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HUANG/11HERBAL HIGH" CONTROVERSY • CACAO TO BOOKSTORE

HERBAL PRESCRIPTIONS n;" l ~~· THE PROTOCOL JOURNAL FOR BETTER HEALTH OF BOTANICAL MEDICINE by Donald Brown. 1996. Discusses Ed . by Svevo Brooks. Compilation the most well researched herbal of botanical protocols from differing medicines ond effective herbal ... '.: :.':'~... ":.:, .. systems of traditional medicine _ ,_..;,.,... _ treatments for dozens of health providing therapeutic approaches to .... \l. j ...... , .. conditions. Including vitamins, specific disorders and condition minerals, ond herbs, each reviews with etiology, treatment SHIITAKE: prescription covers preparation, dosage, possible side effects, ond recommendations, diagnostic differentiations, medicine/ THE HEALING MUSHROOM cautions. Extensive references ond additional resources. treatment differentiations, toxicology, ond literature citations. by Kenneth Jones. 1995. Covers Hardcover. 349 pp. $22.95. #B183 Coli for information on specific volumes. Softcover. Vol. I No. nutritional value, history os ofolk 1, $25. #B182A; Vol. I No.2 ond forward, $48. #B182B{ medicine, usefulness in lowering cholesterol ond preventing heort disease, and its value in bolstering the immune system to increase the body's ability to prevent cancer, viral infections, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Softcover. THE BOOK OF PERFUME AROMATHERAPY: A 120 pp. $8.95. #B188 by E. Borille ond C. Laroze. 1995. COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE Beautifully illustrated volume HEALING ART includes sections on how the sense by K. Keville ond M. Green. 1995. THE BOOK OF of smell works, the design of Topics include the history ond by A. Stello, N. Beautheac, G. perfume bottles, legendary theory of fragrance; therapeutic Brochard, and C. Donzel, translated perfumers, ond sources of row uses of aromotheropy for by Deke Dusinberre. 1992. Traces materials. Describes the history, circulation, digestion, respiration, the history, myth, and rituals of tea creation, and selection of a fine immunity, ond more; instructions growing and drinking from the teo fragrance, detailing the people and for creating personal beauty and skin-core products; techniques gardens of Asia to the tea rooms of processes involved in the composition and the marketing far the home distillation and blending of essential oils; and a London. Beautiful photography and of its image. Hardcover. 224 pp. $55. #B 186 materia medica listing the origins and uses of commonly design. Includes guide to and available essential oils. Softcover. 156 pp. $14.95. #B179 blends that provides everything one needs to know to fully appreciate the richness ond infinite variety of teo. Hardcover. 256 pp. $55. #B185 AN ELDERS' HERBAL HERBAL EMISSARIES by David Hoffman. 1993. by S. Foster and Y. Chongxi. 1992. ENCYCLOPEDIA OF Addresses the unique concerns of Supplies specific techniques for NATURAL MEDICINE people approaching fifty years of cultivating 44 Chinese herbs ond by M. Murray ond J. Pizzorno. age and older, offering specific flowers in Western gardens, 1991 . Explains the principles of herbal remedies for conditions providing scientific verification of naturopathic medicine ond outlines including hypertension, insomnia, their effectiveness, os well os their application through the safe bronchitis, varicose veins, and history, taste ond character, uses, and effective use of herbs, arthritis. Lists more than 150 herbs dosage, warning, description, vitamins, minerals, diet, ond by both common and Latin names, specifies which part of the distribution, harvesting, processing, nutrition. Addresses over 60 illnesses ond conditions from to use, actions and indications, preparation methods, and additional species, ond other uses. Softcover. 356 pp. acne to varicose veins. Softcover. 622 pp. $19.95. #B200 recommended dosages. Softcover. 266 pp. $17.95. #B189 $16.95. #B190

GREEN PHARMACY BIOTECHNOLOGY IN PHYTOCHEMISTRY OF by Barbaro Griggs. 1991. A AGRICULTURE AND USED IN fascinating account of the ideas, FORESTRY, VOL. 33 TRADITIONAL MEDICINE personalities, advances, and Ed . by Y. P. S. Bojoj. 1995. Contains Ed. by K. Hostettmonn, A. Marston, vicissitudes that hove shaped the 26 chapters on the biotechnology of M. Maillard, ond M. Hamburger. course of herbal medicine and medicinal ond aromatic plants. Deals 1995. Proceedings of the 1993 pharmacy. Focuses with candor ond with the distribution, economic International Symposium of the clarity on the professional, economic, importance, conventional propagation, Phytochemical Society of Europe. and social forces that have periodically micropropogolion, tissue culture Sixteen papers that review the latest consigned herbal medicine to near studies, ond the in vitro production of advances ond trends in the field of oblivion, and presents a strong case important medicinal ond active compounds from tropical ond for the cyclical emergence of alternative medicine at limes pharmaceutical compounds in various species. Hardcover. other medicinal plants. Hardcover. 408 pp. $130. #B193 when allopathic methods of treatment have lost their safety 476 pp. $369. #B 194 and efficacy. Softcover. 379 pp. $19.95. #B187

Credit Card holders call toll free: 800/373-7105 or fax: 512/331-1924 Herbal Education Catalog Additions Spring / Summer 1996 NEW ADDITIONS TO ABC' S HERBAL EDUCATION CATALOG! PLEASE SEE THE ENCL OSED CATALOG FOR M ORE BOOKS AND OTHER EDUC ATI ONAL M A TERI A LS.

VALUING LOCAL KNOWLEDGE PLANTS, PEOPLE, l'lAHTS, I'fOft.l, AND CUlTUitE MEDICINAL RESOURCES OF Ed. by S. Brush ond D. Stobinsky. AND CULTURE rlt•ScJ•tte•otllhobotur THE TROPICAL FOREST 1996. Experts from around the world by M. Bolick and P. Cox. 1996. Ed. by M. Bolick, E. Elisobetsky, ond examine on innovative proposal to Beginning with the prehistoric S. Laird. 1996. Covering owide promote both cultural survival on d use of plants by hunteriJotherers spectrum of subjects in biodiversity, biological conservation: treating ond the development of ethnomedicine, ethnobotany, ond cultural ond indigenous knowledge os agriculture, the authors reveal pharmacognosy, ond including oform of intellectual property. how studies of plant use by regional work ranging from Africa to Currently the focus of o heated indigenous peoples is the key to Asia to , the 29 debate, the proposal would allow understanding the history of human civilization. Intriguing papers in this volume offer the most impoverished people in biologically firsthand stories of fieldwork in remote villages deep in the comprehensive survey ovoiloble of the current literature rich oreos to realize on economic return from resources under rainforests of South America, Africa, ond the islands of the South on the subject of medicinal uses of tropical plants. their core. These case studies bring direct experience to bear on Pacific reveal the vast amount of knowledge indigenous peoples Softcover. 440 pp. $35. #B197 the international debate over intellectual property, conservation, possess that warrants preservation. Hardcover. ond indigenous rights. Softcover. 337 pp. $30. #B195 228 pp. $32.95. #B196

THE CHALLENGES OF THE HERBALMEDICINES : A HERBAL PRESCRIBER 21STCENTURY GUIDE FOR HEALTH-CARE by Christopher Hobbs. 1995. Disk Ed. by W. G. Bailey, C. Whitehead, PROFESSIONALS based software. Quick access to J. Proctor ond J. Kyle. 1995. A by C. Newall, L. Anderson ond J. over 2000 remedies ond 30 summary of oil activities of the Phillipson. 1996. Covers 141 therapeutic diets for 450 common proceedings of the 1994 herbs commonly present in herbal ailments. Over 250 of the most International Ginseng Conference in remedies sold by pharmacies in wide~ used herbs. Searches 9 Vancouver, Conodo, the world's the UK, providing botanical names, ways. Resources directory. first comprehensive ginseng event. synonyms, ports used, Requires Windows 3.0 or higher. Over 100 presentations covering ginsengfrom cultivation ond phormocopeiol monograph listing, Dotabose. $36.95 . #D004 production to consumer use. Softcover. 645 pp. $4 9.9 5 . #B 199 legal category, constituents, food use, herbal use, dose, phormocologicol actions, side effects ond toxicity, controindications and warnings, pharmaceutical comment, ond references. Also appendixes by interactions, ingredients, ond actions of ingredients. Hardcover. 296 pp. $77. #B198

GRAY'S MANUAL OFFICIAL HERBS OFACIAL CAl'S CLAW: OF BOTANY (_il· <_~:'>__ -­ by Wade Boyle. 1991 . Many herbs HERBS HEALING VINE OF by Merritt Fernald. 1950. Initially in the US Pharmacopeia were by Kenneth Jones. 1995. History of authored by Aso Gray and I\ lilnu

•. · :::iiiiiiiiiiii~ ECLEOIC DISPENSATORY TALES OF A TALES OFA OF BOTANICAL SHAMAN'S APPRENTICE TALES OF SHAMAN'S APPRENTICE THERAPEUTICS, VOL 2 by Mark Plotkin. 1994. Adventure, A SHAMAN'S Written ond read by Mark Plotkin. by Francis Brinker. 1995. anthropology, science, ond humor A~PRENJI.~E 2 audio cassettes. Approximately 3 Compilation of articles including converge in one ethnobotanist's hours playing time. $16.95 . historical perspectives, quest among the rainforest shamans . ·. i\ 'k>.c #0702 ,. '\-' pharmacognosy, ond clinical for ancient medicines that moy hold applications of botanical medicines the cure to todoy's devastating in various conditions, as well as diseases. Hardcover. 318 pp. $22. .-. . ~ · ~ - ~ ~ botonicol medicine research #B086 . . . ~ .. :· . .: '':· ~ .. '-: summaries. Binder. 507 pp. $125. #B184

See page 78 for order form, or page 31 of the enclosed Herbal Education Catalog. Credit Card holders call toll free: Herbal Edu

HERBALGRAM 37 • 3 · Dear Reader Board of Trustees Herb Mark Blumenthal Research Executive Oiredor In this edition, as in the past three, HerbalGram deals with the on­ Foundation hv1 James A. Duke, Ph.D. going saga of the herb ephedra or rna Professional Advisory Board Norman R. Farnsworth, Ph.D. huang. Things have really heated up Each issue of H ERBA!GRAM is reviewed by Bcx,.mEi1 members of the Herb Research Foundation COUNCIL with the FDA issuing a consumer warn­ Professi onal Advisory Board prior to ing and the New York Times, Newsweek, publication. "Prime Time Live," CNN, and other President-Rob McCaleb media devoting extensive coverage. Glenn Appelt, Ph.D. This time the issue is products like Professor of Pharmacology "Herbal Ecstacy" and "Ultimate University of Colorado, Boulder Mark Blumenthal Editor /Publisher Xphoria"-ma huang-based products John A. Beutler, Ph.D. marketed as "legal alternatives" to Natural Products Chemi st Barbara Johnston Managing Editor National Cancer In stitute Rob McCaleb Technical Editor street drugs like "ecstasy," an amphet­ Robert A. Bye, Jr., Ph.D. amine-like "designer drug." Professor of Ethnobotany Ginger Hudson-Maffei Art Director It is unfortunate that the FDA is National University of Mex ico Penny King Coordinator using this issue to attempt to undermine Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D. Steven Fosler Associate Editor Director, Institute for Traditional Medicine the recently passed Dietary Supple­ and Preventive Health Care ment Health and Education Act of 1994 James A. Duke, Ph.D. Contributing Editors (DSHEA), claiming that this law makes Economi c Botani st Dennis V. C. Awang, Ph .D. it more difficult for the agency to pro­ U.S. Department of Agriculture Wayne Armstrong tect the public from unsafe products Norman R. Farnsworth, Ph.D. Karen Dean Research Professor of Pharmacognosy like Ultimate Xphoria, which has been and Seni or Uni versity Scholar James A. Duke, Ph.D. implicated in at least one death, that of Un iversity of Illinois at Chicago Norman R. Farnsworth, Ph.D. a 20-year-old man. As we point out, Richard I. Ford, Ph.D. Christopher Hobbs DSHEA gives new authority to FDA Professor of Ethnobotany Un iversity of Michi gan Steven R. King, Ph.D. to take appropriate action to remove Harriet Kuhnlein, Ph.D. Peter Landes unsafe products from the market. How­ Professor of Nutrition AlbertY. Leung, Ph.D. ever, the law does require that FDA McGill University Ara Der Marderosian, Ph.D. bears the burden of proof in such cases. Albert Leung, Ph.D. Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D. FDA's unwillingness to act against Ph armacognosist Glen Rock, New Jersey Andrew T. Weil, M.D. products which appear to be mis­ Walter Lewis, Ph.D. branded and mislabeled is regrettable. Professor of Biology Circulation/Classified Advertising Manager Also in this issue we present Washington University Margaret Wright Robert Gutman and Beung-Ho Ryu 's Ara Der Marderosian, Ph.D. excellent review of the history and ben­ Professor of Pharmacognosy Wali Stopher CoP.y Editor Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science Ginger Webb Ed1torial Assistant efits of drinking tea. That's right. Tea. James D. McChesney, Ph.D. Karen Newton Editorial Assistant Not "" but the standard green, Pharmacognosist , and black teas. Considerable Oxford, Mississippi Chief Administrative Officer scientific evidence shows that drinking C. Dwayne Ogzewalla, Ph.D. Wayne Silverman, Ph.D . Professor of Pharmacognosy tea can help prevent certain cancers as University of Cincinnati linda Prudhomme Receptionist well as having other health benefits. Robert Rountree, M.D. Finally, we offer a bit of history Ph ys ici an Vickie Adams Administration Boulder, Colorado Joni Weismann-McCiain Distribution and culture of cacao, the plant that has Julie Weismann-McCiain Information Services given the world oRe of its favorite James Ruth, Ph.D. Professor of Medicinal Chemi stry Cecelia Thompson Accountant foods, chocolate. Eldon Leiter and Uni versity of Colorado Gayle Engels Book Sales Coordinator Leanna Potts give us a historical and E. John Staba, Ph.D. George Solis Shipping pictorial review. Pro fessor of Pharmacognosy Meredit~ Barad Editorial Intern University of Minnesota Va rro E. Tyler, Ph.D. H ERBAIGRAM is published quarterl y by the Ameri­ Lilly Di stingui shed Professor can Botani cal Council and the Herb Research of Pharmacognosy Foundation as an educational project. Educational Purdue Uni versity and business offices are at the American Botani­ Phil Weber, M.D. cal Council, P.O. Box 201660, Austin, Texas Physician 78720. 51 2/33 1-8868. FAX 51 2/331-1924. Sub­ Boulder, Colorado scriptions: $25/yr; $45/2 yrs; $60/3 yrs. Foreign Andrew Weil, M.D. subscriptions, please add $10 per year. © 1996 Physician and Author American Botanical Council. ISSN #0899-5648. Tucson, Arizona Printed in the U.S.A.

4 ° HER BA LGRAM 37 LATE BREAKING NEWS

ABC NAMES NEW ADVISORY BOARD TYLER ELECTED TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Board of Trustees of the American Botanical Council in The Board of Trustees also announced the election ofYarro E. June announced the formation of ABC's new Advisory Board. This Tyler, Ph.D ., as a trustee. Ty ler is the Lilly Disting uished Professor group constitutes some of the leading researchers and educators in of Pharmacognosy at Purdue University and author of several lead­ North America in areas related to herbs and medicinal plants. The ing herbal books. ABC Advisory Board members will assist in suggesting and plan­ The members of the new ABC Advisory Board are listed ning research and educational projects and publications as well as below. Additional member will be added in the future. provide peer review for Herba!Gram.

Dennis V. C. Awang, Ph.D., F.C.I.C., MediPlant Steven Foster, Botani st, photographer, author, Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., N.D., President, Bastyr Natural Products Consulting Services, Ottawa, Fayetteville, Arkansas University, Seattle, Washington Ontario, Canada Christopher Hobbs L.Ac., AHG, Herbali st, Mark J. Plotkin, Ph.D., Executive Director, Eth­ Michael J. Balick, Director of the Institute of botani st, licensed acupuncturist, Santa Cruz, Cali­ nobotany and Conservation Team, Author, Arling­ Economic Botany, the New York Botanical Gar­ fornia ton, Virginia den, Bronx, New York David Hoffmann, B. Sc., M.N.I.M.H., Medical Eloy Rodriguez, Ph. D., James Perkins Profes­ Joseph M. Betz, Ph.D., Research Chemist, Cen­ herbali st, Santa Rosa, California sor of Environmental Studies, School of Agricul­ ter for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Di vi­ ture & life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, sion of Natural Products, Food and Drug Admin­ Maurice M. Iwu, Ph.D., Bioresources Develop­ New York istration, Washington, D.C. ment and Conservation Program, Senior Research Associate at the Di vision of Experimental Thera­ James E. Simon, Ph.D., Professor of Horticul ­ Donald J. Brown, N.D., Director, Natural Prod­ peutics, Walter Reed Army In stitute of Research, ture and Research Director, Center for New Crops ucts Research Consultants, Faculty, Bastyr Uni­ Washington, D.C. & Pl ant Products, Purdue University, West versity, Seattle, Was hington Lafayette, Indiana Steven King, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Eth­ Manuel F. Balandrin, R.Ph., Ph.D., Research nobotany and Conservation, Shaman Pharmaceu­ Beryl Simpson, Ph. D., C. L. Lundell Professor Scientist, NPS Pharmaceuticals, Salt Lake City, ticals, South San Francisco, California of Botany, Department of Botany, University of Utah Texas at Au stin, Austin, Texas Fredi Kronenberg, Ph.D., Director, Rosenthal Thomas J. Carlson, M.S., M.D., Senior Direc­ Center for Alternative/Complementary Medicine, S. H. Sohmer, Ph.D., President and Director, Bo­ tor, Ethnobiomedical Field Research, Shaman College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia tanical Research Institute of Texas, Fort Worth, Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, Califor­ University, New York, New York Texas ni a Tom Mabry, Ph.D., Professor of Plant Biochem­ Barbara N. Timmerman, Ph. D., Professor of Jean Carper, Author and syndicated columnist, istry, Department of Botany, University of Texas Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Phar­ Washington, D.C. at Austin, Austin, Texas macy, Uni versity of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

Jerry Cott, Ph.D., Chief of Pharmacological Robin J. Maries, Ph.D., Associate Professor of G. H. Neil Towers, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, F. Treatment Research Program, National Institute Botany, Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba, R. S. C., Botany Department, University of Brit­ of Mental Health, Rockville, Maryland Canada ish Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Paul Alan Cox, Ph.D., Professor of Botany and Dennis J. McKenna, Ph.D., Consulting Dean of General Education and Honors, Brigham Ethnopharmacologist, Minneapoli s, Minnesota Arthur 0. Thcker, Ph.D., Research Professor of Young University, Provo, Utah Agriculture and Natural Resources, Delaware Daniel E. Moerman, Ph.D., William E. Stirton State University, Dover, Delaware Lyle E. Craker, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Professor of Anthropology, The University of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Massachu­ Michigan, Dearborn, Michigan Nancy Thrner, Ph.D., Professor and Ethnobota­ setts, Amherst, ni st, Environmental Studies Program, University Samuel W. Page, Ph.D., Director, Division of of Vi ctoria, Victori a, British Columbia, Canada Edward M. Croom, Jr., Ph.D., Coordinator, Phy­ Natural Products, Center for Food Safety and tomedicine Project, National Center for the De­ Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, Andrew T. Weil, M.D., Author, Director of the velopment of Natural Products, University of Washington, D.C. Program in Integrative Medicine and Associate Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi Director of the Division of Social Perspectives in Gail B. Mahady, Ph.D., Research Assistant Pro­ Medicine of the College of Medicine, University Wade Davis, Ph.D., Author, ethnobotanist, Wash­ fessor, Department of Medical Chemistry & Phar­ of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona ington, D.C. macognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois ad hoc advisor: Steven Den tali, Ph.D., Natural Products Consult­ David M. Eisenberg, M.D., Director, Center for ant, Portland, Oregon Julia F. Morton, D.Sc. F.L.S., Director, Morton Alternative Medicine Research, Beth Israel Hos­ Collectanea, University of Mi ami , Coral Gables, pital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachu­ Hardy Eshbaugh, Ph.D., Professor of Botany & Florida setts Assistant Curator, Willard Sherman Turrell Her­ barium, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

HERBALGRAM 37 • 5 The Journal of the American Botanical Council and the Herb Research Foundation Number37 • Summer 1996

5 Late-breaking News ABC Names New Advisory Board, 14 Research Reviews Tyler Elected Trustee by Rob McCaleb and Ginger Webb Peppermint Oil and Irritable Bowel 8 ABC News Syndrome; Antioxidant Effect of Tibetan Plant "Medicine Garden" Herbal Show on Public Preparation; Antioxidant Activity of Herbs; Rad io; Pharmacy Home Study Courses Artichoke Increases Bile Output; Flax Seed Available for Sex Steroid Action; Echinacea Clinical Studies Reviewed ; Anti-HIV Update 9 HRF News by Rob McCaleb 18 Plant Patents HRF Year in Review by Karen Dean Grapeseed Extracts; Curcuma Plants; 10 Herb Blurbs Antifungal preparations by Mark Blumenthal and Ginger Webb Willow Valley; Ricin , Deadly Toxin from 20 Legal and Regulatory Castor Bean by Mark Blumenthal The Agony of the Ecstasy; "Herbal High" Products Get Media Attention 11 Media by Ginger Webb and Mark Blumenthal Milk Thistle Fruits for Treatment of Death Cap Mushroom Poisoning; Caution with 56 Market Report Homemade Oils; Deep in the Heart of Texas : Survey Indicates Increasing Herb Use; Truffles! ; " New Crops" Include Prickly Pear; Market Report by Peter Landes Sandalwood Supplies Slip 58 Conference Report Gaia Herb Symposium by David Hoffmann

CRN's Antioxidant Conference by Rob McCaleb

61 In Memoriam Don Elijio Ponti

Herb Pierson

63 Book Reviews Regulatory issues of 70 Best Sellers in ABC BookStore Ma huang continue. legal and Regulatory 72 Software Review page 20. Mahuang, 73 Letters Ephedra viridis. Photo © 199 5 Steven Foster. 74 Access 74 Calendar 76 Classified

6 . H ERBALGRAM 37 FY

25 Chief Two Moon Meridas by Thomas J. Filii us, loretta R. Nugent, and Varro E. Tyler

33 Rediscovering Tea by Robert l. Gutman, Ph .D., and Beung-Ho Ryu , Ph .D.

50 Chocolate: Past, Present, and Future of Cacao by leanna K. Potts Photography by Eldon leiter

Chief Two Moon Meridas, herbal"miracle" man . Page 25

Above: , . Special supplement begins on page 33. Photo © 1996 Steven Foster

Below: Chocolate and its source Cacao beans, cacao, page 52. Photo by John Jonietz for Herba/Grom.

Above: Thyme, Thymus vulgaris, researched for antioxidant activities, page 15.

Cover: Green Tea basking in sunlight under watch of Mt. Fuji in Japan. A complete review of tea begins on page 33 . Photo by and courtesy of Ron Udell of Chemco Industries, Inc .

0 HERBAIGRAM is printed on recycled paper. HERBALGRAM 37 • 7 ABC NEWS

PUBLIC RADIO'S ''MEDICINE GARDEN'' HERBAL SHOW NOW AVAILABLE ON AUDIO CASSETTE

The Medicine Garden is a set of find much of benefit in these tapes. audio cassettes, featuring physicians, Learn about Oldtimers can experience a renewal of pharmacy experts, and others who de­ tlfltural herbal remedies ­ interest and reinforcement of belief, es­ scribe the sensible uses-and limita­ clearly explained by pecially when hearing a familiar sub­ tions-ofherbal medicine. Presented by doctors and other experts ject explored by familiar names within award-winning public radio journalist this world. David Freudberg, these tapes provide an Key persons interviewed by easy-to-follow introduction for anyone Freudberg are Bill Moyers, television curious about this time-tested form of journalist; Varro Tyler, Ph.D., Lilly Dis­ natural healthcare. Each cassette of the tinguished Professor of Pharmacognosy, two-tape set consists of one program de­ School of Pharmacy, Purdue University, signed for airing on public radio. and author of Herbs of Choice; Jim Uplinked to satellite in January 1996, Duke, Ph.D., author of A Handbook of The Medicine Garden has aired on nearly Phytochemical Constituents of GRAS 100 stations, including most major mar­ Written and produced for public radio Herbs, and Other Economic Plants; kets. by DAVID FREUDBERG Norman Farnsworth, Ph.D., University According to Freudberg, "A grow­ of Illinois at Chicago, director of the in­ ing wave of Americans-frustrated by ternational herbal database NAPRA­ the side effects and ineffectiveness of LERT; Ara der Marderosian, Ph.D., Pro­ some standard medicines-is turning to fessor of Pharmacognosy and Medici- natural herbal remedies for relief. Once nal Chemistry, Philadelphia College of found only in health food stores, today's pharmacies now carry a Pharmacy and Science; Andrew Wei!, M.D., author of Spontaneous wide variety of plant-based extracts, teas, cough drops, and other Healing (New York Times Best Seller) ; Mary Bove, N.D. , herbalist herbal remedies. The Medicine Garden sets out to examine the fas­ and naturopathic physician; Barbara Griggs, historian and author of cinating resurgence of this traditional form of health care." Green Medicine; Robert Temple, M.D .. U.S. Food and Drug Ad­ Those interviewed gave their insights into these questions: ministration; and Mark Blumenthal, Executive Director of the Ameri­ Why is herbal medicine making a comeback? Why is it so popular can Botanical Council, consultant for the project. in European countries? What regulatory issues does it raise in the Funding was provided in part by General Nutrition Centers U.S.? Which herbs are proven safe and effective? Which are dan­ (GNC), Nature's Way, and the Herb Research Foundation. gerous or bogus? The two-hour tape set is available through the multi-media The Medicine Garden was recorded in herb fields, health stores, section of the ABC BookStore for $15.95, order #701. For satellite medical clinics, and other settings. Freudberg's interviewing tech­ feed information or for scheduling, feeds, and rights, contact Lynette nique is low-key, but focused; conversational in tone yet fulfilling Cuff at Public Radio International (PRI), 612/330-9219. -Barbara for the listener, whether he is speaking with professional Johnston 0 pharmacognosists or herbalists. Newcomers to the herbal world will PHARMACY HOME STUDY COURSES AVAILABLE ABC and the Texas Pharmacy Foundation have published facilitate more effective conservation. home-study series for pharmacists called "Herbs & Phytomedi­ These unique educational modules have been created from cines." The series initially consists of three modules with the articles previously available through ABC's Classic Botanical Re­ first two worth two hours and the third equal to one prints Series. By the end of summer 1996 an additional module and one-half hours of approved pharmacy education on herbal laxatives will be available. This is part of a larger focus credit. The Foundation is an approved provider of the on herbs and the digestive system which will comprise the fourth American Council on Pharmaceutical Education. module. The series examines critical historical issues of To order these special educational materials, herbal medicines and how these products have contrib­ please fill out the order form on page 31 in the Herbal uted to our past and present use of medicine in general. Education Catalog insert of this magazine or The series also describes how such herbal medications contact Penny King at ABC. Item num­ are assessed for efficacy and safety, looks at the in­ bers can be found for each module on valuable resource of our diminishing rainforests page 30 opposite the order form. - as a source for such plants, and discusses what can Wayne Ewen 0 Texas Pharmacy Foundation

8 • HERBALGRAM 37 HRF NEWS

International: The Herb Research Foundation has reached The commission is studying the major issues related to la­ a milestone in its work with the U.S. Agency for International beling of dietary supplements, and possible procedures for the Development's (USAID) Africa Bureau. Over the past two years, evaluation of label claims. These include examination of the defi­ we have worked to develop a test crop of hibiscus flowers (one of nition of "dietary supplement," review of good manufacturing prac­ America's most popular herbal tea ingredients) in Mali, West Af­ tices, quality control procedures, consumer needs and expecta­ rica, one of the world's poorest nations. HRF has provided supe­ tions for information on dietary supplement products, issues re­ rior seeds for the crop and worked at the farm level through qual­ garding the substantiation of label claims, the label claim evalua­ ity management trairung and improvements in handling. Samples tion process, and the appropriateness of health claims for supple­ from the test crop were evaluated by the hibiscus experts at Celes­ ments. The comrrussion plans to complete its report to the admin­ tial Seasonings and judged to be "the best quality ever received istration after the public hearings period. from Africa." Celestial will purchase the entire first year's crop. The last of the testimony-oriented information-gathering The project is sponsored by USAID, our federal government's meetings will be held in Orlando, Florida on June 6, 1996. Public foreign aid agency, through an internationally known agribusiness comment is open until the end of June, 1996 only. Interested par- - consulting fum, Ronco. ties may contact Dr. Kenneth D. Fisher, Ph.D., Executive Director "We are very proud of this project and its remarkable early of the Commission, to request time on the agenda, or information success," says HRF President Rob McCaleb. "This is an example on subrilltting written presentations. Tel. 202/690-5526; Fax 202/ of intelligent foreign aid investment, bringing together business 205-9478; e-mail, [email protected]. interests and scientific expertise to improve the quality of life and income through sustainable business, not handouts. Celestial Sea­ Education Outreach: Over the past year, HRF has had over 100 sonings, US AID, and Ronco all deserve substantial credit for their contacts with the media, including The New York Times, Newsweek, support of the Malian farmer through the production of herbs." Consumer Reports, Boston Globe, CNN, and the major TV net­ The project began by researching which botanical crops works, as well as other popular magazines and newspapers around rillght be grown and harvested successfully in Mali. One of the the country. HRF also assisted in securing funding for The Medi­ most important considerations is cost of freight, as Mali is a land­ cine Garden, 2 one-hour public radio programs produced by Far locked country, a fact whlch substantially increases freight costs. Reaching Communications, and which exarillnes the resurgence Botanical products that have value added on-site, or dense, high­ of botanicals for health (see story on page 8). value crops are the most viable opportunities. Hibiscus was cho­ President Rob McCaleb spoke about the botanicals market­ sen for its ease of growing, its light weight, and its market poten­ place at several conferences, including the Alternative Medicine tial, and the ability to add value with minimal investment. Intro­ Workshop on Botanicals hosted by the Drug Information Associa­ ducing simple appropriate technology that makes the harvesting tion; US AID Agricultural Marketing and Private Sector Collabo­ and processing more efficient has increased the project's ability to rators' Workshop; Texas Department of Health hearing on ephe­ produce larger crops and increase farmer income. This year's crop dra; Biodiversity and Human Health sponsored by NIH, National is expected to yield approximately seven tons of clean, high-qual­ Science Foundation and the Smithsonian Institution; Nutraceutics ity hibiscus. '95, National Nutritional Foods Association's Marketplace '95; Other experimental crops to be tested this year include Herbs '95 hosted by International Herb Association; International echinacea and rilllk thlstle. Milk thlstle may have special signifi­ Training Program in New Crops, Aromatic, and Medicinal Plants cance for Mali for two reasons. The first is the high prevalence of at Purdue University; and the Council for Responsible Nutrition's liver disease, for which milk thistle can provide both preventive annual conference. Rob also was a guest lecturer at continuing and treatment benefits. The second is that edible seeds (including medical education courses at Harvard Medical School and Co­ those from hibiscus) are ground and added to food in Mali. Since lumbia University. the effective dose of rilllk thlstle seed is only 12-15 grams, its HRF is continuing to develop Herb Information Guides­ development as a food crop could contribute to better liver health brochures available wherever herbs are sold. The guides present in Mali and perhaps throughout West Africa. HRF is providing concise, easy-to read, and scientifically based information on seed and growing information. America's most popular herbs; including the uses, doses, safety, history, and product types available. Pharmacists, physicians, and Regulatory: Commission on Dietary Supplement Labels manufacturers say these can help them as well as their customers (CDSL): HRF President Rob McCaleb reports that the commis­ in understanding the uses and cautions associated with these hlghly sion has held several public meetings since February to receive popular products. comments and concerns regarding the regulation of dietary supple­ HRF's Natural Healthcare Hotline continues to grow with ment labeling. Over 60 presentations have been heard from repre­ new subscribers. This service is free to HRF subscribers, with a sentatives of the natural products industry, citizens' groups, and charge of $1.50/rrunute for the public and a discounted 95 cents individuals, including FDA, National Nutritional Foods Associa­ per minute for HRF members. tion, Council for Responsible Nutrition, Utah Natural Products Our homepage on the Internet is blossoming with the addi­ Alliance, American Botanical Council, American Herbal Products tion ofGreenpapers, information sheets on individual herbs. We've Association, office of Senator Orrin G. Hatch, manufacturers, re­ also made it more user-friendly and easier to read-check us out! tailers, and concerned citizens. http://sunsite.unc.edu/herbs/ 0

H ERBALGRAM 37 • 9 Willow i7alley The words for the willow tree and valley have the same origin. They both derive from the Indo-European root word wet, meaning to tum or roll. Roll and tum also referred to rolled or turned objects, thus the willow, known for its curved/flexible branches. A valley is a somewhat curved sturcture enclosed by hills. Other related words include well, which originally meant a spring from which water "rolled" or bubbled; there's wallow, to roll in the mud; the waltz, a dance known for its rolling motion; some scholars opine that per­ haps the word walk is related. Even the Greek helix is related, from the Indo-European welix, for something that turns on itself. Other words from we[ via valley include valve, vault with its curved ceiling, and volume, originally rolled up writing on parch­ ment or paper. Other related words include revolve, revolution, re­ volt, and related compounds evolve, devolve, involve. The Latin for willow is Salix from the Celtic sal meaning "water" and lis meaning "near," referring to the tree's natural habi­ tat.- Mark Blumenthal [References: 1. Claiborne, R. 1989. The Roots ofEnglish: A Reader's Handbook ofWord Origins. New York Times Books, 259. 2. Paxton's Botanical Dictionary. London, 1868.] 0

Willow, Salix spp. Photo © 1996 Steven Foster.

Ricin Deadi1J Toxin Castor Bean

If you thought that the unpleasant taste of castor grams of the fatal poison, was confiscated from Lavy at oil was bad, read on. Ricin, a white crystalline com­ the Alaska-Canada border. When subsequent pound isolated from castor beans (Ricinus commu­ analysis proved it to be ricin, Lavy was charged nis), is listed by the FBI as the trurd most poison­ and arrested at his home in Arkansas. He hanged ous substance known, behind plutonium and the himself in his jail cell the following day. Al­ botulism toxin. The natural toxin is considered though no ricin was found in his home, officials 6,000 times more toxic than cyanide and did find a can full of castor beans, along with 12,000 times more toxic than rattlesnake copies of literature such as The Poisoner's venom, according to California botanist Handbook, which explains how to ex­ Wayne Armstrong. A few hundred mil­ tract ricin from castor beans, and Si­ lionths of a gram of ricin on the tip of an lent Death, which discusses how to poi- umbrella was used by Soviet agents in 1978 to son people with toxic compounds. - Ginger kill a defected Bulgarian official at a London Webb [References: Kifner, John: Man is arrested bus stop. in a case involving deadly poison. New York Times, In December 1995, Thomas Lewis Lavy of Ar­ December 23, 1995; Macintyre, Brian, Man hangs kansas was arrested on charges of possessing a toxic sub­ self after arrest on biological weapon charge. stance with intent to use it as a weapon. The weapon, 130 American-Statesman, December 24, 1995.] 0 Illustration by Regan Garrett for Herba/Gram.

10 • HERBALGRAM 37 MEDIA Milk Thistle Fruits for Treatment of Death Cap Mushroom Poisoning

The accidental ingestion of deadly wild mushrooms is blamed in a series of re­ cent poisonings in California (February available to him immediately 1995). In one case, a girl whose family re­ after ingestion of the poison­ cently immigrated from Taiwan had to un­ ous mushrooms, "It might dergo a liver transplant as a result of eating have saved his life," said Wei I. poisonous mushrooms chopped and mixed The American Botani­ into spaghetti sauce; she, her two brothers, cal Council supplied the San and her mother, who also ingested the mush­ phan drug, requir­ Francisco Chronicle with ex­ rooms, are improving. In another case, au­ ing less testing than the •1!'!'"- t. cu:~t· ve scientific and medical thorities in Sonoma County are investigat­ conventional new drug ap­ information for the research ing the death of Arturo Leyva-Sanchez, a 43- plication procedure, after of this article. Milk thistle year-old ranch worker from rural Mexico; learning of the extensive pro­ extract, containing three flavo- preliminary findings reveal that his death was cess required by the FDA for nolignans collectively known as probably caused by amanitin, a toxic sub­ new drug testing. A pharma­ si lymarin (which includes the compound stance found in Amanita mushrooms cist at the San Francisco Poi­ silybinin), is readily available in the U.S. as (Amanita phalloides). son Control Center re­ a dietary supplement. Ingestion of milk According to herbal medicine experts, marked, " ... (A)s far as I know thistle extract prior to exposure to poison­ a European treatment called "silybinin" pre­ nothing has been proven ous mushrooms can prevent adverse liver pared from milk thistle fruit extract (Silybum [about the use of silybinin] reactions. The isolated compound silybinin marianum) might have saved Leyva­ and it's not recommended," is not available in the U.S. In injectable Sanchez's life and eased the sufferings of the thereby indicating the lack of form it is used in Germany as an emergency other poisoning victims. Silybinin is used knowledge by health professionals in the remedy for poison mushroom ingestion, if in Europe by doctors to fight liver disease U.S. on well-researched European phy­ administered within 24-48 hours of exposure. caused by alcoholism, toxic chemicals, and tomedicines like milk thistle. Dr. Andrew - Ginger Webb and Mark Blumenthal poisonous mushrooms, but it is currently Weil disagrees: "You have nothing to lose [Reference: Taylor, Michael. Febru­ unavailable in the U.S. The German com­ by using it and there is good reason to think ary 10, 1996. Girl Continues Recovery from pany Madaus AG gave up trying to get ap­ it can protect the liver cells from toxins." As Poison Mushrooms, San Francisco proval to sell silybinin in the U.S. as an or- for Leyva-Sanchez, if silybinin had been Chronicle, pp. A15 and A19.] 0

Caution With Homemade Oils

Oils flavored linum, which produces the botulism toxin. warn against preparing them at all. One ol­ garlic, chili peppers, and other After three people in 1989 were hospitalized ive oil company, Bertolli USA Inc., suggests herbs have become a popular in New York with botulism poisoning after heating the herbs in the oil instead of infus­ homemade gift. Unfortu­ consuming a commercially prepared oil con­ ing them. Making flavored vinegar for gift­ nately, these products may be taining chopped garlic and stored at room giving is another alternative; because vinegar unsafe. The moisture natu­ temperature, the FDA stepped in. It is now is high in acid, bacteria cannot grow in it. rally contained in herbs, com­ required that such oil preparations contain a - Ginger Webb bined with the oxygen-free preservative, are processed in a certain way, [Reference: Giuca, Linda. December environment facilitated by the and carry a message on the label to refriger­ 13, 1995. Homemade oils are dangerous thickness of vegetable oils, ate the product after opening. Because these gifts. Austin American-Statesman.] 0 creates an environment are steps which cannot be taken when pre­ friendly to Clostridium botu- paring such oils at home, many food experts

HERBALGRAM 37 • 11 MEDIA Deep in the Heart of Texas: Truffles! In the small Texas town of Hext, be­ Burke was approached with the idea tween Austin and San Angelo, a new crop is of raising truffles when he was still a peach being cultivated: truffles (Tuber spp.). and apple farmer. The rainfall in Texas is Truffles are tubers which grow from the un­ just right for truffle growing, and his soil derground stem of a host tree and which are samples were tested in Europe and were also valued as culinary delicacies. Europeans, found to be suitable. Burke plans to block ering, dogs will be used to sniff out their who have always ruled the truffle market but out the rays of the hot Texas sun by using locations underground. With truffles selling who are now running out of space in which the hazelnut trees as a canopy. Before plant­ for $350 to $1200 a pound, Burke may well to raise them, have typically used oak trees ing the hazelnut trees in the ground, he in­ become Texas' first truffle baron.- Ginger as the truffle host. Instead, Hext truffle oculated their roots with truffle spores, keep­ Webb farmer Thomas Burke has planted hazelnut ing the trees in a greenhouse for a year to [Reference: Baker, Emily. Thursday, trees in his truffle orchard, so as not to have give the truffle time to envelop the July 13,1995. ToilingforTexas-BomTruffles. to contend with oak wilt. True to Texan style, roots. When the truffles are ready for gath- Austin American-Statesman, p. B2.] 0 his is the largest truffle orchard in the world, with 45,000 trees. ''New Crops.,., Sandalwood Include Prickly Pear Supplies Slip Although the chances of black-eyed crops are also being examined. For instance, The Indian government has recently peas and crop foods making it to Mars on when pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), placed restrictions on the cutting of the en­ the next shuttle flight may be slim, the pos­ which contains high levels of omega-3 fatty dangered sandalwood tree; these are in ad­ sibility of "new crops" showing up on our acids, was fed to hens, the subsequent eggs dition to the controls already in place, which dinner plates are getting better. New crops, contained high concentrations of the benefi­ prohibit removal of a tree until it is 30 years a term which refers to "plants that some cial fatty acids that may help prevent heart old. The government is also initiating legis­ groups of farmers and consumers would con­ disease. The potential uses for new crops are lation which would limit sandalwood expor­ sider novel, even though other communities not limited to food; they could provide the tation, although insiders say the legislation might have used them since ancient times," necessary ingredients for "paper, solvents, is not likely to go through. are becoming more and more the focus of fuels, resins, construction materials, potting The restrictions will likely limit the research and development by scientists and soil, chicken feed," and much amount of sandalwood oil available, and farmers alike. more. For instance, the meal prices may rise as a result. During the sum­ In Israel, for instance, new crop ex­ leftover from processing mer of 1995, Indian sandalwood oil enjoyed perts are attempting to produce rapeseed (Brassica napus), a price increase, but this was due to the fact commercial-quality fruit from the plant source of canola that it had no competition on the market. various species of cacti, in­ oil, has been found to make Now, due to the Indian oil's increased cluding the prickly pear a good fungicide. Straw pricing, Indonesian sandalwood oil stands to cactus (Opuntia ficus-in­ has been found to form re-enter the market at a much higher figure dica). In Louisiana, scien­ · . boards suitable for con­ than when it left. tists are breeding groundnuts struction purposes, and Sandalwood oil is a main ingredient (Apios americanas), a food kenaf (Hibiscus in many incenses, and its wood is valued for source long known to Native cannabinus) and sunn its scent and its long tradition of use for reli­ Americans, for large tubers. At ( Crotalaria juncea) pro- gious items and rituals. In the U.S., the oil Texas A&M University in College duce fiber suitable for paper is used in men's colognes, for its "woody, Station, sweet, maroon-colored car- production. masculine note." - Ginger Webb rots with twice the beta-carotene as the or­ This information was taken from [Reference: Floreno, Anthony. San­ ange ones have been developed from ­ presentations at the 3rd National Symposium dalwood Cutting Rules May Limit India Oil ian carrot seeds. Incidentally, the carrots sold on New Crops, organized by Purdue Horti­ Supply. Chemical Marketing Reporter, especially well near the university, whose culture Professors Jules Janick and James E. October 30, 1995.] 0 colors are maroon and white. Simon.- Ginger Webb [Reference: Adler, Secondary or indirect benefits of new Tina. December 2, 1995. Black-Eyed Peas Go to Mars? Science News, Vol. 148, pp.

