New additions to the Herbal Education Catalog Available in the center of this issue of HerbaiGrom
COMPLEMENTARY AND hv\ERICflN ALTERNATIVE VETERINARY BoTI'NICAL MEDICINE: PRINCIPLES AND COUNCIL PRACTICE Ed. by Allen Schoen and Susan Wynn. HPLC AND CE: PRINCIPLES 1998. Introduction to the philosophy, AND PRACTICE science, and clinical applications of PROSPECTING FOR by Andrea Weston ond Phyllis Brown. CAVM designed to help practitioners integrate ~ese modalities DRUGS IN ANCIENT AND 1997. The latest information on the into their conventional practice. Includes nulrllion, physical, MEDIEVAL EUROPEAN most powerful separation techniques energetic and botanical medicine, and homeopathy. 820 pp. TEXTS: A SCIENTIFIC available. In cludesfundamental theory, instrumentation, modes $84.95. #8335 APPROACH of operation, and optimization of separations. 280 pp. $69.95. Ed. by Bart Hollond.1996. #B33 1 Provides guidance for the pharmaceutical researcher interested in the ancient lore of medicinal plants os o source of candidate compounds for investigation. 1OS pp. $65. #B327
HERBAL DRUGS INDUSTRY: A PRACTICAL APPROACH A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO HPLC TO INDUSTRIAL EVE'S HERBS DETECTION PHARMACOGNOSY EVE'S HERBS: A HISTORY Ed. by Donald Parriott. 1993. Aguide Ed . by R. D. Chaudhri. 1996. OF CONTRACEPTION AND for the practicing chromotographer Identification, pharmacological classification, selection, processing ABORTION IN THE WEST that explores ond compares existing methods, suggested dosage forms, plant and machinery by John Riddle. 1997. Answers detection systems, ouriines the requirements, testing, regulatory requirements and more. the question: If women once hod com mon problems associated with o 648 pp. $200. #B336 access to effective means of birth given detector, ond offers proven approaches to avoiding such control, why wos this knowledge problems. 293 pp. $71 . #B332 lost to them in modern times? 341 pp. $39.95. #B328
THE JOURNALS OF HIPOLITO RUIZ, SPANISH BOTANIST IN PERU AND CHILE 1777·1788 TRADE IN PRUNUS Trans. By Richard Schultes and Moria AFRICANA AND THE Jose Nemry von Thenen de PHYTOMEDICINES OF IMPLEMENTATION OF JaromilhrArongo. 1998. Fully EUROPE: CHEMISTRY AND CITES indexed descriptions of 2000 plants BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY by M. Cunningham, A. B. make this o valuable botanical resource os well os o unique Ed. by Lorry Lawson ond Rudo~ Cunningham ond U. Schippmonn. historical find. 357 pp. $44.95. #B337 Bauer. 1998. Articles on the status of • ---·--- 1997. Summarizes oil ovoiloble herbs in the United States, Europe, information on the extraction, the Commission EMo nographs, ond commercialization, ond trade in this medicinal plant species and regulatory concerns; diseases ond how they might be affected by aims at helping customs officials to identify the commodities in ovariety of plants; ond reviews of the biological activity and trade and to improve the implementation of CITES for this chemistry of 12 popular herbs. 324 pp. $115. #8329 species. 52 pp. $12. #B333 INDIAN HERBOLOGY OF NORTH AMERICA by Alma Hutchens. 1973. Illustrated THE ILLUSTRATED encyclopedicguide to more than HEALING HERBS OF THE COMPANION TO GLEASON 200 medicinal plants found in North UPPER RIO GRANDE: AND CRONQUIST'S MANUAL: America, with descriptions of each TRADITIONAL MEDICINE OF ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE planfs appearance and uses, and AlMA R HUTCHENS THE SOUTHWEST VASCULAR PLANTS OF directions for methods of use and by L. S. M. Curtin, revised ond edited NORTHEASTERN UNITED dosage. Much doto hosed on Russian research. by Michael Moore. 1997. The seminal STATES AND ADJACENT 382 pp. s19 . #B338 work on traditional home remedies of CANADA the Southwest now updated with Latin by Noel Holmgren with the artistic names, information on current usage and sources, remedy and and editorial assistance of Patricio Holmgren, Robin Jess, general indexes, and alternative views on o number of plants. Kathleen McCaul ey, and Lauro Vogel. 1998. Une illustrations. 236 pp. s14.95 . #8330 937 pp. $125. #8334 2 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 IN PRINT! AREFERENCE GUIDE TO MEDICINAL PLANTS: HERBAL MEDICINE PAST AND PRESENT THE HERBAL HANDBOOK: A by John Crellin and Jane Philpott. USER'S GUIDE TO MEDICAL 1989. This companion to Trying to HERBALISM Give Ease is on illustrated reference guide whichcovers over 700 by David Hoffmann. 1998. Includes o reference section of medicinal plants, including on assessment of eoch plant's actions, herbal prescriptions for specific illnesses, fundamentals of efficacy, current information on its chemical constituents and growing, drying, storing, and cooking with herbs, os well os the pharmacological effects, ond herbalist Tom mie Boss's comments making of infusions, decoctions, oils, and ointments. 240 pp. $14.95. #B343 about the plo ~t . 551 pp. $22.95. #B339
-----:::..-:=.- HEALING ANXIETY BOTANY IN ADAY by Thomas J. Elpel. Third edition. HEALING ANXIETY with HERBS 1998. Leorn how to identify plonts WITH HERBS by the dozens by learning to by Harold Bloomfield. 1998. American Botanical Council's recognize the patterns they shore. Explains anxiety and the many forms English translation of the Related plonts hove similar features it tokes, herbal remedies and German Commission EMonographs for identification ond they often hove exercises for anxiety and depression, similar properties and uses. More than 100 plant families and and a method fo r evaluating your ownlevel of anxiety. MarkBlum enth al, Senior Editor. 344 pp. $23. #B344 Werner R. Busse, Alicia Gold berg, Joerg Gruenwald, over 650 genera. 182 pp. $17. #B340 Taro Holl, Chance W. Riggins, RobertS. Rister, Editors. Sigrid Kl ein, Ph.D., Senior Translator, Robert S. Rister, Associate Tra nslator.
380 Monographs 190 Herbs and Fi xed Combinations THE HEALING POWER OF approved for therapeu ti c use SAW PALMETTO ECHINACEA AND 150 Indications by Ch ristopher Hobbs ond Stephen GOLDENSEAL Brown . 1997. Ouriines natural by Paul Bergner. 1997 . In-depth Glossaries of Medical, Pharmaceutical , remedies ond hobits !hot con help discussion of echinoceo and and Tech ni ca l terms men keep their prostate gland goldenseal as well as a detailed list Common , Latin , Pharmocopeia l, healthy into old oge ond prevent of herbal remedies for specific and German names prostate enlargement. Reviews ill nesses, information on proper current research ond the medical treatments available. 96 pp. dosages, and a glossary of immune system terminology. 320 pp. Cross referenced $9.95. #B341 $15. #B345 Extensive General Index
S 18900 plu~ shipping #IWll The Complete German Commission EMo nographs: Therapeutic Guide To Herbal Medicines. I Am erican Botanical Cou ncil , Austin, TX; GUARANA Integrative Medicine Communications, Boston, MA. by Michael von Stroten. 1994. Explores the heolth benefits of th is ECHINACEA: NATURE'S herb thot has been used by the natives IMMUNE ENHANCER of the Amazon River basin since the by Steven Foster. 199 1. Chronicles the beginning of time. Also covers history of echinoceo, from its To order these or a~ of over 500 Lopocho, Ploffio, Cotuobo, and Stevio. controversial medical history to the additional titles, vicl8os, audios 152 pp. $9.95. #B342 extensive research conducted onit in Germany, providing the most CHid sohware, see the comprehensive information on the subject available to the Herbal Education Catalog layperson. 150 pp. $8.95. #B346 In the center of this Issue. Order form included, or MasterCard and Visa holders order toll free in the U.S.: 800/373·7105
HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 3 ADVISORY BOARDS Each iss ue of Herba/Gram is peer reviewed by members of ou r Advisory Boards prior to publication.
