Common Names: European mistletoe Scientific Name: Viscum album Background • European mistletoe is a plant that attaches itself to various trees like apple, oak, pine, and elm, drawing nutrients from its hosts. Unlike American mistletoe, which is commonly associated with festive traditions in the United States, European mistletoe has a different profile and usage. • Historically, European mistletoe has been part of herbal practices, used for symptoms ranging from seizures to headaches, and even

Your Excellency Prime Minister Modi, Distinguished leaders, Ministers, colleagues, and friends, Namaste. I express my sincere gratitude to the Government and people of India – and especially to Prime Minister Modi – for hosting this summit and for your steadfast leadership and collaboration. Prime Minister, your concept of “One Earth, One Health” beautifully captures the essence of traditional medicine: The harmony between humanity and nature, The focus on prevention rather than treatment, And

Geneva, 2025 – The World Health Organization (WHO) has released an in-depth global overview of the use of human genomics in clinical research, spanning over thirty years of registered studies from 1990 to 2024. Entitled Human Genomics Technologies in Clinical Studies – The Research Landscape, the report is supported by an interactive dashboard offering the most detailed look yet at how genomic technologies are being applied in clinical settings. It also sheds light on significant disparities in

On December 17, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) granted prequalification status to two rapid antigen tests designed to detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. The approved tests are the SD Biosensor STANDARD Q COVID-19 Ag Test and the ACON Biotech Flowflex SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test (Self-Testing). This announcement represents a significant milestone, as it is the first time such tests for COVID-19 have received official prequalification from WHO. This development

image: Bisection exercises highlight how numbers can influence our spatial judgment. When numbers are included within shapes, they subtly alter how participants perceive the center point. Credit: Tokyo Metropolitan University Tokyo, Japan – A team at Tokyo Metropolitan University has explored how numerical elements in visual stimuli impact spatial perception. In their study, participants were asked to locate the center of lines and squares that contained numbers. The deviation from the true

Approximately 30 million men in the United States experience erectile dysfunction (ED). If you’re affected, it’s important to speak with your doctor. There are established medical treatments available that might be beneficial for you. ED may also point to other health issues, such as problems with blood flow or nerve damage often linked to diabetes, which makes medical evaluation essential. Treatments proven to be effective for ED are only available through a licensed health care professional.

Common Names: Ephedra, Chinese ephedra, Ma Huang Botanical Name: Ephedra sinica Background • Ephedra is a small, evergreen plant known for its thin, jointed stems and small, scale-like leaves. It is most commonly sourced from the stems and branches of Ephedra sinica. • Traditionally used in countries such as China and India, ephedra has been utilized to help relieve symptoms like colds, fevers, headaches, nasal congestion, coughs, and breathing difficulties like wheezing. • In 2004, the U.S.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially designated the medical product regulatory bodies of Australia and Indonesia as WHO Listed Authorities (WLAs), emphasizing expanding global confidence in reliable healthcare oversight across regions and income levels. Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority have successfully met WHO’s top international benchmarks in the regulation of medical products. With this recognition, the WLA network

The second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, hosted in collaboration with the Government of India, concluded today in New Delhi. This event marked a significant step for global healthcare, attracting over 16,000 online participants and bringing together 800 representatives from more than 100 countries, including ministers from over 20 of them. With a lineup of 160 speakers, the summit provided a platform for the global traditional medicine community to explore how traditional medical

Energy drinks are often marketed as beverages that boost stamina, improve focus, and enhance physical output. Among dietary supplements, they rank just behind multivitamins in popularity with U.S. teenagers and young adults. Men aged 18 to 34 are the leading consumers, while nearly one in three teenagers between 12 and 17 years old report regular use of energy drinks. There are two general types of energy drinks. One is packaged like typical soft drinks, with sizes such as 16 ounces. The other

Common Names: elderberry, black elderberry, European elder, common elder Scientific Name: Sambucus nigra Background • Elderberry is a dark purple fruit that grows on the European black elder tree, which can be found in Europe, North America, parts of Asia, and North Africa. • Traditionally, elderberries have been used in herbal medicine to help manage symptoms of colds and the flu. • Nowadays, elderberry is marketed as a dietary supplement for respiratory illness. Although promoted for various

The most recent analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reveals that, due to the October ceasefire and improved humanitarian and trade access, none of Gaza’s regions are presently experiencing famine. Although this marks a positive development, the situation remains precarious. Residents still face widespread destruction of infrastructure and continue to live with collapsed sources of income and food production, all within the context of restricted humanitarian

Echinacea Overview Common Names: Echinacea, purple coneflower, coneflower, American coneflower Scientific Names: Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida Background • Echinacea is a group of perennial plants related to daisies, sunflowers, and ragweed. While now widely cultivated, these plants are originally native to regions east of the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. • Native American tribes in North America first used E. purpurea as a natural remedy for respiratory issues,

iPS Cell Cryopreservation Innovation image: Researchers at Kobe University, led by MARUYAMA Tatsuo, have developed a novel method to freeze induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS cell) sheets—an advancement that preserves their quality during long-term storage. Credit: UCHIDA Satoru This new approach enables iPS cells to be cryopreserved directly within their culture dishes while maintaining their vitality and undifferentiated state after thawing. It represents a key advancement in streamlining

iCTG Device Improving Newborn Health in Tanzania Image: Dr. Beatrice Mwilike, the team leader in Tanzania, demonstrating the use of the iCTG device. Credit: Melody International Ltd. Nearly all newborn fatalities—about 99%—take place in low- and middle-income countries, where pregnant women often lack access to appropriate fetal monitoring tools. In Tanzania, where the neonatal death rate stands at 24 for every 1,000 live births, a new wireless fetal monitoring technology is showing

Image: Seal equipped with tracking device Photo courtesy of Gordon Hastie/Sea Mammal Research Unit A groundbreaking study led by the University of St Andrews has produced the most detailed maps yet of grey and harbour seal locations across Northwest Europe, covering most seal populations in the continental shelf region. Published on December 16th in the Journal of Applied Ecology, the research merged GPS tracking data from over 840 seals across seven European nations (UK, Ireland, France,

On November 27, 2025, the World Health Organization’s Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) reviewed two newly conducted systematic literature reviews examining potential links between vaccination and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). After carefully evaluating published studies from January 2010 through August 2025, the Committee upheld its earlier findings from reviews in 2002, 2004, and 2012, confirming that there is no credible evidence that vaccines cause ASD. In vaccine safety

Spotlight on a Condition Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) impacts roughly one out of every 14 children in kindergarten. It is a condition that affects communication, often leading to difficulties with understanding, using language, and learning. Providing support and guidance during preschool years can significantly help many children improve their language abilities. Early intervention makes a notable difference. To find detailed information about DLD, explore trusted health resources.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) are two closely related chemical compounds that have been explored for their potential to help with osteoarthritis. DMSO is generally applied to the skin, whereas MSM is available as a dietary supplement, often included with other elements such as glucosamine. Bottom Line Very limited studies have been done on the effectiveness of DMSO and MSM for easing symptoms of osteoarthritis. As a result, it's not clear whether these

A recent evaluation by a global panel of vaccine safety experts, working under the World Health Organization (WHO), has determined that there is no scientific evidence linking vaccines to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This finding reinforces WHO’s longstanding confirmation that childhood vaccination does not lead to autism. Formed in 1999, the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) consists of international specialists who offer independent, science-based guidance to WHO on