12 • HERBALGRAM 37 376-377.] 0 Herb Research Foundation's Herb Information Packet Series Has What You Need

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HERB RESEARCH FouNDATION

1007 Pearl Street Suite 200 Boulder, CO 80302 Peppermint, Mentha piperita. Photo ©1996 Steven Foster PEPPERMINT OIL AND IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

In the United Kingdom, peppermint oil from Mentha pipe rita added peppermint oil; fewer of those to whom peppermint oil was is currently being prescribed for the symptoms of irritable bowel administered needed an added intravenous spasmolytic (5 vs. 9) or syndrome (IBS). Known for generations as a digestive aid and a exhibited spasm (23 vs. 39). Intravenous spasmolytics are inconve­ carminative, it has not yet been determined whether this more re­ nient to administer and are more expensive than peppermint oil. The cent use of the oil is effective or beneficial. Peppermint oil has been authors conclude that further research into the pharmacological ac­ shown to act as a spasmolytic (antispasmodic) to intestinal muscle tivities and applications of peppermint is called for.-Ginger Webb in vitro, but whether or not thi s is clinically relevant is uncertain. [Reference: Kingham, J. G. C. Commentary: Peppermint oil It has been reported anecdotally that the introduction of pep­ and colon spasm. The Lancet, Vol. 346, October 14, 1995, p. 986.]0 permint oil into the colon during colonoscopy or barium enema may [Editor's note: Peppermint oil has been reviewed and approved reduce spasm, thereby lessening the need for intravenous by the German Commission E for its safety and efficacy for use in spasmolytics. The results of one randomized clinical trial involving IBS. An enteric-coated peppermint oil capsule is available on the 141 patients undergoing barium enemas are encouragi ng. The pa­ U.S. market and is presumably useful for patients with IBS.] tients received either standard barium sulphate or a suspension with ANTIOX IDANT EFFECT OF TIBETAN PLANT PREPARATION Padma 28 is a Tibetan plant preparation containing the fol­ II) with intermittent claudication (symptom characterized by pain lowing 20 botanicals: during walking). Patients ranged in age from 35 to 65 years old; 40 Bengal quince fruit (Aegle marmelos); allspice (Pimenta percent were women, 60 percent, men. The subjects, divided into officina/is); columbine leaf (Aquilegia vulgaris); marigold flower two groups of 50, received two capsules daily for 16 weeks of either (Calendula officina/is); cardamom fruit (Eletaria cardamomum); Padma 28 (in capsules of 380 mg) or placebo. clove flower (Syzygium aromaticum); Indian costus root (Saussurea The main target parameter was an increase in maximum walk­ lappa); ginger lily rhizome (Hedychium spicatum); lettuce leaf ing distance until a pain-induced stop. In the group of patients tak­ (Lactuca sativa); Icelandic moss (Cetraria islandica); licorice root ing Padma 28, and not in the group taking the placebo, the increase (Glycyrrhiza glabra); neem fruit (Azadirachta indica); myrobalan in maximum walking distance after 16 weeks was statistically highly fruit (Terminalia chebula); plantain tops (Plantago lanceolata); knot­ significant. Eighty-two percent of the patients in the Padma group grass tops (Polygonum aviculare); golden cinquefoil tops (Poten­ assessed the efficacy of the preparation as good or very good, com­ tilla aurea); red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus); country mal­ pared to only 16 percent in the placebo group. In addition, "a statis­ low tops (Sida cordifolia); aconite bulb (Aconitum napellus); and tically significant lowering in triglycerides, cholesterol, and LDL, valerian root (Valeriana officina/is). The formula also includes two and significant inhibition in platelet aggregation" were observed in non-herbals: camphor [a botanically-derived ingredient] and gyp­ the Padma group. The authors present the assumption that the effi­ sum [a mineral]. cacy of Padma 28 is due to the synergistic effects of the constituents The preparation is reputed to have an antioxidant effect as of the preparation. No adverse side effects were reported or observed well as lipid-lowering and platelet-inhibiting mechanisms. It has in the patients receiving the Padma 28 treatment. -Ginger Webb been used in Switzerland over the past 15 years in the treatment of [Reference: Smulski, H. S., and J. Wojcicki. July 1995. Placebo­ peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). A randomized, pla­ Controlled, Double-Blind Trial to Determine the Efficacy of the Ti­ cebo-controlled, double-blind study was carried out to investigate betan Plant Preparation Padma 28 for Intermittent Claudication. Al­ the efficacy of Padma 28 for PAOD of the lower extremities (Fontaine ternative Therapies, Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 44-49; Sallon, Sarah, M.D.

14 • HE RBALGRAM 3 7 Personal communication, AprilS, 1996.] 0 ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF HERBS Researchers B. Halliwell, et al., from the University of Lon­ This article presents a detailed look at individual ROS and don King's College and the Nestec Research Centre in Lausanne, tests to assess antioxidant effects against each. It compares some Switzerland present a detailed description of "the characterization natural antioxidants, including rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano, gin­ of antioxidants" in a recent paper published in Food Chemical Toxi­ ger, turmeric, cayenne, bay, and others. (These are listed in declin­ cology. The article starts from a food industry perspective, since ing potency against rancidity, which is a measure of lipid antioxidants can prevent rancidity, but the authors also point out peroxidation.) Many of the major herbs in use today have well­ that they "protect the human body against damage by reactive oxy­ documented antioxidant effects which often underlie the benefits gen species (ROS)." This, however, is too simple a statement. As for which they are valued. Ginkgo makes blood cells and blood the authors explain, "The relative importance of various antioxidants vessels more flexible by reducing oxidation of the cell walls. Bil­ in vivo depends on which ROS is generated, how it is generated, berry is known as an antioxidant for the eyes, demonstrating similar where it is generated, and what target of damage is being measured." effects on microcirculation as those from ginkgo. Milk thistle pro­ Antioxidants can be quite specific. For example, cigarette smoke tects liver cells from damage by toxins; also by antioxidant effects. can cause lipid peroxidation in blood, a major risk factor in heart Grape seed extract, pine bark extract, reishi mushrooms, ginger, gin­ disease. Vitamin C inhibits this damage by cigarette smoke to blood seng, and garlic all have antioxidant effects as do the major active lipids, but not cigarette smoke damage to proteins, another target of phytochemicals in vegetables and fruits: broccoli , tomatoes, carrots, damage by the same oxidant. Antioxidants work by different means. berries, melons, etc. Preventing the ravages of oxidative damage to One might inhibit the formation of ROS , while others "scavenge" our cells is clearly at the heart of the use of herbs and other dietary them, that is, bind with and inactivate them. Some compounds lack supplements in "preventive medicine," health maintenance and op­ or are weak in direct antioxidant activity, but increase the body's timization.- Rob McCaleb production of natural antioxidants like superoxide dismutase (SOD) [Halliwell, B. , Aeschbach, R. , Loliger, J., and Aruoma, 0 . I. or glutothyone. In vitro antioxidant testing must be interpreted care­ "The Characterization of Antioxidants." Food Chemical Toxicol­ fully since effective levels in vivo may not be achieved. ogy, 33:7,601-617, 1995.] 0

Top row left to right: Plantain, Plantago lanceolata; Sage, Salvia officina/is; Potentilla, Potentilla spp. Bottom row left to right: Bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus; Camphor, Cinn amomum camphora; Rosemary, Rosmarinus officina/is. All photos ©1 996 Steven Foster.

H ERBALGRAM 37 • 15 left: Artichoke, Cynara scolymus, photo ©1996 Steven Foster. Above: Flax seeds, Unum spp. Photo by Joh n Jon ietz for Herba/Gram .

fLAX SEED FOR SEX STEROID ACTION Lignans, a group of phytochemicals with weakly estrogenic and antiestrogenic properties, have been implicated in diet-induced changes in the actions of sex steroids (e.g., estradiol, estrone, and ARTICHOKE INCREASES testosterone) in women. Some experts propose that low fiber West­ em diets, in part because of low lignan content, may predispose women to ovarian dysfunction, marked by chronic anovulation (sup­ BILE OUTPUT pression of ovulation) and/or luteal inadequacy (inadequate corpus Extract of artichoke leaf (Cynara scolymus) has been reported luteum). Ovarian dysfunction may in tum be related to an increased to have choleretic (bile increasing), hepatoprotective, cholesterol­ risk of breast and other cancers. Flax seed is known to be a good reducing and diuretic effects. To determine whether artichoke ex­ source of dietary fiber and a highly concentrated source of plant tract would be useful in the treatment of dyspeptic disorders where precursors of mammalian lignans. After formation in the intestinal an increase in bile secretion is regarded as an essential part of treat­ tract from the plant precursors, two primary mammalian lignans, ment, the choleretic effects of standardized artichoke extract (Hepar enterodiol and its oxidation product enterolactone, are excreted in SL forte, made by Serttimer Arzneimittel GmbH) were investigated the urine. It was theorized that ingestion of flax seed would produce in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over clini­ demonstrable changes in hormone action in normally cycling women, cal study. Twenty male subjects with acute or chronic metabolic and that these changes might be related to breast cancer risk. disorders were divided at random into two treatment groups. Sub­ Eighteen normally cycling women participated in a study con­ jects in the test group were administered a single dose of extract (the ducted by researchers at the University of Rochester (NY) and Uni­ contents of a 320 mg capsule of artichoke extract, dissolved in a versity of Minnesota. During the three-month control period, each solution of 50 ml water) by the intraduodenal route; its effects were woman consumed her usual, low fiber diet; the following three assessed by measuring the intraduodenal bile secretions. "Thirty months each consumed her usual diet, supplemented with 10 grams minutes after the test-substance was administered, a 127.3 percent of flax seed powder per day. Parameters analyzed included ( 1) over­ increase in bile secretion was recorded, after 60 minutes, 151.5 per­ all cycle, follicular (preovulatory) phase, and luteal (postovulatory) cent, and after another 60 minutes, 94.3 percent, each in relation to phase lengths; (2) early follicular phase, midfollicular phase, and the initial value. The relative differences for the placebo were sig­ luteal phase serum concentrations of the hormones estradiol, estrone, nificant ... and were clinically relevant." and testosterone; and (3) luteal phase serum progesterone concen­ According to the researchers, the results indicate that artichoke trations and luteal phase progesterone/estradiol ratios. Parameters extract may be recommended for the treatment of digestive disor­ from the second and third flax cycles were compared to those from ders marked by poor assimilation of fat due to insufficient secretion the second and third control cycles. The results of the study showed of bile. No side effects were observed from artichoke extract that the flax seed supplementation was associated with luteal phase treatment in this study. This is an excellent example of the possible lengthening, fewer anovulatory cycles, and therefore a decreased herbal medicine safety and efficacy of a product that has a long his­ tendency to ovarian dysfunction. These data, the researchers con­ tory of use both as a food as well as a folk medicine (in this case for clude, suggest a "significant specific role for lignans in the relation­ liver and digestive disorders).- Ginger Webb ship between diet and sex steroid action," and possibly between diet [Reference: Kirchhoff, R., C. H. Beckers, G. M. Kirchhoff, and the risk of breast and other hormonally dependent cancers. - H. Trinczek-Gartner, 0. Petrowicz, and H. J. Reimann. 1994. In­ Ginger Webb crease in choleresis by means of artichoke extract. Phytomedicine, [Reference: Phipps, William R. 1993. Effect of Flax Seed Vol. 1, pp. 107-115.] 0 Ingestion on the Menstrual Cycle. Journal of Clinical Endocrinol­ ogy and Metabolism, Vol. 77, No.5, pp. 1215-1219.] 0

16 • HERBALGRAM 37 ECHINACEA CLINICAL STUDIES REVIEWED A team of researchers in Germany conducted a systematic re­ view of controlled clinical trials investigating the immunomodulatory activity of preparations containing extracts of plants from the genus Echinacea. The results were published in Phytomedicine (Vol. 1, 1994). A total of 26 controlled clinical trials were identified from Echinacea, Echinacea purpurea. Photo ©1995 Steven Foster the literature, with a total of 34 test treatment groups; 18 of the trials were randomized, 11 double-blind; six of the trials tested extracts of (180 drops per day) of a tincture of Echinacea purpurea root for the Echinacea alone, and 20 tested preparations containing Echinacea attenuation of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections." A in combination with other ingredients. Each study was concerned lower dosage (90 drops per day) was not found to be significantly with investigating in a controlled clinical setting the prophylactic or superior to placebo. The results of a similar study conducted on E. therapeutic effect of Echinacea, i.e., the ability of Echinacea to pallida were determined by the reviewers to be limited due to vari­ strengthen "the body's own defense mechanisms." ous shortcomings of the study. Four of the six mono-preparation The methodological quality of the studies was assessed by studies involved the pressed juice of E. purpurea herb; however, means of a scoring system and, for the majority of the studies, was these results must also be considered inconclusive as a result of deemed "modest" by the review team. For 30 of the 34 test treat­ methodological weaknesses in the studies. ments, the primary authors postulated a superiority of the Echinacea Despite the fact that the quality of the methods of so many of preparation compared with the controls. The reviewers found, in the trials was unsatisfactory, a few stand out which, on the basis of their opinion, the positive results to be "indications for the efficacy their methodology and results, provide strong evidence that "medi­ of 22 of the 34 tested test treatment regimens," but that they "are not cines containing Echinacea can be efficacious immunomodulators." interpretable as definite evidence." Nevertheless, considering the fact that Echinacea is so widely used, Of the 20 studies testing preparations containing Echinacea the number of controlled clinical trials available for review must be in combination with other ingredients, 16 tested a combination prepa­ considered limited. The reviewers conclude that further clinical tri­ ration called Esberitox®, containing extracts of Echinacea, Bapti­ als of the prophylactic or therapeutic effect of Echinacea are neces­ sia, and Thuja species. The therapeutic effectiveness of this combi­ sary, that these trials should take the influence of dosage into ac­ nation preparation seems to have been proved by the studies; unfor­ count, and that the quality of reporting clinical trials in publications tunately, the preparation has been modified twice since the trials must be improved. -Ginger Webb were conducted. Three randomized studies conducted on a combi­ [Reference: Melchart, D., K. Linde, F. Worku, R. Bauer, and nation preparation called Resistan®, containing tinctures of E. H. Wagner. 1994. Irnmunomodulation with Echinacea- a system­ angustifolia, Baptisia, and Eupatorium with Arnica D2 (a homeo­ atic review of controlled clinical trials. Phytomedicine, Vol. 1, pp. pathic dilution) indicated "an efficacy for the prophylaxis and treat­ 245-254.] 0 ment of upper respiratory tract infections." The methodological [Ed. note- Normally we would write the common name of this quality of each of these three studies was satisfactory. genus as "echinacea." In this article it is italicized and capitalized Of the six studies conducted on preparations of Echinacea to represent the Latin name ofthe genus, as written by the authors of alone, one provided "good evidence for the efficacy of a high dose the original article.]

ANTI-HIV UPDATE Three plant compounds demonstrated potent activity against though, are very toxic and "do not completely inhibit viral replica­ HIV-1 and HIV-2 replication without the toxicity found in current tion." By contrast, the three plant compounds were remarkably free HIV drugs. This research was conducted by the University of Illi­ of toxicity to cultured mammalian cells. This in vitro study shows nois at Chicago, which has consistently produced some of the world's some exciting potential for these compounds, but this study is very best medicinal plant research. A group of eight University of Illi­ preliminary. The next step is to see if the compounds can prevent nois scientists and three others were involved in this latest chapter in HIV from infecting healthy mammalian cells in cell cultures. This the search for effective anti-HIV drugs. research is currently underway. -Rob McCaleb The chemicals were derived from the plants Swertia [Pengsuparp, T., Cai, L., Constant, H., Fong, H. H. S., Lin, L. franchetiana, Maprounea africana, and Cetraria islandica (Icelan­ Z. , Kinghorn, A D., Pezzuto, J. M., Cordell, G. A. "Mechanistic dic moss). Pure chemical compounds extracted from each plant in­ Evaluation of New Plant-Derived Compounds That Inhibit HIV-1 hibited the enzyme reverse transcriptase (RT) which is essential to Reverse Transcriptase." Journal of Natural Products. 58:7, 1024- the replication of the virus. This is the same effect exhibited by 3l,July 1995.] 0 AZT, and the other three approved AIDS drugs. Current drugs,

HERBALGRAM 37 • 17 PLANT PATENTS By Karen Dean

Process for preparing grapeseed ex­ and chronic hepatitis, chronic bronchial regulated fashion in one or more parts of the tracts enriched in procyanidol oligomers. asthma, and psoriasis. Conventional treatment plant, as well as processes for obtaining such Invented by Enrico Frangi and others, and of these conditions has generally relied on gluco­ plants. assigned to Tecnofarmaci S.p.A. (Pomezia, corticoids to inhibit such prostaglandin inflam­ The patent presents new methods of Italy) and Indena S.p.A. (Milan, Italy). U.S. matory mediators as leukotrienes. Glucocorti­ identifying and purifying plant proteins that Patent 5,484,594 issued January 15, 1996. coid hormones carry risks as long-term thera­ inhibit pathogens or such pests as insects, peutics and often have serious side effects. nematodes, fungi, and bacteria. These pro­ Procyanidol oligomers, which occur The novelty of this patent hinges on teins include, but are not limited to, such pro­ abundantly in Vitis vinifera grapeseeds, have the inventors' discovery that curcumin inhib­ tons as the osmotins, which represent a key been used therapeutically, particularly as its the inflammatory conditions caused by part of the plant's front line defense against vasoprotectors, in the treatment of disorders formation ofleukotrienes and prostaglandins. pathogenic invaders. The protected processes of the retinal or choroidal circulation and of The inventors found that, even in a concen­ include the nondenaturing protein fraction­ venolymphatic insufficiencies (weakening of tration as low as 1 J..l.m, curcumin interferes ation of leaf-extracts of the plant that have blood and lymph vessels, and resulting leak­ with the inflammatory process. They sug­ been treated to develop induced resistance, age of the circulating fluids into surround­ gest that the mechanism of interference is an and an antipathogenic assay. The patent also ing tissues). These compounds, which in­ antioxidative effect that eliminates activated covers antifungal proteins obtained by the crease the resistance of vessels and capillar­ oxygen molecules and radicals, and inhibits method, recombinant nucleotide sequences ies and decrease their permeability, have the formation of cyclooxygenase and 5- and encoding the proteins, and plants with re­ proven effective in treating a number of 12-lipoxygenase products that contribute, on duced susceptibility to fungi due to produc­ pathological conditions connected to the car­ the molecular level , to the inflammatory pro­ tion and desired targeting of the proteins in diovascular system and to blood circulation. cess. Because curcumin is not a hormone, it the plant. Crude extracts of grapeseed contain not only does n9t cause the adverse side effects char­ The inventors "inoculate" plants with highly bioactive procyanidol oligomers acteristic of glucocorticoids, although it does a particular pathogen, thereby triggering in­ (longer polymers that contain two, three, or provide the desired steroidal benefits. The creased production of the antifungal proteins. four monomer units), but also lower-molecu­ inventors support their hypotheses with evi­ Leaf-extracts of these plants have a high con­ lar-weight single-unit monomers that have dence from in vitro and in vivo tests. centration of the desired antifungal proteins, little or no bioactivity. Identifying curcumin as a totally new which can be extracted, processed, and used. This patent protects a multistep puri­ type of antiinflammatory, the inventors de­ The developers have also devised a screen­ fication process for creating a grapeseed (or scribe several possible formulations of the sub­ ing assay, to identify effective anti pathogenic vegetable) extract that contains almost no stance for different uses. It can be adminis­ proteins and facilitate the isolation and se­ monomers. The resulting extract has much tered as a topical emulsion, ointment, or cream quencing of the gene that produces the pro­ greater bioactivity than the crude extract, and to treat psoriasis, or via a spray or inhalant teins. is suited for incorporation into liquid and system to treat chronic bronchial asthma. In The plant anti pathogenic proteins have solid pharmaceutical formulations. 0 the form of tablets, capsules, solutions, or sup­ a range of potential applications, including positories, it can be administered to treat such the preservation of fruit, vegetable, and other conditions as irritable bowel syndrome or crops and foodstuffs, formulation of cosmet­ Turmeric, from Rhind's chronically inflammatory hepatitis. The ics, pharmaceutical or medicament products, Vegetable Kingdom . curcumin preparations may be used with other protection of indoor plants and agricultural Use of preparations chemically pure or plant-based medications to crops. The proteins can be used alone or in of curcuma plants. potentiate their effects. 0 combination with other antifungal sub­ Inventors: H. P. T. stances, in the form of powders, granulates, Ammon and others, Antifungal preparations and pro­ aerosols, solutions, gels, or other solvents or Tiibingen, Germany. cess for making such preparations. Inven­ carrier materials. Assigned to Steigerwald tors: Charles P. Woloshuk, Raleigh, North The key proprietary features of this Arzneimittelwerk GmbH, Carolina, and LeoS. Melchers, Leiden, the patent are the use of advanced processing Darmstadt, Germany. U.S. Netherlands, and others. Assigned to Mogen methods to isolate, identify, and purify natu­ Patent 5,401,777 issued International N. Vl., Leiden, the Nether­ rally occurring plant proteins, and then to March 28, 1995. lands. U.S. Patent 5,389,609 issued Febru­ apply them in new settings. Note that the ary 14, 1995. focus of the patent is not on particular plants, This patent covers the use of preparations but on the novel formulation and application of the turmeric plant, Curcuma tonga, or The invention describes a process for of plant-derived products. The strength of other curcumin-containing plants, or curcumin the preparation of functional formulation of the patent comes from its emphasis, not on or curcumin derivatives, to prevent or treat active plant proteins that inhibit fungal natural products, but on the human manipu­ diseases associated with excessive formation growth. It also covers plants whose reduced lation of nature. It's not enough to discover ofleukotrienes or prostaglandins. These con­ susceptibility to fungi is conferred by genes something unexpected in nature-if you ditions include such inflammatory bowel dis­ encoding antifungal proteins that are ex­ want to patent it, you have to do something eases as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, pressed constitutively or in a specifically to or with the natural product D.

18 • HERBALGRAM 37 • Herb horticulture

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HERBALGRAIII 37 • 19 MEDIA AND REGULATORY THE AGONY OF THE ECSTASY HERBAL HIGH PRODUCTS GET MEDIA ATTENTION

by Mark Blumenthal and Penny King

That unmatch'd form and figure of blown youth, Blasted with ecstasy: 0! woe is me, To have seen what I have seen, see what I see! -Hamlet, III. i.

FDA ISSUES WARNING ON Newspapers, magazines and television erable controversy in the past few years. " HERBAL HIGH" PRODUCTS news shows have been buzzing since March Articles on the uses, safety, risks, and regu­ CONTAINING MA HUANG 7, after the death of20-year-old Long Island latory situation concerning rna huang have NEW YORK TIMES COVERAGE OF college student Peter Schlendorf. been published in the past three issues of ISSUE AnACKS DSHEA Schlendorf, of Northport, New York, had HerbalGram (Blumenthal and King, 1995; NEWSWEEK COVER STORY: been vacationing with friends in Panama McCaleb, R. M., 1995; Blumenthal, Webb, " NATURAL DRUG CULTURE" City, Florida during spring break. He had and King, 1995; Blumenthal, 1996). consumed eight tablets of a product called Various products containing the herb "Ultimate Xphoria™," complained shortly rna huang have been marketed as alternatives afterward about not feeling well, and de­ to illegal street drugs like "Ecstasy" (some­ Summary clined a night on the town with his friends, times known by the initials MDMA for 4- methyl-2, dimethoxyamphetarnine). In the The word "ecstasy" means, choosing to remain in his hotel room. He was found later that night lying on the floor. past few years several products with such literally, a state of exalted delight, an Attempts to provide cardiopulmonary resus­ names as "herbal ecstacy," "Cloud Nine," and emotional state, associated with drug citation failed; he had apparently been dead "Ultimate Xphoria" have been marketed to already for several hours. young people. These products make claims taking, characterized by exuberant The initial report of Schlendorf's death for heightened sexual awareness, producing behavior and loss of self-control. in New York Newsday incorrectly implicated a feeling of euphoria and even producing the product "herbal ecstacy™" (sic), an cosmic consciousness! (See sidebar page 49) From the perspective of these writers, herbal-based pill, marketed as the "Ultimate On March 22, 1996, New York State products like "herbal ecstacy™" and Brain Food" (Moore et al. , 1996). The paper Senator James W. Wright (R), introduced Ultimate Xphoria™ are clearly out of later printed a correction acknowledging that New York State Senate bill6629 which would the product implicated in the death was "Ulti­ have classified all products which contain place when one considers the positive, Xphoria" marketed by Alternative ephedrine, whether from dietary supplements healthy role that herbs can and do Health Research, Inc. of Tempe, Arizona (see like rna huang or legitimate over-the-counter sidebar page 22). (OTC) drugs with ephedrine or pseudoephe­ play in modern society. Products According to the article and subse­ drine, as Schedule II controlled substances that are clearly masquerading as quent television interviews, Schlendorf's (along with morphine, opium, poppy, and friend Don Nimsger Jr., 20, said that, at the coca leaves). The proposed legislation ac­ substitutes for illicit drugs, are doing suggestion of the clerk in the store where the knowledged that 'The experimental data also so under the guise of "dietary product was purchased, Schlendorf and his indicates that the real safety of ephedrine friends took more than the two to four pills remains with the user who ultimately con­ supplements." The new supplement recommended on the package. Nimsger said trols the dosage level." (Wright 1996a). The law (DSHEA) was never intended to that several of the men took 11 pills each, bill was later amended to exclude FDA-ap­ give these kinds of products safe but Schlendorf "wanted to be careful" and proved OTC drugs containing ephedra alka­ took eight (Moore et al. , 1996). loids or their salts (Wright, 1996b). harbor from federal regulation. An autopsy was performed and the On April 10 the Food and Drug Ad­ cause of death was attributed to ingestion of ministration (FDA) issued a warning to con­ Ultimate Xphoria. This product contains sumers about the potential health risks of various herbal ingredients, the primary be­ these products (see page 21). Not coinci­ ing rna huang or ephedra (Ephedra sinica), dentally, on the same day the New York Times an herb that has been the subject of consid- published an article on the subject by nutri-

20 • HERBALGRAM 37 MEDIA AND REGULATORY

FDA STATEMENT ON STREET DRuGs CoNTAINING BoTANICAL EPHEDRA

Press release from FDA, April10, 1996

The Food and Drug Administration is Many of these ephedrine-containing prod­ warning consumers not to purchase or consume ucts bear labels that appear to be targeted at ephedrine-containing dietary supplements with adolescents and young adults and that imply the labels that often portray the products as appar­ products can produce a "high." The agency con­ ent alternatives to illegal street drugs such as siders this type of promotion and these claims "ecstasy;' because these products pose signifi­ to violate the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic cant health risks to consumers.These products Act, even as amended by the Dietary Supple­ contain botanical, or so-called "natural;' sources ment Health and Education Act of 1994 of ephedrine. Ephedrine is an amphetamine-like (OSHEA), which governs the U.S. marketing of stimulant that can have potentially dangerous dietary supplement products. effects on the nervous system and heart. The FDA takes seriously the health risks These types of products are marketed un­ inherent in these products and is currently in­ tion writer Marrion Burros and Sarah Jay der a variety of brand names with labels that vestigating the production and marketing of (Burros and Jay, 1996). claim or imply that they produce such effects as ephedrine-containing products marketed as al­ Both the FDA advisory and the Times euphoria, increased sexual sensations, height­ ternatives to illicit street drugs. The agency is articles dealt with concerns over the appro­ ened awareness, increased energy, and other committed to taking whatever action is neces­ priateness and safety of products being called effects. sary to remove dangerous products from the "dietary supplements" which are blatantly Possible adverse effects of ephedrine range market. However, under recent amendments to intended to be used to produce a state of eu­ from clinically significant effects such as heart the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the phoria as replacements for illegal street attack, stroke, seizures, psychosis, and death, to agency has to act product-by-product and the drugs. "Herbal ecstacy" (sic) has received clinically less significant effects that may indicate legal burden is now on the FDA to show that a considerable media attention in the past year the potential for more serious effects (for ex­ marketed product is unsafe, rather than on the ample, dizziness, headache, gastrointestinal dis­ with some local and national television news company to gain FDA approval by showing that tress, irregular heartbeat, and heart palpitations). the product is safe before it is marketed. stories focusing on the product, which ap­ "Ecstasy" is the street name for MDMA (4-me­ Consumers who have been injured or suf­ pears to be marketed to people in their 20s. thyl-2,dimethoxyamphetamine), which produces fered an adverse effect after taking a dietary "Herbal ecstacy" and related products are euphoria. supplement or any product containing an ephe­ sold in night clubs, by independent distribu­ Ingredient panels on these products may drine alkaloid should call 800/FDA-40 I0 . Health tors and sometimes in health food stores list rna huang, Chinese ephedra, rna huang ex­ professionals who have treated patients suffer­ and other retail outlets, particularly novelty tract, ephedra, Ephedra sinica, ephedra extract, ing from an adverse event to these products and "head shops." They are also sold on ephedra herb powder, epitonin, or ephedrine. are urged to report the event to the FDA's the Internet. Any one of these ingredients listed on the label MedWatch adverse event and product problem On April 17, CBS News Prime Time indicates the presence of ephedrine in the product. hot line at 800/FDA-1 088. 0 Live carried a story headed by Sam Donaldson on the death of Schlendorf and the controversial products. Rob Middleberg, Ph.D., a forensic toxicologist at National the American Herbal Products Association Medical Services Laboratory in Willow (AHPA). Package directions on Xphoria Grove, Pennsylvania told Prime Time that his suggest ingestion of two to four tablets per analysis of the product Ultimate Xphoria, dose, with a recommendation that a four­ provided to him by CBS news, which was tablet dose not be exceeded in 24 hours. purchased at a retail store in New York, re­ Officials of Alternative Health declined to vealed the presence of 28 mg of ephedrine, be interviewed by HerbalGram. 22.5 mg of pseudoephedrine and 12.5 mg of FDA Commissioner David Kessler, (Middleberg, 1996). Thus, the total M.D., interviewed by Donaldson on level of ephedra alkaloids per tablet was 50.5 Prime Time Live suggested that the FDA now mg, at least twice the per unit dose recom­ had a more difficult time regulating products mended by FDA's expert advisory panel in like Ultimate Xphoria due to the Dietary October, 1995 (The 50.5 mg ephedra alka­ Supplement Health and Education Act of loid level is higher than both tests conducted 1994 (DSHEA) because "We can only act by HerbalGram-see chart on page 24-but after the fact, after harm has occurred." the difference may be a matter of laboratory (Kessler, 1996). methods.) Dr. Kessler's comments were echoed The manufacturer of Xphoria, Alter­ the next morning by Mitch Zeller, Deputy native Health Research, does not belong to Assistant Commissioner for Policy at FDA,

H ERBALG RAM 37 • 2 1 MEDIA AND REGULATORY

noting that FDA now has the burden, at tax­ · with Arizona authorities to coordinate pos­ a dietary supplement is unsafe (Anon, 1996). payers' expense, to assure the safety of herbal sible action. DSHEA now requires FDA to prove in a dietary supplements. When asked by CBS According to Donaldson's report on court of law that an ingredient in a dietary correspondent Bob Arnott if FDA intended Prime Time Live, Sean Shayan, CEO of the supplement is unsafe and poses a significant to move against these products, Zeller indi­ Los Angeles company that manufactures health risk before removing it from the mar­ cated that the agency would "move swiftly" "herbal ecstacy," said that his firm has sold ket. Prior to passage of DSHEA manufac­ against Ultimate Xphoria since a coroner's 15 million units of the product. Donaldson turers of herbal supplements bore the bur­ report received the previous day directly im­ noted that each unit sells for $20 each (retail den to prove an ingredient safe. plicated the product in Peter Schlendorf's price), which is equivalent to $300 million As many HerbalGram readers will death. He also added that FDA would do (presumably in retail sales value). However, remember, this fundamental change in the what it can about the "spectrum of products" this may be a bit misleading. The real figure law came as a result of consumer and to provide warning labels and dosage limits is probably around $150 million, assuming industry concern that FDA was capriciously (Zeller, 1996). This is what FDA's own ad­ a 50 percent wholesale discount. and arbitrarily exercising its authority to visory panel had recommended in October The New York Times article was fol­ regulate herbs as "food additives" by classi­ 1995 (Blumenthal, 1996). lowed by an editorial on the OpEd page on fying some ingredients as "unsafe" without At press time (June 6) FDA had not Saturday, April 13 in which the editors sug­ any evidence of adverse reactions, thereby taken any action against this product al­ gested that Congress review its policy that keeping them from the market. In the early though it is likely that the agency is working places on the FDA the burden of proof that 1990s two Federal Court decisions regard­ ing the importation and safety of black currant seed oil (Ribes nigrum) found that FDA had misused such authority pACKAGE lABELING (B lumenthal, 1993). However, in lobbying for this change in DSHEA, the supplement Contents and package labeling for Ultimate Xphoria industry did not intend for herb ingredients 24 tablets in 2-blister packs ( 12 tablets each) in a to be used as substitutes for illegal drug cardboard box. Directions: Take 2-4 tablets on an empty products, as in the present situation. stomach. Do not exceed 4 tablets within 24 hours. CAUTION: Do not take if pregnant or nursing, have heart or On Wednesday, April 17, one week thyroid disease, diabetes or taking an [sic] MAO inhibitor after the original article, the New York Times prescription drug. Should loss of appetitie, nausea, sleeplessness published an article by Bruce Lambert, a or nervousness persists [sic], discontinue. Not intended for use staffer in Long Island who covers local news. by persons under the age of 18. "Keep out of reach of The article, which appeared on page B 1, the children." Produced for:Aiternative Health Research, INC., first page of the Metro section, dealt with 824 S. Mill Ave. Suite #4,TEMPE,ARIZONA 85281 . Nassau County (Long Island) officials' at­ Ultimate Xphoria: Ma Huang extract, Guarana extract, tempts to ban sales of products containing Ginkgo Biloba, Cola Nut, Fo Ti,Yohimbe, Nutmeg, Licorice Root, rna huang (Lambert 1996a) Vitamin C. Also on April 17, the Florida Agricul­ ture Commissioner announced the banning Contents and package labeling for Cloud 9, of products high in ephedrine that were mar­ the Original HerbaiX. keted for purposes akin to street drugs (see Plastic flip-top bottle containing 4 850 mg capsules. below). (Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Ingredients: Consumer Services, 1996). "Each capsule Then, on Friday, April19, the Los An­ contains Indonesian Ma Huang extract, 9% geles Times ran an article attempting to sum­ standardized, 650 mg. in a base of Maltodextrin and marize the issue to date. The article refers to Magnesium Stearate. Dosage: Orally 1-2 capsules "herbal ecstacy" promoter Sean Shayan as on an empty stomach, 30-5 minutes before activity. saying that the appeal of his product is in the DO NOT EXCEED RECOMMENDED DOSAGE. marketing. "We're selling a dream," he is Distributed exclusively by Advanced Research, P.O. quoted as saying. "We're selling an image." Box 494490, Redding, CA 96049." (Romero, 1996). [In red ink] "WARNING. Seek advice from a health practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant On Sunday, April 21 the New York or have high blood pressure, heart or thyroid Times published another article on this sub­ disease, diabetes, difficulty in urination due to prostate enlargement or are taking an MAO ject by staff writer Gina Kolata. In this piece, inhibitor or any other prescription drug. Reduce/discontinue use if nervousness, tremor, Ms. Kolata refers to FDA's statement to her sleeplessness, loss of appetite, or nausea occur. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN" that under the current provisions of the DSHEA the FDA could not prevent the sale

22 • HERBALGRAM 37 I MEDIA AND REGULATORY

of the poisonous herb hemlock (Conium maculatum) onto the marketplace and the TO THE EDITOR, NEW YORK TIMES agency could not act until after "the bodies (Submitted but not published) piled up" (Kalata, 1996). This incredible piece of journalism was so erroneous that it APRIL 26, 1996 prompted a number of letters from industry RE: REGULATION O F DIETARY and scientific experts, including one from SUPPLEMENTS HerbalGram's editor. were to attempt to sell this fabled poison, such On Tuesday, April 23, the New York With all due respect to Dr. Richard Fried­ a misled marketer would have to provide to the Times published another in this series, this man as a psychiatrist, he apparently has a short FDA reasonable assurance that hemlock "does one again by Bruce Lambert, focusing on the and selective memory on the subject of regula­ not present a significant or unreasonable risk Nassau County, Long Island, where local tion of herbs and other natural products ("Natu­ of illness or injury" before it could be introduced officials had proposed a ban on ephedrine­ ral Doesn't Mean Safe," April 19, 1996). Gina into the U.S. The new law actually protects the containing products (Lambert, 1996b). Kolata's article ("The Unwholesome Tale of the public from the introduction of such substances. Herb Market;' April 21 , 1996) is also extremely In October 1995 an FDA expert advisory On Thursday, April 25, one of this disappointing and misleading in reporting Dr. subcommittee recommended the FDA adopt a article's writers (M.B.) sent a two-page let­ Friedman's erroneous views. policy for all products containing the herb ma ter to the editor of the New York Times at­ First, it must be said that the sale of the huang. The panel proposed warnings on labels tempting to clarify some of the legal and herb mahuang (ephedra) in products substitut­ and limitations on levels of the total alkaloids, regulatory issues that had been misreported ing for illicit street drugs cannot be condoned. e.g., ephedrine. W hat your reporting fails to in the Times. The letter was not printed by Further, these products are an aberration and mention is that members of the American the Times, but a complete text is presented do not represent the vast majority of herbal Herbal Products Association had already initi­ on page 23. products, the overall safety of which has been ated a similar policy in 1994, including the re­ On Monday, April29, Newsweek pub­ well demo nstrated by thousands of years of strictio n of the sale of all ephedra products to lished a cover story "The Natural Drug Cul­ traditional use and lack of reports of adverse anyone under 18. Curiously, FDA has yet to act ture." Several articles ("Herbal Warning" and effects, as well as by a considerable body of on the recommendations of its own expert scientific research. panel. Why? "Herbs to Handle with Care") among others Dr. Friedman asks why Congress has taken Dr. Friedman is also in error when he dealt with the Schlendorf death, "herbal ec­ away FDA's "power to regulate potentially toxic writes that prio r to 1994 a manufacturer "was stacy" and related products, contained cau­ products." Congress never did. The Section 4 required to test dietary supplements thoroughly tions on several herbs and a sidebar featur­ of the Dietary Supplement Health and Educa­ before marketing them." No such testing has ing "ecstacy's" Shayan. The American Bo­ tion Act of 1994 (OSHEA) gave new authority ever been required, the only requirement being tanical Council was contacted by at least four to the Secretary of Health and Health Services that the seller had the burden to prove that the Newsweek reporters to gather information on to remove products from the market which pose products were safe, usually through extensive this story, including data on other herbs that "an imminent hazard to publ ic health or safety." reviews of the scientific literature. In fact, in may present public safety concerns plus in­ The only difference is that now FDA must bear 1991 the herb industry proposed to the FDA a formation on possible interactions of herbs the burden of proof that its actions are justified. comprehensive system to review the safety and Congress passed this law as a result of pre­ health benefits of hundreds of herbs to be con­ with conventional pharmaceutical drugs. vious excesses by FDA which kept consumers ducted by independent academic experts to Some of ABC's input was published in a from gaining access to safe substances, such as recommend appropriate policy to FDA. FDA chart ("Herbs to Handle with Care") (Hager, the case of black currant seed oil, which FDA rejected this scientific peer review process. et al., 1996). The same material was pub­ detained from import into the U.S. on the pre­ The responsible herb industry and FDA lished by Newsweek the following week in text that it was an "unsafe food additive," de­ have made great strides in co mmunication and its international edition with an additional spite any reports of harm or adverse reactions. cooperation in a number of important areas story by Mark Frankel (for which ABC also FDA lost cases regarding this product in U.S. since passage of OSHEA and this should con­ contributed information regarding the inter­ Federal District court. On appeal the U.S. Cir­ tinue. However, the issue of herb regulation national use of herbs as medicines) (Frankel cuit Court termed the agency's arguments an should not rest on the problem of ma huang, & Theil, 1996). "Alice-in-Wonderland approach." especially products like "herbal ecstacy" which Dr. Friedman and Ms. Kolata are guilty of are clearly an aberration. To rationalize agency an almost unpardonable error by suggesting the inaction on unsafe products by blaming Con­ $2 BILLION SUIT extremely poisonous plant hemlock (Conium gress is specious, unfair and is not in the public On May 1 Nassau County (New York) maculatum) could be sold as dietary supplement interest. FDA already has adequate authority executive Thomas S. Gulotta issued a press in the U.S. and further that the FDA cannot pro­ to act against "herbal ecstasy" or XPhoria and release with the text of a proposed law con­ tect the public safety due to the recent dietary it should do so. taining a county-wide ban of the sale of most supplement law. Both assertions are categori­ Mark Blumenthal ephedrine-containing products. The pro­ cally false and extremely misleading. Hemlock Executive Director, posed ban would apply to the sale of "di­ has never been sold as a dietary supplement in American Botanical Councii,Austin, Texas etary supplements, weight loss aids, muscle the U.S. In fact, under the new law, if anyone Editor, Herba/Gram builders, energy boosters and certain other