American Botanical Council Herb Research Dennis V. C. Awang, Ph.D., F.CI.C., MediPiant Natural Gail B. Mahady, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor, Products Consulting Services, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Department of Medical Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, College of Foundation Pharmacy, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois Manuel F. Balandrin, R.Ph., Ph.D., Research Scientist, NPS Rob McCaleb, Preside nt Pharmaceuticals, Salt lake City, Utah Robin J. Maries, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Botany, Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada Michael J. Bolick, Ph.D., Director of the Insti tute of Economic Glenn Appelt, Ph.D., R.Ph., Autho r and Professor Botany, the New York Botanical Gorden, Bronx, New York Dennis J. McKenna, Ph.D., Consulting Ethnopharmocologist, Eme ri tus, University of Colorad o, and with Boi!Jder Beach Minneapolis, Minnesota Joseph M. Betz, Ph.D., Research Chemist, Center for Food Consulting Group Safety and Applied Nutrition, Division of Natural Products, Food Daniel E. Moerman, Ph.D., William E. Stirton Professor of John A. Beutler, Ph.D., Natural Products Chemist, and Drug Administration, Washington, D.C Anthropology, University of Michigan/ Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan National Cancer Institute Donald J. Brown, N.D., Director, Natural Products Research Consultants; Faculty, Bastyr University, Seattle, Washington Samuel W. Page, Ph.D., Director, Division of Natural Products, Robert A. Bye, Jr., Ph.D., Professor of Ethnobotony, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Notional University of Mexico Thomas J. Carlson, M.S., M.D., Senior Director, Administration, Washington, D.C. Ethnobiomedicol Field Research, Shaman Pharmaceuticals, South Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Director, Institute for San Francisco, California Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., N.D., President, Bastyr University, Traditional Medicine and Preventive Health Care Seattle, Washington Jean Carper, Author and syndicated columnist, Washington, D.C. James A. Duke, Ph.D., Economic Botanist (U.S.D.A., Mark J. Plotkin, Ph.D., Author, Executive Director, Ethnobotony ret.), author, Herbal Vineyard, Fulton, Maryland Jerry (ott, Ph.D., Chief of Pharmacological Treatment Research and Conserva tion Team, Arli ngton, Virginia Program, Notional Institute of Mental Health, Rockville, Mol'{lond Norman R. Farnsworth, Ph.D., Research Professor of Eloy Rodriguez, Ph.D., James Perkins Professor of Pharmacognosy, Program for Collaborative Research in the Paul Alan Cox, Ph.D., Professor of Botany and Dean of General Environmental Studies, School of Agriculture &life Sciences, Education and Honors, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Senior University Scholar, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York University of Illinois at Chicago Lyle E. Croker, Ph.D., Professo r, Department of Plant and Soil James E. Simon, Ph.D., Professor of Horticulture and Research Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts Richard I. Ford, Ph.D., Professor of Ethnobotony, Director, Center for New Crops &P lant Products, Purdue University of Mich igan Edward M. (room, Jr., Ph.D., Coordinator, Phytomedicine University, West lafayette, Ind iana David Kroll, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacology Project, National Center for the Development of Natural Products, Beryl Simpson, Ph.D., C.l.lundell Professor of Botany, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi and Toxicology, University of Colorado, School of Department of Botany, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas Pharmacy Wade Davis, Ph.D., Author, ethnobotonist, Washington, D.C. S. H. Sohmer, Ph.D., President and Director, Steven Dentoli, Ph.D., Natural Products Consultant, Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Fort Worth, Texas Harriet Kuhnlein, Ph.D., Professor of Nutrition, McGill University Portland, Oregon Barbaro N. Timmermann, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology Hardy Eshbaugh, Ph.D., Professor of Botany & Assistant &Toxicology , College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Albert Leung, Ph.D., Pharmacognosist and Pharmacist, Curator, Willard Sherman Turrell Herbarium, Miami University, Arizona Glen Rock, New Jersey Oxford, Ohio G. H. Neil Towers, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, F. R. S.C., Botany Walter Lewis, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Washington Steven Foster, Botanist, photographer, author, Fayetteville, Deportment, Unive rsity of British Columbia, Vancouver, British University, and Senior Botanist, Missouri Botanical Arkansas Columbia, Canada Gardens Christopher Hobbs, L.Ac., AHG, Herbalist, botanist, licensed Arthur 0. Tucker, Ph.D., Research Professor of Agriculture and Ara Der Marderosian, Ph.D., Professor of acupuncturist, Santo Cruz, California Natural Resources, Delaware State University, Dover, Delaware Pharmacognosy, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy ond Science David Hoffmann, B. Sc., M.N.I.M.H., Medical herbalist, Nancy Turner, Ph.D., Professor and Ethnobotonist, Santo Rosa, California Environmental Studies Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, James D. McChesney, Ph.D., Vice President, Natural British Columbia, Canada Maurice M. lwu, Ph.D., Biaresources Development and Products Chemistry, NoPro Bio The ra pe utics, Boul der, Conservation Program, Senior Research Associate at the Division Andrew T. Weil, M.D., Author, Director of the Program in Colorado of Experimental Therapeutics, Wolter Reed Army Institute of Integrative Medicine and Associate Director of the Division of (. Dwayne Ogzewalla, Ph.D., Retired Professor of Research, Washington, D.C. Social Perspectives in Medicine of the College of Medicine, Pharmacognosy, University of Cincinnati University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona Steven King, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Ethnobotony and Robert Rountree, M.D., Physician, Boulder, Colorado Conservation, Shaman Pharmaceuticals, South Son Francisco, ad hoc advisor: California David M. Eisenberg, M.D., Director, Cen ter for Al ternative E. John Staba, Ph.D., Professor of Ph armacognosy, Fredi Kronenberg, Ph.D., Director, Rosenthal Center far Medicine Research, Beth Israel Hospital/Harvard Medical University of Minnesota Alternative/ Complemental'{ Medicine, College of Physicians & School, Boston, Massachusetts Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D., Dean and Dis ti nguished Professor Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, New York of Pharmacognosy Emeri tus, School of Pharmacy and Tom Mabry, Ph.D., Professor of Plant Biochemistl'{, Deportment Pharmacal Sciences, Purdue University of Botany, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas Phil Weber, M.D., Physicia n, Boulder, Colorado Andrew T. Weil, M.D., Author, Director of the Program in Integrative Medicine and Associate Director of the Division of Social Perspectives in Medicine of the College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
4 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 .J l Educating the Public on the Use of Herbs and Phytomedicines L;!!' :~~ DEAR READER Mark Blumenthal, Executive Director
