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   Feb 18

Let a lavender pill ease your worries: It may be more effective than drugs at treating anxiety

Those taking lavender preparation had lower anxiety ratings than those taking placebo or antidepressant

Researchers have found that patients prescribed silexan, a lavender preparation taken by mouth, had lower anxiety ratings than those taking either a placebo or an antidepressant.

The ten-week study, from the Medical University of Vienna and other centres, involved more than 500 people diagnosed with anxiety disorders.

Results show that the anxiety score dropped by 14.1 points for the lavender group, 11.3 points for those taking the antidepressant, paxil, and 9.5 points for the placebo.

It’s thought that lavender, like paxil, has an effect on brain chemicals involved in anxiety – however, those taking the lavender had fewer side-effects.

Sticky tape gives pain the elbow

Taping up your arm can ease symptoms of tennis elbow, according to new research. The condition typically affects those aged between 35 and 50, causing soreness and tenderness as a result of microscopic injury to the tendon.

‘Taping your elbow in a diamond shape would ease pain levels’

There are a number of treatments used for it, including ultrasound, anti-inflammatory tablets and surgery.

The new technique uses four pieces of adhesive tape, around 10cm long, and 3.8cm wide, that are wrapped either side of the elbow in a diamond shape.

Researchers at the University of Medical Sciences in Iran tested its effect on pain levels immediately after applying the tape.

Their results, published in Trauma Monthly, showed that pain levels were halved, and that grip strength increased by 12 lb. It’s thought the tape alters the way pain receptors behave.

Source: Daily Mail

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