HERBALGRAM 37 • 23 MEDIA AND REGULATORY

products containing Ephedrine and related Aarex Magic Herbal Garden, retailer of On May 6, the National Nutritional stimulants. The proposal would exempt pre­ "herbal ecstacy" and related products in Los Foods Association (NNFA) issued a press scription drugs, over-the-counter medications Angeles. release stating that it does not condone the or supplements approved by the F.D.A." During the CNN interview, one of sale of "street drug knock-offs." NNFA Violation of the ban would be a class A mis­ these authors (M.B.) made the following charged that FDA was using this issue to demeanor punishable by a fine of $1000 per points: that herbal medicine is about health, "launch an offensive to overturn key provi­ infraction and/or one year in the county jail not about getting high; that there is a respon­ sions of the Dietary Supplement and Health (Gulotta, 1996). sible herb industry and that products pro­ Act (DSHEA) .... It appears that Dr. Kessler On May 2 the Schlendorf family filed duced as substitutions for illicit street drugs wants to allow a national crisis to occur in a $2 billion lawsuit against Alternative Health are being sold by marketers and are not part order to obtain a legislative solution." Research Inc., the manufacturer of Ultimate of the responsible herb industry; that the herb (NNFA, 1996a). NNFA fo llowed a few days Xphoria, and "others who market similar rna huang has a long history of safe use when later with another release containing a letter products," according to Harvey Weitz, the used properly and responsibly, that the re­ from Josh Taylor, President of "Cloud Nine" attorney representing the family. When asked sponsible herb industry (i.e., AHPA) devel­ (a maker of natural chocolate products) to about the unusually large monetary damages oped a policy of warnings for labels and dose clarify that his company should not be con­ being sought in the suit, Weitz is quoted as limits for rna huang products two years ago; fused with the one making "Cloud Nine," the saying, "It is really to take all the profit out that FDA's own advisory panel on rna hang herb-based rna huang product (NNFA, of this business. We're doing it in the hope recommended against banning the herb but 1196b). we can drive these people out of business." instead that FDA propose label warnings and On May 16, to clarify the legal situa­ (Reuters, 1996). dose limits for total ephedra alkaloids simi­ tion , Washington, D.C. attorney Stephen H. On May 5 CNN's "Sunday Morning" lar to whatAHPA had already instituted; that McNamara, of the law firm of Hyman, news magazine devoted over 16 minutes to FDA already has adequate authority to regu­ Phelps & McNamara, wrote to Loren the subject. Newscaster Joie Chen conducted late unsafe products and can remove Ulti­ Israelsen, Executive Director of the Utah on-camera interviews with David mate Xphoria and related products from the Natural Products Alliance, indicating the McDonnell, M.D., head of the Substance market if the agency believes these products specific areas of both the DSHEA and the Abuse Clinic at Columbia University School pose an imminent threat to public heath. Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act where of Medicine and this author. Chen also had a telephone interview with Keith Stem of continued on page 32

TEST RESULTS OF THREE EPHEDRA-CONTAINING "HERBAL HIGH" PRODUCTS Product Ultimate Xphoria Herbal Ecstacy Cloud 9

Lot Numbers 602005 21F58 OCT25-97 7365 Testing Laboratory Industrial Alpha Industrial Alpha Industrial Alpha

Alkaloids mg mg mg mg mg mg Ephedrine 18.9 16.0 6.8 7.3 42.1 36.3 Pseudoephedrine 12.5 10.0 9.4 7.7 I <0.1 Norephedri ne ND<0.2 <0.1 ND<0.02 <0. 1 0.2 <0.1 Norpseudoephedrine 0.8 0.4 0.1 <0. 1 0.4 <0.1 N-Methylephedrine 1.2 0.8 0.6 0.6 0.2 <0. 1 N-Methylpseudoelphedri ne 0.7 <0.1 0.3 <0. 1 0.2 <0. 1 Total Ephed ra Ai kal oids 34.1 27.2 17. 1 15.6 44.1 36.3 Caffe ine 19.8 10.4 23 18. 1 ND<0.2 0.3

Results are in mg/tablet units ND=not detectable Testing method: High Performance Liqu id Chromatography (HPLC)

Product Date purchased Pkg. Quantity Purchase information Ultimate Xphoria 5/2196 24/800mg. blist pack Aaron's Rock & Roll , Austin,TX Herbal Ecstacy 5/2/96 I 0/blister pack Planet K, Austin, TX Cloud 9 5/2/96 4/850mg. Planet K, Austi n,TX

Note: There was no weight per tablet listed on the packaging of"herbal ecstacy".

24 • HERBALGRAM 37 ~ aMir'Ac~ ~

~~ ,.,-~ ,, ~~ MEIIDAS by Thomas J. Fillius, Photos courtesy of Loretta R. Nugent, Thomas J. Fillius. Virginia Tyler, and Varro E. Tyler* Reprinted from Pharmacy in History, Vol. 37 (#3, 1995): 143-151, the quarterly journal of the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy.

Chief Two Moon is Hundreds insisted that he a name to be remembered cured them where medical in the history of patent science had failed." In­ medicine in America. Who deed, Chief Two Moon is was he? Where was he a part of America's fasci­ born? Was he a Pueblo In­ nating herbal, pharmaceu­ dian as he claimed or not? tical, and medical history; There are some facts about the known facts concern­ Chief Two Moon that we ing his life surely should will probably never know; be told. but, as the New York Times, Chief Two Moon on November 3, 1933, re­ was born Chico Colon ported in its story of his Meridan but later changed death the previous day, his last name to Meridas. "His immense 'practice' His father, Chico Meridan, was more than a mere leg­ was born in Mexico, as end.' Two policemen were was his mother, Mary required to handle the traffic near his headquarters in Waterbury, Tumoon, from whom he no doubt took the name Two Moon. Where on Sunday mornings, and his 'register' was crowded Chief Two Moon was born, no one knows with certainty. According with the signatures of 'patients' from all parts of the country .... to Dorothy Cantor, education director of the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, Connecticut, Chief Two Moon claimed he was born in *Lilly Distinguished Professor of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy Devil's Lake, South Dakota, and so his death certificate states; how­ and Pharmacal Sciences, Purdue University. ever, Ms. Cantor's extensive research, which included correspon-

HERBALGRAM 37 • 25 lthe TwaMaan herbal farmulasl ... drew upan the canventianalmedical wisdam ~ aftbe periad ...

dence with officials of the U.S. Department of the Interior as well as for all he had done to help his wife, and at the close of the letter said, with people who had known the Chief, could not confirm the place "You have done so well by my wife, I want to ask you if you can of his birth.2 From another source,3 we are told that he himself did advise me regarding my own case." Mr. and Mrs. George Robinson not know the year of his birth; however, his marriage license indi­ of South Portland, Maine, on January 27, 1928, wrote, "The work cates that he was born in 1888, and that is the date on his tombstone. you have completed on Mrs. R. and myself certainly is worth pub­ How he developed an interest in herbal medicine is also un­ licity. Your diagnosis was correct. Your treatment, the same. The certain. It is believed that, as a young man, he sold herbs on the result, as you predicted. Cured. Who could do more?" On Thanks­ street comers of Philadelphia. Nevertheless, little, if anything, is giving Day, November 28, 1929, Madelyn Grogan wrote, " ... it known of him until 1914 when he married Helen Gertrude Nugent almost stuns me when I think of what a miracle your apparently in Brooklyn, New York. [Ed. note: Loretta R. Nugent, co-author of simple remedies worked. I feel one hundred per cent now and my this article, was married to Daniel Nugent, Helen Nugent's nephew.] legs are well and strong again. Your Bitter Oil and herbs proved to On the application for their marriage license, he gave his address as be the Elixir of life for me, and while you must know that my heart 210 East 29th Street, New York City; his age was 26; his occupation, is brimful of thanks, I sincerely hope that your name and fame will metal worker. permeate every land and that the prayers of a happy and grateful In 1914, shortly after their marriage, Chief Two Moon and his people will ever be an inspiration and a blessing to you." Many wife moved to the Graf rooming house on Griggs Street in Water­ other letters expressed the same feeling. bury, Connecticut. Here he began to make local history, selling his Chief Two Moon's "Bitter Oil" product was "Sold at all Lead­ herbal medicines on the street and in parking lots as well as from his ing Drug Stores," or it could be obtained through salesmen or by rooming house. When none of his patients died in the 1918 flu epi­ mail order. From the James A. Hetherington drugstore at 55 E. 42nd demic, his fame spread rapidly. Many of his patients were convinced Street and Vanderbilt Avenue in New York City came the following that he had supernatural powers, enabling him to penetrate the minds letter to Chief Two Moon on November 3, 1925: of his patients and to know intuitively answers to questions before We have been handling Chief Two Moon Bitter Oil they were even asked. For example, a patient from Warren, Ohio, for the past two years and found it to be one of our wrote, "His supernatural power of discerning ailments of the human most popular as well as profitable sellers. We cannot body and prescribing relief places him at once in the front ranks of say too much for the agency of Bitter Oil. It has proven benefactors of his brother man." He was also a sleight-of-hand to be one of the best agency propositions we have ever artist and skillful in telling fortunes; these abilities drew crowds taken on. of people to him. The Hindle Drug Stores, Inc. of Bridgeport, Ct., wrote the It was, however, his "Bitter Oil-the Wonder Tonic" that following letter to the Chief on November 24, 1925: brought patients to him from all over the country. Advertised as a Due to the consistent advertising given Two Moon laxative, it contained mineral oil, tincture of aloes, and compound Bitter Oil, and the beneficial results obtained by cus­ tincture of gentian. An advertisement in the Thursday, June 8, 1933, tomers who use it regularly, we find our sales of same Manchester Evening Herald (Manchester, Connecticut) read as follows : to be very gratifying. Our sales average two gross a This miracle medicine thoroughly lubricates, cleanses month, and are steadily increasing as the Oil becomes and revives the entire intestinal tract, removes all in­ better known. ternal poisons, thus relieving constipation, gastric con­ Chief Two Moon's Bitter Oil came in three sizes. An 8-oz. ditions, sick headache, biliousness, kidney and blad­ bottle cost $1.00; the 12-oz. size, $1.25; and the large 16-oz. bottle, der troubles, etc. Consistent use will soon put vigor $1.50. and vitality into any run-down system. Other items listed on the order blank of the Chief Two Moon His patients became so numerous that in 1921 he moved to a Herb Co. were: All Herb Rheumatism Relief, etc., All Herb Stom­ house at 33 Wales Street and before too long (1925-26) built a labo­ ach Relief, All Herb Asthma Relief, All Herb Female Tonic Relief, ratory, which still stands today, at 1864 East Main Street in Water­ All Herb Liver Relief, All Herb Kidney Relief, All Herb Tonic bury. Letters of thanks and commendations of his products poured (Builder) Relief, Skin Cream, Cough Elixir, Pile Ointment, Lini­ in from all around the country.4 Mr. William Kellogg of Bridgeport, ment, Household Ointment. Connecticut, wrote a letter, dated July 24, 1928, thanking the Chief These, too, were available in the three sizes and at the same

26 • HERBALGRAM 37 Chief Two Moon Bitter Oil laxative was the company's best seller.

prices as he charged for the Bitter Oil. CHIEF TWO MODI Liniment: Camphor Gum, Oleore in A mixture of herbs from the big bins Capsicums, Oil of Rusci, Oil of he had in his consultation room was Sassafras, Oil of Origanum, $5 a bag. Spirits of Turpentine, Pine Oil. Each of Chief Two Moon's Skin Cream: Benzocaine, White medicinal mixtures contained a va­ Mineral Oil Russian, Zinc Ox­ riety of herbs. Below are listed the ide, Base Cream, Powdered Bo­ ingredients of some of Two Moon's ric Acid, Spermaceti, White Pet­ products. His Stomach Tea, for ex­ rolatum. ample, had 13 herbs in it: Tinnevelly Rectal Ointment: Powdered Alum, Senna, Coriander Seed, Gentian Benzoinated Lard, Powdered Root, Juniper Berries, Centaury, Nutgall, Stramonium Extract Calamus Root, Buckthorn Bark, U.S.P., Precipitated Sulfur. Jamaica Ginger, Cascara Cathartic #I : Epsom Salts, Sulfuric Sagrada, Pale Rose Buds, Anise Acid, Quinine Sulfate, Spirits of Seed, Lavender Flowers, Fennel Anise, Burnt Sugar, Distilled Seed. Water. The Female Tea contained: Squaw Vine, Motherwort, Chamomiles, There was very little unique or True Cramp Bark, Uva Ursi, even unusual in the various Two Ginger Root, Helonias Root, Moon herbal formulas. They drew Celery Seed, Aletris Root, upon the conventional medical wis­ Mexican Saffron, Cascara dom of the period and, in many cases, Sagrada, Cornflowers, Black incorporated the same remedies, both Haw Bark. BITTER OIL botanical and chemical, that would Nervine Tea contained: Hops, Cas­ LAXATIVE have been utilized for the same con­ cara Sagrada, Black Cohosh ~~~.::Eof CONSTIPATION ditions by practitioners of main­ Root, Lady Slipper Root, True stream medicine. The source of the Cramp Bark, Select Lavender, formulas is unknown but probably Valerian Root, Blue Malva drew on the numerous formularies Flowers, Celery Seed, Musk Root, Pulsatilla Herb. and dispensatories of the early twentieth century. For his Rheumatism Tea, he used 11 herbs: Wintergreen, Yellow To peddle his herbal medicines throughout the area, Chief Two Dock, Black Cohosh, Uva Ursi, Birch Bark, Bittersweet Twigs, Moon had several buses for salesmen to travel in from point to point. Cascara Bark, Buckbean Leaves, Coriander Seed, Burdock Root, He also owned a fleet of cars and an airplane. Buchu Leaves. Chief Two Moon charged nothing for his consultations, only But the Tonic Tea contained more herbs than any of his other prod­ for his tonics and herbs. Though his charges were small, he became ucts. It had 14. They were: Fennel Seed, Dandelion Root, Lico­ very wealthy and is said to have spent his money on expensive clothes, rice Root, Sarsaparilla, Senna Leaves, Cascara Sagrada, Sassa­ furniture, and travels. However, he did give generously to the poor. fras Bark, Clover Tops, Juniper Berries, Chamomile, Mexican The only condition he ever imposed upon those he assisted was that Saffron, Elder Flowers, Blue Malva Flowers, Calendula Flowers. any help he gave would be kept secret. Therefore, not until his friends A few of Two Moon's other preparations and their ingredients were: and beneficiaries came together after his death were the stories told Kidney Tea: Juniper Berries, Cascara Sagrada, Buchu Leaves,Uva of his charitable deeds. Mr. James Courtney, a friend of the Chief's Ursi Leaves, Chamomile Flower, Mexican Saffron, Dog Grass, and the proprietor of a market near the Chief's home, knew of more Elder Flowers, Celery Seed, Cornflowers. than 300 families in Waterbury for whom Chief Two Moon had pur­ Asthma Tea: Wild Plum Bark, Cherry Bark, Capsicums chased food and clothing, paid rent, provided fuel, and assisted in Liver Tea: Wahoo Bark of Tree, Gentian, Senna Leaves, Berberis other ways. A man who had been unemployed for two years told of aquifolium, Mandrake Root, Capsicums. the Chief caring for his family and then getting him a job. A mother Cough Elixir: Chloroform, Calcium Glycerophosphate, Creosote, told of Two Moon advancing her several hundred dollars to pay for Sodium Glycerophosphate, Terpin Hydrate, Alcohol25% Base. an operation on a crippled child. A story that did make the newspa-

HERBALGRAM 37 • 27 !b ChiefTwa ••an ... never claimed ~ ta have performed ahealing miracle, giving credit instead to nature's remedies ...

pers before his death concerned his generosity during the prior Christ­ come" and "be made chief of the tribe with all honors and ceremo­ mas season. At that time, he distributed 200 turkeys, 4 tons of coal, nies usually [sic] for such events."3 12 pairs of shoes, 200 dolls, a supply of candies, and 100 baskets Thus, during this visit in the late summer of 1930, Chief Two filled with fruit and food to needy families in the city. Moon was presented with a document proclaiming him chief of all In 1926, Chief Two Moon went to New York City where he the Sioux. Try as he would, however, he could never get the Depart­ was received by the mayor and given a public reception on the steps ment of the Interior to certify that he was an American Indian. Cor­ of New York's City Hall. He then traveled on to Washington, D.C., respondence with senators, officials of the Department, and even an to see President Calvin Coolidge, but at the last minute, Coolidge army general, was to no avail. He was never officially acknowl­ changed his mind and did not meet the Chief. edged as an American Indian. In the early 1920's, some Waterbury Chief Two Moon and his retinue continued on to Florida. As residents, because of the complexion of his skin, tried to prove he the story goes, the trip did not tum out very well for the Chief. He was of African-American origin; this claim also remained unproven. had to leave Jacksonville in a hurry because of some displeasure he However, a headline in the November 29, 1929, edition of the caused the authorities there. 3 Then his publicity agent, Anne Whelan, New York Evening Journal read, "Indian Miracle Man Besieged by accused him of not paying her the salary he said he would. She Sick," and in the first paragraph it states, " ... a dapper, -col­ settled out of court. Chief Buffalo Bear, a Sioux Indian, sued Chief ored American Indian has become famous as a modern miracle man." Two Moon because of a broken wage agreement. The latter, it was The New York Times article referred to earlier described him as "the claimed, had said he would pay Chief Buffalo Bear $35 a week plus colorful little brown man in the big, white sombrero." It seems that a year's board; instead, he was discharged after the Florida trip. every publicity story about him referred to Chief Two Moon as an Though he sued for $1,000, he settled for $450. Indian, as did all of his thousands of patients. In Atlantic City, officials gave the Chief the keys to the city. During his visit in August of 1930 to the Pine Ridge reserva­ By 1928-29, the ChiefTwo Moon Herb Co. had a business on Atlan­ tion, Chief Two Moon noticed that many of the older members of tic City's famous Boardwalk-1623 Boardwalk, to be specific. Wil­ the Sioux tribe were troubled with constipation and stomach disor­ liam Spotted Crow and his family worked for Two Moon at this ders. Upon his return to Waterbury, the Chief Two Moon Herb Co., "Indian temple," the facade of which did indeed look like some kind not realizing it was contrary to government regulations, shipped some of an ancient Indian place of worship. Later, however, the Atlantic of its Bitter Oil product to Richard Whalen, the postmaster at Pine City Chamber of Commerce refused to let Chief Two Moon con­ Ridge who agreed to distribute it among the Indians if permission to tinue to do business there. It was believed that, had he received do so was received from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Con­ permission from them, he would have moved his business from sequently, the Chief Two Moon Herb Co. wrote a letter to the Com­ Waterbury to Atlantic City. missioner on October 15, 1930, requesting "permission to have this For most of his adult life, Chief Two Moon tried to prove he distributed (gratis) .... This 'Bitter Oil' is composed of the highest truly was an American Indian. In 1929, he traveled to the Pine Ridge grade of Russian mineral oil that can be obtained in the market, com­ reservation in South Dakota hoping that the Oglala Sioux would bined with extracts of roots and herbs, and has been of benefit to make him a chief of their tribe. He left disappointed, however; in thousands suffering with constipation and kindred stomach troubles."5 spite of the $500 he had given the chiefs of the Sioux tribe for the Permission was no doubt granted. ceremonies when he was there (the chiefs had expected more), he In the fall of 1930, Chief Two Moon and his wife traveled to was given only the title of honorary chief and "friend of the Indi­ Europe where, on October 20th, they, wearing "the customary full ans." Undaunted, he planned another trip to South Dakota and, ac­ dress attire required by papal regulation,"6 had a private audience cording to his agents' correspondence, was willing this time to pay with Pope Pius XI. The Vatican newspaper called him the "leader of more for the title he coveted. Serving as an influential helper of the Indians,"2 and Italian surgeons and physicians saluted him for Chief Two Moon, Mr. William G. Sorrentino of New Haven wrote his "cures," calling him the "great medicine man from America."3 to Richard Whalen, the postmaster-and an interpreter-at Pine Dr. G. Colazza of Rome sent a letter to the Chief at his hotel in Ridge reservation, in June, 1930, regarding this second trip. After Rome, the Hotel Palace, stating, "I hope you did not mind my sub­ some further correspondence, it was agreed that Chief Two Moon mitting you to various and difficult tests with several of my patients would donate $1,000 or so with the stipulation that his name be given . . . . You showed remarkable insight on the cases and in many as the sponsor of the Pine Ridge rodeo, that he receive "a royal wei- instances your finding out the diseased organ without any sugges-

28 • HERBALGRAM 37 One of the trucks used by the Chief Two Moon Herb Co. to distribute its products.

tion or local exami­ two hours in Van nation seemed in­ Wert, Ohio, and the credible .. .." following are quo­ Mr. Sorren­ tations from the tino, however, left Van Wert Daily the Chief's service Bulletin of October in Rome, explain­ 19, 1932. 10 ing later that "I "A band of helped the chief Sioux Indians, the through the other party including achievements but I twenty-three could not bring it braves and three upon myself to squaws ... made a humbug the Pope." peaceful invasion Sorrentino was sure of Van Wert late that the Pope be- yesterday after­ lieved he was giving an audience to East Indies Indians, not Ameri­ noon (the 18th), while traveling on a goodwill trip to Waterbury, can Indians, because Two Moon had introduced hi s wife to the Pope's Connecticut. In keeping with the traditions of that fighting tribe ... secretary as an Indian princess. When the secretary mentioned that the members of the party were garbed in native costume with the Indian princesses lost their titles upon marriage, the Chief explained chiefs wearing the ornaments indicating their high office ... . to her that East Indian tribes allowed their women to keep their titles "The visiting Sioux band was headed by four leaders, Chief after marriage. Thus, the presumed deception, although the Chief Turning Hawk, Chief Spotted Crow, Chief Black Horn and Chief probably did not intend for his statements to mislead. He may have Standing Bear, with two interpreters, M.E. Kidney, private secretary been speaking about Indian customs in the tribes of Eastern United to Chief Two Moon Meridas ... and Frank Goings, who fill s the States. office of Marshall of Indian Police, and, also, Judge Noah Bad During the last couple of years of hi s life, Chief Two Moon Wound, Indian legal adviser, and Richard Whalen, spent much of his time in courtrooms. In the New York City Court, government interpreter at the Pine Ridge Reservation .... the good­ he was convicted of practicing medicine without a license. 2 The will tour is a courtesy extended to the Sioux by Chief Two Moon State of Connecticut also brought him to trial on five counts of prac­ Meridas, of Waterbury, widely known as 'The Man With the X-Ray ticing naturopathy without a certificate or license. Evidence was Eye,' the head of a proprietary medicine company, the owner of a obtained by the state police, and a warrant served on May 3, 1932. large estate in Connecticut and one of the richest Indians in the coun­ John H. Cassidy, Chief Two Moon's attorney, fought over the inter­ try. Chief Two Moons (sic) Meridas is meeting the expense of the pretation of state statutes. He quoted from section 2772 of the 1930 goodwill tour and will entertain the Sioux in lavish manner during general statutes which defined the practice of naturopathy as "me­ their stay in Waterbury ...." chanical manipulation but not internal medication." 7 Cassidy made In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the next day, the group visited headline news as he ridiculed the state statutes, but he lost on the point. the state capitol, dined, and paraded through the downtown. The In October 1932, Chief Two Moon brought, at hi s expense, 26 Naugatuck Daily News reported, "They sang weird tribal songs and Sioux chiefs to Waterbury to speak on his behalf in the trial with through interpreters told of their feats in hunting, fishing and fighting." '' 2 8 Sorrentino and in regard to his being an Indian. • Among the chiefs Upon the group's arrival at its destination in Waterbury, the were six who said they had been in the battle of the Little Big Horn Waterbury Democrat, in an article on the front page of its November 57 years earlier when Custer's 7th Cavalry was wiped out. They 5, 1932, issue, noted that the purpose of this trip was to give deposi­ were Stephen Standing Bear (a noted Indian artist), Little Crow, Black tions in the defense of Chief Two Moon.12 William Sorrentino had Moccasin, Catches Enemy, Little Bear, and Charles Turning Hawk filed a $10,000 suit in the New Haven Superior Court some months (one-time president of the "Black Hills Councii'V Five of the chiefs earlier against his former employer who, he claimed, had failed to were with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show; three others were with keep his part of an agreement. The $10,000 was to have been paid the "Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show;" three others at­ to Sorrentino in return for getting Chief Two Moon recognized as an tended the Carlisle Industrial Indian School. honorary chief by the Sioux. On their way to Waterbury, the group stopped off for about Five of the Sioux chiefs signed depositions, however, stating

H ERBALGRAM 37 • 29 Chief Two Moon's new lab opened in 1925-26. The building still stands today in Waterbury, Connecticut.

that Chief Two Moon had healing miracle, giving been acknowledged as su­ credit instead to nature's preme chief of the Sioux at remedies; however, thou­ a huge ceremony with over sands of his patients be­ 100 chiefs and 8,000 Indi­ lieved he cured them of their ans present at Pine Ridge ills when physicians had reservation on August 6, given up all hope. Joseph 1930, and, further, that D. Marrese, one of the Sorrentino had nothing to Chief's admirers in do with this action. Those Westwood, New Jersey, five chiefs signing the wrote on August 19, 1931, depositions were: Chief "After being given up by the Turning Hawk, Chief No doctors, I learned of Chief Water (these were the two Two Moon Meridas. After who had the final say as to 3 weeks treatment with the who was, or was not, a Chiefs Bitter Oil and Herbs member of the Sioux tribe), Chief Spotted Crow (chief of police at pains began to disappear . . . . Today thanks to Chief Two Moon the Pine Ridge reservation), Chief Noah Bad Wound (retired judge Meridas I am free from pain and can honestly say that I never felt of the reservation court, appointed by the U.S. government), and better in my life." Another friend, Melvin Bodley of Poughkeepsie, Chief Kills Crow. New York, wrote the Chief in 1922, saying, "I was treated by local At Chief Two Moon's Beacon Valley estate, the Sioux chiefs doctors for a long time, but could not see much improvement, only at performed tribal rituals at a barbecue and dance which was attended times. I was fmally induced to try your Bitter Oil, and I can frankly say by 450 persons from the area. 13 The Naugatuck Daily News on No­ that after using the first bottle I began to pick up and after finishing vember 12, 1932, reported, "The affair was probably the most unique the third bottle I felt like a new man." conducted in the history of the vicinity." Speakers included Frank Most of his out-of-town visitors (he would not call them pa­ W. Hayes, mayor of Waterbury; Charles A. Templeton, ex-governor tients) had come from New York City, New Jersey, or Long Island, of Connecticut; John T. McGrath, judge; John T. Monzani, coroner; but cars with license plates from Maine, Rhode Island, Massachu­ and Mrs. A. Webster, commissioner of education, just to mention a setts, , New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania often lined both few. All, the article stated, praised Chief Two Moon "for the chari­ sides of Wales Street where his home and office were located table acts he performs each year anonymously" and "for the good in Waterbury. work he is doing in general." Though sometimes called a charlatan, he was more often On the Sioux chiefs' return to the Pine Ridge reservation, they praised as a hard-working, compassionate folk doctor, and, of course, stopped in New York City where Acting Mayor McKee greeted them for the healing properties of his herbal medicines. Among the nu­ on the steps of City Hall and where, dressed in full regalia of merous letters of thanks he received was one, written March 23, warbonnets, beaded shirts, and bright colored pantaloons, the chiefs 1928, from J. S. Braren, pastor of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran entertained the New Yorkers with a spectacular war dance.9 New Church in Jamaica, New York. Pastor Braren said, in part, "Having York papers carried three-column pictures of the ceremony. arrived in the critical age of the middle fifties ... I found myself Within the year, Chief Two Moon became ill. Without realiz­ lacking in vitality . . . a few organs misbehaving. Then I gave my­ ing the greatest desire of his life-to be officially acknowledged as self into your skillful care and for three months followed your re­ an American Indian by the U.S. Department of the Interior-he died gime as faithfully as possible. Now after the interval of four months on November 2, 1933, at his home, of cirrhosis of the liver. He was I can say . . . I have enjoyed perfect health without even becoming buried in Hillside Cemetery in Roslyn, Pennsylvania. the victim of a single winter cold; I have carried on my work with The cause of his death remains something of a mystery. Friends unusual vigor and success ... I certainly attribute this physical and reported that they had never seen the Chief intoxicated. It is pos­ mental alertness to the splendid treatment received at the hands of sible that some of the herbs in his medicines were hepatotoxic, but Chief Two Moon Meridas, whom naturally I greatly admire both as an examination of the various formulas does not reveal any obvious man and as wonderful benefactor of an ailing humanity." responsible ingredient. Many of the formulas did contain alcohol, Oscar Tschirky, the famous "Oscar of the Waldorf' and cre­ but consumption of a sufficient quantity to cause cirrhosis would ator of the delectable Waldorf salad, was another loyal believer in certainly have produced an obvious state of drunkenness, at least the Chief's herbal potions. However, perhaps one of Chief Two on occasion. Moon's most prized testimonials came from Eva Tanguay, a well­ And thus the life of the "modern miracle man" came to an known vaudeville star of the time, who, on October 18, 1929, sent a end. Chief Two Moon himself never claimed to have performed a telegram to him from Hollywood saying, "Send another bottle of

30 • HERBALGRAM 37 Ingredients in Chief Two Moon Medicinal Mixtures Common name Latin name Common name Latin name Aletris Root Aletris forinoso Hops Humulus lupulus Anise Seed Pimpinello onisum Juniper Berries Juniperus communis Barberry Berberis vulgaris Lady Slipper Root Cypripedium spp. Birch Bark Betulospp. Lavender Flowers Lovondulo ongustifolio/oflicinolis Bittersweet Twigs Solanum dulcamara Licorice Root Glycyrrhiza glabra Black Cohosh Cimicifuga rocemosa Mandrake Root Podophyllum peltotum Black Haw Bark Viburnum prunifolium Mexican Saffron Crocus sotivus Blue Malva Flowers Malva rotundifolio Mexican Saffron [Safflower] Carthamus tindorius Buchu Leaves Sarcoma spp. Motherwort Leonurus cardiaca Buckbean leaves Menyanthes trifoliata Musk Root Ferula sumbul Buckthorn Bark Rhamnus frangula Oil of Origanum Origanum vulgare Burdock Root Ardium lappa Oil of Rusci Ruscus spp. Calamus Root Acarus calamus Oil of Sassafras Sassafras albidum Calendula Flowers Calenc/ula oHicinale Oleoresin Capsicums Capsicum spp. Camphor Gum Cinnamomum camphora Pale Rose Buds Rosa spp. Capsicums Capsicum spp. Pulsatilla Herb Pulsatilla oflicinolis Cascara Sagrada Rhamnus purshiana Sarsaparilla Smiloxspp. Celery Seed Apium graveolens var. dulce Sassafras Bark Sassafras olbidum Centaury Centaureo nigra Select lavender Lovondulo stoechos Chamomile Matricaria recutito Senna leaves Senna olexondrino Cherry Bark Prunus virginiona Spirits of Anise Pimpinella onisum Clover Tops Trifolium pratense Squaw Vine Mitchello repens Coriander Seed Coriandrum sotivum Stramonium Extract U.S.P. Datura stramonium Cornflowers Centaureo cyanus Tinnevelly Senna Cassia senna Dandelion Root Taraxacum oHicinole True Cramp Bark Viburnum opulus Dog Grass Agropyron repens Uva Ursi Ardostophylos uvo-ursi Elder Flowers Sambucus spp. Valerian Root Valeriano oflicinolis Fennel Seed Foeniculum vulgare Wahoo Bark of Tree Euonymus otropurpureus Gentian Root Gentiono lutea Wild Plum Bark Prunus americana Ginger Root lingiber oHicinole Wintergreen Gaultheria procumbens Helonias Root Helonias bulloto Yellow Dock Rumex crispus

your bitter oil quick." That, indeed, is a request that would please 5. Letter from Chief Two Moon Herb Company, Waterbury, Connecticut, to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated October 15, 1930. Supplied toT.J.F. counesy of the Smithsonian any patent medicine "miracle man," true-blooded American Indian Institution, Washington, D.C. or not. 0 6. Anon., "Pope received American Indian," New York Times, October 21 , 1930. 7. Personal communication, Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury, Connecticut, to T.J.F. 8. Steinberger, B. , "Chief Two Moon: museum tells story of local popular Indian,'' Waterbury FOOTNOTES Republican, October 22, 1983. I. Anon., "Chief Two Moon dies in Waterbury," Nt!W York Times, November 3, 1933. 9. Anon., "Mayor McKee Greets Sioux chieftains at City Hall ," New York Times, November 2. F. Juliano, "Chief Two Moon: quack medicine man or true man of medicine?" Waterbury 19, 1932. Republican, October I, 1989. I 0. Anon., "The day the Indians invaded Van Wen," Van Wert Daily Bulletin, October 19, 3. Anon., " 'Chief Two Moon,' showman and medicine maker, passes,'' Waterbury Republi­ 1932. can, November 3, 1933. II . Anon., "Sioux Indians on way to visit Chief Two Moon," Naugatuck Daily Nt!Ws , October 4. The quotations and formulas that follow are abstracted from an extensive collection of 20, 1932. Chief Two Moon letters and other memorabilia in the possession of two of the authors 12. Anon., "Sioux tribe sends five chiefs here," Waterbury Democrat, November 5, 1932. (T.J.F. and L.R.N.). 13. Anon., "Over 450 attend Indian barbecue and dance here," Naugatuck Daily Nt!Ws , No­ vember 12, 1932. HERBALGRAM 37 • 31 ECSTASY continued from page 24

FDA has adequate authority to protect gist, Thomas L. Kurt, M.D., M .P.H., in illicit street drugs like "ecstacy." The Florida consumers by removing unsafe or unsubstan­ Dallas, Texas. He concluded that the young action does not ban the sale of rna huang or tiated products from the marketplace man's enlarged heart may have been ephedrine but merely those products that (McNamara, 1996). caused by chronic ingestion of either PPA or make claims of "euphoria, increased sexual On May 20 People magazine got into some similar stimulant. "This death is not sensations, heightened awareness or in­ the act with a two-page article ("Lethal But strictly the result of a single overdose," he creased energy." Florida Agriculture Com­ Legal") reviewing the Schlendorf case and told HerbalGram. "It may have been the missioner Bob Crawford has urged other quoting Shayan as saying that the adverse combination of the enlarged heart and the states to take similar action (Florida Depart­ publicity for hi s product "ecstacy" (not as­ dose of Ultimate Xphoria," he suggested ment of Agriculture and Conservation Ser­ sociated the Schlendorf death) helped in­ (Kurt, 1996). vice, 1996). The Florida ban is the first of crease Shayan's sales by 25 percent. "If the its kind in the U.S. In addition to Florida, 19 FDA ever goes out of business," he is quoted, HERBALGRAM TESTS PRODUCTS other states have laws relating to the sale of "we'd like to hire them here for PR." (Rogers, In May HerbalGram purchased ephedrine-containing products. et al., 1996). samples of " herbal ecstacy," Ultimate Meanwhile, a bill introduced in the U. With the ball still rolling, on May 23, Xphoria, and Cloud Nine at retail stores in S. Congress on May 23 by Sen. Alfonse New York Senator Alfonse D-Amato (R), Austin, Texas. Samples of the three prod­ D' Amato (R-NY) (S . 5582) would amend introduced a bill into the U.S. Senate to "con­ ucts were blind labeled and sent to two lead­ current federal law so that "a dietary supple­ trol herbal street drugs" (see below). ing independent laboratories, Alpha Chemi­ ment shall be considered a drug if its label cal and Biomedical Laboratories of or labeling claims or implies that the dietary THE AUTOPSY REPORT Pataluma, California and The Industrial supplement produces euphoria, heightened Schelndorf's autopsy was conducted Laboratories of Denver, Colorado. These awareness or similar mental or psychologi­ by Marie A. Herrmann, M.D., of the 14th laboratories specialize in the analysis of natu­ cal effects." This class of products would District Medical Examiner Office in Panama ral products. To reduce the possibility of bias, be subject to the same pre-market approval City, Florida. Cause of death was described the packages were blind labeled only with process required of conventional drugs. The as "Cardiac Arrhythmia due to Synergistic an arbitrary control number assigned by ABC Senator noted that in doing so he is not con­ Effect of Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, Phe­ Research Coordinator Penny King. In this tradicting DSHEA; that these products (i. e. nylpropanolamine and Caffeine." Manner of manner the labs were not able to determine "herbal highs") do not promote any of the Death was listed as "Accident (Self inges­ which products they were testing. However, health goals envisioned in the OSHEA tion of "Ultimate Xphoria"). The autopsy some of the products are manufactured with (D' Amato, 1996). also included toxicological analysis of characteristic symbols on each pill; for ex­ Schlendorf's blood, liver and gastri c area ample, "herbal ecstacy" has a butterfly on CONCLUSION (performed by National Medical Services), each blue or red tablet. The tragic death of 20-year-old Peter showing that there were no alcohol levels in In July, 1995, ABC inquired of Albert Schlendorf appears to have become a politi­ the blood, but varying levels of ephedrine, Leung, Ph.D., a pharmacognosist and co­ cal football being used by the FDA to under­ pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine in author of Encyclopedia of Common Natural mine OSHEA. Contrary to its public state­ the blood, liver and gastric; with additional Ingredients Used in Foods, Drugs and Cos­ ments, FDA has adequate authority to pro­ detection of caffeine in blood and gastric; and metics, about some of the questionable in­ tect the public and regulate products like propanol in gastric (Herrmann, 1996). gredients and labeling in "herbal ecstacy." Ultimate Xphoria. FDA appears to be watch­ The presence of the alkaloids ephe­ He replied, "Thi s is one of the most (if not ing as local governments attempt to deal with drine and pseudoephedrine are consistent the most) irresponsible promotion I have ever the issue by passing laws banning either all with ingestion of the herb rna huang. Phe­ seen. They are basically promoting the ephedra products (except FDA-authorized nylpropanolamine (PPA, also called norephe­ sti mulant effects of ephedrine, caffeine, gin­ drugs) or specifically those that appear to vie drine) might normally also be found as a seng and cassia. There are no such things as for the "legal high" position. Yet FDA's own naturally-occurring isomer in rna huang. German wild ginkgo biloba, nor fo-ti-tieng. expert advisory panel, fully aware of some However, as shown below, tests conducted Chinese black ginseng? This is also new to of the safety concerns over rna huang, still by HerbalGram did not reveal the presence me. This kind of labeling should be exposed chose to recommend warnings an dosage of norephedrine in Xphoria. (The presence or banned!" (Leung, 1995) limits instead of banning the herb-recom­ of propanol, a solvent, is somewhat unusual, mendations that FDA has yet to act upon. unless it was either an adulterant in the prod­ LEGISLATION INTRODUCED uct, or may have been taken as part of an­ TO BAN EPHEDRINE other product.) The presence of PPA is most AND EPHEDRA PRODUCTS likely explained by the fact that ephedrine is On April 25 , the State of Florida continued on page 49 metabolized by humans into norephedrine Department of Agriculture and Consumer (PPA) (Baselt & Cravey, 1995). Services moved to ban the sale of products Herba!Gram had Schlendorf's autopsy containing the alkaloid ephedrine that look reviewed by a respected consulting toxicolo- like or appear to be used as substitutes for

32 • HERBALGRAM 37

'Tea .!Pact In 1559 a cf?ersian merchant described tea-drinking benifzts of the Chinese to a "'\?enetian writer.