James A. Duke, Ph.D., Economic Botanist (USDA, ret.) ~ r Author, Fulton, Maryland The action appears to be heating up a bit between Aiv1ERIC,A.N BoT,ANI CAL FDA and the herb industry. In late-breaking news, COUNCIL Norman R. Farnsworth, Ph .D., Research Professor of FDA has lost the first round in its legal battle with Pharmacognosy, Program for Collaborative Research in the Pharmanex Inc. over the issue of whether the Board of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago company's product Cholestin® is a dietary supple ment or a drug. A federal judge in Utah has tenta Trustees Varro E. Tyler, Ph .D., Sc.D ., Dean and Di stinguished Professor tively ruled the product a supplement and has of Pharmacognosy Emeritus, School of Pharmacy and allowed the company to continue to import the raw Pharmacal Sciences, Purdue University material from which it is produced, thereby overturning an import ban initiated by FDA. The regulation of claim for dietary supple ments has taken center stage with FDA's proposed rules to implement Section 6 of the Dietary HERBAIGRAM Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 The Journal of the American Botanical Council and the Herb Research Foundation (DSHEA). The FDA has never really liked this part of DSHEA, which gives industry a chance to inform Mark Blumenthal Editor /Publisher consumers of what are some of the benefits of Barbaro A. Joh nston Managing Editor herbal products. Before DSHEA, FDA had Rob McCaleb Technical Editor maintained that any language that claims a health Ginger Hudson -Moffei Art Director benefit of any kind is really a drug claim. DSHEA Steven Fosler Associate Editor specifically forbids dietary supplements from Downelle Malone Editorial Assistant making drug claims, i.e. , they cannot treat, cure, or prevent a disease. Now that it's time to make the Contributors ru les, it appears that FDA's strategy to weaken this Karen Dean Peter Landes Philippe Rasoona ivo provision is to redefine the word "disease" to I. K. Da wson Evely n leigh A. J. Simons include normal body functions and conditions. B. Dugumo Betsy levy Z. Tchoundjeu Under FDA's proposal, even menopause may be a Mino Ferno Kr ista Mo ri en Diane R. Wi nn disease! Is this not a normal part of aging for all Philippe De La Gorce women? I wonder, is the graying of my beard a di ease, too? We can expect sharp comments from industry, scientists, and consumers on this issue. Subscription/Classified Advertising Manager The public comment period ends August 27, 1998. Margaret Wright We cover these issues in our legal section. This issue devotes space to various themes Woli Stopher Copy Editor from Africa. As part of this coverage we have Karen Newton Editorial Assistant included an arcticle on the essential oils of Mada Chief Administrative Officer gascar. This island country contains an enormou Wayne Silverma n, Ph.D. biodiversity of animals, flora, and fauna. Of the over 13,000 plants, 85 percent endemic to the Lindo Prudhomme Receptionist island, many are endangered. Vickie Adams Administration Last year ABC co-sponsored its first "Phar Cecelia Thompson Accountant macy on Safari" continuing education trip for health Gayle Engels Sales Manager professionals to Kenya and Tanzania. Next year lisa larousse Sales Assistant we're going to South Africa. Various articles here lisa "Pepper" Perrone Customer Service Coordinator deal with the African continent and its lisa Newton Purchasing Coordinator ethnomedicine. All of us thoroughly enjoyed the lauren Holmans Shipping Coordinator journey and we look forward to our return in 1999. Geo rge Solis Shipping Assistant But there's one thing that was truly frustrating: It's Cheryl Ward Order Processor really difficult to take an herb walk in Africa H ERBA!GRAM is publi shed quarterl y by the American Botanical Council everyone gets distracted by all these strange and the Herb Research Foundati on as an educational project. Both are looking animals! non-profit research and educati on organi zations under IRS code 50 I (c)(3). Educational and bu siness offi ces are at the Ameri can Botanical Council , P.O. Box 144345, Austin, Texas 787 14-4345. 51 2/926-4900. FAX 51 2/ 926-2345 . www.herbalgram.org Subscriptions: $25/yr; $45/2 yrs; $60/3 yrs. Foreign subscriptions, pl ease add $ 10 per year. © 1998 Ameri can Botanical Council. ISSN #0899-5648. Printed in the U.S.A. HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 5 ·r ·r·l{[ ·r; ;\ ·rr-/-[ j\ "\ r _l l,_r~r-~_;_J_r~~ /J. The Journal of the American Botanical Council and the Herb Research Foundation Number43 • Summer1998 DEPARTMENTS
8 ABC News 18 Research Reviews Commission E in Print; New BackPack and Hawthorn Benefits Chronic Heart Failure; Index; ABC has Moved; Contributors to ABC's Garlic Prolongs Elasticity of Aorta; Echinacea Capitol Campaign; ABC New Address; pal/ida Shortens Duration of Upper Respiratory Upcoming Pharmacy Workshops; ABC Activities Tract Infection; Herbal Alternatives for Chronic Active Hepatitis; New Research Supports 11 HRF News Ayurvedo's Traditional Uses; Cardiovascular Effects of Ephedra in Normal Volunteers, HRF to Conduct International Agribusiness Grapefruit Juice Squeezes More out of Symposium; Third-Party Herb Brochures Medications, Clinical Study Concludes Dong Available; HRF Activities Quai not Effective for Menopause
12 Research and World News 2S Plant Patents Traditional Medicinals Stock Gifts; OAU Defends Ginkgo; Feverfew; Lutein Indigenous Property Rights; Chinese Scientists Test Traditional Medicine for AIDS Treatment; Nigerian Rural Project Launched; Phyto-Riker 26 Legal and Regulatory Pharmaceuticals; WHO Acknowledges African FDA Proposes New Rules on Dietary Healers Supplement Structure-Function Claims; Federal Court Lifts FDA Import Bon on Cholestin® ; USP 13 Herb Blurbs Publishes Information Monographs on Ginger and Valerian Hemp Beer; Big Bush Down Under; Hungry Plants 54 Conservation Major Diversity Loss; Brazil Designates Conservation Acreage; Frontier Herbs Establishes Herb Preservation Center
60 Market Report Market Report by Peter Landes; Indonesian Clove Market Board Axed; Chinese Herbal Medicine Sales Up; Herbs Sales Up 101 % in Mainstream Market
62 In Memoriam Nicole Maxwell; Oku Ampofo; Dan Palevitch
64 Book Excerpt Introduction to African Ethnobotany-Poisons and Drugs: Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicolgy
68 Book Reviews 70 ABC Catalog Top 10 Book Sales Marigold, Calendula officina/is. 72 Letters Photo © 1997 Steven Foster. See leutin potent information on page 25. 74 Access 1S Calendar 77 Classified 6 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 FEATURES
. • Photo ·by John Joni etz for HerbaiGram Essential Ods of Economic Value in Pharmacy on Safari Madagascar: Present State of Knowledge ABC's Pharmacy Workshops by Philippe Rasoanaivo and Ph ilippe De La Gorce 31 40 Pharmacy on Safari Photo Contest Results Sustainable Botanical Agriculture in Africa Passing Problems: Prostate and Prunus USAID-Mali Hibiscus Project African Team Works to Maintain Sustainable Article and Photos by Rob McCaleb 47 49 Supply of Pygeum Bark
By A.J. Simons, I.K. Dawson, B. Duguma, and Z. Tchoundjeu
Prunus africanum photo by Mark Blumentha l. Cover: imphewula (Xhosa) , plakkie (Afrikaans), pigs's ear , Cotyledon orbiculata. This plant is w idely used for med icina l purposes. The fleshy part of the leaf is applied to corns and warts to soften and remove, a single leaf can be eaten as a verm ifuge, and warmed leaf juice is used as drops for earache and toothache. It may also be applied as a hot poultice to treat boils . From South African Medicinal Plants by Ben-Erik van Wyk, Bosch van Oudtshoorn, and N igel Gericke. Photo by N igel Gericke. 0 HERBALGRAM is printed on recycled paper. HERBAtGRAM No. 43 • 7 ABC NEWS
