Natural Standard: best and most authoritative website available on herbal medicines
So says the World Health Organization (WHO). I find Natural Standard easy to use and very helpful for finding information on non-prescription drugs, vitamins and alternative remedies.
The Natural Standard homepage says that it was "founded by healthcare providers and researchers to provide high-quality, evidence-based information about complementary and alternative therapies. Grades reflect the level of available scientific data for or against the use of each therapy for a specific medical condition."
I love the simple grading system and the flash cards with the overview of scientific research results for each remedy or therapy.
For example, it says that there is strong positive scientific evidence (A) that acupuncture helps with chronic pain and osteoarthritis but negative scientific evidence (D) for helping with quitting smoking.
"Chronic pain: Strong evidence supports the use of acupuncture in long-lasting back pain and neck pain."
Smoking cessation: "Results have been inconsistent. Several critical reviews of the research have concluded that the evidence does not support acupuncture as a reliable or effective method for smoking cessation. There may, however, be some benefit in reducing side effects of withdrawal such as irritation, cigarette craving, and headache."
Research shows, according to Natural Standard, that creatine enhances muscle mass and strength (A) but it may not help improve athletic performance or endurance by increasing time to fatigue (possibly by shortening muscle recovery periods)…the results of research evaluating this claim are mixed. (C) Be sure to read the full description on the site.
I am just highlighting some of the interesting features on this health information resource. There are tools, checkers, medical dictionary, information for health professionals as well as consumers, sports medicine, animal medicine, by brand, foods, herbs and and more! Log into Natural Standard with your library card to explore. Pull out all your supplements to see how you should be using them and perhaps better alternatives.
One thought on “Natural Standard: best and most authoritative website available on herbal medicines”
Nice to see some truth about creatine and not some hyped up manufacturers claims. Why is it not illegal for them to make claims about their products which are not tested or verified?