A BRIEF Summary Chinese legend has it that tea was the accidental discovery of King Shen Nong in about 2700 B. C. (Shouyi, 1982). A clever man, Interest in tea is growing. he is also credited with the invention of plowing tools and the use of Scientists now report that tea is other herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. The earliest (780 A.D.) written record on the subject, Cha Ching (tea book), pays homage to good food because it may help Shen Nong's discovery which it says he made when a gust of wind blew some tea leaves into a kettle of boiling water (Yu, 1974). prevent some chronic diseases. A competing legend started in India and followed the spread of Buddhism from India to China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. The This article reviews the history of British East India Company later advanced this legend as a part of its marketing strategy to weaken China's competitive advantage in tea as a beverage; the botany and global tea markets. It claims that tea was first grown in India and that Prince Siddhartha Gautama, Buddhism's fou nder, brought it to cultivation of the plant; and the China. Tea was supposed to be a divine creation ofthe Buddha. The Prince was said to have tom off his eyelids and thrown them to the chemistry, pharmacology, and ground because he fell asleep despite his vow to remain awake dur­ ing his pilgrimage through China. (There is no evidence he ever health benefits of its active went to China). Supposedly, the eyelids took root and germinated into tea plants that sprouted leaves with an eyelid shape. All ingredients. Tea Siddhartha's fatigue was said to have vanished when he chewed the leaves of this plant. are described in detail to In fact, the habit of chewing tea leaves was long established by the time of this alleged discovery (Evans, 1992). Evans also specu­ reflect their potential role in lates, based on archeological evidence presented by Jelinek (1978), that the prehistoric people, Homo erectus pekinensis, were consum­ maintaining good health. ers of both boiling water and leaves, including tea leaves from wild forest plants, more than 500,000 years before tea legends became available for public consumption (Jelinek, 1978). Today, both China and India (and possibly Burma and Thai­ land) share the distinction of tea's birthplace. Botanic evidence for this assertion has been found in the forests of these countries. Only there have tea plants been found that appear to be the wild type source Page 33 : Green Tea, Camellia sinensis. Print from Natural of present-day cultivars. Although genuine wild type plants may no History of the Tea Tree, J. C. Lettsom , 1799. Courtesy of the Hunt longer exist in these regions, previous explorations have determined Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University, that wild tea plants once grew from Nepal north and eastward to Pittsburgh, PA. Formosa, the Liu-Kiu Islands, and southern Japan. Semi-wild spe­ cies have been sighted from time to time in areas near the Assam­ Burma border and in Indonesia, but they are believed to be tea left by migratory tea-drinking people (Kingdon-Ward, 1950). Tea was introduced in the West by Turkish traders of the 6th century who apparently bartered for it at the Mongolian border. Then 'Tea .!Pact the Chinese of the Song Dynasty (960-1127 A.D.) realized tea's com­ 'The cf?ortuguese and the ©utch were the first mercial value and actively exported it to Tibet. The tea traveled five to bring tea to europe as a medicinal herb. miles a day by mule, yak, and on the backs of porters along 5,000- foot-high mountain passes. (One could compare 5,000-foot-high

34 • HERBALGRAM 37 Carrying bricks of tea to Tibet, 1908. Each man covered approximately six miles per day, laden with three hundred pounds of tea. Courtesy of The Book of Tea . Flam marion, 1992.

passes to stacks of 4 Empire State Buildings.) It is said that each man had to put opium behind his ears to deaden the pain of the 300-pound load strapped to his back (Weatherstone, 1992). First the Dutch, then the British, began, then established the tea trade between China and Europe. Later, the British pio­ neered the cultivation and manufacture of tea in India and Ceylon where they introduced the plantation system. The Dutch did the same on Java and Sumatra. China's monopoly on this trade ended in the mid-1850s when its exports were surpassed by those of India and Ceylon. China's methods of cultivation on small plots could not compete with the output of Indian and Ceylonese plantations (Weatherstone, 1992).

'Tea .!Pact 'The <:l>utch, who had dominated the tea trade by 1600, were trading sage r.Sal~Pia qfficti?a!isJfor tea at this time. 'The cost of tea was, howelPet; three times that of sage, creating a trade surplus for the Chinese.

ORIGIN OF THEWORDTEA

The original English pronunciation of the word tea was toy and its usage can be traced back to around 1655 when the Dutch introduced both word and beverage to England. This pronunciation can still be heard today in certain British dialects. The pronunciation tee also originated in the 1600s but only gained predominance after the late 18th century. Both words may have come from the Malay teh or the Chinese (Amoy dialect) t'e. The Mandarin Chinese ch'a is also the origin of tea-terms found in other languages. Every language's word for tea has its origin in either of these two Chinese words: t'e or ch'a. The Dutch and the Portuguese, the original and major importers of tea to Europe and the Middle East, probably introduced these words (at least into European languages). A table of t'e-derived and ch'a­ derived terms might indicate the Dutch and Portuguese trading partners of the 17th century: Pronounced "toy" in dialect ofAmoy derivations below Pronounced "Ch'a" in pure Cantonese derivations below Te (Malayan) derivations below Cha -japanese, Portugese, Persian & Hindu Tee - Korean & Finnish Ja (Dza) -Tibetan Tey -Tamilian Tsa - Annamese Teja - Latvian Shai -Arabian Te - Italian, Spanish, Hungarian, Czech Chay -Turkish Thoy - Sinhalese Chai - Russian Thee -Dutch & German (derivations below) Tsai- Modern Greek The- French Tea- English Thea - Scientific (See Barnhardt, 1988) Te - Danish, Norwegian, Swedish Additional information from All About Tea by William Ukers (courtesy of Pearl Dexter, TEA, a Magazine) Above: The Chinese character for the word Tea. Written by Shi Fu Hwang.

HERBALGRAM 37 • 35 ~CULTIVATION AND PROCESSING OF TE~ The tea shrub is a perennial evergreen that grows in many areas of The two most widely consumed and best known types of tea are the world in a variety of climates. It thrives at sea level and up to 7,200 green (nonfermented) and black (fermented). Red (also known as oolong) feet above it, in direct sunlight or in tree shade. Optimum growth condi­ and , both partially fermented products, are less popular. In tions include a temperature ranging from 64 to 86°F, high humidity, and China, is red tea (Dexter, 1996). Fermentation is the action of 6. 7 inches of rainfall per month, preferably in the form of overnight showers leaf oxidative enzymes, primarily o-diphenol oxidase (aka (Carr, 1972). In the tropics crops are harvested throughout the year, oxidase), on tannins and forming the brown and red products while in subtropical regions the harvesting season lasts only 6-8 months. which characteristically color the black tea . By contrast, green Most tea grows in sedimentary soils. However, some plants flourish tea is processed with an eye to preventing fermentation and the redden­ on flat alluvial plains such as in Darjeeling,lndia, or on peat as in Cachar, ing of the green tea infusion. Damage to the leaf before processing is northern India, or in soil derived from volcanic ash as in japan and parts avoided. The presence of bruised or broken tea leaves is associated with of Africa. Despite their differences, these soils share one property which loss of quality. Therefore, thermal treatment (either roasting or sweat­ is most important for the cultivation of tea: they are acidic (pH 4-5.6) ing) of the raw tea as soon as possible to stop the enzymic oxidative (Othieno, 1992). Also, crop yields depend on the presence of organic process is essential in the manufacture of green tea; the withering (6- 20 matter (representing 1-30 percent of the soil) and on a balance between hours of drying at ambient temperature in which important changes-to moisture and oxygen supply for maintenance of the root system. be described-occur) and fermentation steps used in black tea produc­ Tea plants are mainly propagated from seed and cuttings, but have tion are omitted in green tea production for the same reason. The pro­ also been produced in vitro. It is not yet certain whether culture meth­ cess following roasting (used in the Chinese method) or sweating (pre­ ods can be used efficiently on a commercial basis (Willson, 1992). ferred in the japanese method) includes drying to reduce excess mois­ The primary plant characteristics used for breeding are pubescence ture, rolling or crushing of the leaves and stalks to extrude the juice onto (hair growth, usually on the undersurface of a leaf) and optimal green­ the leaf surface, firing to further reduce moisture content to 3-5%, and ness (neither dark nor light green). Other predictors of quality are less sorting or grading before the final packaging. Those interested in more reliable (Wight, 1958; Sanderson, 1963). details of tea manufacture may consult the excellent review by Bokuchava The best quality tea is made from the young shoots or flushes (the and Skobeleva ( 1980). first two or three leaves plus the growing bud) of the plant. Poorer Sorting is performed by sifting the processed leaves through a bank of quality teas, used in the manufacture of green brick or instant teas, are sieves of diminishing mesh size arranged from top to bottom. Generally, made from leaves taken farther down the stem. The harvesting (or pluck­ the best tea is retained by the top sieve (the big pieces) with successive ing) of these flushes requires a high degree of selectivity and so remains lower grades falling to the sieves beneath. The fannings or dust collected at a manual process in most of the tea-growing world. However, the amount the bottom will eventually be used in tea bags (Eden, 1976). of mechanically harvested crops is rising (Willson, 1992). Instant tea is made, like instant coffee, by spray-drying tea infusion. 0

Today tea is also grown in several African countries, Malay­ The most reliable diagnostic criteria for distinguishing the three sia, Taiwan, Iran, Turkey (Turkish tea is no longer exported because recognized varieties of cultivated tea are provided by floral mor­ it contains unacceptable amounts of radioactive contamination con­ phology: variation in the number of styles and the degree of their tributed by fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear power accident in fusion; disposition of the stylar arm; and globular or pubescent ovary. 1986, although shipments are being made within Russia where con­ For example, the styles are free for most of their length in the China tamination is considered to be at "acceptable" levels), Georgia and variety (C. sinensis), fused for most of their length in the Assam south Russia, Argentina, and even Brazil. variety (C. assamica ), and remain free for about half their length in the Cambod race (C. assamica ssp.lasiocalyx). Growth habitat and BOTANY leaf features continue to be used to distinguish between C. sinensis The first botanical classification of cultivated tea, made by and C. assamica. Generally speaking the former is a small slow­ Linnaeus in 1752, divided it into two species, Th ea sinensis and growing shrub with small, narrow, serrate, dark green leaves, while Thea bohea. Later, when the number of petals was invalidated as a the latter is a tall, quick-growing tree with large, horizontal, broad, basis for this classification, Thea sinensis became the designation light green leaves (Kitamura, 1950; Sealy, 1958). for the small-leaved China variety and Thea assamica the large-leaved Two other taxa, C. irrawadiensis and C. taliensis, are of inter­ Assam plant (Masters, 1844). est because of their potential contribution to the genetic pool of tea. For a long time Thea and Camellia were considered to be sepa­ They, however, produce a liquor that lacks the quality of tea and rate genera, with cultivated tea plants included in the genus Thea are therefore not grown commercially. Other non-tea Camellia and the non-tea Camellias in the genus Camellia. Nevertheless, con­ species, e. g. C. reticulata, C. sasanqua, and C. japonica, may fusion remained because major characteristics such as patina, leaf have importance in understanding the evolution and interrelation­ pose and pigmentation were, for all practical purposes, identical in ships of Camellia species. both genera (Sharma & Venkataramani, 1974). Today, Thea and Because tea is easily cross-pollinated, all taxa freely interbreed Camellia are considered to be synonymous (Wight, 1962) and the to produce a cline (a gradual and more or less continual change be­ genus Camellia now belongs to the family Theaceae. tween two extremes of a plant character occurring within the geo­ graphical range of a species) ranging fro m the China type plant to the Assam variety. Hybridization occurs so readily that the legiti-

'Tea .fi'act Jnfi. c{). 476 Chinese records report the barter qf Lea IA?ith nomads from Centralfisia.

36 • HERBALGRAM 37 Tea cultivation was introduced into Japan in the ninth century by a Buddist monk. To this day, tea remains an integral part of Japanese spiritual life. Thus the magnificent gardens dotting the islands seem specifically designed to encourage meditation, like Zen rock gardens. Above: motionless waves of tea in a garden in the Shizouka district to the west of Tokyo, where most of Japan's green tea is grown. Courtesy of The Book of Tea . Flammarion, 1992.

macy of the three main tea taxa has been questioned (Visser, 1969). and spread throughout the human or animal body. They probably The possible contribution of other taxa to the tea genetic pool can­ exert their actions directly at the tissue and cellular level rather than not be ruled out. Vegetative characters, e. g., internodal length, girth have indirect intestinal effects (He & Kies, 1994 ). of bud, and leaf pose, are commonly used to group hybrids and re­ The benefits associated with tea polyphenols, especially late them to the main taxa. Other anatomical differences, e. g., di s­ EGCG, are generally attributed to their antioxidant activity and their tribution and morphology of leaf sclereids (Barua, 1958) and leaf ability to scavenge free radical oxygen. But several other actions hair size and lumen length (Amma, 1986) have been shown to be are suggested by studies of their role as chemopreventers. useful. The potential for biochemical features such as polyphenol Polyphenols are known to increase antioxidant and phase II oxidase activity, individual polyphenols, amino acids, and chloro­ enzyme activities in a variety of mouse organs, thus enhancing the phyll contents has been realized but never fully utilized. overall chemopreventive effect of antioxidants in these organs (Khan, et al. 1992). One important phase II enzyme (UDP-glucuronosyl PHARMACOLOGY OF transferase), elevated in rat livers after treatment with green tea, may TEA CONSTITUENTS POLYPHENOLS contribute to its anticancer effect by inactivating carcinogens and Upon ingestion, concentrations of tea polyphenols can be easily converting them into excretable form (Bu-Abbas, et al., 1995). detected in blood, urine, and feces. Hence, polyphenols are absorbed Polyphenols also bind to cytochrome P450 in rat livers and indi-

'Tea .?act Abbreviations: EC, epicatechin; EGCG, (- )­ c.Bricks of tea constituted the first m edium ; GTE, green tea extract; of monetmy exchange used by nomads LDL, low density lipoprotein beyond the Great Wall of China.

HERBALGRAM 37 • 37 ~THE HEAL;TH BENEFITS OF TEA Most of the scientific evidence for the health benefits of tea con­ et at., 1989), small intestine (Hirose, et al., 1993), large intestine (Yin, et at., sumption has accumulated over the past 15 years. Many of these studies 1994), colon (Narisawa,et a/., 1993), mammary gland (Hirose, eta/., 1994), focus on the polyphenols as the principal and most active health-pro­ or liver (Hirose, et at., 1993) can be chemically induced, proves to have a moting ingredients in green tea. These substances protect lipids from potent inhibitory effect on carcinogenesis. oxidative degradation, have antibacterial and antiviral action, protect skin The results of human studies are less clear. The Working Group of from UV damage, are anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic, and may have the International Agency for Research on Cancer studied the available other beneficial physiological effects as well. While the evidence of these epidemiologic evidence for an association between tea consumption and effects, mainly shown in animal and cell culture models, warrants further cancer and concluded it was inconsistent and inconclusive (IARC, 1991 ). study in humans, few epidemiologic studies have been done. Recent studies have shown that tea drinking reduces the risk of esoph­ ageal cancer among Shanghai women (Gao, et a/., 1994), of cancer of the Cancer mouth in northern Italians (Franceschi, et a/., 1992), of gastric cancer The most convincing evidence for protection has been summarized among Swedish adolescents (Hansson, et at., 1993), of pancreatic cancer by Mukhtar, Katiyar, and Agarwal ( 1994). In studies of the anticarcinogenic among the elderly of Opole, Poland (Zatonski, et al., 1993) and residents effects of GTE on mouse skin, each step in the process of conversion to of a retirement community in the U.S. (Shibata, et a/., 1994), and of colon malignancy (DiGiavanni, 1992) was inhibited by the green tea polyphe­ cancer among retired male self-defense officials in Japan (Kono, et at., nols, especially by EGCG. Tea protects against chemically induced tumor 1991 ). No association is found with gastric cancer in Spain (Agudo, et at., initiation (Katiyar, eta/., 1992a; Huang et at., 1992), promotion (Katiyar, et 1992) or with esophageal cancer in the U.S. (Brown, eta/., 1995). On the a/., 1992b) both at stages I and II (Katiyar, 1993a),and against the progres­ other hand, a positive risk of esophageal cancer is found in Kashmir where sion of benign tumors to malignancy (Wang, et at., 1992a; Katiyar, et a/., it is the practice to drink boiling hot and salty tea (Kumar, et al., 1992; 1993b). It is radioprotective (Agarwal, et at., 1993;Wang, 1992b; Uchida, Dhar, et al., 1993). (Of course, harm cannot be ruled out from drinking et at., 1992), especially against UVB-induced carcinogenesis. (UVB, nor­ tea that is too strong, hot, or salty.) These recent studies may still be said mally in sunlight, is a major skin cancer risk factor in humans (Eimets, to be inconsistent and inconclusive; but most of them now conclude that 1991 )). It also reduces, if not prevents, UVB-induced inflammatory re­ tea is a chemopreventative in humans. Perhaps this conclusion might be sponses and depletion of epidermal anti-oxidant defenses (Agarwal, et al., more convincing if the studies on which it is based were not confounded 1993). Black tea, even when decaffeinated, gives a similar level of radio­ by variables associated with the tea-drinking habit (Schwarz, et at., 1994). protection to murine skin (Wang, et a/., 1994). With the use of mouse models of chemically (usually nitrosamine) Antimutagenic induced lung and stomach cancer, oral administration of green 1:ea polyphe­ Chemical carcinogens alter the cell's genetic material, i. e., are mu­ nols reduces both tumor incidence and multiplicity (Xu, et al., 1992;Wang, tagens. It is widely believed that carcinogenesis begins with exposure to 1992c; Katiyar, 1993c). Similar results are found using tumor-bearing rats dietary, occupational, or environmental substances that are mutagenic. (Yamane, et at., 1995). EGCG, when given perorally to mice, is shown to Green tea polyphenols are antimutagenic (Wang, eta/., 1989; Bu Abbas, et inhibit lung metastasis of experimental and spontaneous tumors (Taniguchi, at., 1994b); they lower the formation of heterocyclic amines (carcinogens et at., 1992). formed during the cooking of meats and fish) (Weisburger, et at., 1994); Oral administration of EGCG or GTE (0.002-1.25 percent) to mice and they reduce the occurrence of chromosome aberrations during or rats in which tumors of the esophagus (Chen, 1992), duodenum (Fujita, mutagen exposure (Sasaki, et a/., 1990; Sasaki, et al., 1993).

rectly block the activity of cytochrome P450-dependent enzymes. Many cancer-causing agents inhibit cell communication which The cytochrome P450 superfamily contains sixty to several hundred may be an important mechanism of tumor development. The oxidative enzymes that normall y metabolize and detoxify numerous polyphenols, particularly the gallates, may protect cells by foreign chemicals in the liver. However, it has become apparent that enhancing gap junctional communication (Ruch, et al., 1989; Sigler genetic variants of these enzymes may sometimes functi on in an & Ruch, 1993). ambivalent manner, generating toxic or carcinogenic intermediates Another possible mechanism of action for tea polyphenols is from the substances that they are supposedly detoxifying. Some of suggested by the inhibition of tumor promoter binding to mouse these enzymes convert procarcinogens to carcinogenic metabolites skin. GTE (green tea extract) compounds might block by sealing (Wang, et al. , 1988; Mukhtar, et al., 1992). But green tea also stimu­ receptors (Komori,et al., 1993). This mechanism might also ex­ lates the synthesis of certain forms of the P450 complex and could pl ain why GTE blocks the uptake of nucleosides by tumors (a re­ conceivably increase carcinogenic metabolites (Bu-Abbas, et al., ceptor-dependent mechanism) without affecting the uptake of re­ 1994a). ceptor-independent cancer agents AraC and MTX (Zhen, et al., 1991 ). In the test tube, the catechin gall ates also selectively inhibitS­ The report that tea extract inhibits the intestinal absorption of glu­ a reductase, an enzyme responsible for the conversion of testoster­ cose and sodium in rats could be similarly explained (Kreydiyyeh, one to 5-a dihydrotestosterone (S hutsung & Hiipakka, 1995). High et at., 1994 ). levels of 5-a dihydrotestosterone are associated with benign pros­ A different mode of preventive action by EGCG against car­ tate hyperplasia, prostate cancer, and male pattern baldness. cinogenesis is suggested by Hayatsu, et al., (1992) who detects di­ rect binding to certain carcinogens. One study (Hu, et al. , 1992) reports that EGCG stimulates B but not T cell proliferation and that the galloyl group is responsible for thi s enhancement. Confirmation of this important in vitro effect has not as yet appeared in the scientific literature.

38 • HERBALGRAM 37 Atherosclerosis and Hypertension Infectious Diseases The second important target of preventive medicine is cardiovascu­ The antibacterial activity of tea catechins has a broad range and is lar disease. It has been suggested that lipid peroxidation, especially oxi­ particularly useful for treatment of the diarrheal diseases, e. g., cholera dation of low density lipoprotein (LDL), is critical to the development of and typhus (Shetty, et a/., 1994). Results show that the bactericidal cat­ atherosclerosis in humans (Steinberg, et al., 1989). The tea polyphenols echins (EGCG and EC) primarily act on and damage bacterial membranes are known to block the test tube oxidation of LDL by cupric (copper) (lkigai, 1993). ions (Miura, et al., 1995) and to inhibit lipid peroxidation in a mouse Green tea can also be protozoacidal (Ryu, 1982) and virucidal. Many model of sunlight-induced skin cancer (Katiyar, et al., 1994). viruses are adversely affected by the presence of the tea catechins, in­ GTE prevents the increase of serum cholesterol in mice fed an cluding influenza (Nakayama, et a/., 1993) and even HIV (Nakane & Ono, atherogenic diet but has no effect on their serum triglyceride or high 1990); but tea's importance in the treatment of human viral infection has density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (Yamaguchi, eta/., 1991 ). This pattern is yet to be proven. seen also in the serum lipid profiles of tea-drinking humans (Kono, et a/., 1992). However, a recent cross-sectional study (lmai, 1995) shows that Immune Response Stimulator increased green tea consumption, especially more than I 0 cups per day, There are a few studies that show how green tea polyphenols might is not only associated with decreased total serum cholesterol but also affect the immune system. EGCG appears to stimulate mouse splenic B­ decreased LDL, very low density lipoproteins and triglycerides, increased cell proliferation and the galloyl group appears to be responsible for this HDL, and reduced atherogenic index. This study is also the first one to effect (Hu, et al., 1992). report that green tea consumption causes a decrease in serum markers of liver damage. Anticariogenlc The Zutphen Elderly Study in the Netherlands investigated the risk The polyphenolic compounds may protect teeth from decay by kill­ of coronary heart disease (CHD) in elderly men who consumed fla­ ing the causative bacteria (Horiba, et a/., 1991 , Otake, et a/., 1991 ). How­ vonoids from all dietary sources. These sources included tea, although ever, they could protect against caries in two other ways: I ) by inhibiting probably not green tea. The study concludes that in regularly the collagenase activity of bacteria that lodge in fluid below the gum line consumed foods may reduce the risk of death from CHD (Hertog, et al. , (Makimura, et al., 1993), and 2) by increasing the acid resistance of human 1993). tooth enamel (Yu, et al., 1995). In addition, the polyphenols of green tea appear to reduce chronic psychosocial hypertension in mice (Henry, et a/., 1984), possibly through Longevity the sedative active of the brain neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutyric The effect of green tea drinking on life extension is not well studied. acid (GABA). (GABA-rich tea is made by fermenting green tea leaves The recent medical literature contains but one example. This study looks under nitrogen.) The drinking of GABA-rich green tea by salt-sensitive, at mortality among female practitioners of Chanyou Qapanese "tea cer­ hypertensive rats significantly lowers their blood pressure (Abe, et a/., emony") and concludes that green tea may be a protective factor for 1995). In a study of Japanese women in the city of Sendai, no relation several fatal diseases (Sadakata, et al., 1992). 0 between hypertension and green tea drinking is seen. Nevertheless, the same study concludes that medical history of stroke in this group varies inversely with increasing green tea intake (Sato, et a/., 1989).

METHYLXANTHINES The pharmacological effects of caffeine are an important rea­ The benefits associated son for the popularity of tea. Caffeine, by far the most abundant methylxanthine in tea, may exert its behavioral and other effects through competitive antagonism at the adenosine-binding receptor. with tea polyphenols ... Caffeine levels, produced in humans by ingestion of a few cups of tea, are sufficient to antagonize adenosine's sympathetic nervous stimulation of the vascular system, heart, kidney, and adipose tissue are generally attributed (Rail, 1980). Although acute studies seem to suggest that caffeine is harmful to the cardiovascul ar system and worsens hypertension, the to their antioxidant results of prolonged administration of caffeine do not support thi s contention (Robertson, et al., 1981 ). Caffeine does increase serum levels of non-esterified free fatty acids. Si nce these substances may activity ... cause cardiac arrhythmias, a mechanism is suggested for the rare association of caffeine ingestion and arrythmia. Tea given to children (especially in Britain) is suspected of causing hyperactivity but no confirmation of that exists. In fact, 200-300 mg of caffeine per day has been used to treat hyperactivity (Marks, 1992). Tea drinking has also been accused of promoting the forma­ tion of calcium oxalate-containing kidney stones because the caf­ 'tea !Fact fei ne induces calcium excretion and the tea itself is a source of ox­ ifJy 1700, england was importing about alate. But no association has been found with either kidney or blad­ 100,000 pounds of tea per annum and der stones (Marks, 1992). the Continent perhaps half as much.

HERBALG RAM 37 • 39 A preliminary stage in processing tea in Darjeeling involves sorting freshly pl ucked leaves by hand to obtain the desired quality. Courtesy of The Book of Tea. Flammarion, 1992.

Methylxanthines, particu­ larly , are used in the treatment of asthma and bronchitis to relax the smooth muscle of the bronchi. However, the amounts of theophylline and in­ gested by drinking even large amounts of tea are too small to be pharmacologically significant. Their effects will not be considered here.

CONCLUSION Tea has a long history as a medicinal plant and an even longer one as a beverage that ranks second only to water in worldwide popularity. In the West, this appeal stems from the stimulating and relaxing effects tea has on human physiol­ ogy. In the East, that appeal is also based on cherished traditional beliefs in the health benefits of tea. Now, East meets West. The scientific basis for this belief is growing. The animal and most recent epidemiological studies suggest that tea contains dietary factors which protect the consumer from 'Jea$act the development of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, some India's present-day (1995) production routinely infectious diseases, and dental caries. exceeds one billion pounds per annum, and China On the other hand, certain studies have concluded that tea may probably produces a like amount. Sri fg.nka, also have a negative or no effect on the growth of certain human Indonesia,firgentina, Jeenya, and Malawi cancers. Why doesn't the animal data, which regularly shows health produce a further billion pounds each year. benefits, always agree with the human situation?

40 • HERBALGRAM 37 ~THE CHEMISTRY OF TEA~

Green Teo Chemistry The green tea polyphenols (aka catechins) are the most important tea leaf components because of their ability to scavenge free radicals (Zhao, et al., 1989). In biological systems, oxygen routinely accepts elec­ 01'@'~:~01 trons to become active oxygen and hydroxyl free radicals. In certain test 01~:?01 systems catechins are better scavengers of active oxygen than vitamin C ~H Q-i or E (Zhao, et al., 1989) and are at least as effective at quenching radicals Q-i H H as BHA (Tanizawa, et al., 1984). (+) Catechin ( - ) Epicatechin Also the catechins are the most abundant green tea solids, repre­ senting 30-42% of the extractable solids, and are the source of the con­ densation products formed during black tea production. Their struc­ tures are shown in Figure I. The gallocatechins, especially (-) epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), have the most capacity to quench free radicals (Uchida, et al., 1987). Other components of green tea beverage include: I) the flavonols 01~:?: 01'QO:~: [5-1 0 percent] which are closely related to the catechins but have a Q-i Q-i Q-i H higher level of oxidation in ring C; 2) theogallin [2-3 percent] which is a condensation product of gallic [0.5 percent] and quinic [2 percent] acids (+) Gallocatechin ( - ) Epigallocatechin and may be uniquely associated with tea; 3) the methylxanthines (caffeine [3-5 percent], theophylline [0.02 percent], and theobromine [0.1%]) ; 4) [4-6 percent] which is anN-methylated derivative of glutamine and whose presence is said to correlate with green tea quality; 5) negli­ 01 gible levels of carotenoids that are the precursors of the volatile fraction 01 [0.02 percent] (responsible for the aroma and acceptance of the tea as a 01~.0 beverage); and 6) mineral content [6-8 percent] which, depending on soil conditions, is relatively rich in aluminum and manganese (Graham, 1992). 01 H •• 0-r~--Q- 01 Trigalloylglucose is also found in tea and is often confused with pentagalloylglucose () which is not present. ( - ) Epicatechin gallate0 Q-i &~ Block Teo Chemistry The major black tea beverage components are the oxidation and Q-i 0 H: 0 Q-i Q-i condensation products of catechins. Initially, catechins are oxidized in the presence of polyphenol oxidase and oxygen to quinones. Then a number of condensation reactions can take place. I) A catechin quinone 'QCI .. 0- ----fi.- 01 might condense with a gallocatechin quinone to form a . Q-i H n~ are orange-red compounds that contribute color and flavor 0 Q-i to black tea beverage. 2) A quinone might react with a cat­ Figure I. ( - ) Epigallocatechin gallate echin quinone and yield a series of intermediaries known as theaflavic TheMojor (Possibly the most physiologically acids. 3) But the bulk of catechins condense in a less well defined man­ Green Teo Polyphenols active polyphenol) ner to produce a mixture of thearubigens. It is speculated that the cat­ echin quinones further oxidize the theaflavins, theaflavic acids, bisflavonols, etc., into products that readily condense to form thearubigens. In addi­ Oolong Teo Chemistry tion a small proportion of thearubigens, called proanthocyanidins, may Oolong tea is the product of a shorter period of fermentation and be condensations of pyran rings initiated by the attack of hy­ is regarded as half-fermented. Indeed, the catechin content (8-20 per­ drogen peroxide that is generated by the tea peroxidase fermentation cent) is about halfway between that of green and black tea. Neverthe­ (Graham, 1992). less, oolong is not merely a combination of black and green tea but can A very small amount of more than 600 known volatile compounds be distinguished by the presence of some unique flavonoids. One group determines black tea aroma. Most of them are formed during fermenta­ of these, which has been called oolonghomobisflavins, is characterized as tion and firing. The apple or rose aroma, for example, is formed in the dimeric catechins where the two pyran rings are linked by methylene withered leaf by a condensation of catechin with phenylalanine or aspar­ bridges. A more complete review of these compounds can be obtained agine (Bokuchava & Skobeleva, 1980). from Graham ( 1992) and the references contained therein. 0

The problem may lie with inconsistencies between study de­ signs. For example, studies have not always excluded or even iden­ tified the confounding variables that are linked to the tea drinking habit, the strength of that linkage to tea drinking, and its positive or negative impact on health independent of drinking tea. Clearly, bet­ ter designed and carefully controlled epidemiological studies are 'Iea.1'acl needed; and they have been recommended (Mukhtar, et al. , 1994). ~Worldw' ide, more tea is now consumed than The results of the animal experiments are too compelling to any other beverage e:rcrpt wate1: be ignored. 0

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Sakanaka, S., Taguchi, T. , Otake, S . Med. 21:370-376. 1993. Inhibitory effect of tea catechins on collagenase acti vi ty, J. Periodonto/. 64 630- He, Y. H., Ki es. C. 1994. Green and black tea consumption by humans: Impact on polyphenol 636. concentrations in feces, blood and urine, P/am Foods Hum. Nutr. 46:22 1-229. Marks, V. 1992. Physiological and clinical effects of tea, in Tea: Cultiva tion to Consumption Henry, J. P., Stephens-Larsen, P. 1984. Reduction of chroni c psychosocial hypertension in (eds. K. C. Willson and M. N. Cli fford}, Chapman & Ha ll , New York, pp. 707-734. mice by decaffeinated tea, Hypertension. 6:437-444. Masters, J. W. 1844. The plant compared with tea plant in China, Journal ofA gri­ Hertog, M . G., Feskens, E. J., Hollman, P. C., Kalan, M. B., Kromhout, D. 1993. Dietary Horticultural Society India. antioxidant Oavonoids and ri sk of coronary heart disease: The Zutphen Elderly Study, Miura, S., Watanabe, J., Sano, M ., Tomita, T. , Osawa, T. , Hara, Y. , Tomita, I. 1995. Effects of Lancet. 342:1007- 10 11. various antioxidants on the Cu (2+ )- mediated oxidative modification of low density lipo­ Hirose, M .. Hoshiya, T. , Akagi, K., Futakuchi, M ., Ito, N. 1994. Inhibition of mammary gland protein, Bioi. Pharm. Bull. 18: 1-4. carcinogenesis by green tea catechins and other naturall y occurring antioxidants in fe­ Mukhtar, H., Kati yar, S. K., Agarwal, R. 1994. Green tea and skin- anticarcin ogenic effects, male Sprague-Dawley rats pretreated with 7, 12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene, Cancer J. Invest. Dermatol. 102:3-7. Leu. 83: 149-156. Mukhtar, H., Wang, Z. Y., Kati yar, S. K., Agarwal, R. 1992. Tea components: Antimutagenic Hi rose, M., Hoshiya, T. , Akagi, K. , Takahashi , S., Hara, Y., Ito, N. 1993. Effects of green tea and anticarcinogenic effects, Prev. Med. 2 1:35 1-360. catechins in a rat multi-organ carcinogenesis model, Carcinogenesis 14:1549-1553. Nakane, H., Ono, K. 1990. Differential inhibitory effects of some catechin deri vatives on the Horiba, N. , Mae kawa, Y.. Ito, M., Matsumoto, T., Nakamura. H. 1991. A pilot study of acti vi ties of human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase and cellular deoxyribo­ Japanese green tea as a medicament: Antibacterial and bacteri cidal effects, J. Endod. nucleic and ribonucleic acid polymerases, Biochemistry. 29:2841-2845. 17: 122- 124. Nakayama, M., Suzuki, K .. Toda, M. , Okubo, S., Hara, Y., Shimamura, T. 1993. Inhibition of the infecti vity of inOuenza virus by tea polyphenols, Antiviral Res. 2 1: 289-299. Nari sawa, T. , Fukaura, Y. 1993. A very low dose of green tea polyphenols in drinking water prevent s N-methyi-N-nitrosourea-induced colon carcinogenesis in F344 rats, Jpn. J. Cancer Res. 84: I 007- 1009. Otake, S., Makimura, M., Kuroki. T., Nishihara, Y. , Hirasawa, M. 199 1. Anticaries effects of Tea/Pact polyphenoli c compounds from Japanese green tea, Caries Res. 25 :438-443. '!he afternoon tea ofJ.:yJ?u, author ofCh'a Ching, the world's first "book of tm," required twenty-Jour different objects and implements for measuring prepwing, seroing, and enjoying a cup.

42 HERBALG RAM 37 The began in Chinese Buddhist monasteries of the in the 16th century when it was modified by the samurai, the dominant Song Dynasty. Nobles of the 12th century Song Dynasty adopted and social class of that time, to suit their daily needs. transformed this religious rite into a secular form. As the popularity of Monks first performed this ceremony to discipline their minds in the tea ceremony spread into the general population, many of its formal i­ preparation for Zen meditation. Then, with its adoption by the secular ties were forgotten or abandoned. However, the ritualized tea ceremony Japanese society, more emphasis was placed on relaxation and the strength­ of the Song Dynasty was also exported to japan where its form remains ening of the bonds of friendship between guest and host. closer to the original (Evans, 1992). Appreciation of the host's skill, his meticulous economy of move­ In both China and japan, the ceremony is a set of conventions per­ ment, as he prepares and serves his guests became an important aspect formed by host and guest to guarantee the sociability of their meeting. A of this meditation on tea. The tea utensils, scrolls, flower arrangements­ host begins by offering a welcoming cup of tea to a visitor at the front indeed the tea house and gardens themselves-were made to be ad­ gate. The guest might then stroll through a landscaped formal garden and mired. Their design reflected the belief that simplicity and purity can marvel at the beauties of nature before entering his host's house. Fol­ open the door to tranquillity and bring happiness. To this end Japanese lowing the accepted greeting, an exchange of bows in front of the ever­ tea houses and gardens were designed to blend with their natural sur­ present tea table, both the host and his guest sit down and are immedi­ roundings. ately served tea. The conversation customarily dwells on the tea: how i_t Today the tea ceremony continues to evolve though it may seem tastes or smells, how its taste or smell compares with previous teas, or static to the casual observer. The ceremony does vary with the weather, with previous rounds of drinking. When it is time to leave, the cue to the the movement of the sun and stars, or the change of seasons; but that is guest is yet another cup of tea. The polite guest knows it is time to thank only to maintain harmony with Nature. The art of the tea ceremony also the host for the tea and to express regret at having to leave the host's allows creative change by the master or enlightened host. Indeed, it is pleasurable company (Evans, 1992). Buddhist Creed that creativity be guided by self-knowledge. The tea ceremony in japan retains much of the Zen ritual. just as its Most important, the tea ceremony remains a meditation on the Chinese predecessor, the also evolved over a beauty of every object whether precious or ordinary. By its practice the long time and created rituals that are even more elaborate. The reader is participants can experience calm and create a conflict-free atmosphere referred to Tanaka ( 1973) for a detailed treatment of this subject. The and bring this influence quite naturally out into their normal surround­ practice, called cha-no-yu , meaning "hot water for tea," became popular ings. 0

Othieno, C. 0. I 992. Climate, weather and the yield of tea, in Tea: Cultivation to Comump­ tion (eds. K. C. Willson and M. N. Clifford) Chapman & Hall. New York. pp. 87- I 35. Rail, T. W. 1980. The xanthines, in The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. (eds. A. G. Gi lman, L. S. Goodman, A. Gilman), Macmillan. New York. pp. 592-607. studies suggest Robenson, D .. Wade, D., Workman. R, et a/. I 98 I . Tolerance to the humoral and hemody­ • • • namic effects of caffeine in man, J. C/in. Invest. 67: I I I I - I I I 7. Ruch, R. J., Cheng, S. J., Klaunig, J. E. I 989. Prevention of cytotoxicity and inhibition of intercellular communication by antioxidant catechins isolated from Chinese green tea. that tea contains Carcinogenesis. I 0: I 003- I 008. Ryu, E. I 982. Prophylactic effect of tea on pathogenic microorganism infections to humans and animals, Int. J. Zoonoses. 9: I 26- I 3 1. Sadakata, S. , Fukao, A. , Hisamichi. S. I 992. Monality among female practitioners ofChanyou dietary factors which (Japanese "tea-ceremony"), Tohoku J. Exp. Med. 166:475-477. Sanderson, G. W. I 963. The chl oroform test- A study of it s suitability as a means of rapidly evaluating fermenting propenies of clones, Tea Quarterly, 34: I 93- I 96. Sasaki, Y. F., Matsumoto, K., lmanishi, H., Watanabe, M., Ohta, T., Shirasu, Y. , Tutikawa, K. protect the consumer 1990. In vivo anticlastogenic and antimutagenic effects of tannic acid in mi ce. Mutat. Res. 244:43-47. Sasaki , Y. F. , Yamada, H., Shimoi, K., Kator, K., Kinae, N. 1993. The aclastogen-suppressing from the development effects of green tea, Po-lei tea and Rooibos tea in CHO cell s and mice, Mutat. Res. 286:22 1-232. Sato, Y. , Nakatsuka, H., Watanabe, T., Hisamichi, S., Shimizu. H., Fujisaku , S .. lchinowatari. Y. , Ida, Y. , Suda, S., Kato, K., eta/. 1989. Possible contribution of green tea drinking of certain cancers, habits to the prevention of stroke, Tolwku. J. Exp. Med. 157:337-343. Schwarz, B., Bi schof, H. P., Kunze. M. 1994. Coffee. tea and lifestyle. Prev. Med. 23: 377- 384. Sealy, J. 1958. A Revision of the Genus Camellia, Royal Honicultural Society, London. cardiovascular disease, Sharma, Y. S., Venkataramani, K. S. 1974. The Tea Complex. I. Taxonomy of tea clones, Proceedings, Indian Academy of Sciences, 53B: I 78- I 87. Shetty, M., Subbannayya, K., Shivananda, P. G. I 994. Antibacterial acti vi ty of tea (Camelli a sinensis) and coffee (Coffee arabica) with special reference to Salmonella typhimurium. some infectious J. Commun. Dis. 26:147-150. Shibata, A ., Mack, T. M., Paganini-Hill, A ., Ross. R. K., Henderson. B. E. 1994. A prospec­ ti ve study of pancreatic cancer in the elderly, Int. J. Cancer 58: 46-49. diseases, and Shouyi, B. ed., 1982. An Outline History of China (Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 1982). pp. 55. Shutsung, L., Hiipakka, R. A. I 995. Selective inhibition of steroid Sa-reductase isoenzymes by tea epicatechin-3-gallate and epigall ocatechin-3-gallate, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. dental caries. 2 I 4:833-838. Sigler, K., Ru ch, R. J. 1993. Enhancement of gap junctional intercellular communication in tumor promoter-treated cell s by components of green tea, Cancer Lett. 69: I 5- I 9. Spillane, M. Personal communication to Herba/Gram. May 16, 1996. Steinberg, D., Panhasarathy, S., Carew, T. E., Khoo, J. C., Witztum. J. L. I 989. Modifications 'Tea !Pact of low-density lipoprotein that increase its atherogenicity. N. Engl. J. Med. 320:9 I 5-924. "rf3PII Pr to be depril'ed ojfoodfor threp days than ofteaforone." - Jlncient Chimse Saying

HE RBALGRAM 37 • 43 ~ TEA PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION ~ According to Keating and Razor ( 1996), there has been a recent and sudden rise in tea consumption in the U. S. The reasons underlying this phenomenon are speculative but may include: •The higher per serving cost of coffee; WORLD TEA PRODUCTION (in thousands of metric tons) •The increasing variety of teas that have become available, including many flavored and scented teas; 1989 •The increase in availability of ready-to-drink products (the largest Total Green Black* and fastest increasing segment of the tea market).lts popularity, like car­ 2360 596 1764 bonated beverages, may be attributed to consumer convenience. •The increasing awareness that tea may be a healthier beverage /995 (Estimate) choice. The reporting in the popular press of a scientific basis for this claim Total Green Black* has reinforced this perception. The U. S. tea industry has also increased 3048 717 2331 spending on advertising by 400 percent since 1990. In 1993, it was over $100 million. According to Joseph P. Simrany (President, Tea Council of * Sem.iferrnented tea production is included within the black tea statistic. the USA, Inc.), ice tea is hot and hot tea is likely to get hotter. Source: Food and Agricultural Organization of the U.N. (1989). Paper presented to the Inter-Governmental Group on Tea, Rome. U.S. government and industry statistical sources indicate that con­ sumption and world production have been fairly stable, increasing roughly in proportion to the rise in population. This stability, however, does not U.S. TEA IMPORTS reflect the fall of consumption in some countries (e.g., Great Britain and (in thousands of metric tons) Ireland), where tea has been the dominant beverage choice for many years, and its rise in the U.S. An upturn in U.S. tea consumption can be 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 seen in the 1994 estimate and 199 5 projection provided by the Tea Asso­ 89.6 77.0 84.3 91.4 84.9 96.2 ciation of the U.S. and the 1994 rise of imports. Source: USDA Agricultural Statistics, U. S. Government Printing Office.

