Expert Forum Painful Blisters Herpes Zoster in Traditional European Naturopathy For those in a hurry Herpes zoster is caused by a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus in a weakened immune system. In addition to anti-viral therapy, naturopathy focuses on strengthening the lymphatic system, constitution and milieu. The goal is to accompany acute processes and prevent post-herpetic neuralgia. Herpes zoster is more than just a painful rash: the resurgence of the varicella-zoster virus can cause long-lasting nerve pain. Friedemann Garvelmann explains the naturopathic connections and therapy [...]

Accountability? 16 March 2026 Dear friends, colleagues and supporters, As winter lasts, and lasts there are finally at least glimmers of spring to come. Activities and conferences are once again winding up and there are a flurry events coming up as the days lengthen and warm up. Here are the links for this month’s articles, translations and commentaries with reminders of a few recent ones as well: New: HPV – Human Papillomaviruses; Main Cause of Cervical Cancer, by Sandra Riesenhuber, RN. Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are among the most important [...]

Gynecology HPV - Human Papillomaviruses Main Cause of Cervical Cancer Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are among the most important pathogens in gynecological oncology. Worldwide, they are the main cause of the development of cervical cancer. The aim of this article is to present the current status of HPV in gynecology, to shed light on prevention and diagnostic strategies and to point out gaps in care. Women's Health and Gynecology Women's health encompasses much more than the treatment of gynecological diseases – it [...]

16 February 2026 Dear friends, colleagues and supporters, “In the bleak midwinter”, as one of our Christian hymns begins, we often turn to gray thoughts during the gray days of February. Over the past 4 to 5 years, I’ve struggled to keep up with all the advancing technology. Learning about websites with categories and tags and uploading vs downloading along with correct ways to format for digital presentation instead of on printed paper. During this time of “supposed to be retired” (in my ‘70s) I’ve felt compelled to preserve [...]

Connection Between Covid Vaccination and Six Types of Cancer A large-scale South Korean study on September 26, 2025, with data from over 8.4 million people, suggests that COVID-19 vaccination may be interconnected with an increased risk of six types of cancer. Among those evaluated, a so-called statistical link (which is not proof of causality) with increased risks of thyroid, stomach, colon, lung, breast and prostate cancer could be established in the first year after vaccination. According to the study published in the Journal "Biomarker Research", the so-called "hazard ratios" [...]

Moving Forward into The New Year 2026 16 January 2026 My dear friends, colleagues and supporters, It is my wish and my prayer that each of you have experienced a time of family, faith and renewal during the holiday season. For me personally, I was blessed to share a time of joy with a family Christmas that will remain a lifelong memory. May the New Year bring hope, joy and a time of great optimism for natural and complementary medicine methods. I return to my desk with a sense [...]

 . . . With Progress Into the Future November 2025 My dear friends, colleagues and supporters, I must admit as we approach the holidays and the end of another year, I found sitting down to write this monthly commentary challenging. There are still so many aspects of the virus and political situations that are discouraging and negative, that I went looking for something – anything – that would be positive and encouraging as we approach the change into another season and another year. It was a challenge, but well [...]

October 2025 My dear friends, colleagues and supporters, Have you had a chance to wander around this new OIRF.com website? One doc told me about nights of deep dives until 2 AM finding treasures while others have commented on the ease of moving around and finding the things you remembered or were looking for. I’m thrilled with the response and it’s rewarding to know the years of effort and struggle to complete the uploads and formatting have offered you easy accessibility to the decades of publications and materials. Thank [...]

Stabilizing the Nervous System Holistic Therapy of Polyneuropathy Polyneuropathy is the presence of a systemic disease in which damage to the peripheral nervous system occurs. As a result, the function of the affected nerves is disturbed. Since several nerves or nerve structures are affected, this is called polyneuropathy (Greek poly = several). The prevalence of polyneuropathy in Germany is two to three percent of the general population. In the group of over 55-year-olds, it is even eight percent. Symptoms of Polyneuropathy [...]

Immune training or risk Epigenetic Changes From mRNA Vaccines A new study shows that mRNA‑vaccinations leave profound traces in the immune system. But what does long-term immunity generated in this way mean for health? In their 2024 study, Prof. Jan Rybniker and his team showed that SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination triggers permanent epigenetic changes in immune cells – especially in macrophages. According to the study, it changes a certain protein in the cell nucleus – the so-called histone H3 at the K27 site – by means of a chemical marker [...]