Melissa Officinalis Research Articles

Screening of larvicidal activities of eight plant essential oils against Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams. (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae), a main pine defoliator in the Mediterranean

Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams. is the most important pine defoliator in the Mediterranean Basin and can cause serious growth losses on trees. At this point, the purpose of this study was to investigate the larvicidal effects of eight plant essential oils as biological control agents for the pine processionary moth. For this purpose, Artemisia vulgaris L., Juniperus drupacea Labill., Melissa officinalis L., Ocimum basilicum L., Origanum majorana L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Sideritis leptoclada O. Schwarz & P.H. Davis and Vitex agnus-castus L. essential oils were tested on the fourth/fifth larval periods of T. wilkinsoni. The essential oils from the eight plants were obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC/MS. The most abundant compounds from each studied species were as follows: 1,8-cineole (20.68%) for R. officinalis, β-pinene (26.73%) for S. leptoclada, linalool (38.67%) for O. majorana, p-mentha-1,5-dien-8-ol (36.44%) for M. officinalis, eugenol acetate (38.78%) for O. basilicum, 1,8-cineole (22.10%) for V. agnus-castus, d-limonene (45.21%) for J. drupacea and trans-β-caryophyllene (21.22%) for A. vulgaris. The results show that all eight essential oils exhibited promising efficacy in a dose-dependent manner on T. wilkinsoni larvae after 24 hours. The highest larvicidal effect was obtained from J. drupacea, followed by O. basilicum, with LC50 values of 73.55 and 95.04 ppm, respectively. The data obtained from this study clearly indicate that J. drupacea and O. basilicum essential oils have the potential to have larvicidal effects and these findings point to the possibility of using the essential oil of the current species to control T. wilkinsoni.

Vacuum and convection drying effects on volatile compounds profile and physicochemical properties of selected herbs from Lamiaceae family

During drying herbs, the aim is to preserve their bioactive properties and characteristic aroma, which requires choosing a drying method and parameters that minimize degradation. In this study, the effects of convection and vacuum drying methods on peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) were compared. Fresh herb leaves were dried at 35 °C (using both methods) with an airflow of 0.5 m·s−1 for convection (CONV) and with reduced pressure (300 mbar) for the vacuum method (VAC). Physical and chemical properties were measured (color measurement in the L*a*b* system, weight loss, profile of volatile compounds, total phenolic content (TFC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total antioxidant activity (TAA)). After drying, a reduction in the brightness of the leaf color and the proportion of red color was observed in most replicates (e.g., for peppermint—control sample L* = 43.11, CONV sample L* = 40.21, VAC sample L* = 37.30). Water evaporated by varying degrees depending on the herb species and the drying method as follows:. The TPC of peppermint was 332.44 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g of sample for CONV and 451.38 for VAC; for sweet basil sequentially: 80.59 and 105.63 GAE/100 g; for lemon balm 248.31 and 314.41 GAE/ 100 g. TFC of peppermint was 244.12 mg quercetin/100 g of sample for CONV and 261.92 for VAC; sweet basil sequentially: 76.91 and 83.31 mg quercetin/100 g; lemon balm 186.50 and 203.87 mg quercetin/100 g. The TAA of peppermint was 84.28% for convection drying, 87.49% for vacuum drying, and sweet basil, it was 20.35% and 47.35% sequentially, and for lemon balm, it was 87.67% and 89.69%. The vacuum method was statistically more effective in preserving the polyphenols and flavonoids in the herbs. Different drying methods also affected the volatile compounds recognized in dried herbs using the Electronic Nose.

EFFECT OF GAMMA IRRADIATION ON Salvia officinalis L. AND Melissa officinalis L. IN VITRO PLANTS

Salvia officinalis L. (sage) and Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) are two valuable medicinal plants from Lamiaceae family. Considering the therapeutic potential of sage and lemon balm extracts, there is currently great interest to increase the production of biological material and the synthesis of bioactive compounds by different methods. Both micropropagation and gamma irradiation represent efficient methods of stimulating the synthesis of bioactive compounds in plants. In order to produce biological material, it is important to establish the doses of gamma radiation that do not have a phytotoxic effect on plants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of gamma irradiation (100, 300, and 500 Gy) on sage and lemon balm by quantifying of some biochemical compounds (assimilatory pigments, soluble carbohydrates, and total polyphenols) in in vitro plants. The results obtained revealed that high doses of gamma radiation have phytotoxic effect on in vitro raised plants. However, micropropagation is an efficient method to produce high quality biological material, source for obtaining extracts with therapeutic potential.

