular dementia
Inositol for depressive disorders
Interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy
Interventions for pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus
Interventions for prevention of post-operative recurrence of Crohn's disease
Interventions for the treatment of burning mouth syndrome
Interventions for treating collagenous colitis
Interventions for treating constipation in pregnancy
Kava extract versus placebo for treating anxiety
Laxatives for the treatment of hemorrhoids
Lecithin for dementia and cognitive impairment
Lycopene for the prevention of prostate cancer
Mailuoning for acute ischaemic stroke
Medicinal herbs for hepatitis C virus infection
Methods of preventing bacterial sepsis and wound complications for liver transplantation
Milk thistle for alcoholic and/or hepatitis B or C virus liver diseases
Momordica charantia for type 2 diabetes mellitus
Multiple-micronutrient supplementation for women during pregnancy
Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil) for maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease
Omega 3 fatty acids for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease
Omega-3 fatty acids (from fish oils) for cystic fibrosis
Omega-3 fatty acids for bipolar disorder
Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation for autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) for type 2 diabetes mellitus
Passiflora for anxiety disorder
Pelargonium sidoides extract for acute respiratory tract infections
Pharmacological and nutritional treatment for McArdle's disease (Glycogen Storage Disease type V)
Phlebotonics for venous insufficiency
Phyllanthus species for chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Phytomedicines (medicines derived from plants) for sickle cell disease
Polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for schizophrenia
Potassium supplementation for the management of primary hypertension in adults
Prebiotics in infants for prevention of allergic disease and food hypersensitivity
Probiotics for induction of remission in Crohn's disease
Probiotics for induction of remission in ulcerative colitis
Probiotics for maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis (se afsnit om bivirkninger)
Probiotics for patients with hepatic encephalopathy
Probiotics for preventing acute upper respiratory tract infections
Probiotics for preventing preterm labour
Probiotics for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis
Probiotics for treating eczema
Probiotics for treating persistent diarrhoea in children
Probiotics for treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated colitis in adults
Probiotics in infants for prevention of allergic disease and food hypersensitivity
Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic hyperplasia
Roselle for hypertension in adults
Sanchi for acute ischaemic stroke
Serenoa repens for benign prostatic hyperplasia
Shengmai (a traditional Chinese herbal medicine) for heart failure
St John's wort for major depression
Tongxinluo (Tong xin luo or Tong-xin-luo) capsule for unstable angina pectoris
Tongxinluo capsule for acute stroke
Topical capsaicin for chronic neuropathic pain in adults
Traditional Chinese herbal products for stable angina
Traditional Chinese medicine for epilepsy
Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs for stopping bleeding from haemorrhoids
Treatment for mitochondrial disorders
Tyrosine supplementation for phenylketonuria
Valerian for anxiety disorders
Xylitol for preventing acute otitis media in children up to 12 years of age