RECENT RESEARCH explored the effects of distinct control groups , essential oil , dosage , number of sessions , and session length of aroma preparations . Statistical analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 , with heterogeneity assessed using the Q test and I2 statistic .
Results : Seventeen studies involving 1490 participants were included . Aromatherapy significantly reduced postcesarean pain ( SMD = -1.19 , 95 % CI [ -1.93 , -0.45 ], p = 0.002 ). Chamomile oil , low dosage ( ≤2 drops ), single session and sessions lasting 20 min or less were more effective in relieving pain . Aromatherapy significantly decreased nausea incidence ( RR = 0.52 , 95 % CI [ 0.33 , 0.81 ], p = 0.004 ), reduced analgesic requirements ( RR = 0.60 , 95 % CI [ 0.49 , 0.73 ], p < 0.00001 ), and improved patient satisfaction ( RR = 1.64 , 95 % CI [ 1.26 , 2.12 ], p = 0.0002 ).
Conclusion : Aromatherapy effectively reduces post-cesarean pain , nausea , analgesic use , and improves patient satisfaction . Chamomile oil , low doses ( ≤2 drops ), single session and short length ( ≤20 min ) seems to be the most effective method for alleviating postcesarean pain .
Complementary medicine
Kariuki SM , Newton CRJC . Integrating alternative and complementary medicine in the management of epilepsy and its comorbidities in low- and middle-income settings . Epilepsy Behav . 2025 Jan ; 162:110172 . doi : 10.1016 / j . yebeh . 2024.110172
Traditional / alternative and complementary medicine ( TCM ) encompasses products , practices and practitioners that do not form part of conventional treatment and are not an integral part of the main health care systems . They are very common in the management of epilepsy and mental health conditions , particularly in low- and middle-income countries ( LMIC ). For instance , in a populationbased survey in Africa , over 70 % of people with epilepsy had visited a traditional health practitioner before the survey , with similarly high estimates reported in Asia and South America . Accessibility , cultural appropriateness / alignment , non-response to conventional ( biomedical ) medicine , and exercise of control over one ' s treatment were some of the reasons TCM was preferred over conventional medicine . There is also emerging evidence that TCM products administered alone or together with anti-seizure medications result in improvement in seizure control , psychiatric comorbidities , and quality of life . Most of the convincing evidence is from biological-based therapies for example , multivitamin supplementation , ketogenic diet and cannabidiol extracts . Mind-based therapies e . g . Yoga and whole-body systems therapies e . g . Ayurdelic and Traditional Chinese Medicine have also generated interest in epilepsy care . There is a paucity of effectiveness studies of these therapies in LMIC such as Africa , where capacity to take these products through clinical trials is limited . There are however serious concerns on reliability of reported findings because of inadequate randomization , and small sample sizes , and concerns on quality and safety owing to lack of standardization of bioactive compounds , accidental or intention botanical substitution of products and unhygienic handling . There is growing interest in TCM worldwide because of its economic potential , concerns on safety and quality and potential for integration into the health care systems . There is urgent need to develop and implement national TCM regulatory policies and programmes aimed at expanding the knowledge base and providing guidance on quality assurance standards . However , LMIC continue to lag in implementation of these policies and guidelines , especially in the areas of research and development and regulation of TCM practice . Working with stakeholders , countries are advised to assess their own national situations in relation to TCM , and then develop practical solutions to accommodate these approaches . For instance , conduct surveys on benefits and risks of TCM in the management of epilepsy in the local context and use this information to promote appreciation of a role for TCM , which will ease integration into the main health systems .
Delibaş L , Polat F , Ekren Çakici A . Adults ' State of Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic : Complementary and Alternative Medicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic . Holist Nurs Pract . 2025 Jan-Feb 01 ; 39 ( 1 ): 59-65 . doi : 10.1097 / HNP . 0000000000000506
This study aimed to explore the attitudes of adults living in Turkey toward complementary and alternative medicine in the period of the coronavirus disease-2019 ( COVID-19 ) pandemic and identify whether Turkish adults used complementary and alternative medicine during the pandemic . The cross-sectional study covered 3242 adults across Turkey . The data were collected via a Personal Information Form and the Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire . The participants had positive attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine ( 33.8 ± 4.7 ). The results indicated that the Turkish adults widely used complementary and alternative treatment methods ( 70.5 %) during the COVID-19 pandemic , and they were more oriented toward the use of herbal treatment ( 35.5 %). It was identified that the primary reasons for using complementary and alternative medicine were to be protected from COVID-19 , and if infected with COVID-19 , to recover from it quickly with only mild symptoms .
Taha S , Taha M , Zyoud SH . Exploring Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use for the Management of Acne Vulgaris Among University Students : Forms , Trends , and Information Sources . J Cosmet Dermatol . 2025 Jan ; 24 ( 1 ): e16775 . doi : 10.1111 / jocd . 16775
Background : Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease that has physical and psychological impacts . Patients diagnosed with acne often use complementary and alternative medicine , despite the insufficient evidence .
Aims : This cross-sectional study sought to identify the types , trends in and reasons for utilizing complementary and alternative medicine for acne among university students .
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