DETERMINATION OF FERULIC ACID IN THE EXTRACTS OF LEAVES OF SOME MEMBERS OF THE LAMIACEAE FAMILY

Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic substance widespread in plants and exhibiting a wide range of potential therapeutic effects, such as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, and useful in the treatment of diabetes, lung and cardiovascular diseases. Methanol extracts from the fresh leaves of 40 species from the Lamiaceae family growing in the outdoor collections of the Botanical Garden of the Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (BIN RAS, Saint-Petersburg) and the experimental station “Otradnoye” BIN RAS (Leningrad region) have been investigated. Ferulic acid was detected in 18 species under investigation, related to the subfamilies Lamioideae Harley (Betonica grandiflora Willd., Galeobdolon luteum Huds., Lamium album L., Sideritis taurica Steph. ex Willd., Stachys byzantine K. Koch) and Nepetoideae Kostel. (Clinopodium vulgare L., Hyssopus officinalis L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Meechania urticifolia (Miq.) Makino, Melissa officinalis L., Mentha piperita L., Monarda didyma L., Nepeta bucharica Lipsky, N. grandiflora M. Bieb., Origanum vulgare L., Prunella laciniata (L.) L., Salvia desertum L., Salvia officinalis L., Thymus serpillum L.). Ferulic acid was not detected in the representatives of Ajugoideae Kostel. and Scutellarioideae Caruel subfamilies. For 7 species, FA was detected for the first time. The content of FA in the representatives of Lamiaceae subfamily varied within a broad range from 0.01±0.00 mg/g (Meechania urticifolia) to 6.68±1.30 mg/g (Melissa officinalis L.). The high ferulic acid content was established in the Nepetoideae subfamilty in the species Melissa officinalis (6.68±1.30 mg/g) and Origanum vulgare L. (6.07±1.90 mg/g).

Effect of Aqueous and Alcoholic Extracts of Melissa Officinalis on Germination, Growth and Yield of Cultivated Red Radish (Raphanus Sativus L.)

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is a member of the Brassicaceae family of root vegetables and both the roots and the leaves are consumed for their natural therapeutic value and health promoting effects owing to the presence of phytochemicals. Thus, the effect of three different solvents (Cold, hot and alcoholic) of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) extracts on germination and growth of radish was studied. A field experiment was carried out during October to December 2021 season with Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Alcoholic, hot water and cold water extraction at a concentration of 1 % showed a higher germination percentage compared to other concentrations, while Distilled water showed a major germination percentage 80% compared to other extractions. Regarding the chlorophyll content, alcoholic extraction at a concentration of 0.5 % showed higher Chlorophyll content of 19.5 compared to other treatments and even the control. The root length of radish for alcoholic extraction at a concentration of 1 % showed the highest root length. Alcoholic extraction at a concentration of 0.5 %, hot water extraction at a concentration of 3% and cold-water extraction at a concentration of 5% showed the highest stem diameter. Alcoholic extraction of lemon balm at concentration of 1 presented the biggest leaf diameter. This indicated that the Melissa officinalis extracts as a medicinal plant had different effects on radish germination and growth. Further research should evaluate radish development in different circumstances to see whether this strategy may boost the output of this vital crop.

Effects of Melissa officinalis essential oil on state and trait anxiety

Effects of Melissa officinalis essential oil on state and trait anxiety

Developing Sustainable Agriculture Systems in Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Production by Using Chitosan and Chitin-Based Biostimulants.

Chitosan is illustrated in research as a stimulant of plant tolerance and resistance that promotes natural defense mechanisms against biotic and abiotic stressors, and its use may lessen the amount of agrochemicals utilized in agriculture. Recent literature reports indicate the high efficacy of soil or foliar usage of chitin and chitosan in the promotion of plant growth and the induction of secondary metabolites biosynthesis in various species, such as Artemisia annua, Curcuma longa, Dracocephalum kotschyi, Catharanthus roseus, Fragaria × ananassa, Ginkgo biloba, Iberis amara, Isatis tinctoria, Melissa officinalis, Mentha piperita, Ocimum basilicum, Origanum vulgare ssp. Hirtum, Psammosilene tunicoides, Salvia officinalis, Satureja isophylla, Stevia rebaudiana, and Sylibum marianum, among others. This work focuses on the outstanding scientific contributions to the field of the production and quality of aromatic and medicinal plants, based on the different functions of chitosan and chitin in sustainable crop production. The application of chitosan can lead to increased medicinal plant production and protects plants against harmful microorganisms. The effectiveness of chitin and chitosan is also due to the low concentration required, low cost, and environmental safety. On the basis of showing such considerable characteristics, there is increasing attention on the application of chitin and chitosan biopolymers in horticulture and agriculture productions.

