Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (Paperback)

~ Jeff M. Jellin Pharm.D. (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

I love your new database on Natural Medicines. A physician and I were having an intense discussion about echinacea the day that the database came in the mail. His pretense was that there was no real research on herbals, so he could not recommend them. When he saw the database...he thought for sure that the research was below the medical par...until he saw the lists. Whereas herbal medicines are a part of the pharmacology training for nurse practitioners, I have found this a vaulable resource for drug and physiological contraindications. Thank you so much. -- Rebecca Runge Cailor, RN, Student FNP

I received the book last week and used it twice the first day I had it. I have referred to it several times since then, as have some of my colleagues. It's great! I really am thrilled to have such a comprehensive reference available. I like the way the entries are set up, with crucial information but not too much to read (like the Prescriber's Letter). Also, the section at the back on components of common brand name products is an excellent idea. I have already used that section to identify something one of my patients is taking. -- Peggy Spencer, M.D., Albuquerque, NM

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database is comprehensive, well-formatted, beautifully edited, well-indexed and helpful- My congratulations to you and your staff. As editor of AMA-Drug Evaluations in the past, I know how much effort goes into this type of compendium. Keep up your usual good-work. I and many of my colleagues in practice appreciate your efforts. -- Don Bennett, M.D., Ph.D., Downers Grove, IL

Product Description

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database gives accurate scientific data for every herbal medicine and dietary supplement used and referenced in North America. The database covers more products than any other reference. For each product the database provides 15 categories of information. For each product the database will tell you various other names that the product is known by...what the product is used for, including current uses, traditional uses, uses in other cultures, non-medicinal uses...the safety rating, including safety during pregnancy and lactation...effectiveness rating, including effectiveness for various uses...major active ingredients and theoretical mechanism of action...potential interactions with drugs...potential interactions with foods...potential interactions with disease conditions...potential interactions with medical lab tests...typical dosing and routes of administration and other important commentary.

This database is extremely comprehensive. There are almost 1200 pages of concentrated data. The database is the most comprehensive and most clinically valid reference on this topic in existence. The database is written for physicians, pharmacists, and other health professionals. Consumers who use this database are encouraged to seek appropriate guidance from a healthcare professional.

Included in with the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database are several charts showing which herbs and drugs interact, and listings of herbal and dietary supplement products showing all of the specific ingredients in each product.

The database is exhaustively referenced. Each statement is referenced by one of thousands of medical references.

The database is extremely easy to use. For any particular question, you simply flip to the name of the product, and find the answer to your question in the appropriate box on that page.

This Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database is an outstanding collection and consensus of data from every other reputable reference in this topic area.

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database is an excellent tool for people who wish to determine the safety or effectiveness of any herbal or dietary supplement product. People will also be able to determine the appropriate uses and side effects to watch for. The database provides a unique and very user-friendly ranking for the safety and the effectiveness of each herbal medicinal or dietary supplement product. Each product has one of five safety ratings, and one of five effectiveness ratings. These ratings are assigned based on the number and quality of published human studies. The authors have evaluated the various studies and determined which studies hold enough scientific validity to earn a particular rating. Very importantly, people will know if there is any documented interaction between a natural medicine and a traditional prescription or non-prescription drug, or if the natural medicine is likely to effect any medical lab test, or aggravate any particular disease. A group of 37 pharmacists and physicians, plus 2 nutritionists, worked as a team for over one year to compile this immense and user-friendly database.

This Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database represents the best collection of knowledge on this subject available anywhere, and is a "must-have" tool for anybody who prescribes, dispenses, recommends, or uses these products.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1530 pages
• Publisher: Pharmacists Letter (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967613604
• ISBN-13: 978-0967613604
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,373,199 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best reference on herbs aand supplements, April 25, 2000

By A Customer

I have looked at a lot of references on natural medicines, and this one is by far the best. This book is laid out like a huge chart. It's over 1000 pages. For all the different herbals, and vitamins, and supplements this database shows all sorts of other names, uses, side effects, cautions, interactions. A lot of herbs can interact with drugs and this information is in here. It has brand names and ingredients. It covers all the herbs and vitamins and minerals and supplements. Everything I've looked for has been in it. The book is put together by a large group of pharmacists and physicians. They are very scientific, and they list thousands of medical references where the information comes from. I like the fact that the various products are rated. The book tells what's effective and what is safe, and gives ratings for these. It shows which prescription drugs cause the body to become deficient in certian nutrients. It also says what's safe to use during preganancy. My doctor says this is the best source of scientific information available on this subject. If you want a good scientific reference this is the one to get. Inside the book there's the address of the book's private website that is terrific. There are also charts of interactions and charts showing which supplements work for certain conditions.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have in Herbal Medicine, March 15, 2001

By	Jadxia Lauron "aka Jade Lauron" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2001 Edition (Paperback)

I first came across this book in the pharmacy where I work. The collection of sheer data in it is tremendous; there is information in this book that is almost impossible to find in any other herbal (including information on clinical trials and interactions). Most of the medical reference books that we use cost well over a hundred dollars and are not user friendly. Not so with this book. The only reasons that I didn't give it 5 stars are 1) this book is not illustrated, and 2)the book assumes you have access to a high quality herbal product, which is not always the case with herbal medicine.

Any serious herbalist should include this book in a reference library.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compresive Database for Natural Medicines, October 26, 2000

By	M. Frost, WHCNP (Hood River OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2001 Edition (Paperback)

Wonderful and comprehensive database for anyone interested in natural/herbal medicines - includes dosage, allopathic drug interactions, side effects, food interactions etc. More complete than the "PDR for herbal medicines". Pro for PDR is that it has colored pictures of the herbs in the natural state. PDR, however, does not have homeopathic dosing and the "Database" does (but it is not a repetory). A good adjunct to Textbook of Natural Medicine. Also important for healthcare providers who have clients that use natural medicines and need to know interactions between what is being prescribed and what is already being used.