ข้อสอบเอ็นทรานซ์ ภาษาอังกฤษ ตุลาคม 2545

Botanical expert Varro Tyler,  author of Tyler's Honest Herbal, and Mark Blumenthal, founder of the  American Botanical Council, look at six popular herbs and what the latest  research says about the health pros and cons of using these botanical products.  There's no conclusive evidence on the use of many herbs, 'and scientists are  continuing to study them.


Echinacea


          Most  common use : Boosting the immune system to reduce the severity and  duration of colds and flu. Cautions : May cause dermatitis in sensitive  patients. Theoretically, use is not advised in cases of autoimmune diseases  such as lupus.


          Research  update : Some of the studies have shown that if taken at the first  sign of a cold, it shortens the duration and lessens the symptoms.



Garlic


          Most  common use : Mild reduction in cholesterol; prevention of plaque  buildup in arteries.


          Cautions :  People taking aspirin or other anticoagulant drugs should avoid eating large  amounts of the herb.


   Research update : Study out of Berlin suggests that  it's beneficial for preventing deposits on arteries, thus may prevent clogged  arteries. Some studies show mild reduction in cholesterol levels, possibly 4%  to 6%



St. John's wort


          Most  common use : Treating mild to moderate depression.


          Cautions ;  Should not be used at the same time as prescription antidepressants. Should not  be used at all with the drug indinavir, an HIV therapy. May lower the  effectiveness of immunosuppressant drugs, cardiac drugs and possibly oral  contraceptives.


          Research update : A  recently published study showed it is not effective in treating moderate to severe  depression, but botanical experts say other research indicates that the herb is  effective for treating milder forms of depression. A large study is underway.



Ginkgo  biloba


          Most common use:  Treating age-related cognitive decline. Improvement of distance and pain-free  walking in peripheral arterial occlusive disease, which is caused by inadequate  blood supply to the legs.


          Cautions: Rare  stomach or intestinal upsets, head­aches or allergic skin reaction. Should be  used with caution with blood-thinning drugs.


          Research update: U.S.  study published in 1997 found that ginkgo was safe and significantly improved  cognitive performance and social functioning in some patients with Alzheimer's  type dementia. A large trial is in the works.



 Asian ginseng


          Most  common use : Boosting mental and physical resistance to stress,  building up general vitality and fighting fatigue.


          Cautions : May  experience insomnia if the herb is taken right before bedtime. Should be  avoided during pregnancy.


          Research  update : Some European studies show that older patients feel  better when they take ginseng. Not proven that the herb is a performance and  endurance enhancer in humans.



Saw  palmetto


          Most  common use : Treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a  non-malignant enlargement of the prostate that causes urination.


          Cautions :  Take with food to avoid problems.


          Research update:  Review of studies shows that it appears to work; the end result is that  patients have increased urinary flow and don't have to get up as much at night.

      companies are spending so much money trying to inspire employees that they have

created an industry: the motivation industry. Trouble is, there had been exhaustive academic 

research trying to find out what motivates workers, and it has turned up almost no evidence 

that motivational spending makes any difference.

      Some companies, including General Electric, have given up on the unmotivated. 

“A company that bets its future on its people must remove that lower 10%, and keep 

removing it every year.” CEO Jack Welch writes in GE’s annual letter to shareholders.

      That policy is also employed by others, including Microsoft and Sun Microsystems.