Melissa officinalis extract suppresses endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis in the brain of hypothyroidism-induced rats exposed to γ-radiation

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the neuroprotective effect of Melissa officinalis extract (MEE) against brain damage associated with hypothyroidism induced by propylthiouracil (PTU) and/or γ-radiation (IR) in rats. Hypothyroidism induction and/or exposure to IR resulted in a significant decrease in the serum levels of T3 and T4 associated with increased levels of lipid peroxidation end product, malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitrites (NO) in the brain tissue homogenate. Also, hypothyroidism and /or exposure to IR markedly enhance the endoplasmic reticulum stress by upregulating the gene expressions of the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), activated transcription factor 6 (ATF6), endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD), and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) in the brain tissue homogenate associated with a proapoptotic state which indicated by the overexpression of Bax, BCl2, and caspase-12 that culminates in brain damage. Meanwhile, the PTU and /or IR-exposed rats treated with MEE reduced oxidative stress and ERAD through ATF6. Also, the MEE treatment prevented the Bax and caspase-12 gene expression from increasing. This treatment in hypothyroid animals was associated with neuronal protection as indicated by the downregulation in the gene expressions of the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) and amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the brain tissue. Furthermore, the administration of MEE ameliorates the histological structure of brain tissue. In conclusion, MEE might prevent hypothyroidism-induced brain damage associated with oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Влияние состава торфосмесей на биохимические показатели растений мелиссы лекарственной

In the course of a model experiment, the influence of the composition of peat mixtures from sand, lowland peat and soddy-podzolic sandy loamy soil on the content of polyphenols, photosynthetic pigments, the amount of antioxidants and malondialdehyde in the leaves of lemon balm medicinal variety “Limonnyy aromat’’ was studied. It has been established that the most optimal compositions of peat mixtures for growing plants of lemon balm are compositions with the following ratios of components: 1st mixture – soil 1 part + sand 2 parts + peat 2 parts; 2nd mixture – soil 1 part + sand 3 parts + peat 1 part. When growing plants on these mixtures, there is a greater accumulation of biologically active substances (phenolic compounds, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidants), a decrease in the content of the oxidative stress marker – malondialdehyde compared to soil and peat, as well as to a variant with a high content of peat (soil 1 part + sand 1 part + peat 3 parts). The addition of fertilizer “SOLAR UNIVERSAL – 18:18:18 + 3MgO + ME” to 1st peat mixture has proven itself well, especially at a dose of 1 mL per 50 g of substrate (fertilizer concentration 2 g/L). With the introduction of such a dose of fertilizer into peat mixture, the maximum values of the content of photosynthetic pigments and antioxidants in lemon balm leaves were noted. The above variants of peat mixtures can be recommended for use as soils for growing lemon balm both at home and on an industrial scale.

Physical, Chemical, Barrier, and Antioxidant Properties of Pectin/Collagen Hydrogel-Based Films Enriched with Melissa officinalis.

The essential oil extracted from Melissa officinalis (MOEO) exhibits a wide range of therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. The current research aimed to analyze the mechanical, barrier, chemical, and antioxidant properties of pectin and collagen-based films. Hydrogel-based films loaded with varying concentrations of MOEO (0.1%, 0.15%, and 0.2%) were prepared by solvent-casting method, and their physicochemical as well as antioxidant properties were examined. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of major components in MOEO such as 2,6-octadienal, 3,7-dimethyl, citral, caryophyllene, geranyl acetate, caryophyllene oxide, citronellal, and linalool. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results revealed the interaction between components of the essential oil and polymer matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that films loaded with the highest concentration (0.2%) of MOEO showed more homogeneous structure with fewer particles, cracks, and pores as compared to control film sample. MOEO-incorporated films exhibited higher elongation at break (EAB) (30.24-36.29%) and thickness (0.068-0.073 mm); however, they displayed lower tensile strength (TS) (3.48-1.25 MPa) and transparency (87.30-82.80%). MOEO-loaded films demonstrated superior barrier properties against water vapors. According to the results, the incorporation of MOEO into pectin-collagen composite hydrogel-based films resulted in higher antioxidant properties, indicating that MOEO has the potential to be used in active food packaging material for potential applications.