U.S. TEA CONSUMPTION Note-Very little tea is exported from the U.S. In the last IS years, in gallons per capita per annum approximately 2,000-4,000 metric tons were exported per annum. Little, if any, of those exports was domestic tea. The only tea grown in America 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994£ /995P comes from The Charleston Tea Plantation located on Wadmalaw Island 7.0 6.7 6.8 6.9 7.1 7.4 off the coast of South Carolina. 0

Source: Tea Association of the USA, 230 Park Ave. , New York, NY 10169. *E=estimate, P=projection.

Tanaka, S. 1973. The Tea Ceremony. Kodansha Intern ati onal Lid.: Tokyo. Tani guchi , S. , Fujiki, H., Kobayashi , H., Go, H. , Mi yado, K., Sadano, H., Shimokawa, R. 1992. Effect of (-)-epigall ocatechin gall ate, the main constituent of green tea, on lu ng metastas is with mouse B 16 melanoma cell lines, Cancer Leu. 65:51 -54. Tani zawa, H., Toda, S., Sazuka, Y. , Tani yama, T, Hayashi, T., Arichi, S., Takino, Y. 1984. Natu ra l antioxidants. I. Antioxidant components of tea leaf (Thea sinensis), Chem. Pharm. Bull. 32:201 1-2014. Uchida, S., Edamatsu, R., Hiramatsu, M., Mori , A., Nonaka, G., Nishi oka, 1., Ni wa, M., Ozaki, M. 1987. Condensed tannins scavenge oxygen free radicals. Med Sci. Res. 15 :83 1- 832. Uc hida, S .. Ozaki , M., Suzuki , K., Shikita, M. 1992. Radioprotective effects of(-)­ epigall ocatechin-3-0-gall ate (green tea tannin) in mice, Life Sci. 50:147-1 52. Vi sser. T. 1969. Tea Camellia sinensis (L.) 0 . Kuntz, in Outlines of Perennial Crop Breeding in the Tropics (ed. F. P. Ferwada and F. Wit], H. Veenan and Zonen, Wageningen, pp. 459- 493. Wang, Z. Y., Cheng, S. J .. Zhou, Z. C. , Athar, M., Khan, W. A., Bickers, D. R. , Mukhtar, H. 1989. Antimutagenic acti vity of green tea polyphenols, Murat. Res. 223:273-285. Wan g, Z. Y. , Das, M., Bickers, D. R., Mukhtar, H. 1988. Interacti on of epicatechins derived from green tea with rat hepatic cytochrome P-450, Drug Metab. Dispos. Bioi. Fate Chern. 16:98- 103. Wang, Z. Y. , Hong, J. Y. , Huang, M. T., Reuhl , K. R., Cooney, A. H., Yang, C. S. 1992c. Inhibition of N-nitrosodiethylamine- and 4-(methylnitrosoamin)- 1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone­ induced tumori genesis in NJ mi ce by green tea and black tea, Cancer Res. 52: 1943- 1947. Wang, Z. Y., Huang, M. T. , Ho, C. T. , Chang. R., Ma, W., Ferraro, T., Reuhl, K. R., Yang, C. S., Conney, A. H. 1992a. Inhibitory effect of green tea on the growth of established skin Green Tea, Camellia sinensis. Photo © 1996 Steven Foster. papillomas in mice, Cancer Res. 52:6657-6665. Wang, z. Y. , Huang, M. T. , Ferraro, T. , Wong, C. Q., Lou, Y. R., Reuhl, K., latropoul os, M., Yang, C. S., Cooney, A. H. 1992b. Inhibitory effect of green tea in the drinking water on tumori genesis by ultraviolet li ght and 12-0 -tetradecanoy lphorbol- 13-acetate in the skin 'Tea 51act ofSKH-1 mice, Cancer Res. 52: 11 62- 11 70. Wang, Z. Y., Huang, M. T., Lou, Y. R. , Xie, J. G., Reuh l, K. R., Newmark, H. L., Ho, C. T. , 'The best quality tea leaf should "curl Like the dew­ Yang. C. S., Conney, A. H. 1994. Inhibitory effects of black tea, green tea, decaffeinated Laps ~f a bull, crease Like the leather boots of a 'Tartar black tea, and decaffeinated green tea on ultrav iolet B light-induced skin carci nogenesis horseman, unfold like mist rising ot?er a ra t?ine, and in 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated SKH- 1 mice, Cancer Res. 54: 3428-3435. s ~ften as gently as .fine earth swept by rain.." JY J?u, Ch 'a Ching

44 • HERBALGRAM 37 ·Plucking is a crucial operation that determines the ul imate quality of the brew. It req uires a great deal of dexteri ty and ca re. The highest grade of toFXluality tea is the product of a "fine-plucking " in wh ich only the termi na l leaf-bud and first two leaves are picked . A Bangladeshi woman at work. Courtesy of The Book of Tea . Flam ma rion , 1992.

Weatherslone, J. 1992. Historical Introduction, in Tea: Cultivation to Consumption [eds. K. ~ MAINTENANCE OF C. Willson and M. N. Clifford] Chapman and Hall, New York, pp. l-23. Weisburger, J. H., Nagao, M. , Wakabayashi , K., Oguri, A. 1994. Prevention of heterocyclicamine formation by tea and tea polyphenols, Cancer Lett. 83: 143-147. ~ QuALITY STANDARDS Wi ght, W., Barua, D. N. 1954. Morphological basis of quality in tea. Nature 173:630-631 . Wight, W. 1958. The agrotype concept in tea taxonomy, Nature 18 1, 893-895. Wi ght, W. 1962. Tea classification revised, Current Science, 31 :298-9. FOR TEA IN THE U.S. Willson, K. C. 1992a Propagation, in Tea: Cultivation to Consumption (eds. K. C. Willson and M. N. Clifford) Chapman & Hall , New York, pp. 209-217. From 1897 to April 1996 all tea in the U.S. had been regulated by Will son, K. C. l992b. Field operations: 2, in Tea: Cultivation to Consumption (eds. K. C. the Tea Act. The enforcement of this standard had been left to four tea Willson and M. N. Clifford) Chapman & Hall , New York , pp. 227-265. tasters, employees of the Food and Drug Administration, who smelled Xu . Y., Ho, C. T. , A min, S. G., Han, C. , Chung, F. L. 1992. Inhibition of tobacco-specific nitrosamine-induced lung tumorigenesis in N J mice by green tea and its major polyphe­ and tasted up to several hundred samples every day (NPR, "All Things nol as antioxidants, Cancer Res. 52:3875-3879. Considered:' October 9, 1995). The tea tasters were looking for adul­ Yamaguchi , Y. , Hayashi, M., Yamazoe, H., Kunitomo, M. 1991. Preventive effects of green terated product. The testers rejected only about one percent of samples tea extract on lipid abnormalities in serum, li ver and aorta of mi ce fed a atherogenic diet, Nippon. Yakurigaku. Zasshi. 97: 329-337. in which they identified such contaminants as spent tea, ash leaves, cop­ Yamane, T. , Takahashi , T. , Kuwata, K., Oya, K., lnagake, M .. Kitao, Y. , Suganuma, M., Fujiki, per sulfate, talcum powder, sawdust, gravel, and even sheep's dung. The H. 1995. Inhibition of N-methyl- ' -nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-induced carcinogenesis Tea Association of the U.S., representing the importers, favored the by (-)-epigallocatechin gallate in the rat glandular stomach, Cancer Res. 55:2081-2084. act's continued enforcement because it discouraged exporters of infe­ Yin, P., Zhao, J., Cheng, S., Zhu, Q., Liu, Z., Zhengguo, L. 1994. Experimental studies of the inhibitory effects of green tea catechin on mi ce large intestinal cancers induced by 1,2- rior, damaged, or unsafe teas from trying to dump their product in this dimethylhydrazine,Cancer Lett. 79:33-38. country at below market prices. The budget cutters in the U.S. Con­ Yu, H., Oho, T., Xu, L. X. 1995. Effects of several tea components on acid resistance of gress vowed to slash the $200,000 cost of the program, but the tea human tooth enamel, J. Dent. 23: I 0 1- l 05. Yu , L. 1974. The Classic ofTea, trans. Francis Ross Carpenter (Boston: Lillie-Brown, 1974). industry supported the act and was willing to pay for it. 115. Nevertheless, the Congress repealed the Tea Act and will no longer Zatonski, W. A., Boyle, P., Przewozniak, K., Maisonneuve, P., Drosnik, K.. Walker, A. M. fund the board of tea experts required for its enforcement. OnApril9, 1993. Cigarel!e smokin g, alcohol, tea and coffee consumption and pancreas cancer ri sk: a case-control study from Opole, Poland, 53:601-607. 1996, President Clinton signed HR 2969 (Public Law I 04 128) into law, Zhao, B., Li, X., He, R., Cheng, S., Wen juan, X. 1989. Scavengin g effect of extracts of green which repealed the Tea Act of 1897. Under the new changes, local Food tea and natural antioxidants on active oxygen radi cals. Cell Biophys. 14 : 175- 185. and Drug officials at the port of entry for tea will handle entries as they Zhen, Y. , Cao, S., Xue, Y. , Wu , S. 199 1. Green lea extract inhibits nucleoside transport and potenti ates the antitumor effect of anti metabolites, Chin. Sci. Med. J. 6: 1-5. do other products. Importers of tea are no longer required to submit samples of tea to the tea examiner. [Keating, 1996. Keating, B., Personal communication,April 16. Spillane, 1996. Spillane, M., Personal commu­ nication, May 16.) 0

HERBALGRAM 37 • 45 Mint tea on an oasis in southern Morocco. Courtesy of The Book ofTea. Flammarion, 1992.

MosT NoTABLE TEAS

NAME LOCATION DESCRIPTION NAME LOCATION DESCRIPTION

Assam North India Black. Hard, flinty, gray-black. Dickoya Sri Lanka Black. Full, round, and sweet. Bright gold tips in high grades; High grown, very good quality, rich, heavy, pungent and strong: mostly used in blends. almost too strong on its own, Rarely a self-drinker. used in blending. Morning tea with strong, malty taste; Dimbula Sri Lanka Black. High grown; goes well with a drop of milk. one of the best.

Brick tea China, Russia Can be black or green. Com- Dooars North India Black. Low-grown; pressed. Not usually a quality tea. strong color and full-bodied taste. Softer than Assams. Cachar North India Gray-black.Thick , sweet liquor, not so strong as Assam. Earl Grey China Black. Blended tea flavored with Mostly used in blends. the oil from the peel of bergamot.

Ceylon Sri Lanka Black, neat and even, with Engl ish Breakfast North China Black. Originally blended with good proportion of tips in best North China ; now usually qualities. High-grown; some of Assam plus a little Ceylon. the best tea in the world; some Strong, full-bodied, fragrant, are self-drinker teas, with strong, and sweet. full, round taste and delicate flavor. Sometimes sold Gunpowder China, Taiwan Green. Young leaves, tippy. by districts. rolled in balls ranging from Pin Head to Pea Leaf. Fruity flavor; China Caravan China Black. Blend of Keemum and gunpowder is the best grade of perhaps Oolong to imitate tea China green tea. Widely used that went by camel. to prepare mint tea; highly refreshing; afternoon tea. ChingWo China Black, tightly rolled, silky with copper-colored liquor, delicate Hunan (Oonam) China Black. Bright-colored liquor; aroma, strong and flavory. smoky flavor. Best known growth called Oonfa. Chunmee China Green. Sweet and pungent; Rarely found for sale. very little color. China Green. Small well-made curly leaf; Darjeeling North India Black; large leaf qualities usually older than Imperial and young best flavor. High grown; some of Hyson. Dated name for green finest of India teas; self-drinker, tea no longer in use. rich flavor and exquisite bouquet reminiscent of muscatel. 1-Chang China Black. Small leaf; rich, full-bodied, Afternoon teas. with metallic, slightly smoky flavor.

Imperial China Green; large, round, rolled leaf; older than Hyson. Good quality grade.

Indonesia Indonesia, java, Black. High quality teas, Sumatra comparable with Ceylon.

46 • HERBALG RAM 37 Tea caddies. The earliest tea caddies were imported from China and Japan, and were originally simple terra-cotta jars with a cover used to measure out the tea. Since tea was a costly item in Europe, caddies soon became small chests complete with lock to which only the mistress of the house held the key. Courtesy of The Book of Tea. Flommarion, 1992.

MosT NoTABLE TEAS

NAME LOCATION DESCRIPTION NAME LOCATION DESCRIPTION

Irish Breakfast India Black, with a blaze of golden tips. Russian Russia Black. Sometimes called Blend of Assam teas; strong, full . Georgian tea. Colory, plain tea.

Jasmine China Green or mix of green and Seychelles Seychelles Black. Ordinary liquor; reputed black containing jasmine flowers. to be unpolluted and fresh. Flavored with jasmine. Do not add milk. Souchong China Black; large leaf. Rich, syrupy.

Kenya Kenya Black. High-grown as are South China China Black, reddish leaf; high quality high-grown Ceylon teas; all have Congou teas;"clarets." good flavor, some lack strength. Syhlhet Bangladesh Black. Neat leaf. Colory liquor. Lady India, Made for a famous hostess at Mostly blended. Londonderry Sri Lanka, the beginning of the century; Taiwan a blend. Tarry Lapsang China, Taiwan Black. Tarry flavor.

Malaysia Malaysia Black; comparable with Ceylons Terai North India Black. Small leaf, whole. Soft and Indonesians, usually blended. liquor, tasting remotely like poor Darjeeling with spicy and liqueur- Ningchow China Black, grayish leaf. North China like flavor; can tolerate a bit of Congou; good, clear. cold milk.

North China China Black. "Burgundy" of tea. Travancore South India Black. Similar to . Congou

Orange Pekoe China, Long, thin leaves, fruitier than Uganda Uganda Black. High-grown, less quality Sri Lanka Flowery Orange Pekoe. than Kenya. Used only for blending. Peking China Black. One of the best South China Congous; clear, but thin Vanilla Various Flavored with vanilla. liquor. Yamash ire Japan Green. Most sought-after Paklum China Black; small neatly made. of Japan teas. Pleasant, but thin flavor. Young Hyson China Green; long, rough, twisted leaf. Panyong China Black. Delicate and flavory; Grade of green tea. full-bodied and with character. No longer seen.

Pouchong China, Taiwan Oolong leaf. Scented with Yunnan China Black. Often with tips. Sweet gardenia, jasmine, or yulan aroma, strong, thick liquor, sappy blossom. The China Pouchong taste; nicknamed "the mocha of has a brighter taste; tea." Perfect for a continental Taiwan a duller flavor. breakfast.

Rose Various Black. Blends scented with rose petals. - Tea .rf"acts 1vere harrested from Tea, a Magazine, published bimonthly by Olcle Rose Congou China Black. Mixed with rose petals. english 'tea Company, Scotland, Connecticut

HERBALGRAM 37 . 47 Other countries producing teas (all are black teas). Classic Blends and Scented Teas Argentina Medium body, tasting of local soil; dark liquor. English Breakfast Generally composed of Ceylon Broken Orange Pekoe with hint Bangladesh Dark liquor, aromatic and slightly spicy taste. of Assam o r Darjeeling or others from South India or Africa. Drunk High quality, high-grown; richly colored brew with Cameroon with drop of milk to go with toast, aromatic, malted taste. honey, and jam; enjoyable throughout C.I.S. Russian tea grown in province of Georgia; noted for the day. dark liquor, fairly full body and flowery taste. Five O 'clock Tea Typical English blend, somewhat full­ Mauritius Quite strong, characterized by vanilla aroma; goes bodied with light, aromatic brew. well with a little milk and makes fine early Jasmine or Rose Tea Freshly cut flowers added to tea. morning tea. Imperial Russian Originally from China; flavored with Kenya High-quality,Assam-like teas with golden liquor, bergamot and other citrus scents full and fruity flavo r.

Malaysia Broken-leaf teas with strong flavor.

Nepal Bright liquor, subtle and slightly fruity flavor similar Sources: Gill, M. 1992. "Specialty and herbal teas," in Tea: Cul­ to Darjeeling. tivation to Consumption. Eds. K. C. Willson and M. N. Clifford. pp. 530-533. Chapman and Hall, London. Originall y repro­ Sikkim Comparable to Darjeeling with more body and hint duced with permission of Ms. Annabel Whittet, Whittet Books, of ripe fruit. Ltd., London. Represented by Van Nostrand Rheinhold, Inc., New York, NY. Available from ABC BookStore, #B 133 Turkey Mild , slightly sugary flavor. The Book ofTea, translated by Deke Dusi nberre. 1992. Flammarion, Paris. Available from ABC BookStore, #B 185

THE BOOK OF TEA by A Stella, N. Beautheac, G. Brochard, and C. Donzel, translated by Deke Dusinberre. 1992. Traces the history, myth, and rituals of tea growing and drinking from the tea gardens of Asia to the tea rooms of london. This beautifully illustrated and designed volume includes a guide to teas and blends that provides everything one needs to know to fully appreciate the richness and infinite variety of tea. Hardcover. 256 pp. $55. #B 185. !See review on page 67.)

TEA: CULTIVATION TO CONSUMPTION Ed. by K. C. Willson and M. N. Clifford. 1992. Investigates the crop, its history, botany, cultivation, production, and the clinical and physiological effects of tea consumption. Hardcover, 769 pp. $190.50 #8133

1\MERIUN Both books are available through the American Botanical Council BookStore. For other books BoT,ANICAL and herbal information products, please see the Herbal Education Catalog accompanying this COJNCIL issue of H ERBALGRAM. Credit card holders order toll free 800/373-71 OS or fax your order 512/331-1924. For more information on the American Botanical Council or HERBALGRAM call 800/373-7105 or write: P.O. Box 20 1660,Austin, TX 78720-1660. ABC is a non-profit research and education organization under IRS code 50 I (c)(3).

48 • H ERBALG RAM 37 ECSTASY continued from page 32

Third, it is ironic that "herbal ec­ REFERENC ES: stacy," although not directly implicated in Alpha Chemical & Biomedical Laboratories. Inc .• J. Ackrell, Frankel. M. and S. Theil. 1996. The Global Garden. Ph .D., Analytical Director. analysis of Blind Samples of News11·eek. May I 3. the Schlendorf affair-although it was in Three Commerci al Products contai ning Ma Huang and Gul ott a. T. S. 1996. Gulotta Law Bans Sale of Deadly Herbal error by initial news reports- may have Caffeine for the American Botanical Council. Petaluma. Drugs. Nassau County (New York) Press Office. May I. California, May 16. 1996. Herrmann. M. A. 1996. Repon of Autopsy. M. E. Case 96- actually benefited in short-term sales due Anonymous. 1996. Herbal Dangers (editorial). New York 0077. 14th District Medical Examiner Office. Panama to the heightened publicity it has gained. Times. April 13 . City. Fla. Mar. 7. (signed Mar. 17). Blumenthal. M. 1996. FDA Holds Expen Advisory Commit­ Kessler. D. 1996. Interview on CBS News " Prime Time Live.'' Finally, one major problem has arisen tee Hearing on Ma Huang: Ex pens Recommend Appro­ April 17. as many responsible and legitimate herb priate Labeling and Warni ngs-Not Banning the Herb. Lamben, B. 1996a. Nassau to Ban Sale of Herbal Stimulant HerbaiGram 36: 2 1-23. 73. Linked to Death. New York Times. April 17. products and manufacturers have been im­ Blumenthal, M. 1993. Firm Wins Appeal in Black Currant Lamben. B. 1996b. Fears Prompting Crackdown on Legal plicated by the "herbal highs" controversy. Oil Case: Coun Chides FDA's "Ali ce-in-Wonderland" Herbal Stimulant. New York Times. April 22. Approach. HerbaiGram 29: 38-39. Leung, A. Y. 1995. Personal communicati on. July 3 1. There are many compelling and appropri­ Blumenthal, M. and P. King. I 995. Ma Hu ang: Ancient Herb. McCaleb, R. I 995. Perspective on Ephedra. Ephedrine. and ate ways that herbs can and do contribute Modem Medicine, Regul atory Dilemma. A Review of Caffeine Products. HerbaiGram 34: 27. 42. the Botany, Che mi stry, Medicin al Use Safety Concerns. Middleberg, R. 1996. Interview on CBS News " Prime Time to public health in the U.S. and around the and Legal Status of Ephedra and It s Alkaloids. Live," Apr. I 7. world. It's too bad that the herbal agenda HerbaiGram 34: 22-26. 43. 56. 57. Moore, E .. I. Guzman and S. Saslovsky. 1996. Herb Probed Blu menthal, M .. G. Webb and P. King. 1995. MaHuang Up­ in Student"s Death : Northport man dies while on spring has to deal with a few companies who are date: In dustry Group Submits Ma Huang Safety Data to break. Newsdav. Mar. I 0. marketing herbs as substitutes for street Texas Depanment of Health. HerbaiGram 35: 2 1-22. Rogers. Patrick. Maria Eftimiades. Greg Aunapu. Michelle Burros. M. and S. Jay. 1996. Concern Is Growing Over an Kell er, Rochelle Jones. 1996. ''Lethal but Legal." People. drugs. The majority of herbal products Herb That Promi ses a Legal High. New York Times. April May 20: I 05-6. are intended for maintaining health, 10. Romero, D. 1996. Pick-Me-Up Feeling Put Down by FDA. Food and Drug Administration. 1996. FDA Statement on Street Los Angeles Times. April 19 . not highs.O Drugs Containing Botanical Ephedrine. April 10. Wright. J. W. J996a. New York State Senate Bill S.6629. Food and Drug Admin istration. 1995. Analytical Results: "Ephedrine. A Controlled Substance:· March 22. Market Review of Food Products Containing Ephedrine­ Wright. J. W. 1996b. New York State Senate Bill S.6629. Type and Xanthine Alkaloids. Washington. D.C. "Ephedrine, A Controlled Substance." March 22. Zell er. M. 1996. Interview with Bob Amon on CBS News "This Morning," April 18.

HERBAL HYPE AND MISINFORMATION

Ingredients listed in "herbal ecstacy'' ently an invented name for Chinese ginseng) is Paulinia cupana, Panax quinquefolium, Ginko (sic) marketing brochure, Apri11995. replaced by "Panax quinquefolium" or Ameri­ biloba L., Cola acuminata, Centella asiatica, can ginseng (see below). Polygonum multiflorum, Camellia sinensis, & While marketing and labeling for most Myristica fragrans." products sold in American commerce have al­ Marketing hype in Herbal Ecstacy ways relied on creative copywriting, the makers Spring 1996 catalog Package label of"herbal ecstacy" purchased of"herbal ecstacy" have go ne to new lengths to by ABC in Austin, Texas: I 0 blue tablets in a invent new names and origins for their herbal " ... In 1992 we introduced three amazing bl ister pack in a Ziploc® bag; directions:"take 5 ingredients. Part of the mystique of"herbal ec­ products. We challenge you to discover the dif­ tablets on an empty stomach. Drink plenty of stacy" has been the exaggerated manner in ference between the real thing and cheap imita­ water. Do not take if you are pregnant, nursing which they have marketed the ingredients in the tions ...."-Michael Seth sayer, Chief Executive or have any pre-existing health problems. I 00% products, going so far as to actually misinform Officer natural. e line [sic] ecstacy contains the follow­ as to the origin and type of ingredients. The The language regarding "herbal ecstacy": ing herbs in standardized concentrate form: following is the listing of ingredients in a black "Our No. I best selling product, featured on Tibetian [sic] Ma Huang,Wild Brazilian Guarana, and white marketing brochure distributed by a MTV, CNN, CBS, in The New York Times and Chinese Black Ginseng,Wild Ginko [sic] Biloba, Dallas-based distributor of the product in April Newsweek Magazine,'herbal ecstacy ™' can be African Raw Cola nut, Gotu-Kola, Fo-Ti-Tieng, 1995. The brochure was printed by Global summarized as a tingly, clean, Green tea extract, Rou Gui World Media. smooth, and effervescent burst (Rare form of Chinese Nut­ "Tibetan Ma Huang,Wild Brazilian Guarana, of spiritually pure energy that meg)." Global World Media Chinese Black Ginseng, German Wild Ginko (sic) stimulates the imagination and Corporation.Trance-Formation BilobaAfrican Raw Cola Nut, Russian Gotu Kola, permeates the entire astral Botanicals (408) 469-3273." Ind onesian Wild Fo-Ti-Tieng,Chinese Green Tea body, lasting for several hours. The blister pack reads, in Extract, Rou Gui (Rare form of Chinese Nut­ Developed by a team of mas­ part:"A synergistic blend of ex­ meg)" ter herbalists from around the otic botanicals containing Wild These ingredients are markedly different world, from rare varieties of Tibetan Ma Huang and Pure from those published in the Spring 1996 cata­ these sacred plants: Imported Rare Brazilian Guarana." log, where the "Chinese Black Ginseng" (appar- Exclusively Ephedrae Sinica (sic),

HERB ALGRAM 37 • 49 resent,

Semi-sweet chocolate. Photo by John Jonietz for Herba/Gram.

The steady decline of cacao plantations throughout the world produces football-shaped drupes 7-10 inches long and about four has led to the revival of small, family owned and operated groves inches in diameter. The drupe is more commonly referred to as a and co-ops. As the economic base of the large plantation system pod. Healthy trees can produce dozens of pods annually. The pods crumbles, farmers band together to create co-ops to better market change color from green to red to purplish-yellow as they ripen. their valuable crop. Cacao has always been a crop that never did The pod is ribbed and fibrous outside, fleshy and acidic in­ adapt well to large-scale production, even in the time of the Mayas. side. The pods are harvested by hand with a special machete so as In order to understand the situation, we need to study the history of not to harm the cushion on which the pods are produced. Future cacao cultivation. blooms and pods are produced on this same cushion. Inside the pod The Swedish botanist, Linnaeus tagged the cacao tree with a are five rows of one-inch-long lenticular seeds. Each pod contains combination of the Greek botanical "theobroma" ("theo," god; 20-50 seeds. Each seed is covered by a purplish-yellow shell. The "broma," food- or "food of the gods") and "cacao" a European­ shell covers white to pinkish-brown kernels or nibs. These kernels, ized spelling of the Nahua, "kakawa," which referred to the seeds of when processed, become various forms of chocolate, cocoa, and the tree. Through mispronunciation, this eventually became known so much in demand around the world. The best quality as "cocoa." chocolate comes from the criollo sub-species derived from T. ca­ A member of the Sterculiaceae family, Theobroma consists of cao. more than 20 species and numerous sub-species commonly classed Theobroma bicolor is a hardier, disease resistant species. either as criollo (native) or forastero (foreign). A third class is Known throughout Mesoamerica by its Nahua name, Pataxte, T. hi­ "Trinitario," a name given to a heterogeneous assemblage of hy­ color is also known as Mountain Cacao in Guatemala. Here it grows brids from Trinidad and Venezuela. Two of the species, T. cacao and in altitudes to 4,000 feet. Even though it is a heavy producer, the T. bicolor, are native to Mexico, , and the northern cacao quality is inferior to that of T. cacao. T. bicolor sub-species part of South America with a secondary speciation on the Pacific are commonly referred to as "forastero" when marketed. Evidence Coast slopes of the Andes. Since they are the source of chocolate of cacao use dates back to 1100 B.C. Archaeologists have discov­ and cocoa, they have become collectively known as "chocolate trees." ered discarded cacao rinds in trash dumps at the Cuello site in north­ A third species, T. grandifiorum, grows in the Amazon and is used em Belize. by the natives as a source for "refrescos" and "dulces." Prior to the Spanish conquest, Mayan and Aztec priests and T. cacao is a small, straight-growing evergreen with oval, peti­ royalty drank copious amounts of a drink made from the fermented olate leaves and a thick trunk. It does not grow well beyond 2,500 and crushed cacao seeds. This drink was called xocoatl or "bitter feet above sea level. This tree can grow to 30 feet or more but is water"' in Nahua. Later in Europe xocoatl became "chocolate." normally kept pruned between 15 and 20 feet when under cultiva­ Xocoatl was used for ceremonies and religious observances. Priests tion. At five years the tree will begin to bloom and bear fruit. It used it as a part of their prayer offerings. Kings drank it for break­ reaches its bearing maturity between the ages of 12 and 50 years but fast. Marriage vows were sealed by drinking xocoatl. lt was a major can live up to 100 years. Small, white, pentamerous, hermaphrodite part of every feast. During the 15th century, Nezahualcoyotl's court flowers bloom in clusters. These are attached directly to the older in Texcoco is recorded as consuming "four xipuipillis" or 32,000 wood on the trunk or branches of the tree. After flowering, the tree beans each day.

50 • HERBALGRAM 37 0~

By Leanna K. Potts Photography by Eldon Leiter except where noted.

Even though the cacao bean was central to Mesoamerican life, only the very wealthy and powerful could afford to use it. In the market place, the beans were accepted as standard currency. On market day, three beans would pur­ chase a turkey egg, 100 beans a slave or a dugout canoe, 65-300 beans a cotton mantle. Since the king and his appointees con­ trolled the production and distribution of the beans from the groves, they also controlled inflation. Counterfeiting of the bean by scooping out the pulp and replacing it with wax or dirt was punishable by death. The value of the bean made counterfeiting worth the risk. Cacao beans continued to be used as standard currency until 1887 in Mexico. The socio-political basis of both the Mayan and Aztec empires was dependent on acquiring vast tracts of land suit­ able for cacao cultivation, enough slaves to work the cacao groves, and roads or waterways by which to transport the har­ vested cacao. Tribute in the form of cacao beans, slaves, and other materials was demanded from all conquered people. Because of this, the empire was constantly at war and con­ tinually expanding. The empire began to outgrow the means by which it had previously supported itself-the milpa. The milpa was an important farming concept developed in Mesoamerica. Generally associated with a maize field, a milpa was in reality a small, individually owned garden or farm growing several sustainable crops. The logic of the milpa was based on the observance of the symbiotic relationship between certain plants. For instance, it was common practice to plant com, beans, and squash together in order to better utilize space and nutrients. Milpa could also refer to any small farm that not only raised subsistence crops but also had a small orchard or cacao field surrounding the main field.

Mature Cacao pods near Mayan ruins of Comalcalco in Tabasco, Mexico.

H ERB ALG RAM 37 • 51 OOhat i~ crJhocolate? European Union policy-makers are struggling to de­ fine exactly which combination of ingredients should were usually planted along a canal or ditch. ln swampy regions, allow a product to be called "chocolate:' Belgium and land was reclaimed by digging canals and piling the dirt from the seven other EU countries with reputations for produc­ canals into raised beds. The muck and excess waterplants pulled ing fine quality chocolate insist that only pure chocolate from the canals provided added nutrients and mulch for the trees. In made entirely with cocoa butter from beans primarily addition, the canals provided a waterway for travel to market as well imported fromWestAfrica should be permitted to bear as an extensive irrigation system and source of water for the drier the name "chocolate:· Great Britain and the other six regions. Fish and shellfish gleaned from the canals were an added EU countries which permit their chocolate manufactur­ ers to replace up to five percent of the cocoa butter dietary benefit. with cheaper vegetable oils insist that the name "choco­ The cacao was not only drought sensitive but was also wind late" refers to many different combinations of ingredi­ sensitive and nitrogen dependent. Growing naturally as a middlestory ents. The purists are concerned that their products will tree in the rainforests of Mesoamerica, the cacao was sheltered from be undersold by cheaper products, and are pushing for the wind and sun. The frequent thunderstorms provided additional the adoption of another term, such as "chocolate with nitrogen. lt was commonly found growing in close proximity to the substitutes," to be used for the less pure products. Madre de cacao ( Gliricidia sepium). Studies have shown that Madre In trying to resolve this issue of standardization, de cacao not only provided protection but also nitrogen. As a mem­ the EU Commission finds itself caught in the middle. ber of the Leguminaceae family, Madre de cacao's leaves were high "Whatever we do will be attacked from one side or the in nitrogen and its root nodules contained nitrogen-fixing bacteria. other:' said a Commission spokesperson. --GingerWebb With the cacao's root system close to the surface, the abundant leaf [Reference: Lawrence, Mark. War over meaning of "chocolate" leaves Europeans bitter. Austin American­ matter provided by Madre de cacao provided a steady source of ni­ Statesman, October 25, 1995.] trogen as well as trace amounts of coumarin. Coumarin acts as a mouse poison and cacao beans were a favorite food of mice. lnterplanting the two trees in the milpa provided an ideal symbiotic relationship. The arrival of the Spanish conquistadors brought many changes. One of these was the encomienda system. Under the encomienda system, Spanish governors were entrusted with the well-being and Christianization of the Indians of specific regions in return for the right to demand goods and services from these Indi­ Milpas required fewer laborers. With the smaller groves, the ans. The regional tribute paid to Spain more than doubled from that cacaotero, or person in charge of caring for the cacao, could be more which had been paid to the Aztec kings. In Soconusco, according to vigilant concerning the health and age of the trees. However, as the the Mendoza Codex, the Mayans paid 200 cargas (1 carga or bundle population grew, so did the amount of land and the labor needed for = 67 lbs. of cacao beans) annually to the Aztec ruler prior to coloni­ the raising of cacao and other crops. Since the cacao crop was har­ zation. Under colonial rule, the amount paid reached 548 cargas. vested year round, slave labor became imperative in the operation of Chocolate became as much a favorite of the European courts as it the larger groves. had been a favorite of the Aztec courts. By the late 16th century, Most milpas were prepared by the Mexico City was exporting up to 6,000 slash-and-bum method. The nutrients pro­ cargas each year to Spain. Cacao was big vided by this method were high in potash business and attracted the attention of other but benefits from this style of farming were countries such as Portugal, England, and the short term. The quick release of nutrients Netherlands. often exceeded the ability of most plants Cacao beans and plants were pirated to assimilate them before the nutrients and planted in Trinidad and Brazil. Eventu­ were lost through leeching and runoff. ally plantations were established in the Gulf With the overstory eliminated, the leaf lit­ of Guinea, off the West coast of Africa, main­ ter was also eliminated. This green ma­ land Africa, and the Far East. All of these nure provided a rich mulch that maintained countries were tropical regions within 20 an even soil temperature, controlled weeds degrees either side of the equator. Here the and insects, and prevented fungus. Crops cacao was provided with 80 or more inches had to be rotated to get the maximum ben­ of rain annually and a mean seasonal tem­ efit from the soil. New fields were cleared perature no lower than 65 degrees F. nor every 4-6 years while older fields were above 95 degrees F. allowed to lie fallow for I 0-15 years. This In Africa, growers discovered the method was practical when populations yield increased with the elimination of the were small but became impractical as the overstory. What had not been taken into con­ population grew. sideration was that the overstory prevented To maximize the use of the fields in lateriatic soils from losing the rich organic regions like Chiapas, Soconusco, and content provided by these trees. They also Tabasco where cacao was of prime impor­ Cacao blooms, buds, and immature pod protected the shallow root system of the ca- tance, the drought-sensitive cacao trees in Peru . cao from the sun and kept the fragile soil

52 • HERBALGRAM 37 The Mural of Ancient Clc:axtla

The name Cacaxtla (pronounced Kah­ Much of the art influence in the mural In the center of the mural just in front haksh-dah) in the language of the Aztec who is from Teotihuacan area, but many histori­ of the man the artist shows the cacao tree later dominated this area of Mexico means ans believe the builders of Cacaxda were with blossoms and pods. The cacao doesn't "the place of the cacaxtrtli" or"merchant's Olmeca-Xicalanca, a little-known group of grow in this area but does occur along the backpack." The site lies a short distance warrior-merchants originally from the Gulf Gulf Coast many miles to the east where southwest of the historic city ofTiaxcala, Coast region. the Maya culture flourished. slightly northwest of the city of Pueblo and The man in this mural with his back­ Also shown are the corn plants, the approximately 80 miles east of Mexico City. pack propped behind him represents one water lily blossom attached to the tail of Cacaxda thrived between A.D. 650 and of the Maya gods who is often portrayed the feathered serpent, and many animals, 900 in the tumult that came with the de­ as a Merchant God wearing his long jade birds, snakes, and other creatures of the cline of the nearby metropolis Teotihuacan. beads and his unique hat which is attached sea. The cacao beans were used as a fer­ to his backpack. mented drink and in many areas the beans were used as a medium of exchange. 0

from baking hard. Strains that had proven disease resistant in Native trees had built a resistance to the disease over the centuries Mesoamerica were exposed to new disease and fungus problems. but the cacao had no resistance. Within a few short years entire Some overstory trees harbored beneficial insects such as the plantations were destroyed. This was a major disaster to Ghana and midges of the family Ceratopogonidae, as well as honey bees, red the Ivory Coast, whose economy had become dependent on thi s ants, and thrips. These insects were necessary to the pollination of cash crop. the cacao and to the amount of seed each pod would produce. On When cacao became a major cash crop in Ghana, it changed the other hand, some of the trees were found to harbor harmful in­ the traditional agricultural standards of the country. As a cash crop, sects that brought deadly diseases to the groves. In 1940 into 1950 it was grown exclusively, to the detriment of subsistence crops. Prime and again in 1970 into early 1980, Swollen Shoot disease decimated fields that were once used to grow a number of subsistence crops the cacao groves of Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Swollen Shoot is a were used solely for the growing of cacao. The subsistence crops disease that occurs naturally in the native forests of Southern Africa. were relegated to regions with poorer soil or were purchased from

HERBALGRAM 37 • 53 Cacaxtla Mural detail, the cacao plant.

