Health Sciences Centre

Health Sciences Centre

Links

Below are links to a number of national and international websites on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, related to research and education in this field. Please note that we do not link to any companies that specifically market Complementary and Alternative Medicine products or therapies. To locate such companies we recommend searching the New Zealand yellow pages.

1. New Zealand Links

2. International sites

1. New Zealand Links

New Zealand organizations that investigate bioactives

  • Bioactivities Investigation Group (BIG), Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago. The Bioactivity Investigation group has been created to assist researchers, pharmaceutical companies, the natural products industry and others to both uncover and maximise the potential of their products through in depth investigation and evaluation of their products

  • Crop and Food Research, bioactives from plants and produce: This organization undertakes research into bioactives from plants and produce. This organization researches cost effective ways of producing bioactive materials from new and established crops. They are develop the technology and knowledge to ensure these crops meet market specifications.

  • Plant Extracts Research Unit (PERU). This Unit is a collaboration between Crop and Food Research and the University of Otago. Researchers are investigating New Zealand plants for natural products with potential as new pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The Unit also analyses traditional medicinal herbs, such as Echinacea species, for their bioactive components.

  • Crop and Food Research, high value marine products. Seafoods and Marine Extracts Using knowledge of fish physiology, raw material biochemistry and processing technology, this team is researching the production of higher value seafood and novel marine extracts, form New Zealand's commercial fishery resources.

  • Nutrition and Health. This team is involved in research that investigates the health benefits of nutrients, foods and food extracts in humans and model systems. eg. the effect of fish oil in the treatment of depression

  • HortResearch. This organization is heavily involved in bioactive research. HortResearch also work with food manufacturing (and natural product) companies to add value to their products through development and substantiation of health claims.

Trans-Tasman Harmonisation Project

  • Trans Tasman Therapeutic Products Agency Project. Full details about the establishment in 2005 of a single, bi-national agency to regulate therapeutic products in New Zealand and Australia can be found on this website. This merger involves changes to the regulation of medical devices and prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines.

Evidence-based information of the efficacy and safety of CAM

  • New Zealand Guidelines Group: A group that aims to share information and knowledge about effective practice initiatives via the development and dissemination of guidelines related to health and disability services.

  • New Zealand Ministry of Health CAM website: A website designed to provide clear, precise and up-to-date evidence-based information to the public about Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).

Self-regulating professional CAM bodies in New Zealand

Acupuncture

Chiropractic

Herbal medicine

Homoeopathy

General

Osteopathy

Other useful New Zealand websites

  • Ngä Tipu Whakaoranga: A database containing information on traditional uses of New Zealand native plants (maintained by Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research and funded by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology).

  • New Zealand Consumer Magazine: An online source of independent consumer information on various topics including alternative health information. Please note that this website requires a paid subscription to view in full.
    http://www.consumer.org.nz/category.asp?category=Health

  • Yellow pages: Search the New Zealand yellow pages (Telecom business telephone directory) to find the nearest CAM practitioner in your area.

2. International sites

Overseas CAM research groups

USA

England

Australia

Evidence-based information of the efficacy and safety of CAM

  • Cochrane Collaboration: An international network of individuals and institutions committed to preparing, maintaining, and disseminating systematic reviews of the effects of health care.
  • Informed Health Online: Formerly the Cochrane Consumer Network, this website is a good source of consumer information. Here consumers can find high quality free health information and learn more about health research.
  • Bandolier Library of Complementary and Alternative Therapies: An up-to-date evidence-based electronic source of information on complementary and alternative medicine for both consumers and health professionals
  • British Medical Journal: Best treatments . This site provides doctors and patients with a high-quality information on many conditions and medicines including the use of complementary and alternative medicine for specific conditions based on the latest medical research. This website is free to all New Zealand users until the end of 2004.
  • Complementary / Integrative Medicine Education Resources (CIMER) : A department within the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA. Site contains evidence-based reviews of published research studies on a variety of complementary/integrative or alternative cancer therapies. The site links to a complete list of clinical trials investigating complementary/integrative cancer treatments

General CAM journals

Other useful websites / groups

  • Alternative Medicine Foundation: Search this database for further information on useful internet bibliographic databases for complementary and alternative medicine, as well as information on studies conducted in this field.

  • Cancer Information Service: National Cancer Institute, USA. This site provides the latest and most accurate cancer information to patients, their families, the public, and health professionals.

  • Complementary Medicine Information for Primary Health Care Groups: Provided by the Department of Health in England, this site provides information for primary care groups on acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, and osteopathy.

  • Institute for Complementary Medicine (ICM): For information on complementary medicine practitioners within the United Kingdom and other countries and on CAM courses in the United Kingdom search this site.

  • International Society for Complementary Medicine Research (ISCMR): An multidisciplinary scientific organisation to foster the development and dissemination of new knowledge regarding whole person healing and whole systems healthcare research, including traditional, holistic, alternative, complementary and integrative forms of medicine. For application forms contact the ISCMR Secretary, Sara Warber, MD, 715 E. Huron, Ann Arbour, MI 48158, USA. Tel: 1-734-998-7715, fax: 1-734-998-7720 email: camrc@umich.edu

  • Quackwatch: A guide to Quackery, Health Fraud, and Intelligent Decisions

  • Research Council for Complementary Medicine (RCCM): A website based at the University of Westminster, England. This website provides both CAM providers and patients with evidence-based information on complementary and alternative medicine. The site also provides further information on courses and education.

  • The Alternative Medicine Homepage: This US American website provides both the public and health professionals with information on the integration of alternative and conventional medicine, as well as links to an herbal medicine database.
  • The Spa Hub:Provides a list of links to a range complementary medicine modalities.