Common Names: flaxseed, flax, linseed Scientific Name: Linum usitatissimum Background • Flaxseed has been used for centuries both for medicinal and practical reasons. First cultivated in regions around the Middle East, flax was later valued in ancient Egypt for producing linen, served in dishes in Ethiopia, and used as a laxative in Greece. Early European settlers in North America used flaxseed in poultices for minor wounds and burns, and its oil for making paint. • In modern times, flaxseed

Leprosy Treatment Access Crucial to Global Elimination Efforts Ensuring access to leprosy treatment remains a pivotal step in the global push to end the disease, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) in the lead-up to World Leprosy Day on January 25. Leprosy, a disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, is one of the world's oldest known infections. It mainly targets the skin and peripheral nerves. If not treated, it can lead to lasting damage and disability, often

Image: A still captured just before a powerful solar flare erupted on the Sun, shown in remarkable clarity by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft. Credit: ESA & NASA/Solar Orbiter/EUI Team Much like an avalanche begins with a minor shift in snow, the ESA-led Solar Orbiter has revealed that solar flares also originate from small-scale disruptions that escalate into more intense activity. This series of turbulent processes generates streams of plasma droplets that continue to fall even after the

Are you curious about what types of studies the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) or the broader National Institutes of Health (NIH) have supported in the field of complementary and integrative health? You can explore this information by using NIH RePORTER, an online resource available at reporter.nih.gov. This tool offers access to a vast database of research projects funded by the NIH. RePORTER received significant updates in 2020, bringing several improvements

Health Capsule Over one-third of older adults in the United States experience persistent lower back pain. This type of pain is classified as chronic when it lasts longer than three months. While some manage discomfort with medications or physical therapy, others find these methods insufficient. A recent study explored whether acupuncture could serve as a beneficial treatment option for seniors coping with ongoing back pain. Acupuncture involves inserting very fine needles into targeted spots on

Image: Distribution of microplastics from polymer-coated fertilizers. Of the total fertilizer capsules applied to rice paddies, approximately 77% remain in the fields, while just 0.2% make their way to beaches. Around 22.8% of the plastic is unaccounted for. Source: Tokyo Metropolitan University Tokyo, Japan – Scientists at Tokyo Metropolitan University have conducted a detailed investigation into how plastic from polymer-coated fertilizers (PCFs) ends up on coastlines and in marine

Q&A Highlights from our interview with Dr. Meryl Waldman, a kidney disease expert at the National Institutes of Health. Explore related insights in the article “Curbing Chronic Kidney Disease” found in NIH News in Health. NIHNiH: How does diet play a role in managing chronic kidney disease (CKD)? Waldman: Adjusting your diet is one component of a broader approach to caring for chronic kidney disease. It should be considered along with medication, healthy lifestyle habits, and addressing

Guide to Using PubMed for Complementary Health Topics Curious about what science says about a particular complementary or integrative health topic? You can search PubMed®, a government-run database with references to over 32 million biomedical research papers. A new and improved version of PubMed launched in 2020, allowing access via computer, tablet, or mobile device. This walkthrough demonstrates how to perform several types of searches. Follow along as we explore topics like: • A popular

What’s the Summary? What is known about complementary methods for managing fibromyalgia? Mind and Body Therapies • Practices such as tai chi, yoga, meditation, and biofeedback have shown some signs of benefit, but there’s not yet enough solid research to confirm just how effective they are. • There is still uncertainty about the effectiveness of acupuncture for managing fibromyalgia pain. • Some early research points to potential benefits of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in reducing

Common Names: Feverfew, bachelor's buttons, featherfew, European feverfew Scientific Names: Tanacetum parthenium, Chrysanthemum parthenium, Matricaria parthenium Background • Feverfew is a perennial herb with leaves similar to chrysanthemum and flowers that resemble daisies. • It originally grew in parts of western Asia and the Balkans but is now cultivated across the globe. • Traditionally, people have used feverfew to address issues such as breathing problems, digestive irregularities,

