From Booklist
This attractive consumer-oriented guide reviews 67 of the most popular medicinal herbs, including chamomile, echinacea, garlic, ginseng, and St. John's wort. Recommendations of Germany's Commission E, a group of scientists and researchers appointed by the German Federal Health Agency to study the safety and effectiveness of herbs, are cited as the authority for the information presented.
Each two-to three-page entry contains an illustration of the plant. Full botanical and common names are given as well as the plant's geographic origin and the documented and legendary history of its use. Proven effects (based on recent research data), potential problems, warnings, and safe dosage amounts are included. Warnings are given about the use of certain herbs that, although safe for consumption, could have serious consequences for users with specific medical conditions.
Consumers are encouraged to become educated about the remedies they use so that they recognize relevant information on packaging labels. The author emphasizes the importance of knowing a product's botanical name and the part of the plant used to produce the effective remedy as well as what percent of the herb is actually contained in the product. The discussion of the FDA's position in the regulation of herbal medicines and chapters explaining the basic biology and chemistry of the most popular groups of herbal products are clearly written and arm consumers with important knowledge that will be useful in making decisions.
Other features include an alphabetical list of herbs and the ailments for which they are used, another list of ailments and the appropriate herbal treatments, and a glossary. Appendixes cover herbal combinations approved by Commission E, a list of unproved and potentially dangerous herbs, a guide to searching Medline, and a brief annotated list of reference sources.
Because the FDA provides little guidance in the area of herbal medicines, this volume fills a need by giving an informative overview based on the best existing authority. Because the author has chosen to limit the scope of the contents to only the most popular herbal supplements, the guide will complement more comprehensive sources such as the PDR volume or The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants (DK, 1996) by providing quick access to the most frequently requested information.
