Common Names: kava, kava kava, awa, ava pepper, ava root, kawa Latin Name: Piper methysticum Background • Kava is a plant indigenous to the South Pacific region and belongs to the pepper family. • For thousands of years, Pacific Island cultures have prepared kava as a traditional beverage for ceremonies and social gatherings, as well as for wellness purposes. In recent decades, kava drinks have become popular beyond the Pacific Islands, including in the United States, where specialty kava bars

How Microorganisms in Your Mouth Influence Your Health Your mouth is more than just teeth, gums, and a tongue. It is also home to billions of microscopic organisms that can only be seen under a microscope. These include bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Collectively, the community of microorganisms living in your mouth is called the oral microbiome. Researchers believe the oral microbiome may play a role in diseases that affect not only the mouth but also other parts of the body. Studying these

What’s the Bottom Line? What do we currently understand about complementary health approaches for irritable bowel syndrome? Nutritional Approaches • Some research suggests that peppermint oil may ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). • Certain probiotics might improve IBS symptoms, but the available evidence is not strong enough to draw firm conclusions. • Studies on prebiotics have not shown consistent or clear benefits for individuals with IBS. • With the exception of peppermint

image: Creation of an ultra-smooth, crack-resistant nanofiltration membrane manufacturing technology that removes surface irregularities. Credit: Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) Dr. Hong-Ju Lee and Dr. In-Hyuk Song from the Nano Materials Research Division at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) have developed an advanced fabrication process that enables nanoscale control of ceramic membrane surface smoothness, along with membrane materials capable of accurately filtering

The forty-fourth meeting of the Emergency Committee convened under the International Health Regulations (IHR) to address the international spread of poliovirus was called by the WHO Director-General on 14 January 2026. Eight of the nine Committee members, along with an adviser, participated by video conference together with representatives of affected countries, supported by the WHO Secretariat. The Committee examined the most recent epidemiological information on wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1)

The World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), has congratulated Chile for becoming the first country in the Americas—and only the second worldwide—to be officially recognized for eliminating leprosy. Leprosy, also known as Hansen disease, was first documented in Chile in the late nineteenth century on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). On the mainland, cases were rare and typically linked to isolated introductions. On Rapa Nui, transmission was

Hypnosis, often referred to as hypnotherapy, has been explored as a therapeutic approach for a variety of health concerns. Research has examined its potential role in managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), situational anxiety (such as anxiety before medical or surgical procedures), menopausal complaints, hot flashes in breast cancer survivors, headaches, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It has also been evaluated as a method for pain relief and for supporting smoking cessation efforts. •

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, affects nearly one out of every two adults in the United States. If left uncontrolled, it can gradually harm the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other organs. Serious outcomes may include heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. Managing high blood pressure typically begins with lifestyle adjustments such as following a nutritious diet, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy body weight, limiting alcohol

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its recommendations for the viral composition of influenza (“flu”) vaccines for the 2026–2027 influenza season in the northern hemisphere. The guidance follows a four-day consultation during which experts reviewed global influenza surveillance findings. The composition of influenza vaccines must be updated regularly because influenza viruses continually evolve. WHO’s recommendations guide national regulatory authorities and vaccine manufacturers

Marking a renewed phase of regional collaboration, a new declaration is urging swift and coordinated measures to reduce air pollution and safeguard public health throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Introduced in the context of the 2nd WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in March 2025, the Initiative reinforces the connection between health policy and environmental justice across the Americas. From global commitments to regional action First advanced at the Latin American

Common Names: horse chestnut, buckeye, Spanish chestnut Latin Name: Aesculus hippocastanum Background • Horse chestnut is a deciduous tree native to southeastern Europe. Its spiky fruits contain shiny brown seeds that resemble edible chestnuts, although they are bitter and not safe to eat raw. • In traditional practices, extracts from the seeds were used to address joint discomfort, swelling, menstrual cramps, hemorrhoids, and other inflammatory concerns. • Today, standardized horse chestnut

Common Names: hoodia, Kalahari cactus, Xhoba, Bushman’s hat Scientific Name: Hoodia gordonii Background • Hoodia is a leafless succulent native to the Kalahari Desert regions of Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. For generations, the San people traditionally chewed the plant to help curb hunger and thirst during extended hunting trips. • Researchers have identified a compound in hoodia known as P57, classified as an oxypregnane steroidal glycoside. This substance has been suggested as a

What's the Bottom Line? What is known about how well homeopathy works? • Current scientific research provides little reliable evidence that homeopathy is effective for treating any particular medical condition. What is known about the safety of homeopathic products? • Some items marketed as homeopathic may contain measurable amounts of active substances and have the potential to cause side effects or interact with other medications. What Is Homeopathy? Homeopathy, sometimes referred to as

As Ukraine moves into the fifth year of full-scale war, the population has faced the highest number of attacks on health care recorded in 2025 – an increase of nearly 20% compared with 2024. Since 24 February 2022, when the full-scale invasion began, WHO has verified at least 2881 attacks on health care across Ukraine. These incidents have affected health workers, hospitals and clinics, ambulances, and medical storage facilities. The health system is under severe strain on two fronts: direct

What’s the Bottom Line? What is currently known about dietary supplements for hepatitis C? • No dietary supplement has been proven to effectively treat hepatitis C. • Research on silymarin (milk thistle), the most commonly used supplement for this condition, has not demonstrated meaningful benefits in people with hepatitis C. What is known about safety? • Colloidal silver, sometimes promoted for hepatitis C, is unsafe and may cause permanent and serious side effects. • In clinical studies of

What’s the Bottom Line? What do we know about the usefulness of complementary approaches for headaches? Psychological and Physical Approaches • Acupuncture may provide relief for some people with headaches. However, research suggests that part of its benefit may be related to expectations, beliefs, and placebo responses rather than the specific effects of needle placement. • Biofeedback techniques have shown potential for helping with tension-type headaches and migraines, though study findings

image: Graphic titled “Discovery of Novel Camel Antimicrobial Peptides” outlining five key stages. Step 1: Computational identification of antimicrobial peptides from the camel genome. Step 2: In-silico structural characterization of three peptides—CdPMAP-23, CdPG-3, and CdCATH. Step 3: Laboratory synthesis of the selected peptides. Step 4: In-vitro antimicrobial testing demonstrating suppressed bacterial growth. Step 5: In-vitro hemolysis assessment showing minimal damage to red blood cells.

According to a recent assessment by the World Health Organization (WHO), next-generation influenza vaccines that offer broader and longer-lasting protection than current seasonal formulations could significantly reduce the worldwide impact of influenza. The new WHO Full Value of Improved Influenza Vaccine Assessment (FVIVA), published alongside an article in the journal Vaccine, examines the public health, economic, and policy implications of next-generation influenza vaccines. It also outlines

Common Names: hawthorn, hawthorne, harthorne, English hawthorn, Mexican hawthorn, raiz de tejocote, tejocote, shanzha, WS 1442 Latin Names: Crataegus monogyna, Crataegus mexicana, Crataegus pinnatifida (also known as Crataegus oxycantha), Crataegus laevigata Background • Hawthorn is a flowering shrub or small tree that belongs to the rose family and grows in temperate climates around the world. • Traditionally, hawthorn has been used to support heart health, aid digestion, improve circulation,

Image: Electron microscope images of two bacteria linked to bacterial constipation. Left: Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (Top: Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM); Bottom: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)). Right: Akkermansia muciniphila (Top: TEM; Bottom: SEM). These microbes act sequentially to break down the intestinal mucus layer that keeps stool soft and hydrated. Credit: Tomonari Hamaguchi, Nagoya University Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan have identified a pair of gut