other areas not involved in the grow­ replanted withforastero or trinitario ing of cash crops. Women and chil­ stock. Although the demand for ca­ dren had been responsible for the cao was still high, the sales of the tending and harvesting of the subsis­ poorer grade brought down the profit tence crops. Cacao as a "cash" crop margin. This continuing downward became a "man's" crop. This gave spiral was forcing more of the larger the man less time for hunting. Trans­ operations out of business. portation time to and from the groves With the market still intact, led to less spare time for the making family and individual growers began and selling of traditional crafts. Cash replanting the groves and establish­ crops also brought about environ­ ing co-ops. The co-ops were respon­ mental problems. They replaced the sible for the processing and market­ natural rainforest area, quickly de­ ing of the cacao. These co-ops al­ pleted the soil, and caused other lowed the smaller operations to com­ changes in the rainforest dynamics. pete in the world market. On the positive side, the out- Biotechnology began to play side marketing of cacao in Ghana was government controlled with a a major role in the cacao groves. Overstory plantings were studied. fixed price paid to the farmers. The extra money earned by cacao Plant relationships and the environment were carefully considered. sales was used for civic projects such as roads and schools. It also Public demands for less use of synthetic fertilizers, fungicides, and aided in achieving Ghana's independence from Great Britain. insecticides brought about a search for new disease-resistant strains With the onset of the Swollen Shoot disease, the economy of cacao and safer methods for controlling disease in the groves. and environment of Ghana and the Ivory Coast were greatly affected. Currently, 80 percent of the beans are still being exported from Sprays had no effect. Only the irradiation of all trees that harbored Africa to supply 95 percent of the world demand. Entering today's the disease and the planting of newer, more resistant strains of cacao market is a newly founded operation on Oahu, Hawaii. The Hawai­ eventually brought the problem under control. By that time, most of ian Vintage Chocolate Co. has crossbred the criollo variety to pro­ the large cacao farms and plantations were gone. Farmers were hesi­ duce a unique Hawaiian variety. tant to take the risk of re-planting new strains of cacao in older in­ The Kona and Keaau trees are genetically engineered to pro­ fected fields. Therefore, new fields were cleared in existing rainforest duce in two years and are grown in full sun. They are heavy bearers areas. This perpetuated the previously mentioned environmental producing a nutty-flavored bean with less acidity and bitterness than problems caused by the destruction of the fragile forest. other criollo varieties. By the beginning of the 20th century, two-thirds of the world's Even though the American diet has changed, the U.S. is still cacao was being shipped to the United Kingdom and the United the top importer of cacao, not only for confections, but also for phar­ States. At the onset of World War II, both of these consumers had maceutical uses. Cacao has been used for centuries as a medicinal. stockpiled a year's supply of cacao beans. Germany was also a large Recent studies show cacao to be high in theobromine, a purine alka­ consumer of cacao. The Germans, however, were cut off from their loid which has both a calming effect on the brain and an energizing supply since all the cacao-producing regions were under the control effect on the nervous system. Both theobromine and caffeine are of the allies. For that first year of the war, the cacao market suffered found in chocolate and both act as a diuretic. It has also been found a major setback due to the lack of sales. The war also caused further to stimulate the appetite and reduce fatigue. Studies are being con­ shipping and marketing difficulties. The lack of consumer goods in ducted to better understand the effect that phenylethylamine, a com­ the producing countries encouraged neglect of the groves since there ponent of cacao, has on the brain. Cocoa butter has been used for was nothing for which to trade. The unavailability of low-cost fer­ centuries as a bum ointment, as a vaginal or rectal suppository, a tilizers and insecticides led to the loss of many trees. Many planta­ beauty cream, and as an emollient. tions did not reforest their land as trees became unproductive or dis­ The cacao market remains strong. Since the beginning of this eased. Plantation owners and farmers looking for a new source of century, there has been another major adjustment in the manner in income planted the fields with sugar cane and coffee. Petroleum which cacao has been cultivated. Despite the social and political fields utilized the labor that was no longer used in the cacao groves. upheavals throughout the centuries, the cultivation of cacao remains After the war, the demand for quality chocolate shifted in the ethnoagriculturally centered around the philosophy of the U.S. from "Fancy" to "Medium" grade. A "Medium" grade stan­ Mesoamerican milpa. 0 dard required a larger quantity of cocoa butter of which forastero beans were the best source. More forastero varieties were being planted and harvested while the criollo groves were abandoned or

54 • HERBALGRAM 37 Ka kaw (ka-ka-wa), Cacao, one of the known Mayan glyph s.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Orell ana, Sandra L. (1987 ), 1ndinn Medicine in Highland Guatemala, Un iversity of New Mexico Anonymous, Planter, Vol. 67 ( I 99 I), "The Cacao Boom and its Subsequent Dilemma with Press, Albuquerque, NM , pp. 84-88, 93, I I I -5, 136, I 69, 246-8 Parttcul ar Reference to Sabah," Worl d Agri cul tural Economics and Rural Sociology Osun ade, M.A.A. ( I 99 I), International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Science, Vol. Abstracts 17, No. 3," Agricultural Change by Supplanti ng Process in a Traditional Farming Sys­ Anthony, Kenneth M., Johnston, Bruce F. , Jones, Will iam 0., an d Uchendu, Vi ctor C. ( 1979 ) tem ", Dept. of Geography, Abafe mi Awo lowo Uni versity, igeria, pp. 201 -209 Agricultural Change in Tropical Africa, Cornell Uni versity Press, Ithaca, NY Paulin, D., Mossu , G., Lachenaud, and Cilas, C. ( I 993), The Cacao Cafe Vol. 37, No. I, " Co­ Baker, Herbert G. (1965), Plants and Civilization, Wadsworth Publishing, Co. Inc., Belmont, coa Breedin g in Cote-d' lvoire. Performance Analysis of Sixty-Two Hybrids in Four Lo­ CA. pp. I I 3-4 calities," pp. 3-20 Berdan, Frances F. ( I982) , The Aztecs of Central Mexico, Holt, Reinhart, and Winston, NY, pp. Pertchik, Harriet (195 1), Flowering Trees of the Ca ribbean, Rinehart and Co. , Inc. NY, pp. 1502-20 72-74 Berrie, Alex M. ( 1977), An Introduction to the Botany of the Major Crop Plants, Heyden and Record, Samuel J. and Mell , Clayton D. (1924), 7imbers of Tropical America, New Haven Son, Ltd., Great Britain, pp. I 53-6 Yale Uni versity Press, London, pp. 427-8 Budowski, G. (1993), Agroforestry Systems, Vol. 23, Nos. 2-3, "The Scope and Potential of Royer, M.H., Dowler, W.M ., and Huber, D.M. ( I 990), Major Diseases ofTropics and Subtrop­ Agroforestry in Central America," pp. I 2 I- I 3 I lcs\- Banana, Cacao, Cassava, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture , Agricultural Research Ser­ Cadbury Bros. ( I 927), Cocoa- The Story of its Cultivation, Cad bury Bros., Ltd., Bournville vice, Washington D.C., Oct. J990, pp. 14-40 de Cando lie, Alphonse. ( 1959) Origin of Cultivated Plants, Hafner Publishing Co., NY, Schery, Rowbert W. ( 1972), Plants for Man, Prentice-Hal l, Inc. Englewood Cliffs, NJ, pp. pp. 313-4. 566, 592-596 Clark, Joan. ( 1995), Honolu lu Advertiser, "Chocolate: Food of the Gods," February 8, 1995, p. Scholes, France V. and Roys, Ralph L. ( I 968), The Maya Chontal lndians of Acalan Tu:chel, 8. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, OK Daubenrnire, Rexford. ( 1978), Plant Geography, Academic Press, NY, pp. 268-9 Schul tz, B., Becker, B., and Eotsch, E. (1994), Agroforestry Systems, Vol. 25, o. I, "Indig­ Emmart, Emily Walcott. Translation of The Badianus Manuscript (Codex Barberini, Latin enous Knowledge in a Modern Sustainable Agroforestry System- A Case Study from 241), Vatican Library, An Aztec Herbal of I 552 (I 940) Johns Hopkins Press, Baltimore, Eastern Brazil," Forestry Abstracts, pp. 59-69 MD, pp. I 52, I 82, 270- I, 273-4, 309- 1 I. Sex ton. James D. ( I 992), Mayan Folktales, Doubleday Pu blishing, NY, pp. XIV-XV, 90 Fli tner, M. ( I 99 I), Geographische Rundschau, Vol. 43, No. 2, "Biotechnology and Agricul ­ Sokolov, Raymond. (1991 ), Why We Eat What We Ea t, Summit Books, NY, pp. 32, 36, 105, tural Producti on in the Developing Coun tries," Universitat Hambu rg, pp. 78-83 133- 137 Fowler, C., Lachkovics, E., Mooney, P., and Shand, H. ( 1988), Development Dialogue No. 1-2, Taylor, S.J . and Hadley, P. (1988), "Relati onships Between Root and Shoot Growth in Cocoa 'The Laws of Li fe . Another Development and the New Biotechnologies," AgBiotech Grown Under Different Shade Regimes," Proceedings of the Tenth International Cocoa News and Info rmation Research Conference in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, May 1987, Horticultural Free, John B. ( 1970), Insect Pollination of Crops, Academic Press, NY, pp. 169-82 Abstracts, pp. 177- 183 Garcia, Maria Luisa Sabau. De Mexico AI Mundo ; Plantas, Printed in Mexico, pp. 54-5. Thompson, J. Eric. S. ( 1966), The Rise and Fall of Maya Civilization, University of Oklahoma von Hagen, Victor Wolfgang. (I 96 1), The Ancient Sun Kingdoms ofth e Americas, Worl d Pu b­ Press, Norman, OK pp. 22, 25, 93, 15 I, 184, 222, 235, 246, 2 I 9-22 1 li shing Co., Cleveland, OH, pp. 209, 251 , 269, 272, 275 Timberlake, Lloyd. (I 986), Africa in Crisis, New Society Publishers, Philadelphi a, PA Hammond, Norm an. ( 1982), Ancient Maya Civilization, Ru tgers University Press, New Timne-Li fe Lost Civilizations. ( I 993) The Magnificent Maya, Time Life Books, Alexandria, Brunswick, NJ, pp.l 62, 22 1-222,229,290, 302 VA , pp. 57-8 Hill, Albert F. (I 937), Economic Botany, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., NY, pp. 222, 227, 298, Time-Life Lost Civili zations. ( I 993), Aztecs: Reign of Blood and Splendor, Time Life Books, 30 I, 506-9, 545 Alexandria, VA, pp. I 9, 129-30 Hu rst, Phi lip. (1990), Rainforest Politics, Zed Books, Ltd., London and New Jersey, p. 146. Tosco, Uberto. ( 1973), The World ofWi I djlowers and Trees, Bounty Books, Division of Crown Hurt, R. Douglas. ( I 987 ), 1ndinn Agriculture in America, University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, Pu blishing, In c., NY, pg. I 22 KS, pp. 3- 10 Vi ola, Herman J. and Margolis, Carolyn. (199 I), Seeds of Change, Smithsonian Institution Hu xley, Anthony. ( 1992), Green Inheritance, Four Walls Eight Windows Publishing, NY, pp. Press, Washington, pg.57 88-89. Voorhi es, Barbara. ( 1989), Ancient Trade and Tribute; Economies oft he Soconusco Region of Jones, Chester Ll oyd. (I 940), Guatemala- Past and Present, Uni versity of Minnesota Press, Mesoamerica, Uni versity of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, UT, pp. 56-60, 72-77, 87-88, Mi nneapolis, MN, pp. 197-8 288-324 Lehner, Ernst and Johanna. ( I 973), Folklore and Odysseys of Food and Medicinal Plants, Walter, Heinrich. (1979), Vegetation of the Earth, Springer-Verlag, NY, pp. 49-67 1\tdor Publishing Co., NY, pp. 41 -43 West, Robert, Editor. (I 964,) Handbook of Middle American Indians, Natural Environment Miller, Kenton. (199 1), Trees of Life, Beacon Press, Boston, MA, pp. 27-52 and Culture, Volume I, Uni versity of Texas Press, Austin, TX, pp. 70, 96, 226, 246-7, Miller, Mary and Taube, Karl. (I 993), The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya, 254, 288-9, 376, 380, 440 Thames and Hudson, London, pp. 48-9, I 12, I 15, 146-8 Wick izer, V.D. ( 195 1) , Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa, Stanford Uni versity Press, Stanford , CA pp. Milton, John P. (I 972), The Ca reless Technology, Natural History Press, Garden City, NY, pp. 26 1-458 84-5, 469-478, 554. Woodward, Ralph Lee, Jr. ( I 985), Central America; A Nation Divided, Oxford Uni versity Morton, Julia F. ( I 98 1), Atlas of Medicinal Plants of Middle America, Charles C. Thomas, Press, Oxford, pp. I I, I 9, 36, 45, 5 I, 65 , 69, 159 Publisher, Springfi eld, IL, pp. 3 I 9-20, 556-7 Yates, P. Larnari ne. ( 1981 ), Mexico's Agricultural Dilemma, Un iversity of Arizona Press, Tuc­ Navarro, Fray Juan. Historia Natural o Jardin American Manuscrito de 1801 (1992), son, AZ, pp. 52, 55, 58-9, 222, 225-26 Uni versidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico D.F. , pp. 90, 164 Young, A.M. (1994) Smithsonian Nature Books: Th e Chocolate Tree: A Natural History of Cacao, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washi ngton, D.C.

The illustration is from an etch ing on bone representing A Cacao, the center figure with the headress of a Cacao plant, being paddled in a canoe to the underworld. This was found in Temple One, considered the tomb of A Cacao, at Tikal in Guatemala.

H ERBALGRAM 37 55 MARKET REPORT

SURVEY INDICATES INCREASING HERB USE

More than 63 percent of the 1,008 The survey reveals that consumers would consider taking an herbal remedy for: adults queried in a recent national survey said • Increasing energy 60% that herbal supplements will be "the answer • Preventing colds 56% to many common ailments" or "part of our • Boosting the immune system 54% daily regimen" within five years. The sur­ • Improving sleep 43 % vey was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation for Leiner Health Products, a Of the 505 men surveyed, 18 percent would consider taking an herbal supplement to California-based manufacturer of herbs and help with prostate problems. other dietary supplements sold in the mass When asked what factor would make them decide to take herbal supplements, the market. respondents cited: According to some studies, the total • A physician's recommendation 66% herbal supplement market in the U.S. was • "Because it can't hurt and might help" 41 % $445 million in 1991, growing to nearly $772 • "Because nothing else has helped my condition" 34% million in 1995. One industry source pro­ • News coverage discussing herbal supplement benefits 26% jected herbal supplement sales at more than • Friends using herbals 15% $1.6 billion by the year 2001, a compound Only four percent of those surveyed said they would never decide to take annual growth rate of 13 .5 percent (1994 ments, March 1996.0 through 2001). However, according to are­ port by Peggy Brevoort ("The U.S. Botani­ cal Market-An Overview" HerbalGram No. 36), U.S. herb sales at retail in 1994 were already at $1.6 billion with sales in 1996 es­ timated to be at or above $2 billion.

Consumers would consider herbs for:

Increasing Energy

Preventing Colds

Boosting Immunity

Improving Sleep 43o/o

63°/o of consumers predict widespread use of herbal supplements in 5 years. Source: Leiner Health Products/Opinion Research Corp.

56 • HERBALGRAM 37 MARKET REPORT

by Peter Landes

Spices: Spices have had some major really major moves yet, but lots of evidence are offered that are either the wrong plant, market moves since our last report. Black of upward price pressure. Chilies have also the wrong part of the right plant, the right Pepper sunk briefly with the devaluation of risen in price recently, along with Ginger plant harvested at the wrong time, and vari­ the Indian Rupee, but rebounded just as from both India and China. Apparently ous combination of the above. This has cre­ quickly. Supply and demand seem to be in growers are finally tired of losing money or ated a two-tier market of good quality mate­ balance for a change, and with India's crop making next to nothing growing or harvest­ rial and low to abysmal grades. The "real," largely harvested and ready for marketing, ing these difficult crops. Look for some fairly i.e., high-quality market has had some up­ probably major price moves are already dis­ stiff price increases on this summer's Medi­ ward movement of price due to growers, har­ counted. terranean-type herbs and seeds. vesters, and exporters actually having to White Pepper, which seems to be run­ make living in Eastern Europe at cost-of-liv­ ning out at origin, is poised for one more ma­ Botanicals-Domestics: The big ing prices that are rapidly approaching those jor price increase before new crop supplies news this time around is the bizarre price of Central and Western Europe. arrive on stream in July/August. Apparently, increases on U.S. botanicals. It's almost as The days of artificial economies where initial reports of a small Indonesian crop of though 15- or 20- years worth of normal price rent was $15/month and a loaf of bread was only about 15,000 tons was correct and escalations have all hit in a six to 12 month two or three cents are gone, along with the carryover from last year's crop was relatively period. Probably the most illustrative of these days of incredibly cheap, good-quality bo­ small, leading traders to wonder if supplies increases have occurred in two items (Saw tanicals that were exported by a state entity will be adequate to meet world demand until Palmetto and Goldenseal) where demand that was only interested in generating any new crop material is available. This sort of has increased in a major way and supplies amount of hard currency. Some of the more situation makes farmer, shippers, importers, have simultaneously diminished. According rapidly westernizing Eastern countries are etc., hold back whatever supplies they have to some sellers, prices of Saw Palmetto have rapidly turning into net importers of the very or have contracted in hopes of supply risen approximately I ,000-1,200 percent at items they used to export only a few years squeezes and major profits on their remain­ this writing, but holders are now scrambling ago. Interesting problems loom on the bo­ ing stocks until the whole thing probably to sell and prices are dropping daily as the tanical horizon. Our report in the next Herb­ comes crashing down around them with news specter of increased new crop supply looms a/Gram (#38) should have more concrete of major crops corning in a few months. on the near horizon. Goldenseal (especially information as availability of spring and sum­ Nutmeg continues in the doldrums, good quality root) is at least four times the mer crops becomes known. while Mace (made, of course, from the self­ price of last year (currently about $55/lb.) same fruit) continues to rise in price and sink and demand certainly isn 't slowing down. Potpourri Items: The market has sta­ in availability-{;ertainly a rather strange A word of caution: reliable, trustwor­ bilized to a great degree but supply is still situation. thy suppliers and eternally vigilant quality somewhat tenuous. India has emerged as by Cloves have increased about 30 per­ control are necessary in chaotic markets like far the main supplier of most potpourri com­ cent in price but supplies remain adequate. these; adulteration abounds and high prices ponents and slowly qualities have improved Apparently rumors of a major Indonesian for practically medicinally useless plant parts to usable levels. Prices have commensura­ shortage were false, since, if Indonesia re­ are common. bly crept upward over the last few months ally needs to import Cloves they import in but still remain amazingly cheap. This situ­ massive quantities to fill the ever-increasing Botanicals-Imports: Imported bo­ ation will not last forever. Dependent as these demand for Kretek (clove) cigarettes-by far tanicals are becoming more and more prob­ prices are on incredibly low labor rates, they the world's major use of cloves. In fact, new lematic also. While prices remain more or can certainly be expected to rise as labor rated crop cloves are currently offered at consid­ less stable, useful qualities become harder inevitably do. Potpourri makers should en­ erable discount, further discrediting the ru­ and harder to come by. joy these golden years of reasonable quality mor. With the collapse of communism in the and very low prices while they can. Cur­ Other spices which languished in the East came the rapid rise of vast numbers of rently the only cloud on the potpourri hori­ trading doldrums for years are starting to thoroughly amateurish and incompetent "bo­ zon is the short crop this year of the ubiqui­ build some upward price momentum. These tanical exporters," most of whom haven't the tous Globe Amaranth Flowers, but crops include Basil, Marjoram, Anise Seed , resources or equipment or knowledge to ex­ in March and April may bring relief. 0 Cumin Seed (a very manipulated item), All­ port a usable quality of material-either in Peter Landes is vice president ofMar­ spice, Fennel Seed-most everything. No cleanliness or overall quality. Many items ket Reports at KHL Flavors, Maspeth, New York.

HERBALGRAM 37 • 57 CONFERENCE REPORT

GAIA HERB SYMPOSIUM NATUROPATHIC HERBAL WISDOM CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF BOTANICAL MEDICINE

by David Hoffmann, MNIMH*

Over 400 participated in the sixth an­ What it comes down to is that no gen­ teractions. This led into a discussion of nual Gaia Herb Symposium, October 28-30, eralizations can actually be made about all phytoestrogens and their interaction with 1995, including naturopaths, M.D.s, nurse constituents which are phytoestrogenic, be­ estrogen receptor sites. practitioners, phytotherapists, and pharma­ cause each has a different spectrum of ef­ This author raised a contentious issue cists. Sponsored and organized by Gaia fects . in discussing "Toxicity and Safety-How Herbs of Harvard, Massachusetts, the pro­ Most confusion has arisen concerning Much is Real and How Much is Politics?" ceeds were donated to botanical research at therapeutic conclusions about the treatment Starting with a brief overview of the prin­ both Bastyr University in Seattle and the of breast cancer. Estrogens in general are all ciples of toxicology, he reviewed current National College of Naturopathic Medicine carcinogenic. This is one of the real prob­ knowledge concerning the toxicology of our in Portland, Oregon. lems with hormone replacement therapy. materia medica, with emphasis on the toxic­ Featured was a focus on women's Phytoestrogens act as antagonists to estro­ ity of herbal products, their contaminants and health and a lively panel discussion entitled gen in type ll estrogen receptors in the breast, adulterants. Toxic properties of specific bo­ "Botanical & Clinical Forum on Women's and so might be used to reduce the dangers tanicals were identified, with indications for Health," with a panel consisting of Mary of breast cancer from estrogens. their use and the importance of risk/benefit Bove, N.D., Cascade Anderson Geller, Tori A range of lectures addressed phyto­ decisions highlighted. Hudson, N.D., Bill Mitchell, N.D., and this pharmacological concerns at various levels In "Nutraceuticals: The Healing Com­ author. A recurring theme was the issue of of technical sophistication. ponents of Foods," Bill Mitchell, N.D., dis­ clinical realities interfacing with theories­ An excellent example of recognizing cussed recent research on a pigment in el­ these might be phytotherapeutic, allopathic, a need and then offering alternatives in re­ derberry which is successful in treating and pharmacological theories, or the over­ sponse was presented in a two-part lecture trigeminal neuralgia, a stubborn and painful stated claims of product marketers. by Bill Caradonna, R.Ph. and Bill Mitchell, condition. Of greatest relevance to current dilem­ N.D., entitled "Pharmaceuticals used in the Regular and much valued features of mas facing the clinician was the controversy treatment of inflammatory disease and their this symposium are the research reviews of­ around wild yam and "natural progesterone." botanical alternatives." The presenters dis­ fered by Michael Murray, N.D. In "Botani­ The panel members and most of the com­ cussed the pharmacology of nonsteroidal cal Research: The Year in Review," he pre­ ments from the participants emphasized the antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs ), their uses sented an overview of the important clinical lack of progesteronal effects from Dioscorea and side effects, then followed with an over­ research studies during the past twelve villosa in practice. view of botanical antiinflarnmatories, which months. "Cardiovascular Effects of Com­ The clinical role of phytoestrogens were compared and contrasted with NSAIDs. mercial Garlic Preparations" included a de­ with their range of actions and potency was Cascade Anderson Geller presented an tailed review of the clinical use of garlic another topic of heated debate. This vari­ excellent introductory review of secondary preparations in the treatment of elevated cho­ ability points up the importance of fully char­ metabolites, entitled "Predominate constitu­ lesterol levels, hypertension, and stroke. acterizing each phytoestrogen in terms of its ent groups in common plants." The contribution of naturopathic sites of action, balance of agonistic and an­ As part of the symposium's focus on phytotherapy to women's health was admi­ tagonistic properties, natural potency, and women's health, this author presented a bio­ rably presented by Tori Hudson, N.D., and short-term and long-term effects.' Phytoster­ chemical review entitled "Receptor Sites and Mary Bove, N.D., MNIMH. Drawing on her ols, lignans, and isoflavones have all been the Phytotherapist," a discussion of current extensive experience in managing en­ shown to possess both anti-estrogenic and ideas concerning the pharmacology of recep­ dometriosis with botanicals, in "Herbal estrogenic activity.2 This apparent contradic­ tor proteins. Primary attention was placed Therapies for Endometriosis," Dr. Hudson tion results from the array of tests used to on the different estrogen receptors, discus­ discussed some formulas and treatment pro­ indicate estrogenicity, each evaluating dis­ sion of their biochemistry and the ­ tocols, with case histories, including a review tinct responses on the spectrum of estrogenic nisms of steroid hormone/receptor/gene in- of the newest theories on the cause of this activities. disease.

58 • HERBALGRAM 37 CONFERENCE REPORT

.,. Wild yam, Dioscorea villosa. Courtesy of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburg, PA.

Dr. Hudson presented the pros and Cascade Ander­ cons of conventional and botanical female son Geller presented a hormonal therapy in a lecture entitled "Hor­ series of practical mone Supportive Therapy and Hormone classes. In "Botanical Replacement Therapy From Plants to Phar­ Formulas for Respira­ maceuticals." tory Conditions," she Chronic infections are often an indi­ discussed the constitu­ cation of a non-localized imbalance in the ents which ease the body. In a lecture entitled "Botanical Treat­ symptoms of asthma, ment of Chronic Vaginal Infections," Dr. coughs, bronchitis, and Bove discussed the whole-body approach to other respiratory condi­ chronic vaginal infections, with botanical tions. "Skin Therapies therapies for correcting the imbalance and Using Herbs" included treating the symptoms. botanical formulas for In "Use of Herbs in Pregnancy and bacterial infections, fun­ Lactation," Dr. Bove, an accomplished mid­ gal infections, warts, wife as well as phytotherapist and naturo­ herpes,diaperrash,con­ path, integrated insights from her chosen tact dermatitis (poison fields in discussing appropriate herbs and oak and ivy, etc.), bed­ their rational use for common problems of sores, bums, bites, and pregnancy and lactation. At a less technical stings. Her lecture en­ OIOSCOREA VILLOS A • . level in "Breast Cancer Prevention: Science titled "Herbal Consider- and Common Sense," Dr. Hudson described ations for the Urinary botanical, nutritional, and lifestyle prescrip­ System" covered the therapeutic categories In "Botanical Treatment of Multiple tions for preventing breast cancer. of direct relevance for the urinary tract. Sclerosis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclero­ Dr. Bove explored the unique needs of William LeSassier offered an in-depth sis," Dr. Mitchell discussed the plant chemi­ infants 0-18 months in "Infant Health Care study of the progression of joint disorders cals which are thought to aggravate these with Herbal Therapies." As she eloquently from trauma to chronicity to deterioration in auto-immune diseases, contrasting them with showed, botanical treatment of commonly a class entitled "Useful Herbs for Joint Dis­ others that aid in their treatment. occurring illnesses of this age (colds and flu , orders: Using External and Internal Appli­ Bill Mitchell discussed the many is­ fever, diaper rash, earache, diarrhea, etc.) can cations." sues around the naturopathic approach to be a safe, gentle, and effective modality when This author presented a case history cancer in a lecture entitled "Cancer: Are caution and responsibility are employed. concerning rheumatoid arthritis, using it as Lemons and Red Raspberries Really Effec­ Molly Linton, N.D., in "Acute Pediat­ an opportunity to discuss British tive?'' The latest treatments for cancers of ric Care: Botanical and Natural Therapeutic phytotherapeutic practice. Entitled "Rheuma­ the lung, colon, and breast were presented in Regimes," presented an overview of the treat­ toid Arthritis: A Phytotherapeutic Contribu­ this lecture. In "Herbal and Natural Strate­ ment of childhood health problems. Dr. tion to its Management," he explored the use gies for Treating and Preventing Cancer," Linton discussed some thorny questions with of phytotherapy in both the treatment and Donald Yance presented dietary, nutritional, her lecture, "How to Raise Children With­ management of this difficult autoimmune and lifestyle aspects of treating and prevent­ out Antibiotics." condition. ing cancer. Special emphasis was placed on

HERBALGRAM 37 • 59 CONFERENCE REPORT

disorders from a Ryan Drum, Ph.D., and Cascade naturopathic per­ Anderson Geller provided the green heart spective. of the symposium by leading herb " Treating walks through the surrounding meadows Chronic Conditions and forests. 0 Botanically: Strate­ gies for Difficult * David Hoffmann is a graduate Cases," provided member of theN ational Institute of Medical William LeSassier Herbalists, United Kingdom, and is the with the opportunity author of numerous books, including The to discuss common Information Sourcebook of Herbal reasons why chronic Medicine, available from ABC Bookstore, conditions do not #B077. His article, "Some Challenges Elderberry, Sambucus canadensis. change. He explored Facing Herbalism in North America," Photo © 1996 Steven Foster how to determine the appeared in HerbalGram #33. levels of pathogenic The 1996 Gaia symposia will be held influence from both a on June 1-3 in Asheville, North Carolina and phytochemicals in food which help in can­ Chinese and Western perspective, and how November 2-4 in Welches, Oregon. For cer prevention. Botanical medicines were herbal treatments can affect such conditions. more information please contact the orga­ classified by their actions in his detailed dis­ In "Botanical Management of Red Blood nizers at 800/252-0688. cussion including adaptogens, antioxidants, Cell Imbalances: A Synthesis of Oriental & alteratives and detoxifying herbs, immune­ Western Theories," LeSassier gave a bio­ 1 Whitten, P. L. , Lewis, C., Ru ssell, E., Naftolin, F. 1995. Potential adverse effects of phytoestrogens. J Nutr boosting and anticancer botanicals, and herbs medical overview of red blood cell anatomy Mar; 125(3 Suppl):771 S-776S. which treat specific symptoms. and physiology, followed by the range of pa­ 2 Molteni, A., Brizio-Molteni, L. , Persky, V. 1995. In vitro hormonal effects of soybean isoflavones. J Nutr (Mar) In a lecture entitled "Anxiety, Depres­ thologies that occur and botanicals which 125(3 Supp1):751S-756S. sion and Insomnia," Michael Murray, N.D., alter them. explored the clinical management of these

CRN'S ANTIOXI DANT CONFERENCE

It's remarkable how many of the ma­ preventive medicine. In her presentation, a broader category of chemicals called "re­ jor herbs and nutrients with proven health Ms. Carper highlighted some of the antioxi­ active oxygen species" (ROS) in the recog­ benefits owe their activity-at least in part-to dant properties and anti-aging effects of com­ nition that not all ROS are free radicals. ROS antioxidant properties. These were a major mon fruits, vegetables, and herbs. are some of the molecular by-products of the focus of the Council for Responsible Nutri­ William A. Pryor, Ph.D., Professor of oxidation or burning of fuel and they can tion (CRN) conference in September 1995. Biochemistry at Louisiana State University, damage other molecules. The targets of these In addition to my own presentation, several presented an exceptionally clear overview of oxidants are lipids, proteins, and DNA itself. of the other participants focused on the im­ the destruction caused by oxidation and the Each molecule of an ROS can damage around portance of antioxidants. Two presentations value, function, action, and benefits of anti­ 100 other molecules, so stopping them is captured the essence of the issue especially oxidants. Dr. Pryor's overall description of important. Antioxidants help prevent that well. oxidative damage is a brilliant analogy. The damage. Because antioxidants cannot repair Jean Carper, author of the best-selling cells of our body bum food as fuel just as a damage already caused, the antioxidants Food Pharmacy, gave a keynote address furnace bums gas or oil. In the process of must be present when the damage is occur­ highlighting some of the research in her new­ producing energy, the furnace itself is slightly ring, that is, whenever oxidants are present. est book Stop Aging Now! She highlighted damaged. Like the slow deterioration of the Because we cannot necessarily feel the fact that the major emphasis of the new furnace in your home, we don't notice the this protection, we take antioxidants on faith concepts of health care and well ness is anti­ damage until the furnace begins to break or rather, based on the knowledge that pro­ aging, the quest to slow the process by which down. The damage, though, is daily, con­ tection is important; in much the same way our bodies begin to deteriorate as they lose tinual. Like the oxidation of the furnace that we change the oil in our car. - Rob their ability to repair the slow damage caused walls, oxygen damages our cells. What we McCaleb 0 by aging. This is the key and the goal of all once called free radicals are now included in

60 • HERBALGRAM 37 Don Elijio Panti of people around the world and will continue to do so for a very long time to come. 1893- 1996 I was introduced to Don Elijio Panti in 1987, after an invitation from Rosita His work took on international impor­ Arvigo to visit Ix Chel. Since that time, I tance in the mid 1980s, as he began partici­ have made periodic visits to San Antonio to pation in a collaborative project of the Ix Chel work with Rosita, Greg Shropshire, and Don Tropical Research Foundation and The New Elijio in collecting the plants for colleagues York Botanical Garden. This project was an at NCI, and co-authoring the scientific pa­ effort to survey the forests of Belize for the pers and books that report on those endeav- collection of medicinal plants for screening ors. against AIDS and cancer in association with It has been a great honor to have been the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI). one of the lucky few to work with Don Elijio Don Elijio participated in a great deal of field Panti. He was always ready to tell us stories work. His knowledge resulted in the collec­ about plants that would delight and inspire tion of hundreds of plant samples for this us, to share his life's experiences with those important endeavor. Even now plants col­ who would listen, and to offer words of en­ Don Elijio Panti, distinguished Maya lected through Don Elijio's knowledge and couragement. Because of his unselfish shar­ healer from Belize, passed away on Febru­ collaboration are being evaluated for their ing, his work, his healing and, indeed, his ary 4, 1996 at the age of 103. Don Elijio use in contemporary medicine. life, he will forever be present with us. Thus, was heir to generations of knowledge about In recognition of his many interna­ it is with great sadness that we mourn Don traditional healing and spent his life in ser­ tional contributions, he was awarded the Elijio's passing, but it is with great joy that vice to others. He was recognized through­ "Distinguished Citizen Award" (University we celebrate his life and its many decades of out the Americas for his skills in using the College of Belize), "Most Valuable Senior service to his family, his neighbors in San simple but ancient system of Maya healing, Citizen" (Help Age Belize), "Distinguished Antonio Village, his countrypeople in Belize, employing plants, prayers, massage, acu­ Contribution to Science" (The New York the many people from around Central puncture, and herbal baths. Beginning in Botanical Garden), and Member of the Brit­ America, as well as the many people around 1931 he practiced his art of healing in San ish Empire" (her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the world whom he was able to help. Rarely Antonio, a village of Mopan and Yucatecan of England). in history has there been anyone as gifted, as Maya people. Don Elijio Panti was trained Don Elijio's work and his life story selfless, and as giving as Don Elijio Panti. in the forests of the Peten, Guatemala, by a were immortalized in two books, Rainforest With these words I bid farewell to my teacher, Caribe Indian, Jeromin6 Requena, when they Remedies: One Hundred Healing Herbs of to my friend, and to my colleague. Hasta were both employed as chicleros or collec­ Belize (1993), and Sastun: My Apprentice­ luego, Abuelo. (Goodbye, Grandfather.) 0 tors of the Sapodilla tree sap that is made ship With A Maya Healer (1994). Through Michael J. Balick into chewing gum. Although he could never these published works, as well as through the Director, Institute for read or write, alongside his teacher, Don many films and videos in which he was fea­ Economic Botany Elijio enthusiastically learned about Maya tured, Don Elijio's work has touched millions The New York Botanical Garden medicine.

ON MY APPRENTICESHIP WITH DON ELIJI O

For ten years I followed behind him in diabetes, gastritis, fallow wombs, for head­ sent from the hospital by doctors and nurses his little black rubber boots trudging into the aches and ski n conditions. There were who couldn't understand their diseases. mountains behind San Antonio in search of prayers for envy, susto (fear), grief, and the "Faith," he always said, "is what heals. his precious healing plants. Into his late 90s disquieted soul. He told me once, "There We healers collect the medicine, we prepare Elijio was still strong enough to take daily are diseases that the doctor doesn't know it, we administer it, but it is always faith that treks into the bush, leaving by dawn every­ about because no machine will show it." My heals. That is the most important thing you day to collect vines, roots and barks that he decade with Don Elijio was much like medi­ wi ll learn from me. ever say to yourself, I used in healing his patients of every disease cal school with only one student and one hope this works, or maybe this plant will heal. known to humanity. He would say, "For ev­ teacher. Our laboratory was the Belizean No! You must state firmly, 'I have faith with ery ailment there is a cure. God has put it all bush, our patients came from all over the all my heart that these plants will heal the here for us to use. Each and every plant is world, but mostly Central America. I remem­ sickness of the people in the name of God medicine for something, but we may not ber those who came by plane, by boat, on the Father, God the Son and God the Holy know it." foot, on horse or by taxi all with great faith Spirit."' His medical system was founded on that the old Maya bush doctor, "El mero" of continues on next page plants and prayers. There were plants for San Antonio would heal them. Many were

HERBALGRAM 37 • 61 IN MEMORIAM

His plants were his colleagues and his more!" His favorite subject of storytelling '"Just a minute,' I said to St. Peter, co-workers. He and I both have always had was his own foibles. For many years he 'just a minute. Before I walk through those a personal relationship with the plant king­ searched from village to village for a new gates, I have to know something. Are there dom. I remember how amazed I was to real­ wife, saying, "I am strong enough and have women? Is there dancing? Is there beer?' ize I had never thought of thanking a plant enough blood to marry a fifteen-year-old. It's '"What, answered St. Peter, women, for its help until Don Elijio instructed me, only these eyes. Nowadays I couldn't tell if beer and dancing? Are you mad? None of "If you don't say the prayer of thanksgiving I was kissing a woman or a tree! Everywhere that in heaven! to the plant before you carry it home for your I go courting the women laugh at me. They "'Well then,' I answered, 'Forget it!! patients the spirit of the plant will remain in say I am too old. Yes, I tell them, I am old, I'm not going in."' Don Elijio laughed and the earth and will not help you with the heal­ but my money's not old!" said, "I'm back! Get my pants! What does ing. Therefore you must say each time you In 1990 he was very ill with a lung this good woman want? Tell me what is your walk onto the forest to getxiv (the Maya word condition and for a while we thought he problem, for I cure diabetes, I cure cancer, for medicine leaf), "I give thanks to the spirit would not recover. I stayed with him to ad­ even what the doctor can't cure, often I can. of this plant and I take it from the earth in minister the clinic and to care for him and I never went to school, never learned to read the name of God." his patients. One day, a woman came to see and write, but my head is full!" What I remember the most fondly of him, very insistent that she must only speak I got a very proud and haughty look Don Elijio is his humor. No eulogy to this to him personally. from the patient, but nevertheless I was remarkable man would be complete without "I'm sorry," I responded, "but he is ill thrilled to have my maestro back. 0 a joke and something to laugh about. He used and resting now. If I can't help you, you'll Rosita Arvigo, from Sastun, My Ap­ to say, "Most people think too much, but get have to return another day." As she stood prenticeship with a Maya Healer. them to laugh and half their troubles and sick­ glaring at me, Don Elijio appeared in his ness go away." After listening to a patient's night shirt and underwear standing in the Dr. RositaArvigo ofthe Ix Chel Tropi­ complaint, checking the pulse for his diag­ doorway with a glazed look in his eyes. cal Research Foundation in Belize was Don nosis, administering the herbs and lots of "Rosita!" he shouted, "I dreamed that Elijio 's apprentice. Along with her husband, friendly fatherly advice he would then start I died and went to heaven. When I got there, Dr. Gregory Shropshire, Dr. Arvigo became to entertain. He considered himself more of St. Peter looked at me in shock and said, a member of Don Elijio's household, seeing a clown than a physician. He often said, "I 'YOU! Old man, where have you been? You patients with her master; and helping him in am the clown of San Antonio and nothing should have been called home long ago. Get every way possible. in here!'