Image: Icons representing alcohol and cannabis use Image credit: Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs By: W.B. Kagan PISCATAWAY, NJ – Today’s young adults are growing up fully immersed in digital technology, making smartphones and apps powerful tools for health-related interventions. According to new research published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, mobile technologies can help reduce the risks linked to alcohol and cannabis use in this age group. Excessive drinking and

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new guidance on HIV clinical care, offering updated advice on antiretroviral treatment, the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission, and tuberculosis (TB) prevention for individuals living with HIV. These updates aim to enhance treatment success, lower the number of HIV-related deaths, and further advance the goal of ending AIDS as a global health concern. This latest guideline builds on the progress made since the last WHO comprehensive HIV

Q&A Highlights from an interview with Dr. Jonathan Himmelfarb, an expert in kidney health based at Mount Sinai in New York City. Originally covered in a feature on reducing chronic kidney disease. NIHNiH: How do conditions like diabetes, obesity, or heart disease contribute to kidney problems? Himmelfarb: Because the kidneys are constantly filtering blood, they're exposed to everything in circulation — including harmful substances. In diabetes, elevated blood sugar levels and altered

Understanding Norovirus Outbreaks Norovirus, a highly contagious stomach illness, tends to spread rapidly in crowded environments such as cruise ships, long-term care facilities, and schools. While anyone can become infected, young children and the elderly are particularly at risk for severe symptoms. Norovirus impacts the stomach and intestines, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach cramps. Additional symptoms may include fever, headaches, and body aches. After

Keep Your Kidneys in Top Shape The kidneys serve as the body's natural filtration system. These two vital organs remove waste and harmful substances from the bloodstream, helping maintain overall health and balance throughout the body. Each day, your kidneys filter around 150 quarts of blood. This extensive work ensures that every system in the body functions properly. “When the kidneys don’t function well, it can impact every organ,” says Dr. Jonathan Himmelfarb, a kidney expert at Mount

Significant Drop in Trachoma Risk Worldwide For the first time since global tracking began, the number of individuals needing treatment for trachoma—the leading infectious cause of blindness globally—has fallen below 100 million. In 2002, the number of people at risk stood at approximately 1.5 billion. As of November 2025, that number has dropped to 97.1 million, marking a 94% decline. In 2011 alone, 314 million people were thought to be at risk. This major achievement is the result of

Dear friends, colleagues, and partners, As we bring this year to a close, we find ourselves at a pivotal point in the global mission to end HIV, tuberculosis (TB), viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — longstanding health challenges that have taken a heavy toll on individuals and communities worldwide. In the midst of ongoing global challenges, your dedication, unity, and relentless effort have been a beacon of progress. Your collective actions have reinforced the idea

Common Name: Fenugreek Scientific Name: Trigonella foenum-graecum Background • Fenugreek is an herb with similarities to clover, found naturally in areas like the Mediterranean, southern Europe, and parts of western Asia. The seeds of this plant have a scent and taste reminiscent of maple syrup and have traditionally been used both in cooking and in traditional healing practices. Because of its flavor, it is commonly added to foods, beverages, and even tobacco for taste. • For thousands of

Eye Health and Dietary Supplements Visual impairments are a widespread issue in the United States, affecting over 3.4 million individuals aged 40 and above who suffer from blindness or diminished sight. Estimates point to approximately 21 million Americans experiencing visual difficulties and as many as 80 million having eye conditions that can lead to blindness. Some of the main culprits behind vision loss in older adults are age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, cataracts, and

Common Names: evening primrose oil, EPO Scientific Name: Oenothera biennis Background • Evening primrose is a flowering plant native to the Americas that also grows in Europe and parts of Asia. Its yellow blossoms open in the evening and close during daylight. The oil derived from its seeds is a source of omega-6 fatty acids, including gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). • Indigenous peoples traditionally used sap from its stems and leaves for minor skin issues like rashes, bruises, and surface