Antibacterial effect of essential oils and their components against Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni revealed by microdilution and direct bioautographic assays.

Bacterial spot of stone fruits caused by Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap) is one of the most significant diseases of several Prunus species. Disease outbreaks can result in severe economic losses while the control options are limited. Antibacterial efficacy of essential oils (EOs) of thyme, cinnamon, clove, rosemary, tea tree, eucalyptus, lemon grass, citronella grass, and lemon balm was assessed against two Hungarian Xap isolates. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by broth microdilution assay and for the identification of active EOs' components a newly introduced high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)-Xap (direct bioautography) method combined with solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) was applied. All EOs inhibited both bacterium isolates, but cinnamon proved to be the most effective EO with MIC values of 31.25 µg/mL and 62.5 µg/mL, respectively. Compounds in the antibacterial HPTLC zones were identified as thymol in thyme, trans-cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon, eugenol in clove, borneol in rosemary, terpinen-4-ol in tea tree, citral (neral and geranial) in lemon grass and lemon balm, and citronellal and nerol in citronella grass. Regarding active compounds, thymol had the highest efficiency with a MIC value of 50 µg/mL. Antibacterial effects of EOs have already been proven for several Xanthomonas species, but to our knowledge, the studied EOs, except for lemon grass and eucalyptus, were tested for the first time against Xap. Furthermore, in case of Xap, this is the first report demonstrating that direct bioautography is a fast and suitable method for screening anti-Xap components of complex matrices, like EOs.

A Narrative Review of Alternative Symptomatic Treatments for Herpes Simplex Virus.

Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and -2 (HSV-2) are large, spherically shaped, double-stranded DNA viruses that coevolved with Homo sapiens for over 300,000 years, having developed numerous immunoevasive mechanisms to survive the lifetime of their human host. Although in the continued absence of an acceptable prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine, approved pharmacologics (e.g., nucleoside analogs) hold benefit against viral outbreaks, while resistance and toxicity limit their universal application. Against these shortcomings, there is a long history of proven and unproven home remedies. With the breadth of purported alternative therapies, patients are exposed to risk of harm without proper information. Here, we examined the shortcomings of the current gold standard HSV therapy, acyclovir, and described several natural products that demonstrated promise in controlling HSV infection, including lemon balm, lysine, propolis, vitamin E, and zinc, while arginine, cannabis, and many other recreational drugs are detrimental. Based on this literature, we offered recommendations regarding the use of such natural products and their further investigation.

Ethnopharmacological survey, phytochemical screening and study of antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Melissa officinalis L. from northwestern Tunisia

Currently, herbal medicine has proven its effectiveness and undeniable benefits in our daily lives, confirming that plants can prevent and treat. In this context, we are interested in carrying out an ethno-pharmacological survey on the traditional use of Melissa officinalis in the Tabarka region as well as phytochemical screening and the study of antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The survey conducted in the Tabarka region revealed that lemon balm was used in traditional medicine to treat a whole range of pathologies. Indeed, we have shown that Melissa officinalis is traditionally used for the treatment of various diseases and particularly those of the digestive system pathologies and nervous disorders. The survey also revealed three methods of preparation: decoction, infusion and maceration. The method of administration is highly dependent on the pathology to be treated. In the present work, the phytochemical screening showed that Melissa officinalis leaves aqueous extract (MOAE) presents an important scavenging action against the DPPH radical. Importantly, MOAE presented a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity and Gram +ve were more sensitive than Gram-ve bacteria. Thus, the bioactive components of lemon balm can be used as antioxidant and antibacterial substances.

Reguladores de crescimento promovem alterações no desenvolvimento e no metabolismo de plântulas de melissa cultivadas in vitro

ABSTRACT Melissa officinalis L., popularly known as lemon balm, is an aromatic plant widely used in medicine, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries for its essential oil rich in phenylpropanoids, terpenes, and phenolics. This study aimed to assess the effect of growth regulators on the development and physiological and biochemical metabolism of M. officinalis cultured in vitro. Seeds were inoculated in Murashige and Skoog medium and added with the regulators 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) according to six different treatments. After 90 days of culture, plants were evaluated for growth and biochemical and physiological parameters (flavonoids, anthocyanins, and chlorophyll). The balance between regulators interfered with plant growth, which increased in the presence of 0.2 mg L-1 BAP. In this treatment, the plants had greater growth with more leaves, and the biomass production of shoots and roots was higher than the control. Growth regulators did not influence nitrogen assimilation or flavonoid production; however, total chlorophyll and anthocyanin indexes were enhanced by treatment with BAP at concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 mg L-1. Auxin treatment did not improve root production or growth but favored callus formation when combined with 0.5–3.0 mg L-1 BAP. The results indicate that high BAP concentrations (above 1.0 mg L-1) should not be used in in vitro production of lemon balm.