The American Botanical Council Publishes the German Commission EMonographs
Commission E was first convened in ti on on the proper uses of herbs." 1978. Composed of physicians, pharmacists, On June 12, 1998, the final ed ited ver pharmacologists, and toxicologists, the Com sion of the manuscript was sent to the printer. mission actively researched all ava il able in ABC plans to begin filling pre-publication ABC is proud to announce the eagerl y an formation on more than 300 herbs and ap orders for the book in August. - Betsy Levy ticipated publication of The Complete Ger proved or di sapproved them on the basis of man Commission E Monographs: Therapeu whether absolute safety and reasonable effi tic Guide to Herbal Medicines, the English cacy of the herb's use could be establi shed. translati on of the med icinal herb reg ul atory The monographs published by the Commis guidelines developed by Commission E of sion include nomenclature, plant composi the German Federal Institute for Drugs and ti on and key chemical constituents, uses and Medical Dev ices. Disti ngui shed Professor indication s, contrai ndicati ons, side effects, of Pharmacognosy Emeritus Yarra Tyler calls interac tion s with other med icines, dosage, ABC Has Moved I the Comm iss ion E Monographs "th e most and medicinal acti on of each herb. American Botani cal Council has moved in acc urate in f01m ation avail able in th e entire ABC's translated ed iti on presents 380 to th e new Herbal Education Center at the world on the safety and efficacy of herbs and herb monograph s, including 81 rev isions. Case Mill Homestead. As many of our sup ph ytomed icines." The book, over 700 pages, is cross-refer porters know, in th e past I 0 years ABC's role In Germany, where medi cinal herbs enced by common, Latin , and pharm acopeia) has ex panded. ABC is a significant source are an integrated facet of modern med icine, herb names, and includes a 70-page intro in the United States for sc ientificall y based doctors and pharmacists rely on Commis duction, a general index, a therape utic index and accurate information about herbs and sion E's guidance to prescribe and di spense with "Approved Uses," "Contraindications," med icinal plants. As demand for informa herbs confidently. Now thi s guidance is "Side Effects," and "Ph arm acological Ac ti on has increased, so has th e size and the avai lable in Engli sh. "Ignorance of the Com tions" tables, and a 20-page glossary of bo scope of ABC. With a staff of 30, ABC mi ss ion E monographs is ignorance of a sub tanical , medical, pharmaceutical, and tech needed more room and selected thi s hi storic stantial segment of modern med ici ne," con nical term s. site where ABC will open the Herbal Ed uca tinues Tyler. "The information contain ed in Mark Blumenthal , the seni or ed itor of ti on Center, a unique public facility dedicated them is now made readily available in the the book, believes that "the translated Com to med icinal herbs. common language of sc ience to a vast audi mission E Monographs will be an essential ABC ex pects that around 5,000 people ence world wide. Without question, their reference for th e shelves of every pharm acy will visit the facility and gardens ann uall y to ready ava il ability will benefit all of us, con and medical office in the United States. enhance their knowledge and apprec iat ion of sumers and healthcare practitioners alike." "This publication will increase the ac According to Prof. Hein z Schilcher, ceptance of leg iti - vice-pres ident of Commission E for 16 years, mate medical uses of "It is a shame that the German authorities ph y tom e di c in es we re not able to translate the monographs amon g ph ys icians, into the English language and give a prec ise pharmacists, reg ul a introd uct ion in a worldwide understood lan tors, Congressional guage. Your book will be very useful not members, journali sts, only for the U.S., but also for th e European the ph arm aceuti cal community and the WHO." and herbal industries, Dr. Joerg Gruenwald of PhytoPharm and the general pub Consulting in Berlin adds that th e ABC pub lic. The monographs lication "will be an excellent work and has will have a positive to be translated back into German , because impact on the current such a structured and indexed version [of need for authoritative Commiss ion E] has never existed." and credible informa-
8 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 ABC NEWS
~~.. ~~f:~!'~:?·~? , ~-,~;--. -r- .• -~~ ~ ~ ,: ~ ~.- • - • -...-.::.: ~~· • •• -
~~iJ("'-;o',~<;:!itA... ,~~d."_: . ' -· . • .•. . ' . . • . . . . The following companies and individuals have made and pledged contributions toward Phase 1: The Case Mill Capital Campaign
the safe application and efficacy of healing with herbs. We anticipate that participants Visionaries - $250,000 and greater in educational workshops will be healthcare practitioners, members of botanical and hor Architects - $I 00,000 to $259,999 ticultural clubs, and children and youth from schools and clubs in the Austin area. Builders- $50,000 to $99,999 So far, extensive renovations on the Enzymatic Therapy* Mad is Botanicals/Pure World* grounds and the historic 140-year-old home Extracts Plus* New Hope Communications* have been made. Improvements include re furbishing the interior while maintaining the Planners - $I 0,000 to $49,999 house's original charm; upgrading and ex Bio Botanica* Nature's Way* panding the gardens; installing a state-of-the Capsugel* Pharmaton Natural Health Products art security alarm and lighting system; and East Earth· Herbs* Stryka Botanies Co. building a new, wheelchair-accessible front Muggenburg Extrakt-North America* Whole Foods Market* porch. Preparations were also made for the Nature's Herbs* infrastructure by digging trenches and install ing completely upgraded electrical, phone, Supporters - $5,000 to $9,999 gas, and cable lines. The new Annex has been ordered that will accommodate the tempo Mark Blumenthal* Henkel Corp. rary home of the Education Building. A new Cosmopolitan Trading/Kava Kompani* lndena USA site plan is being drawn for the greenhouse, Fetzer Foundation Lichtwer Pharma US Inc. paths and storage building. General Nutrition Centers (GNC) Nature's Bounty The need for funds to finance the home Haworth Press Pharmavite stretch was boosted by major pledges from Janet Zand and Michael Marcus Extracts Plus and New Hope Communica tions who joined Enzymatic Therapy and Other Contributors Madis/Pure World Botanicals at the American Ingredients, Celestial Seasonings, Chai-Na-Ta Corp., Chemco Industries, Inc., $50,000+ level of giving. Euromed, Flora Manufacturing & Distributors, Steven Foster, Healthnotes Online, ABC staff looks forward to seeing Herb Pharm, Herbs for Kids, Hilary's Distribution, Indiana Botanical Gardens, Inter supporters and subscribers at the new site! weave Press, jason Natural Products*, Dr. and Mrs. Steven R. King, M.W International, - Wayne Silverman, Ph.D. Metagenics, NOW Foods, Pharmanex, Pharmline, Inc., PhytoMed International, Mark Plotkin, Ph.D., Prince of Peace Enterprises, Procter & Gamble, Pro Pac Labs, Pure Gar, QBI - Quality Botanical Ingredients, Swedish Herbal Institute, Traditional Medicinals, Trout Lake Farm, Tsumura, Wakunaga of America, Inc., David Winston, Herbalist & Alchemist, Xylomed Research, Inc. * Multi-year pledge Far left: The Case Mill Homestead, new headquarters for the American Botanical Council. Center: The Homestead and grounds, two and one-half acres of native trees, herb gardens, and wildflower areas. Left: Regeneration of the existing herb gardens. Photos by Joni McClain and Wayne Silverman.
HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 9 ABC NEWS
ABC Pharmacy ABC Activities: February Americon Botonicol Expeditions Scheduled 1998 - April, 1998 It's time to get ready for travel! The Ameri HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESENTATIONS Council has Moved I can Botanical Council, in conjunction with AND MAJOR PAPERS BY ABC the Texas Pharmacy Foundation and Inter EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR national Expeditions, announces the fifth MARK BLUMENTHAL Please update your records annual "Pharmacy from the Rainforest" ex cursion to the Peruvian Amazon, October 31 Western States Chiropractic College, Chi accordinglyl And thank you -November 7, 1998. This expedition is dedi cago, Ill. , "Herbal Medicine: A Continuing cated to Dr. Varro Tyler, who has been an Trend"; Texas A & M Nutraceuticals Con for your continued supportl important part of these trips over the past five ference, Houston, Texas, "Natural Pharma years. An extension trip to the Andes/Machu ceutical Products"; HEB Prescription for Picchu after the stay in the rainforest is also Success, San Antonio, Tex. , "Perspectives on new phone offered from November 7 - 12. Space is lim History & Regulation of Herbal Medicine, ited for Machu Picchu. Part I"; Northern California Cancer Cen 512/926-4900 RositaArvigo's Ix Chel Tropical Plant ter, Stanford, Cal., "Mainstream Acceptance Research Centre in Belize is a highlight of of Herbal Medicine in the U.S. "; Harvard the "Pharmacy from the Reef & Rainforest" University/Beth Israel Hospital 4th Annual Belize{fikal (Guatemala) trip scheduled for Conference on Alternative Medicine, Bos new fax February 21-28, 1999. This trip also includes ton, Mass., "Herbal Therapies"; HEB Pre an overnight stay at the extensive Mayan scription for Success, San Antonio, Tex., 512/926-2345 ruins at Tikal. "Perspectives on History & Regulation of The "Pharmacy on Safari" trip is Herbal Medicine, Part II"; Western States scheduled for May 28-June 12, 1999, with Chiropractic College, Oakland, Cal., an exciting new itinerary and destination: "Herbal Remedies: A Continuing Trend"; new mailing address South Africa! Mark your calendars! Drug Topics Magazine, Braintree, Mass., For a review of the Pharmacy on Sa "Herbal Medicine in the U.S .: Current Use, P.O. Box 144345 fari 1997 expedition, please see the article Regulatory Status, and Benefits of Leading Austin, TX beginning on page 40 of this issue. For more Herbal Dietary Supplements"; Texas Soci information on upcoming pharmacy trips, ety of Health-System Pharmacists, Hous 78714-4345 contact Ginger Webb at ABC, Ph: 512/926- ton, Tex. , "Mainstream Acceptance of Herbal 4900. Fax: 512/926-2345. Email Medicines"; The Health Show, Las Vegas,
10 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 HRF NEWS
HRF TO CONDUCT INTERNATIONAL conscious sustainable production of high tials, Overview of the International Herb AGRIBUSINESS SYMPOSIUM quality herb products." Marketplace, Supplement Development, and In conjunction with its South African herb The five-day symposium, incorporated Legislative Issues. For more information, development project, the Herb Research into Expo and open to all herb industry mem contact HRF at (303)449-2265. Foundation is planning an educational bers, will be funded in part by the U.S. USAID-sponsored symposium to be held Agency for International Development INFORMATIVE THIRD PARTY HERB Wednesday, September 9, through Sunday, (USAID) and the U.S. Department of Agri BROCHURES AVAILABLE September 13, at Natural Products Expo East culture (USDA). Delegates from COMESA Inspired by a growing demand for up-to-date in Baltimore, MD. This unusual event, with (Common Market for East and Southern Af facts about the health benefits and safety of seminars co-hosted by New Hope Commu rica) as well as delegates from South Africa herbs, HRF has produced six colorful, attrac nications, will unite the experience and ex will attend. tive, user-friendly third-party herb informa pertise of leaders in the natural products in COMES A is made up of entrepreneurs tion brochures to educate consumers about dustry to help give disadvantaged South Af and other businesspeople seeking interna herbs. The brochures, published by rican farmers and businessmen the informa tional market opportunities. HRF is commit Phytolnformation, contain a wealth of infor tion necessary to get a foothold in the boom ted to helping small and medium-sized com mation about the health benefits of herbs for ing international botanicals marketplace. The panies develop socially and environmentally specific conditions, safety and adverse reac symposium will also benefit members of the conscious herb production programs world tion information; recommended dosages, herb industry who are interested in develop wide. known contraindications, scientific citations, ing agricultural and other botanical enter Seminar speakers will include: James and traditional use information. A five-star prises on an international basis. Duke, Ph.D.; Steven Foster, renowned herb rating system shows the amount and quality "The international botanical market alist and author; Robert McCaleb, president of research conducted on each herb, and its place is a challenging specialty of of Herb Research Foundation; Mary Mulry, history of use and safety record. The expand agribusiness. Our workshop will help grow Ph.D. , president ofFoodWise; James Simon, ing list of brochures currently includes: St. ers, producers, and marketers of herbal prod Ph.D., director of horticulture at Purdue Uni John's wort, ginkgo, echinacea, ginseng, and ucts understand and follow the market," ex versity; and Kay Wright, director of botani garlic-plus the fust of the condition-ori plains HRF president Robert McCaleb. "Our cal purchasing at Celestial Seasonings, as ented brochures covering depression, anxi goal is to foster socially and environmentally well as a variety of other international herb ety, and stress. To order, contact development and marketing experts. Planned Phytolnformation at 970/667-4234. lecture topics include Agribusiness Essen-
H RF ACTIVITIES: jANUARY I 998 - MAY I 998 Highlights of presentations and papers by HRF President Rob McCaleb Harvard Medical School Depart American Herbal Products Asso networks. The USAID-sponsored pilot ment of Continuing Education, Boston MA. ciation, Anaheim, CA. March 12, 1998. projects in several areas of South Africa are March 1-4, 1998. Guest presenter: Clinical Guest Presenter: Update on the Report ofthe working in cooperation with South Africa's and Experimental Evidence for Botanicals Commission on Dietary Supplement Labels. Agricultural Research Council. The botani in Health Care. American Herbal Products Asso cal pilot projects match disadvantaged tra Barnett International, Washington, ciation: St. John's Wort Symposium, Ana ditional rural economies with resources nec DC. Dietary Supplements: Strategies to heim, CA. March 16-17, 1998. Panel mod essary to contribute to the economic growth Comply with Emerging Regulations and Pro erator. of their communities. If successful , the mote Product Sales. March 5-6, 1998. Guest American Premium Tea Institute, projects will be implemented in other sub Presenter: The Role of Dietary Supplements Denver, CO. April17, 1998. Guest Presenter: Saharan countries. in Healthcare : Four Modalities of Medici Herbal Tea . Columbia University, College of nal Herb Use. Moroccan Association for the De Physicians & Surgeons. Botanical Medicine The Association of Pharmaceutical velopment of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, in Modern Clinical Practice Conference, Industry in the State of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Assilah, Morocco. Sponsored by USAID's New York, New York. May 26-29, 1998. Brazil. Third Annual Herbal Medicinal Prod Moroccan Agribusiness and Promotion Guest Presenter: Botanical Products: Qual ucts Conference. March 23-24, 1998. Guest Project and Agribusiness Marketing Invest ity, Sources, Resources and Assessment and Presenter: Scientific Evidence for the Safety ment (AMI). April21-14, 1998. Guest Pre Botanical Shop : Sampling Botanical Prod and Efficacy of Medicinal Botanicals. senter: Intensification of Mint Production. ucts. Natural Products EXPO West, Ana South Africa/ May 3-8, 1998. As American Psychiatric Association heim, CA. March 13-15, 1998. Guest Pre sessed opportunities for botanicals Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada. May 30- senter: Mood Enhancing Herbs. Guest on agribusinesses and for improving local agri June 4, 1998. Guest Presenter: Herbal Medi Danielle Linn's syndicated radio show A cultural research and business development cine: Ancient Roots to Modern Use. Word on Health. HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 11 RESEARCH AND WORLD NEWS
