Evidence Synthesis

Chronic Disease

Potential therapeutic agents identified in OSMF narrative reviews across ten chronic and post-acute conditions β€” drawn from published literature, not approved treatment guidelines.

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Important: The agents listed here are potential candidates identified through systematic literature review. None of these represent approved treatments, clinical recommendations, or established standards of care. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any treatment decisions.
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Osteoporosis

Halma M, O'Leary C, Varon J. Herbal and nutraceutical interventions for osteoporosis: a review of effects on bone mineral density. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology and Immunology. 2025. doi: 10.1142/S2661341725300010

  • Rehmannia glutinosa
  • Cornus mas (cornelian cherry)
  • Genistein (soy isoflavone)
  • Rhizoma drynariae (Gu Sui Bu)
  • Selenium
  • Magnesium
  • Vitamin C
  • Calcium + Vitamin D
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Post-Acute COVID/Vaccination Syndrome (PACVS)

Halma M, Varon J. Metabolic modulation as a therapeutic strategy for post-acute vaccination syndrome (PACVS): a review of pathomechanisms and existing therapeutic components. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2025;193:118864. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2025.118864

  • N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
  • NMN / NAD⁺ precursors
  • Vitamin C (high-dose)
  • Taurine
  • Acetyl-L-carnitine
  • Creatine
  • L-Citrulline
  • Low-dose naltrexone (LDN)
  • Methylene blue
  • Coenzyme Q10
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists
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Measles

Kaur A, Alaribe U, Varon J, Hassaan S, Halma M. Acute management of measles: a systematic review of therapeutic strategies. Antiviral Research. 2026;247:106361. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2026.106361

  • Vitamin A (high-dose supplementation)
  • Ribavirin
  • Interferon-Ξ±
  • Zinc supplementation
  • Investigational monoclonal antibodies
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Depression

Halma M, Levy R, Varon J. With great power comes great responsibility: promise and caution in the new psychedelic renaissance. Brain Disorders. 2025;20:100286. doi: 10.1016/j.dscb.2025.100286
Halma M, Plothe C, Marik PE. Integrative interventions for improving outcomes in depression: a narrative review. Psychology International. 2024;6(2):33. doi: 10.3390/psycholint6020033

  • Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA)
  • Saffron (Crocus sativus)
  • St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
  • Curcumin
  • Magnesium
  • Vitamin D
  • SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine)
  • Psilocybin
  • Ketamine / esketamine
  • MDMA-assisted therapy
  • Ibogaine
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Opioid Use Disorder

Halma M, Hesse C, Selem E, Varon J. Therapeutic potential of herbalism for opioid use disorder. Revista Internacional de Investigación en Adicciones. 2025;11(1):71-78. [link]
Halma M, Varon J, Dhillon S, Selem E, Gracidas C, Levy R. Improving outcomes in psychedelic-assisted therapy for opioid addiction through herbal medicine. Medical Research Archives. 2026;14(3). doi: 10.18103/mra.v14i3.7337

  • Ibogaine
  • Corydalis (Yan Hu Suo)
  • Saffron / Crocin
  • Berberine
  • Nigella sativa (black seed)
  • Berberis vulgaris (barberry)
  • Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile)
  • Sophora alopecuroides (matrine)
  • Tai-Kang Ning (traditional formula)
  • Fu-Yuan Pellet (traditional formula)
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Cancer

Halma M, Tuszynski JA. Cancer metabolism as a therapeutic target and review of interventions. Nutrients. 2023;15(19):4245. doi: 10.3390/nu15194245

  • Lifestyle & Metabolic
  • Ketogenic diet / glucose management
  • Exercise (30 min/day)
  • Stress reduction
  • Sleep optimization (7–8 h)
  • Natural Agents β€” Stronger Evidence
  • Vitamin D
  • Melatonin
  • Green tea catechins (EGCG)
  • Curcumin
  • Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Berberine
  • Mistletoe extract (Viscum album)
  • Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
  • Natural Agents β€” Equivocal Evidence
  • Resveratrol
  • Fermented wheat germ extract
  • Nigella sativa (thymoquinone)
  • Reishi mushroom
  • IV Vitamin C
  • Cannabinoids (CBD/THC)
  • Pao Pereira
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COPD

Halma MTJ, Saleeby Y, Tuszynski J. Herbal medicine for COPD. Authorea. 04 November 2024. doi: 10.22541/au.172605614.42962063/v2

  • Astragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi)
  • Rhodiola rosea
  • Nanocurcumin
  • Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha)
  • Panax ginseng
  • L-Carnitine
  • Cordyceps sinensis
  • N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
  • Resveratrol
  • Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root)
  • Thymoquinone (Nigella sativa)
  • Ivy leaf extract (Hedera helix)
  • Crocin / Saffron
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Dementia & Cognitive Aging

Halma M, Marik P, Gazda S, Tuszynski J. Lifestyle medicine for healthy cognitive aging: a narrative review. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity – Integrative. 2024;7:100077. doi: 10.1016/j.bbii.2024.100077

  • Mediterranean / MIND dietary pattern
  • Aerobic + resistance exercise
  • Sleep optimization (7–9 hours)
  • Stress management (mindfulness / meditation)
  • Social engagement
  • Cognitive stimulation activities
  • Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA)
  • Curcumin
  • Vitamin D + B-vitamins (B6, B12, folate)
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Sarcopenia

Halma M, Marik P, Varon J, Tuszynski J. Reversing decline in aging muscles: expected trends, impacts and remedies. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. 2025;10(1):29. doi: 10.3390/jfmk10010029

  • Resistance / strength training
  • Leucine supplementation
  • High-protein diet (β‰₯1.2 g/kg/day)
  • Fish oil / Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Selenium supplementation
  • Dioscorea esculenta (lesser yam extract)
  • Metformin (repurposed)
  • Losartan (repurposed)
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Anxiety

Halma M, Covarrubias A, Selem E, Varon J. Anxiety: a look at epidemiological factors and alternate treatments. International Journal of Depression and Anxiety. 2025;8:044. doi: 10.23937/2643-4059/1710044

  • Ashwagandha
  • CBD (cannabidiol)
  • Saffron
  • CBG (cannabigerol)
  • L-Theanine
  • Lavender oil
  • Magnesium + Vitamin B6
  • Rhodiola rosea
  • Lemon balm
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Hypothyroidism

Santiago JB, Martinez F, Durzynski N, Varon J, Halma M. Herbal treatments for hypothyroidism: an evidence-based review. Journal of Thyroid Disorders & Therapy. 2025;14:360. doi: 10.35841/2167-7948.25.S1.001

  • Desiccated Thyroid Extract (DTE)
  • Iodine
  • Nigella sativa
  • L-Carnitine
  • Ashwagandha
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Insulin Resistance

Halma MTJ, Syed M, Marik PE. Potential dietary and lifestyle interventions for decreasing insulin resistance. Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. 2023;28(4):120–8. [PDF]

  • Time-restricted eating / intermittent fasting
  • Berberine
  • Metformin
  • Magnesium
  • Resveratrol
  • Cinnamon
  • Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Melatonin
  • Probiotics
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Hypertension

Halma M, et al. Herbal antihypertensive interventions: a narrative review. Preprint. 2024. preprints.org/manuscript/202406.0353/v1

  • Garlic (Allium sativum)
  • Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)
  • Hibiscus sabdariffa (roselle tea)
  • Olive leaf extract (oleuropein)
  • Coenzyme Q10
  • Rauwolfia serpentina / reserpine
  • Berberine