Herbert Fletcher Pierson Dr. Pierson began his career at Stock­ ton State University, moving on to Montana 1952 -1996 State, Idaho State, and finishing his Ph.D. at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. At Idaho State University he identified teratogenic abortifacient natural product compounds which were causing cattle fetus loss. His work benefited the lo­ cal ranchers greatly. At Washington State University his melanoma research entailed tyrosine/pheny­ lalanine deficient diets augmented with dehydroascorbate and absorbic acid, and Ironically, he succumbed to the very made for a marked understanding of this fac­ disease against which he devoted his entire tor in terms of melanoma treatment. He was Herbert Fletcher Pierson, Jr., B.S., academic career and intellectual forces--can­ one of only thirteen applicants granted posi­ M.S. Biology, Ph.D Pharmaceutical Sci­ cer. He worked hard in many laboratory situ­ tions in the PRAT (Pharmacology Research ences, died on March 14, 1996 after a short ations involving the most potent experimen­ Associate Training program) at the National illness. He was formerly head of the Na­ tal carcinogens and radioactive phosphorus. Institutes of General Medical Sciences tional Cancer Institutes Designer Foods Pro­ His death marks the passing of one of the (NIGMS) at the National Institute of Health gram at the National Institute of Health in great scientific contributors to the understand­ in Bethesda, Maryland. He later assumed Rockville, Maryland (see HerbalGram No. ing and furtherance of the movement to en­ positions with the National Cancer Institute 25, p. 24.) and most recently Vice President courage Americans to eat healthier diets and (NCI) via NIGMS working on homocysteine for Research and Development of Preventa­ utilize foods to their utmost benefit in terms analog and copper chelate anticancer drugs, tive Nutrition Consultants, Inc., located in of disease prevention and amelioration, par­ Woodville, Washington. ticularly cancer. continued on next page

62 • HERBALGRAM 37 BOOK REVIEWS

PLANTS, PEOPLE . AND CULTURE Th e Science of Ethnobotany York Botanical Garden, and Cox, a prolific Rauvolfia serpentina. Reserpine was the first author and researcher from Brigham Young major drug of the 21st century designed to University. Both authors have previously treat hypertension. It was introduced into collaborated on a seminal article published medicine in the early 1950s after research­ in Scientific American in June 1994, "The ers stumbled upon the clinical work con­ Ethnobotanical Approach to Drug Discov­ ducted in the 1930s by researchers in India. ery" (available as ABC Classic No. 250). By However, as the authors note, "Like many their own admission, the book focuses on the scientific reports published in developing two areas of the world in which each author countries, this discovery was ignored by has had the most experience: Central and Western scientists." South America for Balick and Oceania and By introducing such an example, the the South Pacific for Cox. This volume is authors help set the stage for a much larger non-technical, profusely illustrated with level of understanding that, even today, the Plants, People and Culture: The Sci­ beautiful color photography, and designed for traditional and historical documentation of ence of Ethnobotany, by Michael ). the novice with ample introduction and ex­ the use of plants as folk medicines in native Bolick and Paul Alan Cox. New York Scien­ planations on various terms used within this cultures and much of the research that is on­ tific American Library. 1996. Clothbound. science. going in developing countries merits more Color photos. 228 pp. $32.95. ISBN 0- The authors define ethnobotany as serious attention from the scientific and 7167-506 1-9. ABC BookStore #B 196. "The field of study that analyzes the results medical communities. Interest in the science of ethnobotany of indigenous manipulations of plant mate­ The first chapter also deals with the is growing at a fast pace. This is the third rials together with the cultural context in "discovery" of the extensively used heart title in this subject area published in the last which the plants are used ." The book ini­ drug digitalis from the foxglove plant (Digi­ two years alone. Unlike previous works pub­ tially gives a general overview in its chapter, talis purpurea). This was introduced by lished in 1995 by Martin and SchultesNon "People and Plants" and then moves directly medical doctor William Withering in the late Reis, this book is designed as an introduc­ into a part that would be an obvious favorite 1700s after he learned of the efficacy of the tion to the fascinating history of the discov­ of HerbalGram readers, "Plants That Heal." plant from a traditional healer, an old woman ery of plant drugs and the development of The first chapter immediately projects living in the countryside. The authors note other human interaction with plants through the reader into the discovery of one of the that more than 30 cardiac glycosides have the continually emerging scienceof ethno­ most important drugs of the 21st century, been isolated from the leaves of the foxglove botany. reserpine. This alkaloid derived from the tra­ plant and the two leading drugs, digoxin and The authors are well qualified for the ditional Hindu plant, chotachand, a small digitoxin, have not been commercially syn­ present work: Balick being the Director of plant that grows in the foothills of the thesized, thus requiring continual extraction the Institute for Economic Botany at New Himalayas, is wellknown in science as and purification from the plant. continued on next page

HERBERT FLETCHER PIERSON continued from page 62 and subsequently at the Consumer Product journalists on TV, radio and in the printed ingredients. He was world-recognized in this Safety Commission. Later at the NNCI media-all to the effect of delivering the role as scientific commentator. His work DCPC (Division for Cancer Prevention and message of what was in foods which could continues and will continue at PNC, Inc. re­ Control) in the Chemoprevention and the help prevent disease, and encouraging people garding disease preventing capacities of di­ Diet and Cancer Branches, he was involved to incorporate these into what he termed a etary incorporation of beneficial natural in work leading to the NCI recommendation "total healthier diet." product constituents. for Americans to consume a minimum of five He developed and oversaw many clini­ Dr. Herbert Pierson is survived by his servings of fruit and vegetables per day. After cal intervention trials involving food ingre­ wife Suzanne Janine Paxton Pierson, P.D., leaving NCI to take a position as head of dient manufacturers intended to scientifically his son Colin Herbert Pierson, 12, daughters Research and Development for Preventative prove out and specify parameters of dosage Caitlin Suzanne and Calivia Janine Pierson, Nutrition Consultants, Inc., he lectured and safety of purified food fractions incor­ ages 10 and 4 respectively. - Suzanne worldwide and was interviewed by countless porated into supplements or as fortified food Janine Paxton Pierson 0

HERBALGRAM 37 • 63 BOOK REVIEWS

continued from page 63

The book continues to pay homage to thors' concerns about maintaining future other classic drugs from plants, including stores of biological and cultural diversity. quinine from Peruvian bark (Cinchona spp. ), Both authors have spent considerable the anti-cancer drugs vinblastine and vinc­ amounts of their professional careers in this ristine from the Madagascar periwinkle area. As they have published in previous (Catharanthus roseus), and even lists the papers, they present strong arguments about queen of the meadow (Filipendula ulmaria the economic benefits of maintaining syn Ulmeria spireae) the original source of biodiversity of plant and animal life in tropi­ , the chemical precursor of as­ cal rainforests, the resulting yields of edible pirin. Other examples are also cited. and medicinal plants far outweighing any Drawing on both authors' extensive short-term profits that could be gained from experience, there are acknowledgments of destruction of these fragile and valuable eco­ traditional healers-particularly in Belize, systems. where Balick has spent considerable time, Balick and Cox have written one of the ported more than 5.3 million kilograms of and in Samoa where Cox has focused much most valuable tools available to present the garlic valued at over $2.9 million. In the of his research efforts. Photographs of vari­ ethnobotanical imperative to a larger lay au­ same year, the U.S. exported nearly 3.6 mil­ ous native healers with whom the authors dience. This book is suitable not only for lion kilograms of garlic worth over $8.5 mil­ have worked provide considerable testimony professionals as a valuable component of lion. Figures are not available for the most to their debt of gratitude for invaluable na­ their library, but it is also an excellent op­ recent year on fresh garlic sales. tive knowledge received from these people. portunity for the general puplic to view Garlic has become big business, not However, ethnobotany is not just about through a vivid window the richness and bio­ only as a well-known food ingredient, but discovering new medicines from plants. The logical necessity for understandilig and main­ also an herb with well-documented health authors give adequate space to discussions taining ethnobotanical traditions. An excel­ benefits. There is a good deal of popular lit­ of the development of native foods includ­ lent gift for anyone even remotely interested erature, including articles and books, which ing utensils from plant materials. There is in the plant world, this book should be re­ often do more to confuse garlic's real value also a discussion of the relative health ben­ quired reading for botany and biology stu­ than to support it. efits of some native diets. Chapter 4, "Plants dents on the college and even the secondary Sifting through the voluminous scien­ as the Basis for Material Culture," shows how school levels. -Mark Blumenthal 0 tific literature is a job for a handful of scien­ plants serve as the basis for the use of build­ tists who are intimate with garlic research ing materials, fibers and textiles, dyes and and the literature. In 1988, H. P. Koch and other necessary components of traditional G. Hahn did just that in their German lan­ and modem life, including the use of plants guage work Knoblauch [the German name in art and aesthetics. for garlic]. Now Dr. Larry D. Lawson, one An interesting chapter, "Entering the of the more respected garlic experts in the Other World," documents the use of numer­ United States, has joined Heinrich P. Koch ous psychoactive substances and the poten­ Garlic: The Science and Therapeutic as editor for an entirely new English edi­ tial medicinal values that can be derived from Application of Allium sativum L. and tion-Garlic - The Science and Therapeutic cultural uses of plants containing powerful Related Species Edited by Heinrich P. Application ofAllium sativum L. and Related substances-many of which have been used Koch , Ph.D ., M. Phorm. , and Lorry D. Species. While offered as a second edition for trials and ordeals in native societies. For Lawson, Ph .D. Williams & Wilkins, 357 of Knoblauch, the book is an entirely new example, the Calabar bean, sometimes called West Camden St., Baltimore, MD compilation, based on the dozens of scien­ ordeal bean (Physostigma venenosum), was 2120 1-2436. 329 pp. Cloth. $79.00 ISBN tific studies that have been published in the given to natives of the West African area as 0-683-18147-5. ABC Book Store # 759. last decade, providing a much clearer under­ an "ordeal" to open channels to other worlds No other herb is as closely tied to the standing of its chemistry, pharmacology, and and provide a ritual initiation, but the ordeal human experience as garlic. Sales of one clinical applications. The only two chapters often resulted in death. Calabar bean later garlic phytomedicine product in Germany that essentially remain translations of the first became the source of the powerful top $40 million per year. edition are the definitive first chapter on the opthalmological drug, physostigmine (for Garlic is one of the two best-selling "History, Folk Medicine, and Legendary article on this subject, see Packer and Brandt, herbal dietary supplement products in the Uses of Garlic," and chapter two, "Botanical "Opthalmology's Botanical Heritage in mass market in the United States, and is the Characterization and Cultivation of Garlic." HerbalGram # 35, p. 24). second-best-selling herbal dietary supple­ Chapter three, "The Composition and The final chapter, "Biological Conser­ ment in the health food market (second to Chemistry of Garlic Cloves and Processed vation and Ethnobotany," reflects both au- Echinacea). In 1995, the United States im- Garlic," by Larry Lawson, gives detailed in-

64 • HERBALGRAM 37 BOOK REVIEWS

1\ II " " 'at :L~ t ~~ t\ formation on the complex chemistry of gar­ fresh garlic can cause abdominal irritation ~ lic and garlic products, starting with a gen­ when consumed (in an empty stomach). The -....' eral overview of sulfur and non-sulfur com­ author, H. P. Koch, also reports on contact ...:l_ , pounds. Allinase, the enzyme producing al­ dermatitis related to applying fresh garlic to licin upon cutting or crushing garlic, is de­ the skin as well as localized skin allergies. t l,,.: scribed as the most abundant protein. The Fmally, chapter eight is a brief discus­ - placement of allicin and allinase in cell struc­ sion on "Non-Medical Applications of Gar­ • ture is given. If any single factor is constant lic and Curiosities." in the plant world, it is endless variation. The book is not just a review volume. Here, the chemical variation in 69 different It contains a good deal of new data on com­ strains of garlic is assessed. A subchapter parative chemistry and assessments of health on allicin reveals that the compound is much benefits, published for the first time. The more stable than is generally known. An­ authors dispel many myths of garlic as well. of the beverage itself to accompany a browse other section describes the chemical compo­ This book is the largest, most comprehen­ through this volume. I won't say "reading" sition of "garlic breath," and the chemical sive work ever published on the subject. The for this book is one to be picked up and en­ transformations that take place when garlic reference list includes the most valuable pa­ joyed piecemeal if you wish-no need to is cooked. An extensive discussion is in­ pers on the subject in an 84-page bibliogra­ peruse from cover to cover-the smorgas­ cluded of the chemical composition of 28 phy with complete citations to over 2,000 bord approach will do just fine. brand products (unnamed), and their varia­ garlic papers. Few books earn the title "de­ The preface by famed author Anthony tions. A separate section is devoted to the finitive work." Garlic: The Science and Burgess gives a taste of the treasures within, chemistry of aged garlic extracts. Finally, Therapeutic Application of Allium Sativum outlining the arrival of tea in the British Isles content comparisons of various vitamins and L. and Related Species goes beyond a de­ and its adoption by the Brits. minerals is revealed along with the fact that finitive work-it sets a new standard for a The first chapter, ''Tea Gardens," by the selenium and germanium content are in­ scientific work on a single herb. It is a de­ Alain Stella, takes the reader on a tour of significant, contrary to reports in popular lit­ tailed, definitive book of unparalleled qual­ producing tea gardens and plantations in erature. There is simply more on the chem­ ity, worth having in any herbal library. - Drujeeling, Assam, Ceylon, China, Formosa, istry of garlic in this one chapter than you Steven Foster 0 and Japan, explaining the processes involved can find in any other source book. in tea production: cultivation, picking, pro­ The fourth chapter, by K. Pentz and cessing, and shipping. C. P. Siegers, reviews "Garlic Preparations: In chapter two, "Tea Barons," Nadine Methods for Qualitative and Quantitative Beautheac explores the history of the com­ Assessment of Their Ingredients." mercialization of tea by the East India Tea Chapter five, by H. D. Reuter, H. P. Company and the events which created a Koch, and L. D. Lawson, is an extensive re­ market for tea in the western world while view of the ''Therapeutic Effects and Appli­ The Book of Tea by A . Stella, N . making wealthy men out of adventurous tea cations of Garlic and Its Preparations." Beautheac, G. Brochard, and C. Donze/, entrepreneurs. Among the topics covered in detail are se­ translated by Deke Dusinberre. 1992. Chapter three, "Time for Tea," by rum cholesterol and triglycerides, blood pres­ Flammarion . Hard cover. Color photos. Gilles Brochard, is an in-depth presentation sure, anti thrombotic effects, antibiotic activ­ 256 pp. $55. ISBN 2-08-73533-3. Avail­ of the variety, customs, and traditions of the ity, anticancer research, antioxidant effects, able from ABC Book Store, #B 185. tea ceremony throughout the world, begin­ and the effects of garlic on the immune sys­ "It is proper both for Winter and Sum­ ning with China, the birthplace of tea, tra­ tem. In vitro, in vivo and human studies are mer, preserving in perfect health until ex­ versing the Orient, Mediterranean, Russia, critically assessed. This chapter is the best treme old age, it maketh the body active and Europe, and Britain, ending with the United single source of information on the legitimate lusty .. .it removeth lassitude and clean seth States. health benefits of garlic. acrid humours ...." This was the sentiment Catherine Donze!, in chapter four, Chapter six details the of Thomas Garraway, first to import tea from 'The Taste of Tea," guides the reader through "Biopharmaceutics of Garlic's Effective China in the mid-seventeenth century and sell the maze of terminology, characteristics, Compounds," covering metabolism and phar­ it in England. color and flavor, fermented vs. semi-fer­ macokinetics, as they are presently under­ The Book of Tea, with its sumptuous mented, black vs. green, and the ins and outs stood. color photographs and richly evocative prose, of choosing the appropriate tea for a particu­ Chapter seven, ''Toxicology and Un­ goes a long way to explain his enthusiasm lar time and occasion. Donze! gives what desirable Effects of Garlic," is more about and is a perfect feast for the senses. And, of are probably the definitive steps in making safety than toxicology. It is reported that course, there is the ceremony and pleasure your cup of comfort.

HERBALGRAM 37 • 65 BOOK REVIEWS

There is a chapter with pictorials and One might think that with the current definitions of "Great Tea Regions and Tra­ surge and interest in use of medicinal plants ditional Blends," a chapter on "Tea for Gour­ by the American public, as well as the in­ mets," with recipes for tea-based sauces, ice cipient awakening of interest among health creams, jelly, and cocktails. professionals at pharmacy and medical The final offering, "A Connoisseur's schools in the herbal and phytomedicine area, Guide," lists a variety of fine establishments that a textbook dealing solely with the sci­ in the U.S., London, and Paris, demonstrat­ ence of medicinal plants would be in order. ing that it is becoming easier to taste and buy Additionally, one might think that what is high-quality tea and tea accessories. sometimes considered to be the relatively Anyone who respects and enjoys beau­ unsophisticated science of pharmacognosy tiful photography-tea drinker or not-will plant or animal) moves to a new level which might be out of place with some of the cut­ love this book, not only for the pictures of includes the pharmacognostic basis for mod­ ting edge science associated with tea plantations, but for the art exemplified em drugs but delves further into the recent pharmacobiotechnology. by the historical photos and prints. When I breakthroughs in antibiotic research as well The authors attempt to bridge this ap­ began reading this book I was not (and per­ as biotechnologically derived pharmaceuti­ parent contradiction in the first paragraph of haps still am not) a tea-drinker, but quickly cal agents such as proteins and polypeptides, the preface: "A book entitled Pharmacognosy became enchanted with the lavish and com­ enzymes, and vaccines. The classic herbal and Pharmacobiotechnology might for some pelling photos, then with the romance and drugs and plant-derived medicines (e.g., at­ seem to be an unusual combination of termi­ history of the plant and its brew, so much so ropine, reserpine, colchicine, digoxin, phys­ nology and disciplines. The logic behind this that I intend to give "high tea" a try. After ostigmine, etc.) are still included in the first combination is that, on the one hand, phar­ all, can Dr. Samuel Johnson, who was known two-thirds of this publication. The order of macognosy, the forerunner of all other sci­ to ingest as many as 32 cups at a sitting, and the chemical chapters are as follows: com­ entific disciplines in pharmacy and which has whose tea pot held two liters, be wrong? - plex polysaccharides, glycosides, lipids, ter­ its origins in ancient civilizations, deals with Barbara Johnston 0 penoids, steroids, phenylpropanoids, alka­ drugs produced by plants, animals, and mi­ loids, and proteins and peptides. There is an croorganisms. It includes all drug agents additional extensive chapter on antibiotics produced through a biosynthetic process. On and finally one on biologics and the other hand, pharmacobiotechnology in­ Pharmacognosy and Pharmacobio­ immunomodulators. volves the production of natural product technology by James E. Robbers, Marilyn Additionally, many common ingredi­ drugs by application of the remarkable Kay Speedie and Varro E. Tyler. 1996. ents found in the current herbal market are progress made in recent years in molecular Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore. Hardcover. also included, such as rapeseed oil (canola), biology. It is the newest frontier in provid­ 337 pp. $45. 00. ISB N 0-683-08500- jojoba oil, and others in the chapter on lip­ ing innovative approaches in drug discovery X.Available from ABC BookStore, #BOOB . ids; echinacea and milk thistle in the chapter and patient treatment. In essence, therefore, The publication of this book marks the on phenylpropanoids; feverfew and ginkgo this book deals with both the oldest and the passing of an era and the beginning of a new in the chapter on terpenoids, to name a few. newest drugs, the common thread being that one. There have been nine previous editions Characteristic with the previous versions in all are natural products." of textbooks on pharmacognosy published this series, the chapters are arranged in or­ Researchers of natural products, herb­ by Lea & Febiger, beginning in 1921 with der based on general chemical types, that is, alists, book collectors, physicians, pharma­ the first edition of Pharmacognosy by Heber after two introductory chapters on "Introduc­ cists, and others should welcome this publi­ W. Youngken. Subsequent editions were tion to Pharmacognosy" and a second chap­ cation as an integral part of any modem sci­ authored and edited by Edward P. Klaus and ter introducing the new area of entific herballibrary.-Mark Blumenthal 0 eventually taken over, beginning with the 6th pharmacobiotechnology. edition, by Varro E. Tyler and eventually his With the publication of this book, there colleagues, the late Lynn R. Brady and James is no longer an American-produced volume E. Robbers, through the 9th edition in 1988 that deals strictly with pharmacognosy; if one An Elder's Herbal: Natural Techniques (which is now sadly out of print). With the wishes to find such, one must now take ref­ for Promoting Health & Vitality, by publication of this new edition there would uge in the excellent publication Pharmacog­ David Hoffma nn with Diana DeLuca. 1993. have been the 1Oth in this series. nosy , by Trease and Evans, from England or Healing Arts Press. Rochester, Verm ont. However, with the addition of the sec­ the recently published extensive volume by Softcover. 266 pp. $14.95./SBN 0-8928 1- ond half of the title, Pharmacobiotechnology, Bruneton from France, Phytochemistry, 396-2. the classic work of pharmacognosy (the sci­ Pharmacognosy, Medicinal Plants (both Baby boomers are turning 50 during ence of drugs of natural origin, either from available from ABC). 1996, and as a result, around the year 2046

66 • HERBALGRAM 37 BOOK REVIEWS

vitex. Each monograph contains informa­ tion on the common uses of each plant, a brief description of some of the active compounds, how the active compounds work, recom­ mended uses, side effects, safety issues, his­ tory of the plant as used in traditional and modern medicine, and healthcare applica­ tions, including various conditions and indi­ cations for which the herb has been shown DOHU J. IUOIJ. \.ll to be useful either in clinical practice or as often verified by scientific clinical studies. Additionally, each monograph ends with a there will be approximately 200,000 cente­ Herbal Prescriptions for Better listing of conditions as noted in Part Six­ narians in our population. As public atten­ Health: Your Everyday Guide to Pre­ conditions for which the herb may be use­ tion turns toward the graying of America, this vention, Treatment, and Care, by ful. book becomes an appropriate addition to the Donald J. Brown, N .D. 1996. Prima Pub­ Part Six is divided by the various literature. The author has produced a book lishing. Rocklin, CA 95677. 349 pp. Hard­ physiological systems and the various dis­ of herbal information specifically geared to­ cover. $22.95. IS BN 0-7615-0114-2. eases or conditions of that system for which ward ways in which people can maintain Available from ABC Books, #B 183. herbs and phytomedicines might be appli­ health and vitality and prevent the onset of It seems that there is no end of new cable, e.g., cardiovascular system (preven­ long-term illnesses using herbal medicines. books being published on the subject of tion of atherosclerosis, angina, varicose The book is divided into two sections. herbs. Although bookstores and buyers veins, etc.), digestive system, immune sys­ The first deals with various physiological might feel a bit saturated, this particular pub­ tem, nervous system, respiratory tract, and systems (e.g., digestive, cardiovascular, pul­ lication merits the attention of both consum­ so on. The information presented by Dr. monary, upper respiratory, nervous, urinary, ers and professionals alike. The author, a Brown is extremely practical and well orga­ reproductive, muscle, bones and skin and trained naturopath, is one of the leading pro­ nized. endocrine system). ponents of scientifically confirmed herbal Parts Five and Six are extensively ref­ The second part is made up of brief medicines, particularly those from the Euro­ erenced, allowing both consumer and pro­ monographs describing "An elder's materia pean phytomedicine area. This book is di­ fessional the opportunity to follow up all of medica." In this section the author presents vided into six parts. Parts One and Two deal the information presented on each herb and/ brief half-column monographs on 132 herbs with the recent developments and changes or condition. Dr. Brown liberally pulls from mentioned in the first part of the book. The in herbal medicine and how European primary European source materials as well monographs include the common name and phytotherapy can act as a model for future as authoritative references such as Tyler's Latin names of each herb, the parts used, the regulatory reform in the United States. Part Herbs ofChoice , articles from HerbalGram, primary actions of each herb, indications for Three answers many of the most commonly and other sources. which the herbs can be used and methods of asked questions about herbal medicines such This book presents an opportunity for preparation and dosage. In its lucid style, as, "Do herbs really work?" "If herbs are so millions of Americans who are looking for written by a British trained medical herbal­ effective, why don't doctors regularly rec­ sensible, responsible, science-based informa­ ist who has a number of publications to his ommend them in the United States?'' "How tion on the appropriate uses of herbs in self­ credit, this book provides an adequate intro­ can herbs fit into self-care?" "What are the care and healthcare, written in an extremely duction, especially to that vast majority of different types of herbal dosage forms?" user-friendly yet authoritative manner. those to whom herbs have been a foreign, Part Four addresses the different cat­ Hopefully, the publisher will devote adequate yet appealing, subject. egories of herbal medicines by their physi­ marketing resources to assure that this book As baby boomers continue to gray and ological effects, e.g., adaptogens, antioxi­ becomes well-distributed in bookstores become more concerned about menopause, dants, astringents, carminatives, laxatives, across the country. It certainly deserves wide prostate conditions, and pension plans, this etc. distribution. The overall health of the Ameri­ book and other information in a similar vein Part Five presents 18 of some of the can public can only benefit from access to will become increasingly relevant to provide most popular and well-researched herbs in the information that it presents.-Mark Blu­ people the educational tools necessary to the U.S. today. They are bilberry, chamo­ menthal 0 assure that the second fifty years of their lives mile, cranberry, echinacea, eleuthero, will be as productive, healthy, and challeng­ evening primrose, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ing in a positive sense as were the first fifty.­ ginkgo, ginseng, hawthorn, kava, milk thistle, Mark Blumenthal 0 St.. John's wort, saw palmetto, valerian, and

HER BALGRAM 37 • 67 BOOK REVIEWS

BOOKS RELEVANT TO combined with Swallowing Clouds, which is better described as "medicated diet" rather ORIENTAL DIET THERAPY really about Chinese culture as expressed in than food therapy; however, cooking of by Subhuti Dharmananda, Director, the Chinese restaurant menu. The book ex­ whole turtles is not uncommon in the Chi­ Institute for Traditional Medicine (ITM) amines Chinese thinking by taking apart the nese diet, and carthamus-ordinary saf­ ITM has in its library seven books that meaning of the names of common food items, flower-plus sugar are easily recognized in serve as a basis for understanding the rela­ the Chinese characters used to describe them, the kitchen. tion of food to health: and the process of food preparation. It steers Finally, one can look at Food In Chi­ clear of the more medical aspects of food nese Culture, which is not aimed at the sub­ Chinese System of Food Cures, by (since it was not intended as a medical guide) ject of medicinal use of foods, but does give Henry Lu ( 1986, Sterling Publishing, New but gives great insight into how food is insights into how various foods were incor­ York) viewed from the Oriental perspective. Quot­ porated into the Chinese diet, what nutritional Fruit os Medicine, by Dai Yin-fang and ing a famous saying, "Without pork you will impact they had, and how they fit in with Liu Cheng-jun ( 1987, Rams Skull Press, merely become skinny, but without bamboo other aspects of Chinese life. One contribu­ Kuranda, Australia) shoots you will become crude and tion it makes to understanding Chinese food Vegetables as Medicine, by Chang vulgar. ...therefore , to avoid becoming skinny therapy is that it shows just how many items Chao-liang, Coo Oing-rong, Li Boo-zheng and crude you should have pork braised with that are used medicinally (e.g. lotus roots, (1989, Roms Skull Press) bamboo shoots every day." You have to read ginkgo fruits, and jujubes) were first highly The Tao of Nutrition, by Maoshing Ni the description of bamboo shoots to appre­ prized as foods, with quality ratings for food (1987, College of Tao, Los Angeles) ciate this saying. use being much more refined than those for Chinese Medicated Diet, by Library of The other books in the listing are tech­ typical medicinal purposes. TCM Staff ( 1988, Shanghai College ofTCM) nical in nature and are best reserved for those The ITM series, Food as Medicine, Food In Chinese Culture, by K. C. Chons who want to make a serious study of the sub­ sent by subscription service, summarizes in­ (1977, Yale University Press, New Haven) ject. The first stop would be Fruit as Medi­ formation from the above sources. The aim Swallowing Clouds, by A. Zee ( 1990, cine and Vegetables as Medicine. These are is to provide several examples of how the Touchstone Books, New York) translations of original Chinese works (first information might be applied, without any published in 1982 and 1985 respectively). attempt at a comprehensive listing of avail­ The biggest problem to overcome in They are reference guides listing each food able foods; just over a dozen items will be dealing with the subject of Chinese food item, its various Chinese names, the West­ described. therapy is the fact that the Chinese diet in­ em and Oriental aspects of its health value, Brief mention should be made of two cludes so many food items that are not part and then the methods of preparation. Among other resources. In the book Between Heaven of the American diet. Therefore, an accu­ the items described are many that are not and Earth, by Beinfield and Korngold, rate portrayal of food therapy in the Orient found in the Western diet. The main value (Ballantine Books. New York, 1991) there produces a work which has little utility here. of these compared to the more popularized is a very useful chapter on Chinese food Of the books mentioned above, Henry Lu's versions of Lu and Ni are the background therapy, called Culinary Alchemy. There is Chinese System of Food Cures comes clos­ information (including illustration of plant, a general discussion of Chinese ideas about est to addressing the concerns of Westerners Chinese characters, and pinyin names) and health impacts of foods and several practical by putting its main emphasis on foods ob­ the wider scope. ITM has arranged import recipes, each one tested out in the author's tained here and health issues commonly of these books from Australia. kitchen. A fairly well-known work, Prince faced in the West. Dr. Lu has recently pro­ After that, Chinese Medicated Diet is Wen Hui's Cook (Bob Flaws, Cue Poppy duced an even more popularized version, of distinct interest, because it is the most Press, Boulder, 1986) was actually said by Chinese Foods for Longevity, which is de­ clinical of the works. The review of indi­ its author to contain so many errors that he rived from the same information but is not vidual food materials makes up only a small could not recommend it and therefore it is as good in quality and cannot be recom­ portion of the book, and no attempt was made not recommended here (perhaps it has been mended here. to be comprehensive. More emphasis is revised recently). Maoshing Ni has produced a similar placed on describing treatments for various There are a few other books on Chi­ book in the Tao of Nutrition. It is unfortu­ diseases and syndromes. Unlike the other nese foods that might be relevant to this topic, nately typed instead of being typeset, mak­ books, which focus on items we typically call not yet part of our library. As can be seen by ing it less easy to read; the information over­ foods, many of the therapies recommended the publication dates, the peak of interest in laps that found in Lu's book, but there are here contain several items we usually call this subject was in the 1980s, providing sev­ also some differences. It may be helpful to herbs. For example, a "dietary therapy" for eral books that were published then or shortly have both books in order to check on the liver tumors is comprised of paris, after. This coincided with the publication of range of applications of each. oldenlandia, turtle shell, persica, carthamus, technical books on Chinese herbs, not sur­ These reference books might best be and cane sugar. It is an interesting recipe, prisingly because it is so difficult to separate

68 • HERBALGRAM 37 BOOK REVIEWS

the two subjects. There is not much more to Part Two also includes an interesting be said about Chinese food therapy than has analysis of the various herbs used in the already been published, but, as always, there Hoxsey treatment, a cancer treatment devel­ is room to say it better or to make its appli­ oped by a controversial practitioner in Texas cation easier. in the 1930s (For more on this subject, see The most important message to be HerbalGram#l8119). Part Three ("Pharma­ gained from study of this subject is that the cognosy") consists of three chapters of com­ Western approach to using foods for health pelling interest to anyone seriously studying is entirely different. Only in the West could herbal medicine: two chapters on how bo­ it occur that margarine (made from syntheti­ tanicals in the Boraginaceae, Labiatae, and cally processed vegetable oils), artificial Cruciferae can inhibit functions of the endo­ sweeteners, and a host of "natural," but en­ crine system and a third chapter on the in­ tirely distasteful, foods, could be deemed secticidal and therapeutic activity of natural Eclectic Dispensatory of Botanical healthier than properly prepared and prop­ isobutylarnides. Therapeutics, Vol. II, by Frances ). erly combined ordinary dietary materials Brinker, N.D., compiled by Edward K. A/stat, Part Four, "Materia Medica" provides used worldwide for decades, centuries, or N.D. , R.Ph. 1995. Eclectic Medical Publi­ well referenced research summaries on fifty­ even longer. Only in the West could we mea­ cations, Sandy, Oregon. 507 pp. in 3-ring five herbs, most of which are popular in the sure the quality of a food for health purposes binder format. $125. Available from ABC U.S. market. These include garlic, burdock, by measuring its individual amounts of fats, BookStore, #B 184. uva ursi, cayenne, black cohosh, hawthorn, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, echinacea, Siberian ginseng, ginkgo, gold­ This is the second in a series of publi­ and fiber and somehow determine that some­ enseal, St. John's wort, chaparral, shiitake, cations on botanical therapeutics, the first thing is healthful because, for example, it is chamomile, passion flower, kudzu, cascara being published in 1989. The author, a pro­ low in the first two and high in the latter four sagrada, saw palmetto, milk thistle, comfrey, fessionally trained naturopath who has been without any reference to its nature. Only in feverfew, dandelion, nettles, cranberry, vale­ engaged in research and education rather than the West can foods that are spoken of with rian, vitex, and ginger, among others. As clinical practice, is well-known in the naturo­ reverence in Chinese culture-pork, eggs, with some of the previous sections, this one pathic and herbal community as an avid re­ wheat, cane sugar, fermented foods, ordinary too could have been published as a separate searcher and writer. tea-be turned into virtual poisons to the book, being 135 information-crammed Part one contains two articles of his­ human body, accomplished both through pages. torical significance: the first, "The Role of misuse and misunderstanding. Finally, Part Five deals with various Alcohol in the Development of Pharmacy" Pursuing the current dietary ap­ properties of desert sagebrush (A rtemisia and second, an interesting historical insight proaches leads, on the one hand, to eating tridentata), a ubiquitous plant in the desert on the plant medicines of the Oregon trail artificial eggs, non-absorbable fat substi­ Southwest. Dr. Brinker presents sagebrush's . plus an extensive review of twenty medici­ tutes, and pure plant fibers as if they were historical use as well as chemical and phar­ nal plants used by native Americans in South­ the solution to our health problems and, on macological information on this much over­ western United States. This last section, 129 the other hand, to avoiding a whole range looked and currently controversial medici­ pages in two-column format with extensive of natural foods that don't quite fit the cur­ nal plant. references and index, contains so much in­ rent model as the resolution of disorders This present work may be considered formation that it could stand alone as a sepa­ from allergies to cancer. The Oriental view somewhat cumbersome as it is published in rate publication. Herbs reviewed include uva may help straighten out the situation. This a large three-ring bider format. On the other ursi,juniper, chaparral, barberry (mahonia), is not to say that Chinese ideas about foods hand, sections lend themselves to easy re­ prickly pear, damiana, and yucca, among are always correct-anyone can avoid moval for research and reading purposes. others. over-enthusiasm by spending time in China Both author Brinker and compiler Alstat Part Two deals with clinical issues. It or in a local Chinese foods store-but the should be commended for the painstaking is broken into various sections on subjects perspective might save many from a work that they have performed in collect­ such as "Treatment of Respiratory Allergies life-long struggle with radical ideas about ing this massive amount of data. It will with Pharmaceutical and Botanical Medi­ food that now float about the American cul­ surely be of interest to practitioners and re­ cines," "The Rational Treatments of Coughs tural scene. 0 searchers, especially those with an interest with Botanical Medicines," "An Overview in plants native to the American Southwest. of Conventional, Experimental, and Botani­ With so much information, this dispensatory cal Treatments of Non-Malignant Prostate is well worth the investment. - Mark Conditions." This section is extremely valu­ Blumenthal 0 able for any researcher or clinician and is almost worth the price of the entire volume.

HERBALGRAM 37 • 69 BOOK REVIEWS

Grande. To the east are plants of the gulf coast, marshes, and prairies. The western border marks the beginning of the more xe­ ric conditions of Starr and Zapata counties. The central portion of the delta contains plants from the three zones mentioned plus elements of the South Texas Plains Flora." This book is as "user-friendly"as a field guide can be for both casual and pro­ fessional botanists. The often confusing bo­ Plants of the Rio Grande Delta. Alfred tanical terminology is vastly simplified, the Richardson. 1995. Austin: University of Texas Keys to Plant Families focus on easily ob­ to the pueblos in the area, the region includes Press. 333 pages, 94 color plates. (224 served characters, the species descriptions are an impressive number of parks and monu­ color photos). ISBN 0-292-77070-7. succinct and interspersed with taxonomically ments such as Chaco Canyon, Bandelier $24.95. useful line drawings and a glossary is pro­ National Monument, Petroglyph National Plants of the Rio Grande Delta is a vided to explain unfamiliar botanical terms. Monument, Coronado State Monument, and welcome addition to the Texas Natural His­ A brief description of each species, along Jemez State Monument. tory Field Guides Series. This field guide with its range, habitat, and general bloom­ The authors originally conceived this encompasses all of the borderland native ing time is provided. For species-rich gen­ book as a guide to the wildflowers of this plants that grow in the Rio Grande Delta (the era, there are additional keys within to iden­ region, but soon became fascinated with the three southernmost counties of Texas as well tify species. Excellent quality color photo­ history of the area, the indigenous uses of as northern Tamaulipas in Mexico). This graphs of 224 of the species provide a visual the plants found there, and the topographi­ book describes the 854 species (excluding sampling of the vast array of plant diversity cal and vegetative diversity of the region. the grasses) that inhabit this botanically rich encountered in the Rio Grande Delta. Not As a consequence, the book consists of chap­ area. As Dr. Richardson notes in his intro­ only do these photos help with identification, ters on diversity, the ancient Puebloans, the duction, "The wide variety of habitats and but they invite the naturalist to pay a visit to impact of the Conquest, and the modern in­ overlapping vegetative zones plus the climate this strikingly unique ecosystem. habitants of the region and their effects on account for this large number of species. On There is little doubt that Plants of the the landscape. A thousand plants occur in the border between Mexico and the United Rio Grande Delta will find its place as a stan­ this region and 300 of them are known to States there is a narrow band of 'river bot­ dard reference to the plants of south Texas have been used by local people at one time tom' vegetation which follows the Rio and northeastern Mexico. Libraries, natural or another. Sixty of the most commonly resource centers, and governmental agencies used plants are featured in this work. The would be wise to put this guide on their book­ arrangement of the plants treated might be Top Sellers in ABC Book Store shelves while it is still available. - Karen confusing to some readers, as the authors January through March 1996 H. Clary, Dept. of Botany, The University of have chosen to group plants by habit, and Last quarter standing shown in ( ). Texas at Austin 0 within habit, in phylogenetic order. How­ I. Commission E Monographs: Blumenthal, This review appeared originally in the ever, most lay people are not familiar with Hall & Rister, eds.; Klein (trans.) Useful Wild Plants Newsletter, Fall, 1995. the phylogenetic order followed by taxono­ (new listing) Reprinted with the permission of the Useful mists, and the placement of some plants 2. Garlic: The Science and Therapeutic Wild Plants of Texas, Inc. (such as yucca and cholla with shrubs, but applications ofAllium sativum L. and the prickly pears with herbs) is also confus­ Related Species: Koch & Lawson ing. For each species, the common names, (new listing) habit, often a major physical character im­ 3. Herbs of Choice: Tyler (I) Wild Plants of the Pueblo Province. portant for identification, and uses are given. 4. American Ginseng: Green Gold: Persons William W. Dunmire and Gail D. Tierney. The illustrations and photographs of there­ (5) Santo Fe: Museum of New Mexico Press. gion, artifacts, and every plant treated in 5. Encyclopedia of Common Natural 1995. xiii + 290 pp. ISBN 0-89013-272-0. detail are beautiful and abundant. For people Ingredients: Leung & Foster (2) The Pueblo Province is a sociologi­ visiting the area who would like to learn 6. The Honest Herbal: Tyler (5) cally defined area that consists of the clas­ about the rich history of the Province and 7. Forest Pharmacy: Foster (8) sic Pueblo tribal lands in the upper Rio the identities and uses of many of the plants 8. Herbal Drugs & Phytopharmaceuticals: Wicht! & Bisset (4) Grande region of New Mexico. Geographi­ they will see while traveling, this book will 9. Herbal Renaissance: Foster (I I) cally it covers part of the northwest part of be a delightful companion. - Beryl Simp­ 10. Pau D'arco: Jones (13) the state from Isleta south of Albuquerque son, PH.D., Department of Botany, The west to Zuni and north to Taos. In addition University of Texas at Austin 0

70 • HERBALGRAM 37 BOOK REVIEWS

Thyme of Death Bayles mentions the Ebers try described in the Bayles books, the de­ Papyrus, (Egypt, ca 1500 B.C.) referring to scriptions of spring wildflowers, tips on it as the world's oldest surviving medical text planting and using native species, the topog­ and citing the twenty-two remedies using raphy, and the references to local watering garlic. Thyme was nominated for the Agatha spots and recreational areas touch my sense and Anthony mystery awards. of the familiar and add to the general enjoy­ In the second volume Witches' Bane, ment of her adventures. when a customer decides to plant a "poison Albert is generous with her garden" as her entry in a local garden show, acknowledgements to medieval and modem Bayles discusses wolf bane (Aconitum herbal writers and authorities, often listing napellus) and sixteenth-century herbalist books on herbal cultivation, preparing, and John Gerard's suggested antidote. She ex­ cooking. If you want a break from the more pounds in an interesting fashion on the tox­ serious aspects of ethnobotany, pharmacog­ icity of ordinary garden plants (belladonna, nosy, or pharmacology but still wish to stay ESCAPIST FICTION BY SUSAN delphinium, oleander, mountain laurel, in touch with that universe, this series is WITIIG ALBERT mistletoe, castor plants, Jimson weed, fox­ worth the recreational time spent. - Bar­ Thyme of Death, 1992. ISBN 0-684- glove, lantana) with enough scientific exper­ bara Johnston 19522-4. 260 pp. Charles Scribner's Sons. tise to be credible without being overly pe­ Witches' Bane, 1993. ISBN 0-684- dantic-just a couple of friends discussing 19636-0. 273 pp. Charles Scribner's Sons. plants over coffee and peach pie. Hangman's Root, 1994 . ISBN 0-684- Albert writes with a sly wit; her de­ 129677-8. 245 pp. Charles Scribner's scription of a local resident, for example, Sons. brought more than one chuckle. "She's short Rosemary Remembered, 1995. ISBN and round, her tight brown curls courtesy of 0-425-14937-4. 296 pp. Berkeley Prime Bobby Rae's House of Beauty, where perms Crime Book. are half price on Wednesdays. Squeezed into China Bayles is "a snappy lawyer who a bright orange-and-yellow checked pantsuit, New Journal gave up high-speed corporate life to run her she looked like a plastic pot scrubber." own herb shop in the small Texas town of The plot of Hangman 's Root stems Protocol Journal of Botanical Pecan Springs," according to the publisher's from the rivalry and feud between an animal Medicine. P.O. Box 108, Harvard, MA, press releases for the books. The focus of rights group and two members of the biol­ 01451. Phone 800-466-5422. Fax 5081772- these novels by Texas writer Susan Wittig ogy department at a local university. This 5764. Published quarterly. Available from Albert concerns an "ordinary" citizen in­ affords a discussion of catnip and its quali­ ABC Bookstore. Each volume sold sepa­ volved in stories which include all the pre­ ties and horticulture. Other references to rate! y. Vol.I - 209 pp. #B 182A, $25; Vol. II requisites of good mysteries-greed, murder, events and organizations familiar to - 316 pp. #Bl82B, $48; Vol. III- 265 pp., and blackmail. HerbalGram readers are sprinkled through­ $48. #B182. The day-to-day running of Bayles's out. For example, Bayles describes the al­ The explosion of interest in herbal Thyme and Season Herb Company, the ap­ kaloid (the publisher thoughtfully medicine over the past several years is shown pearance of a variety of characters from her includes a parenthetical diagram of the by the publication of numerous books as well past and present life, her participation in the proper pronunciation) in the context of her as periodicals and journals. One of the most local town activities, and regional herbal reference to a friend who is presenting a pa­ unique journals intended for health profes­ events make an interesting background for per on capsicums at the Society of sionals on the subject is the Protocol Jour­ the mysteries. Add to the mix Bayles's sig­ Ethnobiology at the Smithsonian Institution. nal of Botanical Medicine, the brainchild of nificant other, former cop-turned-professor Bayles's relationship with McQuaid has its chief editor Ric Scalzo, a Massachusetts­ Mike McQuaid, and her friend Ruby, and all reached a crossroads and the necessity for based herbalist and owner/founder of Gaia the ingredients are in place to provide the making an oft-postponed decision adds just Herbs. material for an enjoyable evening or two in the right amount of tension to the story. Unlike most other professional jour­ escapist pursuits. Pertinent references to the Rosemary Remembered, the most re­ nals, which usually report on the latest chemi­ use of herbal remedies abound, adding a cent in the China Bayles series, retains the cal, pharmacological, clinical, epidemiologi­ welcome addition to the plot without being verve and wit of the first three, something cal and/or ethnobotanical research, as well intrusive. Albert knows whereof she writes, sadly lacking in the work of many writers on as case histories and other random issues, this for she raises and uses herbs and publishes the "produce-or-else" publishing track. Since journal presents a synoptic view of various an herbal newsletter, China 's Garden. In I live cheek-by-jowl to the Texas Hill Coun- treatment modalities on a single condition