Traditional Medicinals Provides Stock Gifts to Herbal Non-Profits OAU Defends Indigenous Drake and Lynda Sadler of Tradi the organizations and, in tum, to the to donor and recipients may be at tional Medicinals have provided constituencies they serve. tractive to some who have made leadership gifts to several non-profit ABC is particularly grateful wise investments and also want to Property Rights organizations in the form of securi for this gift as we move into our new help those organizations with a track ties that have appreciated in value faci lity. The Sadlers are excited record of success. The draft of a model bill dealing with since their origin al purchase. These about this method of giving, it not Most importantly for ABC, the bioprospecting and ownership organizations include American Bo only benefits the recipient but also the Sadlers designated the gift to the patents on a drug made from natural tanical Council, Herb Research the contributor. Drake Sadler came new Herbal Education Center be products found in Africa has been Foundation, and the American to Austin in late May to present the cause they believe in ABC's mi ssion produced by the Organization of Herbal Pharmacopoeia. This gener gift to ABC. Both he and Lynda and vision for the site. Of hi s recent African Unity (OAU). The bill was ous act will be of immense help to have traveled to the other recipient visit, Drake Sadler said, "It was ex created partly to challenge the Trade organizations to make citing to view the grounds and ex Related Intellectual Property Rights similar presentations. isting building and learn of [ABC's] Agreement (TRIPs) of the World One reason for pl ans for future expansion. I'm sure Trade Organization (WTO), and making stock gifts was the your project wi ll become a place of partly to clamp down on the smug Sadlers' intention to set an signi ficant beauty and an educa gling of medicinal plants. example for other indi tional resource to the local and glo The bill states that ownership viduals and compani es bal community.... " of new compounds should rest with who may have invested in These gifts came from Whole indigenous local communities for securities that have signi fi Foods Markets, Wild Oats Markets, "all times and in perpetuity," calling cantly appreciated in the and United Naturals Di stribution for states to develop laws guarantee current bull market. We stocks. "We have been fortunate that ing such ownership, and for collec hope that it will result in the companies we believed and in tors of natural products to share in other donors seeing this vested in have done so well. Now, formation from research and devel method of giving as a great we can tum that good fortune into opment with governments on "all benefit not only to ABC support for herbal education and re discoveries." but to themselves. Gifts of search," said Lynda Sadler. The OAU believes that the this kind are obvious In addition, the Sadlers hoped TRIPs agreement violates the United boosts to organizations that employees, board members, and Nations Biodiversity Convention who receive them. The investors in these and other similar which makes the "approval and in gift is of great value to the companies would also see the value volvement" of indigenous peoples a donor since they receive a in giving part of their appreciated condition of developing a product deduction for the full mar earnings on these fine investments. based on a natural compound. ket value of the stock on To accomplish thi s, they encouraged The draft will now be circu the day of the transaction the companies to publicize these lated among the OAU 's 53 member and the donor also avoids gifts through internal newsletters states for comment before its presen capital gains. The benefits and other communications. "We tation as model legislation for Afri hoped that, in this way, we would can states. States eager to attract Drake Sadler of Traditional Medicinals. be able to multiply our gift to these overseas bioprospecting partners Photo by Wayne Silverman. worthy organizations," said Sadler. such as Nigeria and Tanzania-may - Wayne Silverman. Ph.D. not be willing to pass any legisla tion that would scare away such part ners. - Barbara A. Johnston [Masood E. Africa Defends Rights to Indigenous Knowledge. Nature. 1998 Apr 2; 392: 423.] • Legal HERBAIGRAM • Research • World News Subscribe 4 Issues • History • Book Reviews $25 • Conservation 1-800-373-7105 • Monographs
12 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 RESEARCH AND WORLD NEWS HERB BLURBS
7 America S First Beers Made with Chinese Scientists To Test Traditional Hemp Seeds Now Medicine in AIDS Treatment Available
Scientists in China are to conduct Traditional Medicine (FIRD-TM) at The first U.S. craft beers brewed clinical tests with a traditional the Fund's inauguration in Ahuja, with hemp seeds are now available herbal compound to see if it is ef igeria, on September 30, 1997. The for sale in Colorado and Illinois. fective in treating AIDS. Association of Traditional Pharma Hempen Ale (Frederick "We hope to achieve reliable ceutical Manufacturers and the Or Brewing Co.) was recently awarded and convincing results on the effec ange Drug Company of Nigeria then a bronze medal for brewing excel tiveness of the medication," said pledged additional moneys to lence in the herb/spice category at Wang Jian of the Chinese Academy complement the HFC donation. In the 16th Annual Great American of Traditional Chinese Medicine auguration of the FIRD-TM was Beer Festival, a large beer event held (TCM). He explained that the prepa announced in Ahuja during an inter in Denver. During the two-day pro ration was a powder mix, contain national workshop on medicinal fessional panel blind tasting, 85 in ing bupleurum (Bupleurum chinense plants attended by five Nigerian ternationally renowned judges DC., Apiaceae), milk vetch (As ministers and several heads of i evaluated over 1,800 entries submit tragalus membranaceus Moench, gerian government agencies, includ ted by 457 domestic brewerie from Fabaceae), Chinese angelica (An Bupleurum, Bupleurum ing the Director General of the Fed 45 states. gelica sinensis (Oiiv.) Daniels, chinense. Photo ©1998 eral Environmental Protection Hemp (h. strains) and mari Apiaceae) and licorice (Glycyrrhiza Steven Foster Agency. Special guest of honor Lt. juana (m. strain ) both belong to the auralensis Fisch. ex DC., Fabaceae), General J. T. Useni, Honourable species Cannabis sativa L., that "dissipates heat and toxic mate Minister of the Federal Capital Ter Cannabaceae, but differ in appear rials" and improves immunity. ritory of Ahuja, stated, " ... the skills ance and biochemistry. Unlike mari According to a report from nian AIDS patients. "We 've re of the traditional medical practitio juana, which i grown for THC the Xinhua news agency, Wang was corded a 47 percent effective rate in ners who are also the custodians of (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the a member of a Sino-Tanzanian re improving human-immuno func our native medical culture are now psychoactive drug in its flowers and search group working on the new tions and various AIDS symptoms, being accorded the right place in leaves, hemp is grown for the long, drug to treat people with acquired including asthenia, diarrhea, fever, society." strong fibers of its stalk, and for its immune deficiency syndrome leanness and skin rash. When com Dr. Maurice Iwu, professor of seeds. The hemp plant contains only (AIDS). "Pending formal approval, pared with Western medical treat pharmacognosy and Director of the trace amounts ofTHC-and there is Wang and his colleagues, both Chi ment which focuses more on attack Bioresources Development and none in the hemp seeds, which are nese and Tanzanian, will monitor ing HIV, [Chinese medicine] empha Conservation Programme (BDCP), imported from Eastern Europe and levels of HIV-the AIDS virus-in sizes improving the patient's immu the Nigerian non-government orga China, then sterilized. Hemp is a patients following the application of nity in order to block the virus," nization responsible for the Fund, close relative to hops. medication," representatives of the Guan said. - Barbara A. Johnston added, "The FIRD-TM has an inde The hemp seeds are com agency said, adding that the scien [Agence France-Presse. 1998.] pendent board composed of leaders bined with barley malt in the mash, tists would use the commonly used of traditional healers associations, the fir t stage of brewing. The anti-HIV drug AZT on a control senior government officials, repre unique protein spectrum of the seeds group to provide a comparison. sentatives of village councils, and gives the beer a rich, creamy head, "Research on AIDS treatment technical experts from scientific in and imparts mellow herbal flavors with herbal therapies was launched stitutions. Its objective is to build and aromas. more than 10 years ago. However, Nigerian Rural technical skills in Nigeria so 1\vo years were spent devel Western medical circles failed to bioresources are a viable vehicle for oping the Hempen Ale brewing pro recognize verified results owing to Development and sustainable development. Improved cess and the marketing procedure. different appraisal criteria," said skills generate pharmaceutical leads There is a growing movement Wang. Traditional Medicine that target therapeutic categories for in the U.S. to support the cultivation Chinese AIDS researcher tropical diseases suffered in Nigeria and use of indu trial hemp because Guan Chongfen was quoted as say Proiect Launched such as malaria, leishmaniasis, and of its economic and environmental ing that traditional herbal remedies trypanosomiasis. At the local level , benefit and multiple commercial had a 40-50 percent effectiveness The Healing Forest Conservancy technical skills gained from uses, especially in paper and fabric rate in treating the condition. She (HFC), an independent non-profit benefit-sharing help standardize manufacture. - Barbara A. said an agreement between Beijing organization founded by Shaman phytomedicines, information that Johnston [AOL ews. Hempen Ale ow Avail and the Tanzanian government had Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced a able in Colorado. Nov 7, 1997. enabled scientists to test Chinese $40,000 donation to the Fund for AOL News. Frederick Brewing Co. herbal remedies on 10,000 Tanza- Integrated Rural Development and continued on next page Launches Hempen Ale and Hempen Gold in Dlinois. Feb4, 1998.]
