Q&A An insightful discussion with Dr. Leonard Epstein, a psychologist at the University at Buffalo, who focuses on changing health behaviors. NIHNiH: Why are family-oriented approaches effective? Epstein: Obesity tends to run in families, often passed down through generations. I’ve found that treating both the parent and child at the same time yields stronger results. It supports better outcomes for everyone involved and is more efficient than addressing adults and children individually

Recognizing Early Signs Can Improve BPD Treatment Everyone experiences emotional struggles now and then, especially when it comes to handling strong feelings or maintaining relationships. However, for individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), these issues are ongoing and can severely impact their lives. Many people with BPD cope with significant emotional pain, sometimes resulting in self-harming behaviors and thoughts of suicide. Researchers are working to identify signs of BPD

Common Names: black cohosh, bugbane, bugwort, black snakeroot, macrotys, rattleroot, rattleweed Scientific Names: Actaea racemosa, Cimicifuga racemosa Background • Black cohosh, belonging to the buttercup family, is native to North America. It was traditionally applied by Native American communities to manage issues such as kidney problems, fevers, throat pain, and menstrual discomfort. It has enjoyed a history of medicinal use in Germany since the late 1800s. • Today, black cohosh is marketed

Common Names: Bitter orange, Seville orange, sour orange, zhi shi Scientific Name: Citrus aurantium Background • Bitter orange originates from Southeast Asia. While the fruit is too tart to eat fresh, its peel, juice, and essential oils are often used in the culinary world, to flavor alcoholic drinks, and in fragrances. • It is commonly marketed as a herbal supplement for weight loss, physical performance, and other health uses. The oil derived from it is also used in aromatherapy and on the

Highlighted Resource Consuming alcohol in hot weather can be risky. The combination of high temperatures and alcohol increases the chances of sunburn, dehydration, and accidents like drowning. Make wise choices this summer. Pause before you pour. Focus on your well-being and safety. Discover helpful advice from this resource offered by the NIH. Explore more for helpful tips from the NIH.

Common Names: Bilberry, European bilberry, whortleberry, huckleberry Scientific Name: Vaccinium myrtillus Background • Bilberry is a shrub native to the cooler regions of Europe, northern areas of the U.S., and parts of Canada. Its berries are dark blue and look similar to blueberries. Both its fruit and leaves have a history of medicinal use. • The fruit and leaves have been traditionally used for eye health, to manage blood sugar, and for heart-related conditions. During World War II,

Health Capsule Do you notice yourself clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth often? Do you sometimes wake up with jaw discomfort, earaches, or a headache? If so, you might be experiencing a condition known as bruxism, which refers to the habitual grinding or clenching of teeth. Occasional or mild teeth grinding might not be a cause for concern, but when it becomes frequent or intense, it can lead to a number of problems. These include jaw discomfort, tired muscles, and persistent headaches.

image: Hamilton Se-Hwee Oh, PhD, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, USA. Credit: Hamilton Se-Hwee Oh, PhD NEW YORK, New York, USA, 22 July 2025 – In a featured interview for Brain Medicine, Dr. Hamilton Se-Hwee Oh shares new perspectives on the connection between the brain and body, offering valuable understanding of aging, depression, and neurodegeneration. Through his research at the Brain-Body Institute and the Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease at Mount Sinai in New

What is Berberine? Berberine is a natural compound found in several plants, such as goldenseal, Oregon grape, and barberry. It has been traditionally used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for many years. Today, berberine is being explored for its potential to manage issues like infections, digestive problems, and skin conditions. More recently, research has turned toward its influence on blood sugar levels, heart health risks, and weight management. Can Berberine Help With Weight Loss? There

Making choices about your health care is a personal and significant matter—this includes deciding whether to try out complementary health approaches. These approaches can be grouped based on how the therapy is applied or experienced. They include: • Nutritional methods, such as special diets, supplements, herbal remedies, probiotics, and treatments involving microorganisms. • Psychological techniques, like meditation, hypnosis, music therapy, or relaxation practices. • Physical methods,

The AI for Good Global Summit hosted a session centered on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with healthcare and traditional medicine, featuring keynote contributions from the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Organized every year, the Summit serves as the premier United Nations (UN) gathering that explores how AI can address global issues. The 2025 edition took place in

Is Ayurvedic Medicine Safe? Certain Ayurvedic products may include harmful levels of metals such as lead, mercury, or arsenic, which can be dangerous to health. Is Ayurvedic Medicine Effective? Some research suggests Ayurvedic approaches might relieve pain and improve mobility for people with osteoarthritis or assist in managing type 2 diabetes symptoms. However, these studies tend to be small or lack strong design, so more solid scientific evidence is needed to confirm effectiveness for other

Autism Spectrum Disorder Overview Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that impacts approximately 1 in 36 children and around 2.21% of adults. It is typically characterized by difficulties in social communication and interaction, along with repetitive behaviors and intense, focused interests. Some individuals with ASD may experience challenges with language or intellectual development, and many are sensitive to sensory input such as light, sound, textures, tastes, or

Research suggests that around 8 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 17 in the United States, as well as 4 percent of adults, are diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Boys are about two and a half times more likely than girls to receive a diagnosis. Standard treatments, including behavioral therapy and medications, have been effective in alleviating symptoms for most individuals. Stimulant medications, which are most commonly prescribed, positively impact 70

Common Names: astragale, licorice-leaf astragalus, beg kei, milk vetch, Huang Qi Latin Name: Astragalus membranaceus Background • Astragalus is a flowering plant whose root has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine, often as part of herbal combinations. • The root is classified as an adaptogen—a natural product thought to help the body manage physical and emotional stress. • It’s marketed in supplements claiming to support treatment for various conditions like respiratory infections,

The United Nations has issued a dire alert regarding the fuel crisis in Gaza, describing it as critically severe. Fuel is essential for life in Gaza. It powers critical infrastructure including hospitals, water distribution, sanitation systems, and emergency services. It is also vital for humanitarian aid efforts, transportation of essential items, and the operation of bakeries that provide bread to the local population. Without fuel, essential services supporting some 2.1 million residents are

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The World Health Organization has officially acknowledged the crucial contributions of several national leaders in ensuring the approval of the WHO Pandemic Agreement by the seventy-eighth World Health Assembly, which took place in May 2025. During a dedicated gathering at WHO Headquarters in Geneva on 10 July 2025, commemorative plaques were awarded to representatives from two nations whose past and present presidents, Sebastián Piñera of Chile and Kais Saied of Tunisia, played instrumental

Common Names: Asian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Korean ginseng, red ginseng, white ginseng, ginseng root Scientific Name: Panax ginseng Background • Originating in East Asia, specifically Korea, northeastern China, and parts of eastern Russia, Asian ginseng has long been valued in traditional Chinese medicine. It is often used to support body balance and stress adaptation (as an adaptogen). • This species of ginseng is distinct, and terms like “red ginseng” and “white ginseng” describe how the

The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with UNICEF, has released a new training guide designed to help health and social service providers, along with other support workers, offer safe and effective care to adults facing mental health and psychosocial challenges. This guide introduces a structured, skill-based framework focused on essential helping techniques such as listening attentively, showing empathy, and working collaboratively. It is suitable for both professionals and