HERBALGRAM 37 • 71 REVIEWS

SOFTWARE REVIEW:

Chinese Herbal Medicine, The Formu­ SYMPTOM KEYWORD lary for Windows, by Michael Gandy, (about 1,250 terms) L.Ac. 1996. Version l.xx, $495. Avail­ For instance, "massive," "mastitis," or able from ABC BookStore #0005 "mania," from "abdomen" to "zoster"; or a With personal publishing technology term like "Bell's" that when clicked on gives readily available for small businesses, we are a list of more complete symptoms associated witnessing an explosion of new books and with this term, e.g., "asymmetrical face," printed matter in all areas of human endeavor "Bell's Palsy," and "deviation of the eyes and produced globally. mouth with facial twitch." Clicking on the Despite the remarkable expansion in full symptom phrase initiates a list of for­ electronic publishing in many fields of hu­ mulas associated with it. The utility of the man endeavor, it is interesting that despite program with finding formulas appropriate the phenomenal plethora of herbal books for symptom words or phrases doesn't stop being written in the last five years, very few there. One can also click on a second symp­ electronic herbals have been produced to fmd tom or phrase, and even a third or fourth. The or disease. For example, the current issue specific papers. I am currently digitizing program automatically comes up with for­ (Volume I, Number 3, Winter 1996) is pri­ most new articles I receive and filing them mulas that match all of the symptoms se­ marily devoted to therapeutic approaches to electronically. lected. This is obviously one of the strong the following conditions/diseases: benign For the health practitioner using herbal points of the program and represents a break­ prostatic hyperplasia, candidiasis, diabetes medicine as an integral or incidental part of through in herbal prescribing. It is simply not mellitus, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), and their favored therapeutic modalities, elec­ possible to cross-reference these many con­ peptic ulcer. Within each of these conditions tronic herbals are exceedingly practical. For cepts at once in such a short time using the are published treatments representing the instance, Traditional Chinese Medicine book itself-<>r any book. following approaches, from various authors: (TCM) practitioners often have up to several allopathic (i.e., conventional medical) spe­ hundred herbs and perhaps 200 formulas to CONDITION CATEGORY cific condition review, naturopathic treatment remember and cross-reference. Some of the Those familiar with the basic concepts protocols, Eclectic medical treatments, formulas have numerous subtle variations of TCM can search by Condition Category, Ayurvedic treatments, and traditional Chi­ that require differentiation based on the signs which includes TCM organ systems (Spleen, nese herbal treatment. and symptoms of the individual patient. Liver, etc.), the pathogens such as Cold, Hot, The current issue also contains mono­ Unless a practitioner has a phenomenal Damp, or Dry, disorders of basic substances graphs on licorice and saw palmetto as well memory, it is not easy to access these for­ like Yin and Blood, and the part of the body as an extensive review article on plants with mulas, especially when he or she is working (Upper Burner, etc.). You can imagine and antidiabetic activity by Robin Maries and in the clinic with several patients at once. much more-the only hitch is figuring out Norman Farnsworth (reprinted from N. R. My dream of simply typing several how to do it. This is an extremely complex Farnsworth and H. Wagner's journal Phy­ symptoms, or a name of a disease, or TCM program with layer after layer. This has its tomedicine). syndrome into my computer and having a list good points, because it can provide any level The benefit of the journal's unique of formulas appear for my perusal has finally of information needed. The program can approach is to present a practitioner (whether come true with the creation of Chinese stimulate one's imagination and act as a phe­ conventional, naturopathic, Chinese, etc.) Herbal Medicine: The Formulary, from nomenal educational tool. One can use the with a more global perspective on treatment Michael Gandy, L.Ac., and his dedicated entire text of Ben sky and Barolet, rich with possibilities. This presents additional per­ group of programmers.This book is simply cultural and traditional medical understand­ spectives on ways to interpret both the dis­ the best data set of traditional Chinese herbal ing, to increase one's knowledge of disease eases and conditions they are dealing with medicine formulas in the English language. and health. For instance, it is possible to as well as enhanced treatment options, which The software is a large Microsoft Win­ browse through all the compiled symptoms would have been overlooked if the practitio­ dows®-based program, and requires 20 mb and signs for Yin deficiency, while at the ner were dealing solely from within his/her of disk space. Because of its extensive search same time comparing the formulas used to own training. Hopefully, the net effect of routines and graphics, it needs at least 8 mb treat it and all of the herb categories within the availability of the information in this jour­ of RAM for optimum performance. I have the formulas that act to support the main ac­ nal will be enhanced healthcare options for found it to work well in Windows 95 , with a tion of "tonify Yin." both patient and practitioner alike, resulting few exceptions noted below. This program is a must for all schools in better healthcare for the patient. -Mark The program includes a number of of TCM or herbal medicine and makes an Blumenthal 0 ways to search for formulas and information, essential addition to the office or home of summarized below. any practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medi-

72 • HERBALGRAM 37 cine, acupuncture, herbal medicine,or mod­ As a botanist, I admit to being a bit ognized a need to make the nomenclature em medicine, or research institutions seek­ stuffy about the proper and consistent use of consistent. ing to analyze the chemical constituents of botanical nomenclature. The "Genus" men­ In Win95: I have noticed some display traditional Chinese medicines or explore their tioned in an herb display dialog box really problems, but it is probable that this is re­ pharmacological activity. leads to the pharmaceutical name, not the lated to my graphics card and drivers. Make genus. In the single herb list in the opening sure to get the latest drivers from the manu­ PROBLEMS AND CRITICAL page, there are a number of repeats of names facturer of your video card. - Christopher COMMENTS (sometimes as much as three). Choosing Hobbs, L.Ac. 0 The help tutorial animation doesn't "species" in the herb display dialog box work properly on my machine. The arrow brings up a list that mixes the pharmaceuti­ Reference goes to the wrong places and the computer cal specific epithet (Latinized) with true spe­ Wiley talks of electronic future.(John Wiley and Sons Inc.: CEO Charl es Elli s on electronic publishing plans). Pub· gets stuck; it beeps intermittently. The au­ cies names, e.g,. sinensis and japonicae (not /isher.1· Weeklr v242. n41 (Oct 9. 1995): 15. thor told me that this is the case on some a true species name). There are also dupli­ computers, and it will be fixed in the next cates in this list as well. Michael Gandy rec- version, out soon. LETTERS

RHUBARB RAVE I was immensely pleased with the wonderful layout and illustrations you ac­ complished with my piece on rhubarb (Herba/Gram No. 36); any and all thanks that may be extended must go to you and the magazine staff for not only a superlative job with this issue but for continuing improve­ THE PHARMACIST'S ROLE ments in content and artistic presentation. I Thank you for providing me with the am grateful. overheads of herbal products that helped me Clifford M. Foust to successfully complete my doctoral semi­ Department of History nar on "The Pharmacist's Role in the Use University of Maryland at College Park and Abuse of Herbs as Medicines." Al­ JUGOSLAVIJA though I feel as though I presented a factual t:OURVOISII::R S. /. and exciting topic to my fellow classmates - - and professors, I regret to say that a few Clary Sage, Salvia sclarea, Jugoslavia ERRATUM "clinical" professors thought mine was a On page 5 of the Herbal DISCERNING EYE most unorthodox topic, and I believe they Education Catalog accompanying As an herb aficionado rather than an were quite offended that I should imply that HerbalGram #35, the e-mail address expert, I especially appreciate the way herbal and natural products have a role in for the Pharmacy Continuing Educa­ HerbalGram reviews and rebuts popular modem medicine. But there comes a time tion contact is incorrect. The correct media coverage of herb issues, as you did in when you have to stand up for what you be­ address is custserv@ herbalgram.org lieve in, even though it takes resolve, and Issue 36. You serve as a voice of reason in an accept the politics and parochial thinking that era of hype! is probably present in all university settings. By the way, where is the credit for the Regarding "Pharmacy from the I also want to commend you on the great cover photo? Is it by Steven Foster? Rainforest in Beautiful Belize," excellent HerbalGram #35. I am so im­ His beautful color close-ups really comple­ Herba/Gram #35, page 36, last para­ pressed with this issue. Your article on Belize ment the text throughout the issue. Thanks graph, left-hand column, " 1987 was great. I thank you for making it such a for an articulate, aesthetically pleasing World's Fair in New Orleans." There big part of your journal, for it certainly boosts publication! wasnoWorld'sFairin 1987. In 1984 pharmacist's image in the whole rain forest­ Gayle Scroggs, Ph .D. the World's Fair was in New Orleans natural plant-herbal pharmacy ethos that our Marcellus, NY and the theme was water, which would group so endears. Penny King's article on ([email protected]) be congruent with the hand-carved "Collecting Experiences" was also very well boat mentioned in the article. In 1988, done, and I know it will help my students [The photo for the cover of the World's Fair was in Sydney, prepare for their NCI plant collecting expe­ HerbaiGram #36 was by Steven Foster who Australia for their bicentennial. rience. provides many of our most spectacular Shan tara Dan Wagner, M.S., R. Ph. photos. The attribution is on page seven of Charlottesville, Virginia Allison Park, Pennsylvania that issue.}

HERBALGRAM 37 • 73 ACCESS In this department of Herba/Gram , we list resources such as publications, organizations, seminars, and networking for our readers. A listing in this section does not constitute any endorsement or approval by Herba/Gram , ABC , HRF, or the HRF Professional Advisory Board .

Bastyr University AIDS Research Center News­ Natural Business is a monthly newsletter with ments, alli ances, and technologies, as well as in­ letter - a statu s report with in fo rmati on on ac­ the latest in -depth business and fi nancial news terviews and conferences. Contact Barbara Obstoj ti vities at the Center sponsored by a grant to Bastyr for the health and natural products trade. Cost: or Robin Cardwell , Nutraceuticals Intern ational, University from the National Institutes of Health $249/yr. ($197 fo r charter subscriptions through Marketl etter (Publications) Ltd., 54-55 Wilton Office of Alternative Medicine to establish the 6/30/96). A weekly fax/e-mail service, exclusive Road, London SW IV IDE, England. Phone 44- Center for Altern ative Medicine Research in HIY I to newsletter subscri bers, is a summary of the most 17 1-828-7272. Fax 44/1 71-828-0415. AIDS. Contact Bastyr University AIDS Research current health and natural products business news Center, 144 NE 54th St., Seattl e, WA 98 115, Ph . plus the Na tu ral Business weekly Stock lndex­ Traffic USA , a joint program of World Wildlife 206/51 7-3578. $ 149/yr. Contact Natural Business Communica­ Fund (WWF) and IUCN (World Conservation ti ons, P.O. Box 7370, Boulder, CO 80306-7741 , Uni on), periodic newsletter on the trade in threat­ Canadian Herb Society, formed March, 1996 - Ph. 303/442-8983, Fax 303/440-7741. E-mail ened flora and fauna. Cost: $10.00. Subscribers a nati on-wide organi zati on to provide accurate in­ naturalbi [email protected] or web page at http:// should write CC#240000 on check or money or­ fo rmation, education, networking, and represen­ www.naturalbiz.com der. Contact World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th St., tati on for those with an interest in herbs. For mem­ Was hington, D.C. 20037. bership and newsletter, contact The Canadi an Northwind Farm 's Herb Resource Directory, Herb Society, c/o Barbara Fox, VanDusen Botani­ Fourth Edition, with I ,208 sources and resources 270 Plantas Medicinales Jberoamericanas is a cal Di spl ay Garden, 5251 Oak St., Vancouver, indexed by location and name. Resource for gar­ book on important medi cinal plants from 19 Latin B.C. V6M 4Hl. den greenhouse, shop, seeds, pl ants, greenhouse American countries, Portugal, and Spain. Pub­ supplies, biological pest controls, botanical gar­ li shed in coll aboration with lberoamerican Pro­ FDA on the Internet. -New drug and medical dens, books, periodi cals, classes, fes ti vals, and gram of Science and Technology for Develop­ device approvals, the latest press releases and garden tours. Cost: $ 12.95. Directory and ment, Sub Program X. Fine, Pharmaceutical Enforcement Reports, Federal Register notices Microsoft Access database format on 3- 1/ 2-inch Chemistry and the Executive Secretariat of the now on the Internet's World Wide Web. To ac­ di skette, $19.95 (postpaid in U.S. , Canada, $1.00; Andres Bello Agreement. Cost: $45.00 U. S. (plus cess the FDA Home Page, use URL: http://www. all other countries, $3.00). Contact Northwind $ 15.00 postage). Contact Mahabir P. Gupta, Ph.D., fd a.gov. For connection questi ons, call 301/443- Farm Publicati ons, RR2, Box 246, Shevlin, MN Apartado 19767, Estafeta Universitaria, Panama, 4908. 56676. Ph. 507/223-3487, Fax 507 64-0789, e-mail: mgupta@ ancon.up.ac.pa 0 MenoTimes - quarterly newsletter created to Nutraceuticals International - The global per­ educate women by giving alternati ve healthcare specti ve on nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, choices in dealing with menopause and osteoporo­ and functional foods-a monthly publicati on by sis. Cost: $30/yr. USA, $37/yr. Canada. Contact publishers of Pharma Marketletter will track Send your letters to the editor via The Menopause Center, 1108 Irwin St., San worldwide developments in legislati on, market e-mail: [email protected] Rafael, CA 9490 I , Ph . 415/459-5430. data, company in formation, product develop-

CALENDAR

June 21-23: Third International Herb Sympo­ June 28-30: Ginseng Days, Albany, NY. Spon­ Ethnopharmacology. Contact the Linnean Soci­ sium on Modern and Traditional Uses ofHerbal sored by the newly formed North American Gin­ ety of London, Burlington House, Piccadilly, Medicine, Wheaton College, sponsored by Fron­ seng Associati on and the I 00-plus-year-old New London WI V OLQ UK, Ph . 44-0-171 434 4479, ti er Cooperati ve Herbs, Sage Mountain, Rainbow York State Ginseng Association (NYSGA). Semi­ Fax 44-0-171 2879364, e-mail : marquita Light, and Herb Pharm. Largest and most com­ nars, workshops and panel di scussions with fo­ @ linnean.demon.co.uk prehensive herbal event of its kind offered in the cus on starting a ginseng garden. Contact U.S. Herbal teachers from around the world of­ NYSGA, P.O. Box 127, Roxbury, NY 12474, Ph. July S-7: The Baca Institute of Ethnobotany, fer a cross section of knowledge ranging fro m fo lk 607/326-3005. summer course, "Indigenous Botany in the Class­ lore traditions to the scientific and clinical uses room." Focuses on the use of indigenous botani­ of pl ants. Cost $225. Contact: International Herb june 30-]uly 4: International Symposium on cal knowledge as a vehicle to explore science and Symposium, P.O. Box 420, E. Barre, VT 05649, Breeding Research on Medicinal and Aromatic cultural traditions. Designed for Native Ameri­ Ph. 802/479-9825, Fax 802/476-3722. Plants, Quedlinburg, Germany. Sponsored by can communities at elementary and secondary Federal Centre fo r Breeding Research on Cul ti­ school levels. Instructors - Enrique Salmon and June 26-30: Primer Congreso Nacional Plantas vated Plants (BAZ) and Federal Ministry of Food, Theresa Boone; I credit hour for salary advance­ Medicinales de Mexico , Tlaxcala, Tlax . Contact Agriculture and Forestry (BML). Contact Herr ment or recerti ficati on for teachers. Contact the Bioi. Miguel Angel Gutierrez Dominguez, UAT, Dr. F. Pank, Bundesanstalt fur Zuchtungs­ Baca Institute of Ethnobotany, P.O. Box 132, Secretari a de Investi gacion Cientifica, Jardin forschung an Kulturpflanzen, Neuer Weg 22/23, Crestone, CO 8 11 3 1, Ph. 71 9/256-41 35. Botanico Universitario, Av. Uni versidad No. I, D - 06484 Quedlinburg, Germany. 90070 Tlaxcala, Tlax. Telefax (246) 2 23 13 y 2 July 7-9: Botanicals for Medical and Dietary 40 13. July 1-6: Plants for Food & Medicine, London, Use: Standards and Information Issues, sponsored UK. Joint meeting of Society for Economic by USP, Washington, D.C. Multidisciplinary con­ Botany and Internationa l Society for ference for health care professionals, manufac-

74 • HE RBALGRAM 37 turers, suppliers, regulators and consumers. Ap­ Brookl yn, NY 11 225- 1099. Tel. 718/622-4433 October 20-25: 3rd Dead Sea Conference, "Po­ proved by the American Council on Pharmaceu­ xt. 259; Fax. 718/857-2430. e-mail: tentiating Health and the Crisis of the Immune tical Education. Contact: USP, 12601 Twinbrook [email protected]. System: Integrative Approaches to Prevention and Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, Ph. 30118 16- Healing of Modem Disease," Tel Aviv, Israel. 8282. September 11-14: 2nd 1nt ernational Congress on Workshops, di scussions, tours, and exhibitions on Phytomedicine in cooperation with ESCOP (Eu­ the holi stic view of modem sicknesses. Contact July 18-21: 11th Annual International Herb ropean Scientific Coooperative for Phytotherapy). Dan Knassim Ltd., 3rd Dead Sea Conference, P.O. Conference, San Diego, CA, sponsored by Inter­ Topics: "Phytochemical and Phyto-pharmacologi­ Box 193 I, Ramat Gan 52 11 8, Israel, Ph. 972-3- national Herb Association with over 50 educa­ cal Research" and "Phytotherapeutics in Practi­ 6133340, Fax 972-3-6133341. tional sessions, wholesale trade show, tours and cal and Clinical Application." Contact: Institute industry awards. Contact International Herb As­ of Pharmaceutical Biology, Karlstrabe 29, D- October 26: Commercial Herb Growing Con­ sociati on, 1202 Allanson Rd., Mundelein, IL 80333 Munchen, Germany. Ph. 49/89/59 02-379, ference, Good wood, Ontario, Canada. Sponsored 60060. Ph. 847/949-4372. Fax 49/89/59 02-237. by Richter's, International Herb Association, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food & Rural July 25-28: HJV/AJDS & Chinese Medicine September 13-15: Breitenbush Hot Springs Affairs, Organic Crop Producers & Processors Conference, West Hollywood, CA. Contact Herbal Conference, Detroit, OR. Three days of Ontario, Inc. , and Ontario Herbalist Association. Howard Moffet, Executive Director, AIDS & herbal workshops in a setting of green forests, wild Speakers' topics include marketing opportunities, Chinese Medicine Institute, 455 Arkansas St., San rivers, and healing mineral hot springs. Teachers difficulties, future outlook, crop growing and pro­ Francisco, CA 94107, Ph.415/282-4028, Fax415/ include Rosemary Gladstar, Cascade Anderson cessing. Cost: $100. Contact Sheila Shillum, 282-2935,e-mail 3563.2 131 @compuserve.com Geller, Steven Foster. Cost $285 includes veg­ Richter's, Good wood, Ontario, Canada LOC I AO, etarian meals, cabin space, and all workshops. Ph. 905/640-6677, Fax 905/640-6641, e-mail: July 27-31: 37th Annual Meeting ofthe Ameri­ Contact Autumn Summers, P.O. Box 2 131, [email protected] can Society of Pharmacognosy. University of Sebastopol, CA 95473, Ph. 707/544-6909. California, Santa Cruz. Six symposia with out­ October 28-31: 12th General Assembly of the standing group of scientists on the general theme: September 20-23: NAHA 1st International Con­ World Federation of Proprietary Medicine "Biotechnology and Natural Products." Regis­ ference & Trade Show , "The World of Manufacturers (WFPMM), Toronto, Canada, tration information: Roy Okuda, Department of Aromatherapy," San Francisco, CA. Sponsored "Building Self-Medication's Contribution to Chemistry, San Jose State University, San Jose, by the National Association for Holistic Health Care." Sponsored by the WFPMM and Californi a 95192-0101. Tel. 408/924-2525. Fax Aromatherapy. Business panels, workshops, the Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers' Asso­ 408/924-4945. e-mail : [email protected]. world renowned speakers. Contact NAHA Con­ ciation of Canada (NDMAC). Presentations in­ ference Committee, P.O. Box 17622, Boulder, CO corporate matters th at are of global importance August 14-18: Tenth International Congress of 80308-7622, Ph. 800/566-6735, Fax 415/564- for the OTC (over-the-counter) industry. Con­ Traditional and Folk Medicine. Corpus Christi , 6799. tact WFPMM, 15 Sydney House, Woodstock Rd., Texas includes themes from medical anthropol­ London, W4 IDP, UK, Ph. (44- 18 1) 747-8709, ogy, acupuncture and moxibustion, traditional folk September 20, 1996- May 25, 1997, 8-month Fax (44- 18 1) 747-8711. medicine legislation, most recent research on apprenticeship at Southeastern School of Herbal chemical properties of natural products, histories Studies, Mount Carmel Herb Farm, Walterboro, November 10-15: 11 World Congress on Medici­ of alternative medicines, and more. Contact SC. Spend one week-end per month at working nal and Aromatic Plants for Human Welfare , Leonardo Carrillo, Ph.D., Congress Chair, 6300 herb farm learning about herbali sm. Total cost Mendoza, Republica Argentina. Sponsored by Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 7841 2. Tel. 5 12/ $895; includes material medica, herbal pharmacy, The International Council of Medicinal and Aro­ 994-5965; Fax 512/994-5810. herbal therapeutics and formul ati on, and cultiva­ matic Plants (ICMAP), International Society for tion. Contact SSHS, Rt. 2, Box 581, Walterboro, Horticultural Science (ISHS), and Sociedad Ar­ August 16-18: Herb Fest '96, Fifth Annual Week­ sc 29488. 803/538-3503. gentina para Ia Investigacion de Productos end Herb Conference, Norway, IA. Hosted by Aromaticos (SAIPA). Topics on botanical, agri­ Frontier Cooperative Herbs on Frontier's 60-acre October 4-6: Plant Collecting Around the World, cultural, biotechnological, and commercial as­ farm . Theme is "Tradition Meets Science" in the Charleston Garden Festival 1996, Charleston, SC. pects related to medicinal and aromatic pl ants. fie lds of herbal health care, aromatherapy, natur­ Seminar topics on the origin of today's popular Contact Dr. Arnaldo Bandoni, SAIPA, Av. de opathy, herb growing, and culture-based healing pl ants, tomorrow's new favorites and the impact Mayo I 324-1 pi so, oficina 36 (I 085), Buenos traditions. Speakers include Rob McCaleb, Kurt of other cultures on Southern gardens. Contact Aires, Argentina, Ph. (54-I ) 383-2360, Fax (54- Schnaubelt, Joseph Pizzorno, Holly Shimizu,and Rebecca Gosnell, Festival Manager, Ph. 803/722- I) 961-7637, e-mail: [email protected] Gail Ulrich. Cost/$165 (if preregistered by July 0661. 19 St. Margaret, Charleston, SC 29403. 22). Contact HerbFest '96, P.O. Box 299, Nor­ December 12-13: 3rd Annual Symposium on way, IA 52318, 800/669-3275. October 7-11: National Complementary Complementary Health Care , Exeter, UK. A fo­ Healthcare Week presented by the Institute for rum for all individuals interested in Complemen­ August 23-25: 9th Annual Women 's Herbal Con­ International Research, Pharmaceutical and tary Medicine with original research papers, in­ ference, New Hampshire. Topics on a wide vari­ Healthcare Division. vited lectures, and workshops. Contact Mrs. ety of natural healing modalities for women's Oct. 7-9, Integrating Complementary Alter­ Elizabeth Stewart, 25 Victoria Park Rd., Exeter health problems with over 30 workshops for all native Medicine into Managed Care presented UK EX2 4NT, Ph. 44 (0) 1392 264492, Fax 44 levels of interest and expertise. Speakers include by the Pharmaceutical Division of IIR featur­ (0) 1392 264493, e-mail [email protected] 0 Dr. Tori Hudson, Susun Weed, Adelma Simmons, ing a roster of 16 industry leaders in the alter­ Dr. Mary Bove, Pam Montgomery. Cost: $225 native medicine industry. (includes meals and camping). Contact Katie October 9-11: Creating the Natural For­ Pickens, 9th Annual Women's Herbal Conference, mulary, Interactive conference workshops RRl , Box 3000, Wolcott, VT 05680, Ph. 802/888- with Varro Tyler, Ph.D., Rob McCaleb, Lee 3736. Grady, Don Brown, Mark Blumenthal, and Loren Israelsen. Contact I!R, 800/999-3123 September 7-11: 3rd International Congress on for information. Education in Botanic Gardens. New York, New York. Contact Lisa Katzenstein Gomez, Brook­ lyn Botanic Garden, I 000 Washington Ave. ,

HERBALGRAM 37 • 75 CLASSIFIED A listing in this classified section does not constitute any endorsement or approval by Herba/Gram, the American Bota nical Council, the Herb Research Foundation, or the HRF Professional Advisory Board. Herba/Gram Classified ad rates: $1 .25 per word; $3 5 minimum. Contact Margaret Wright, P.O . Box 201660, Austin, TX 78720. 512/331-8868. Fax 512/ 331-1924.

BOOKS School of Herbal Medicine (American branch, ranged with the office upon being accepted into Meet the Alabama Herbalist who's been gath­ School of Phytotherapy, England) offers corre­ the program. No work study at the College is ering plants on "moonshiny nights and wet days" spondence course. For information send long available. Call or send $2.00 for catalog and ap­ for over 75 years. Twenty-six minute television SASE to P. 0. Box 168-G, Suquamish, WA plication: The Registrar, 120 Aliso SE, Albuquer­ documentary profiles Tommie Bass, who carries 98392. que, NM 87108. Phone: 505/265-0795. on the mountain folk approach to healing. Call 800/463-8825 and charge to VISA, MasterCard, The School of Natural Healing was founded in Northeast School of Botanical Medicin~Six­ or Discover. $25. 1953 by Dr. John R. Christopher, M.H., N.D., and month program emphasizing clinical ski ll s, bo­ continues in his time-tested modalities. The SNH tanical identification, materia medica, herbal phar­ offers Master Herbali st (M. H.) training in 17 macy, wildcrafting. Classes include fi eld trips and course levels at $100 each. This full spectrum of student clinic. ?Song, P.O. Box 6626, Ithaca, NY courses is taught by ex pert instructors, in the con­ 14851. 607/564-1023. CORRESPONDEN CE COURSES venience of your own home, on professionally AND SEM INARS produced video and audio tapes. Books, work­ Wild Rose College of Natural Healing - es­ books, and home assignments are also provided. tablished 1975, offering classroom and correspon­ Ayurveda Certification-correspondence/resi­ Upon completion of the 17 courses, students are dence courses in Herbology, Pharmacognosy, dential. Pulse analysis, theory, herbology, nutri­ el igibl e to attend the intensive certificati on semi­ Nutrition, Who lis tic Health, Biology, Phys iology, tion, aromatherapy, meditation, yoga, pancha nar held at our own beautiful retreat in the majes­ Iridology, and many other fi elds. Programs for karma, more. $ 1 catalog (or free fax/back 5 16/ tic Wasatch Mountains. For free information, call Master Herbali st (two years), Wholi stic Health 628-8200). Ayurveda, 82A Bayville Ave., 1/800/372-8255 or write to The School of Natu­ Therapist (three years), Clinical Herbalist (three Bayville, NY 11709. ral Healing, P.O. Box 412, Springville, UT 84663. years), Practical Herbali st (8 months), Counsel­ ing (one and three years). Send $3 for detailed Directory of Herbal Education. Dozens of Sweetgrass School of Herbalism. Week-long calendar, #400, 1228 Kensington Rd . NW, courses avai lable nationwide. 48-page booklet classes in plant identification and phytopharmacy Calgary, Alberta, CANADA T2N 4P9. 403/270- $6.95 . Goldenseal Media, 3014 N. 400 W. , West methods. Call 406/585-8006 or write for bro­ 0936. Lafayette, IN 47906. chure. 6 10 I Shadow Circle Drive, Bozeman, MT 59715. Green Nations Gathering, September 27-29. PUBLICATIONS Long weekend includes an earth health ceremony, Traditional Chinese Herbal Sciences, profes­ herbal emporium, purification lodges, and work­ sional training. TCM health assessment, phar­ American Herb Association Quarterly Newslet­ shops by leading herbalists, including David macopoeia, formulation. Extensive clinical case ter- $20/yr. AHA, P.O. Box 1673, Nevada City, Hoffmann, Susun Weed, Rosemary Gladstar, experience. Residential intensives, correspon­ CA 95959. David Winston; Special Guest, Brooke Medicine dence. Free brochure. Rocky Mountain Herbal Eagle. Nestled high in the Catskill Mountains of Institute; P. 0. Box 579, Hot Springs, MT 59845. Australian Journal of Medical Herbalism New York at the beautiful Phoenicia Pathwork 406/741-3811. quarterly publication of the National Herbalists Center we come together to Jearn, network, play, Association of Australia (founded in 1920). Deals and honor the earth. Contact: Pam Montgomery, with all aspects of Medical Herbalism, including P.O. Box 266HG, Milton, NY 12547. 914/795- SCHOOLS latest medicinal plant research findings. Regular 5238. features include Australian medicinal plants, con­ CONNECTICUT INSTITUTE FOR ferences, conference reports, book reviews, rare Green Terrestrial offers herbal and earth aware­ HERBAL STUDIES offers professional train­ books, case study and medicinal plant review. ness workshops, quality herbal products, and ap­ ing in Western, Chinese (NCCA) accepted for Aus/$40 plus Aus/$15 if required by airmail. prenticeships in an atmosphere of co-creative CEUs and Ayurvedic herbology, and a variety National Herbali sts Association of Australia, Suite partnering with the Earth. Pam Montgomery, P.O. of single evening seminars. CIHS, 87 Market 305, 3 Smail St., Broadway, NSW 2007, Austra­ Box 266, Milton, NY 12547. 9141795-5238. Square, Newington, CT 06111. 860/666-5064. li a.

Grow Gourmet & Medicinal Mushrooms. The National College of Phytotherapy - The Bu$iness ofHerbs- Comprehensive report­ Shiitake, Reishi, Morels, Oysters .... Seminars on Three-year residency program designed for the ing, business news, marketing hints, sources, and cultivation. Free brochure. Commercial catalog serious student wishing to practice the science resources. Subscription $20/yr. Brochure/SASE $4.50. Fungi Perfecti, P.O. Box 7634HG, Olym­ and art of herbal medicine: Western phytotherapy, from Northwind Farm, Rt. 2, Box 246(G), pia, WA 98507. Cal l 800/780-9 126. Fax 360/ plant pharmacy, health sciences, fi eldwork,and Shevlin, MN 56676. 426-9377. 3rd year Clin ical/Coun seling experience. Key fac ulty: Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., Amanda Foster's Botanical and Herb Reviews- Infor­ Natural Healing Home Study - Australasian McQuade Crawford, MNIMH, David Schwindt, mation resources, book reviews, new periodi cals, College of Herbal Studies offers dynamic, writ­ M.D. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science etc. Quarterl y, $10/yr from Steven Foster, P.O. ten, audio & video course materials. Diploma & in Phytotherapy (Herbal Medicine). We are not Box 1343, Fayetteville, AR 72702. 50 115 21- Certificate curriculum. Free Prospectus. 800/48- yet accredi ted. Classes begin September 1996. 5887. Fax 501/521-6369. STUDY. E-mail: australasian college@ Tuition: $3,900 per year. Class schedule perrnits herbed.com full or part-time work; time payments may be ar-

76 • HERBALGRAM 37 CLASSIFIED

HerbalGram - Quarterly journal published by Herbal animal care, offering safe alternatives to bounty of the earth for their healing products and the American Botanical Council and the Herb drugs and chemicals. Six issues annually, $20. livelihood. August 18-24, 1996. Crow Canyon Research Foundation. $25/yr., $45/2 yrs, $60/3 Natural Pet Magazine, P.O. Box 351 , Trilby, FL Archaeological Center, 23390 Road K, Cortez, yrs. P.O. Box 201660, Austin, TX 78720. 33593. 904/583-2770. CO 81321 . 800/422-8975. extension 142. 800/373-7 105 or fax 512/331-1924. See accom­ panying Herbal Education Catalog for ordering Washington Insight -A quarterly newsletter de­ Amazon: Take the Shamanic Voyage of Discov­ information. signed to keep natural products scientists abreast ery. Travel wi th artist and mycologist Gerry of funding opportunities and other important hap­ Miller and the "Wild Mushroom Traveling Road HerbalVoices -A network of amateur and pro­ penings in Washington, D.C., including interviews Show" aboard our beautiful mahogany riverboat fessional herbalists sharing the medicinal, culi­ with Congressmen, Senators, or other government for two incredible weeks on the Peruvian Ama­ nary, wildcrafting, and organic growing arts of officials, that may affect them and their institu­ zon accompanied by Amazonian Shamans expert herbs. Members write in their experiences, re­ tion. In addition to the newsletter, subscribers in the use of magical and medicinal rainforest ceive support and feedback, and seek assistance. receive Funding Alert, which provides pre-adver­ plants. Trade in Indian villages. Explore unknown Our quarterly publication is $12/yr. Sample $3. tised information on funding opportunities, and territory. Participate in all-night Ayahuasca cer­ 3936 Mt. Bliss Rd. , East Jordan, MI 49727. Compound Alert, listing of compounds of inter­ emonies guided by Amazonian shamans while est to the National Cancer Institute which need cruising in comfort with a crew of I 0, all natural Herban Lifestyles - Bimonthly newsletter with research to insure adequate suppli es-another gourmet meals, open bar, laundry service. and a entertaining, eclectic, and sometimes esoteric re­ opportunity for research grants. Annual subscrip­ fleet of motorized canoes. $3,800 includes round­ ports on how we live, work, and play with herbs. tion, U.S. personal/$43; institutional/$85. For­ trip airfare from Miami, tips. transportation, lodg­ Money-back guarantee. Sample $3. $ 18/yr. Free eign: personal/$50; institutional/$95. Contact: ing, food, and drink. A suitcase full of trade goods brochure. Stone Acre Press, 84 Carpenter Rd., Washington Insight, I I 000 Waycroft Way, North is suggested. Call or write Chris or Gerry Miller, Apt. 78711-1 , New Hartford, CT 06057. Bethesda, MD 20852. 30 I /88 1-6720, Fax 30 I I P.O. Box 126, East Haddam, CT 06423. 860/ 984-7372. 873-8286. But do it soon, the trips fill fast' The Herb Growing and Marketing Network­ An information service for herb businesses and Wildflower - North America's only popular Qualified Herbalists needed for reputable herb serious hobbyists. Includes The Herbal Connec­ magazine devoted solely to the study, conserva­ extract company part-time in Texas, Colorado. and tion, a 36-page bimonthly trade journal, Th e tion, and cultivation of our continent's native flora. New York Metro. Please send resume to: ATT: Herbal Green Pages, annual resource guide with Offering an appealing blend of art and sc ience. V. P., 320 Oser Avenue, Hauppauge, NY 11788. over 5,000 li stings, free classified advertising for this 48-page quarterly examines all aspects of subscribers, and more. Entire package $60/yr. popular botany in North America from the rain The Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical (Higher outside North America) Sample news­ forests of Panama to the micro-mosses of the Studies - comprehensive. balanced herbal cur­ letter, $4. The Herbal Connection, P. 0. Box 245, Arctic tundra; from gardening with native trees, riculum of academic and earth-centered studies. Silver Spring, PA 17575. 717/393-3295. MC/ shrubs, wildflowers, and ferns to the latest projects Certification programs and advanced clinical in ­ Visa accepted. in habitat and native plant conservation. The green ternship available. Call 303/442-686 1 or write revolution begins in our own backyard. Wild­ for brochure. P.O. Box 19254, Boulder, CO The Herb Quarterly -When the world wearies flower is published by the Canadian Wildflower 80308-2254. 0 and ceases to satisfy, there's always The Herb Society, 90 Wolfrey Ave ., Toronto, Ontario, Quarterly, a beautiful magazine dedicated to all Canada M4K I K8 . Tel: 416/466-6428. Subscrip­ things herbal-gardening, medicinals, crafts, folk­ tions and membership are $2511 yr., $45/2 yrs. lore, alternative uses of herbs, and more. Rates: Sample copy $5. Sample issue $5; introductory subscription (5 is­ sues) $19.95. P. 0. Box 689, San Anselmo, CA 94979. 1/800/371-HERB.

International Journal of Aromatherapy - Ed­ Send your letters to the editor via e-mail: OTHER ited by aromatherapy author Robert Tisserand. [email protected] Articles and information on uses of essential oils in well-being. Designed for practitioners, teach­ Abundant Earth: People and Places of the ers, suppliers, writers, etc. $30/yr. International Southwestern Uplands. Join botanists Enrique Journal of Aromatherapy, 1129 Industrial Ave. Salmon and Karen Adams in an exploration of #200, Petaluma, CA 94952. 707/769-5120. plants and their various uses by cultures of the Movilt\g? Southwest. Travel across diverse ecological Our mail permit does not allow us to Medical Herbalism - Subtitled "A Clinical zones-high deserts, alpine forests, and lush fer­ forward HerbaiGram. If you move or Newsletter for the Herbal Practitioner." Edited tile valleys-as you examine the many levels of change your mailing address, please no­ tify us immediately so you will not miss any by Paul Bergner. $24/yr, $42/2 yrs. Canada $29/ interaction between humans, plants, and the land­ copies. Send your change of address yr. Overseas $39/yr. Sample/$4. Medical scape. Visit with American Indian and Hispanic notice to Margaret Wright, Circulation Herbalism, P. 0. Box 33080, Portland, OR 97233. herbalists and artisans who are closely ti ed to the Manager, American Botanical Council, P. 0 . Box 201660, Austin,TX 78720. 512/ 331-8868. FAX 512/331 -1924.

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0 Please send your catalog FREE ------Signature Texas residents only add 6.25 % Sales tax ------Phone# (Subscriptions include shipping and handling) Shipping TOTAL SHIPPING ADDRESS (please: NO P.O. Boxes and include country): NEW Shipping rates (circle one) North US only Other Sales To tal America 2nd Day Europe Foreign $9·15 4.00 9.50 8.50 10.00 No 16-20 5. 50 12.50 12.00 14.00 21-30 7.00 16.00 15.25 18.00 UPS 31 -60 8.50 20.00 18.50 22.00 delivery 61 -100 10.00 25.00 21.75 26 .00 to 101-200 11.50 30.00 25.00 30.00 PO 201-300 13.00 35.00 28 .25 34.00 Boxes Make checks payable to the American Botanical Council, 301 -400 14.50 40.00 31.50 38.00 PO Box 201660, Austin, TX 78720-1660. Phone 512/331-8868. 401 -500 16.00 45.00 34.75 42.00 July 1996 price list. Prices subject to change. HG37

78 • HERBALGRAM 37

The Most Comprehensive E~ translation of the German Government's Monographs by the ~ERICAN BoTfo.NIUL COUNCIL • • • • • • Mark Blumenthal, Senior Editor Foreword by Varro E. Tyler, Ph .D., Lilly Distinguished Professor of Pharmacognosy, Purdue Un iversity

• 312 MONOGRAPHS • 190 HERBS AND FIXED COMBINATIONS PROVEN FOR 'THERAPEUTIC USE • 150 INDICATIONS • GLOSSARY OF MEDICAL, PHARMACY AND TECHN ICAL TERMS • COMMON ,LATIN ,PHARMOCOPEIAL AND GERMAN NAMES CROSS REFERENCED • INDEX OF APPROVED USES • INDEX OF CONTRAINDICATION$ • INDEX OF SIDE EFFECTS • CHEMICAL INDEX • GENERAL INDEX