HER BALGRAM No. 43 • 13 HERB BLURBS RESEARCH AND WORLD NEWS Big, Big, BIG Bush Down Under
In October 1996, scientists in Aus tralia found what might be the world's oldest living organism, a 40,000-year-old shrub growing on a benefits traditional healers and the supplies a social structure to ensure pharmaceuticals products (capsules, remote mountainside on the island health of the communities they community participation. Diverse tablets, syrups, and ampules) of Tasmania. serve. The Fund offers an example culture groups in Nigeria will re founded in 1968 by former President Standing up to 27 feet high, of how countries, culture groups and ceive funds through traditional heal and visionary Dr. K warne Nkrumah, the shrub ranges almost a mile down companies can work together suc ers' organizations and villages con to supply the local and regional mar two secluded river gullies which cessfully for the benefit of all share sistent with their governing customs. kets in Africa. GIHOC's major pro drain a mountain in Tasmania's re holders to sustainably develop Town associations, village heads and duction facility was built in 1991 mote southwest wilderness area. biodiversity for human health." professional guilds of healers are using the "GMP corridors" design Called King's Holly, it is the only Rep. John Porter (R-IL), empowered to make decisions re plan. The 104-acre facility is ca known specimen of Lomatia Chairman of the U.S. House Appro garding projects in their localities. pable of meeting international GMP tasmanica W. M. Curtis, Proteaceae, priations Subcommittee for Labor, Those funded will follow the crite standards and has an installed capac according to seniorThsmanian Parks Health, and Human Services, com ria of promoting conservation of ity of manufacturing 1.64 billion tab and Wildlife Service official Stephen mented, "Those concerned with the biodiversity and drug development, lets, 2 million capsules, and 182,000 Harris. development of bioresources for as well as the socioeconomic well liters of syrup per year. GIHOC has Found in 1993, the plant was human health recognize that when being of rural cultures." a 34-year operating history, with a first assumed to be a community. local custodians of biodiversity ben Shaman Pharmaceuticals, reputation for top-quality products. However, genetic specialists have efit from their sustainable use by oth Inc., a U.S. company, uses ethno It was Dr. Oku Ampofo's since painstakingly determined that ers, conservation opportunities are botany, as well as isolation and natu dream, and the dream of the govern it is a single plant of a sterile species increased. The Convention on Bio ral products chemistry, to discover ment, that the plant medicines should that cloned itself and did not need logical Diversity codifies this prin and develop novel pharmaceuticals. eventually be put onto the local mar other plants to reproduce. ciple, but the absence of applicable In 1990, Shaman founded the HFC ket in significant commercial quan The plant's age was estimated models leaves it largely untested. explicitly to develop and implement tities through GIHOC Pharmaceuti using a fossil found in one of the rain This Fund in Nigeria is welcomed, a process to return benefits to coun cals. Phyto-Riker has taken hold of forest gullies. "A fossil of an identi for it captures the very spirit of the tries and cultures that contribute to that dream and is making plans to cal specimen has been found near the Convention on Biodiversity." its drug discovery process after a convert the original building on the site in old gravels, and that's been "The conservation commu product is commercialized. In con GIHOC grounds into a world-class dated at over 40,000 years," Mr. nity commends this effort," said Jane cert with terms of the Convention on facility for the production of plant Harris said. "So what that means is Villa-Lobos, botanist at the Biodiversity, Shaman will share ben medicines. that a clonally reproducing, hybrid Smithsonian Institution's National efits from drug discovery with all the The Plant Medicine Division individual has existed at the site for Museum of Natural History. "Nige biodiversity-rich countries and cul intends to introduce an initial line of at least 40,000 years. This could be ria is a country rich in medicinal tures that participate in its drug dis herbal teas, using single plant prod the oldest or one of the oldest organ plant species and the Fund supplies covery process. - Barbara A. ucts that the Centre for Scientific isms on the earth." the impetus to conserve the area's Johnston Research into Plant Medicine (in However, ABC Advisory extraordinary biological diversity." [Healing Forest Conservancy. Nigerian Mampong-Akuapim) has use in their Board member Robin Maries, Ph.D., According to anthropologist Trust Fund Launched for Integrated clinical programs for the treatment a pharmacognosist at Brandon Uni Katy Moran, Director of the HFC, Rural Development and Traditional of various diseases and conditions. versity, Manitoba, Canada, has a dif "The HFC donation of $40,000 to Medicine (Press Release). October Some products with a strong history ferent explanation. "What the fos the Fund is to assess the feasibility 20, 1997.) of use will be considered for market sil proves is that the plant has occu of future trust funds ·for launching as capsules or tablets, and pied the valley for 40,000 years," he benefit-sharing. Nigeria offers an some popular ointments will also be said. "This is not unusual. This does ideal situation to test a financial considered. At a further second not prove that the current clonal in mechanism to distribute benefits Phyto-Riker stage, we will look at developing dividual is that old. While a clonal among all stakeholders. Chairman products using proprietary mixtures shrub of the dimensions described is of the Board of Management of the Pharmaceuticals of plants developed at the Centre. undoubtedly very old, it could have Fund, His Royal Highness Eze E. Phyto-Riker Pharmaceuticals, Inc., All of this will be part of our tech become established by vegetative Njernanze of Owerri, is a highly re has just completed its acquisition of nology transfer program. propagation, e.g., rooting of a stem spected traditional ruler. The pre GIHOC Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., from The company will then fragment, much more recently than dominance of traditional solidarity the Ghanaian Government's Dives launch a Discovery Programme, 40,000 years ago. The actual age systems, such as tribal associations titure Implementation Committee. conducting further research into de could perhaps be established by lo and professional guilds of healers, GIHOC is a manufacturer of generic veloping new plant medicines. cating the center of the plant, or at least the largest stem, and dating a
continued on next page
14 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 RESEARCH AND WORLD NEWS HERB BLURBS continued from page 14 narrow heartwood (must be dead tis sue) core sample by a combination of dendrochronology and carbon-14 dating. That might provide u with a minimum age estimate, although it will be very difficult to say if the oldest stem is the original or a more recent shoot." - Barbara A. Johnston Broad screen assays will be con been grown in the area before. There the western region of Africa, which [Anon. Australians Report 40,000- ducted, and eventually compounds is a great deal of interest in estab represents a market opportunity of Year-Oid Shrub. New York Times. will be isolated from the most prom lishing a serious reforestation effort, over 200 million people. Phyto October 20, 1996. ising of the plants, with some of and the whole program will be co Riker intends to meet the high de Maries R. Personal communication. them having the potential of being ordinated with major university sup mand for quality pharmaceutical May 5, 1997.] developed into single compound port as well as with support from products by selling to various world pharmaceuticals in partnership with bilateral and multilateral interna health organizations, West African major pharmaceutical companies. tional agencies. governments, health care facilities The Ghanaian Government Sites are currently being se and through a network of regional Hungry Plants has recently set up a Food and Drug lected, with land clearing to begin distributors and over 8,000 pharma Board, with whom the company is shortly and seed collection to pre cists. In Herba/Gram No. 41, we pub in di scussions. The greatest chal cede nursery development programs. Phyto-Riker GIHOC antici lished a short blurb regarding the lenge will be to grow the plants, and A new medicinal plant growing in pates ready acceptance of plant number of carnivorous plants (esti a major farming program is being dustry should take off and should medicines-60 to 80 percent of