Determination of yield parameters and essential oil composition in some lemon balm (Melisa officinalis L.) populations

In this research, it is aimed to determine some parameters such as seedling growth, yield and essential oil components of lemon balm (Mellissa officinalis L.) populations belong to Samsun, Ordu, Trabzon and Artvin provinces in Turkey. Some morphological parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, peduncle length, leaf length, some yield parameters such as fresh herb yield (gr/plant), drug herb yield (gr/plant) and drug leaf yield (gr/plant) and some quality parameters such as essential oil ratio (%) and essential oil components of the populations were investigated. According to the results of the research, it was determined that the plant height values between 41.36 cm and 100.41 cm, the yield of fresh herb varies between 164.34 g/plant and 481.45 g/plant and the essential oil ratio values vary between 0.19% and 0.325%. Keywords: Drog herb; Fresh herb; Beta-Caryophyllene; Caryophyllene oxide.

Impacts on gut microbiota of rats with high-fat diet supplemented by herbs of Melissa officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia and Salvia officinalis

Medicinal plants are used in traditional, folk medicine and veterinary practice to treat and prevent exacerbations of chronic diseases, diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, respiratory and digestive organs, liver, bile ducts, kidneys, urinary tract, to regulate metabolism and to boost immunity, etc. The therapeutic effect on the body is exerted by biologically active substances (alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, essential oils, and others) that are present in various parts of plants. Understanding the issue of interaction between the intestinal microbiota and drugs based on medicinal plants will contribute to the development of treatment protocols for various diseases, including chronic ones, by the normalization of impaired functions due to plant origin substances. In this study, we determined the effect of Melissa officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia, Salvia officinalis on the intestinal microbiota of white rats fed a high-fat diet. The addition of 5% crushed young dry shoots of S. officinalis, L. angustifolia, M. officinalis to the high-fat diet of laboratory rats significantly changed the quantitative ratio of Escherichia coli with normal and altered enzymatic properties in the intestinal content. The number of typical E. coli in rats fed with S. officinalis and L. angustifolia decreased by 1.7 and 1.6 times; non-lactose fermenting form of E. coli, on the contrary, increased by 1.8–2.1 times in rats fed with any of the medicinal plants compared to the control. Amid the addition of medicinal plants to the diet, it was not possible to isolate opportunistic enterobacteria of the genus Citrobacter, however, an increase in the number of the genus Candida fungi was observed.

Effects of the extraction techniques on the chemical composition and bioactive properties of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) plants grown under different cropping and irrigation regimes

The present study aims to determine the combined effect of cropping system and irrigation regime on the chemical composition and bioactive properties of lemon balm aerial parts. For this purpose, lemon balm plants were grown under two farming systems (conventional farming vs organic farming) and two irrigation levels (full irrigation vs deficit irrigation) and harvested twice throughout the growing period. The collected aerial parts were subjected to three different methods of extractions, namely infusion, maceration and ultrasound-assisted extraction and the obtained extracts were evaluated in terms of chemical profile and bioactivities. Five organic acids with varied composition among the tested treatments were identified in all the tested samples for both harvests, namely, citric, malic, oxalic, shikimic and quinic acid. Regarding phenolic compounds composition, the most abundant ones were rosmarinic acid, lithospermic acid A isomer I and hydroxylsalvianolic E, especially for the maceration and infusion extraction methods. Full irrigation resulted in lower EC50 values than deficit irrigation only in the treatments of the second harvest, while variable cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects were recorded in both harvests. Finally, in most cases the lemon balm extracts has similar or better activity than the positive controls, while the antifungal activity of lemon balm extracts was stronger than the antibacterial effects. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that the implemented agronomic practices, as well as the extraction protocol may significantly affect the chemical profile and bioactivities of lemon balm extracts, suggesting that both the farming system and the irrigation schedule may improve the quality of the extracts depending on the implemented extraction protocol.

Agronomic Practices in Lemon Balm Production under Temperate Climate Conditions: Raw Material Yield and Active Substances Content

The cultivation of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) is necessary for pharmaceutical and cosmetic production. The aim of our work was to investigate the effect of the plant density as well as the harvesting method on the yield and quality characteristics of M. officinalis, which is used as a source of polyphenols and essential oil in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. The field experiment was carried out in two growing seasons (2019 and 2020). The experiment was set up as a 2-factor experiment; the factors studied were the plant spacing (30 × 30 cm or 40 × 40 cm) and the harvesting method (single harvesting or double harvesting). The lemon balm herb was cut twice (in mid-July and early September) or once (in early September) depending on the combination. The air-dried leaves were subjected to laboratory tests to determine the essential oil, total tannin, and total flavonoid contents. The yield of lemon balm in the individual years in the study depended more on the harvesting method than on the plant density. The essential oil content was 0.25–0.38% depending on the plant density. Considering the yields of the fresh and air-dried herb and leaves, essential oil yield and oil, and tannin and flavonoid contents, a higher plant density (40 × 40 cm) is a better agronomic option than a lower density (30 × 30 cm). Harvesting the herb twice proved to be more efficient in terms of quantity and quality than a single harvest.

Use of Medicinal Plants in the Alternative Treatment of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the second most frequent type of cancer in the world and the most common among women and its incidence has been increasing over time. From the 70s of the last century, the use of alternative therapies became popular, with their adherence increasing annually, starting to be used by various groups, including cancer patients. Plants are one of the oldest forms that the population of various regions and cultures in the world uses as a palliative method and with a medicinal purpose for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer. The objective of this study was to identify the use of medicinal plants in the alternative treatment of breast cancer. The survey data were collected from February to March 2022, using a semi-structured questionnaire. The participation of women in the research stood out that of men. The age group of 31 to 40 years stood out from the others, the use of medicinal plants is common in 66.7% of the interviewees. About breast cancer, 31.5% reported that there are cases in the family, which are treated with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery and allopathic medication. 85.2% who believe in treatment with the use of medicinal plants, the most cited plants were lemon balm, lemongrass and mint, chamomile, boldo and aloe, these are generally used by respondents. Aloe vera, soursop, basil and noni were cited as plants used to treat breast cancer. The leaves are the main part used by the interviewees, and the main form of use was infusion/tea, mentioned 45 times by the participants. After starting to use the plants, 85.7% stated that their symptoms had improved. As for the origin of knowledge about the use of medicinal plants, most claimed to have learned from their parents and grandparents. Medicinal herbs are mainly purchased at markets/fairs. For 61.1% of participants, medicinal plants do not pose health risks.

Integrative medicine, naturopathic and complementary medicine in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome : An overview against the background of clinical experiences from routine treatment

Fibromyalgia syndrome is classified as afunctional somatic syndrome. There are typical but not clearly defined symptom clusters, such as chronic widespread pain, non-restorative sleep, and atendency to physical and/or mental exhaustion. The core principle of treatment in the S3guidelines is amultimodal treatment, especially for severe forms of the disease. Complementary, naturopathic and integrative forms of treatment have an established place in the guidelines. Strong treatment recommendations with ahigh consensus exist for endurance, weight and functional training. Meditative forms of movement, such as yoga or qigong should also be used. In addition to alack of physical activity, obesity is also accepted as an associated lifestyle factor and addressed in nutritional therapy and regulation therapy. The central aim is the activation and rediscovery of self-efficacy. Heat applications, such as warm baths/showers, saunas, infrared cabins or exercise in warm thermal water are in accordance with the guidelines. Acurrent field of research is whole-body hyperthermia with water-filtered infrared A radiation. Other self-help strategies are dry brushing according to Kneipp or massaging with rosemary oil, mallow oil or the Aconite pain oil. Taking into account the patients preference, phytotherapeutic agents can also be used as herbal pain treatment (ash bark/trembling poplar bark/goldenrod herb), for sleep disorders in the form of sleep-inducing wraps (lavender heart compress) and internally (valerian, lavender oil capsules, lemon balm). Acupuncture treatment (either ear or body acupuncture) are accepted as part of amultimodal concept. The Clinic for Integrative Medicine and Naturopathy at the Hospital in Bamberg offers the three different formats of inpatient, day clinic and outpatient service covered by the health insurance.