the mated to be from 570 - 630). We initiated. Several farms will be es have a major impact on the agricul population across West African regu received a number of letters regard tablished that will incorporate dem tural side of the Ghanaian economy. larly use traditional medicine as their ing this subject, including one which onstration farming techniques into Phyto-Riker will be well-po primary source of health care. asked if there are any carnivorous the program for outgrowers who sitioned to supply both the local Phyto-Riker (GIHOC) hopes to as plants that are harmful to humans. want to contribute to the effort. A Ghanaian market and the regional sist in answering the growing world Research shows that there are none, significant component of the farm West African markets. Phyto-Riker wide demand for alternative medi for the most massive item that even ing program will be experimental intends to position GIHOC as the cines. - Diane Robertson Winn the largest carnivorous plants can di farms to begin to cultivate plants, largest and highest quality manufac (Executive Vice President, Phyto gest would be something the size of bushes, and trees that have never turer of pharmaceuticals throughout Riker Pharmaceuticals) a frog. Also, the digestive enzymes secreted by these botanicals are com paratively weak. Occasionally a rat or bird has been found in the bottle-like append ages of such plants as Nepenthes rajah of Borneo, not "eaten" but drowned in the liquid. However, ac cording to Dr. Barry Meyers-Rice, editor of The Carnivorous Plant Newslener, most Nepenthes victims are frogs or other non-botanical en tities which get caught and are too weak to fight their way out Many kinds of carnivorous botanicals evolved to take advantage of nitrogen or other nutrients lack ing in the environment in which they grow. Some will consume gnats, flies, and moths while others exist on a diet of ants or other crawling insects. So, unless a human sud denly takes on the size and form of an insect, it would seem that we are Seedlings from the Centre for Scientific safe from our carnivorous botanical Research into Plant Medicine en route to acquaintances. - Barbara A. the farm . Photo courtesy of Diane Winn Johnston [Ray CC. Questions and Answers. New York Times. March 10, 1998.]
HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 15 RESEARCH AND WORLD NEWS
WHO Acknowledges African Healers
In more and more villages, tradi "Before the training, Methods used range from sexually transmitted diseases "which tional healers in Africa are assum wouldn 't distinguish between AIDS herbal teas, enemas, poultices defy treatment with orthodox drugs." ing conventional roles in countries patients and others. I treated people rubbed in cuts into the skin, and in His vision-restoring powder, struggling with growing populations as bewitched by ancestral spirits,"' haling fumes to bizarre rituals and taken twice a day, caused Reinhard and overburdened medical services. Tokamalirawo said in his Spartan, potions made from animals and even Jakoby of Karlsruhe, Germany, to Such healers combine a traditional one-room office in a dusty Kampala human body parts intended to rid put away hi s bifocals. Jakoby, 48, blend of mysticism and medicine in neighborhood. "Now I accept that superstitious patients of evi l or un said in a telephone interview with order to provide much of Africa's it is a disease I cannot cure. AIDS happy ancestral spirits. Chameleons Tom Cohen of the Associated Press heal th care. has changed society and the healers are prized for potions that bring that the compound he learned about The international medical have to change to deal with it." change-such as winning back a from a television documentary community now acknowledges that As a result of the THETA wayward lover-because the rep changed hi s life. "I could only see African healers, particularly herbal training, he and the others who com tiles can change color. blurred things without my glasses," ists familiar with local diseases and pleted the course have been able to Simply dismissing supersti said Jakoby, a nurse. "Now, I can conditions, provide significant pri demystify the disease. That's what tion can be a mistake. "Ancestors go without my glasses. I can read mary health care across the under THETA wanted when it began the play a central role in daily life in without my glasses .... The vision developed continent. training, which has spread to five of most African cultures, and healers was restored and it didn't fail." The World Health Organiza Uganda's 39 districts and about 150 use that as a way to intervene in There are obstacles in getting tion (WHO) estimates up to 80 per healers. problems and behavior," said Dr. herbal remedies out of the African cent of A:fricans--or more than a half In South Africa, in order to Nigel Gericke, a South African who bush and into worldwide production. billion people-visit traditional establish ethical and procedural stan studied with a rural healer for a year. Failed deals and unkept promises healers for some or all of their medi dards and weed out charl atans, the In most countries, people too make African healers wary of for cal care, a situation in almost loca first black-led government is trying poor for treatment at modern hospi eigners promising big money for tion, from vi llage to city. to create a register of the estimated tals can afford the small amount of their secrets. Robert McCaleb, Although healers remain the 250,000 healers. The government cash, or barter to pay the local healer founder of the Herb Research Foun strongest link to slowly eroding had also begun testing herbal rem who relieves the burden of patients dation in Boulder, Colorado, said tribal cultures, new realities and a edies for regulation. Full integration on already overcrowded clinics. In both sides lack understanding. global shift toward natural remedies is hindered by centuri es of mistrust Ghana, there is an average of one African healers want to mar are bringing increased attention and and secrecy for, according to Dr. healer for every 400 people, com ket new medicines without the status for healers. Registration of Peter Folb, chairman of South pared to one conventional doctor for money, training, and equipment healers and their medicines, inclu Africa's Medicines Control Coun every 12,000. needed while Western pharmaceuti sion in certain health plans, and re ci l-similar to the U.S. Food and A formal shift from the Chris cal compani es seek to test every imbursement of traditional treatment Drug Administration-words such tian missionary targeting of healers known healing plant-what costs are among the projects sought as "control, regulation, proscribed as witch doctors came in 1978, when McCaleb calls "chemical prospect by various governments. behavior" are wrong when applied a United Nations-sponsored health ing"-instead of working with heal Because of dwindling to healers. conference called for governments ers. "Generations of use by humans sources of medicinal plants and ani African healers come in all to look at incorporating traditional is better safety data than testing on mals, healers have been forced to shapes and sizes, with dozens of la healers and medicines into national thousands on rodents," he said. accept changes in order to preserve bels as distinctive as the tribes and health plans to provide more formal The answer is partnerships and replenish their traditional regions that produce them care for the poor. between traditional practitioners and sources. "sangoma" and "okomfo" for a di Almost 20 years later, the Western companies to quantify the During the AIDS scourge that viner or prognosticator, "inyanga" British company McAlpine, Thorpe healers' knowledge and spawn sig hit Uganda in the 1980s, healers such and "dunseni" for herbali sts who and Warrier Ltd., estimates world nificant local industries-such as as Mutebi Moses Tokamalirawo blend medicines from the forests and wide sales of herbal medicines wi ll farms to grow medicinal plants and used herbal medicines to soothe fields. reach $14.4 billion this year, more factories to make the medicine. symptoms such as rashes and diar These healers use knowledge than 20 percent greater than in "It will show the scientists rhea, but patients kept dying. The passed down for generations to di 1996--a rate that has affected the that our people are not just a bunch private group THETA (Traditional agnose common ailments-from global pharmaceutical industry. of superstitious savages," said Credo and Modem Health Practitioners To malarial fevers and skin rashes to Healers handle most common Mutwa, 76, a celebrated Zulu healer. gether Against AIDS) offered train depression and hypertension-and ailments. Dr. Gottlieb Noamesi in "If the world accepts many of our ing in AIDS counseling, and treat them with natural remedies of rural Hohoe town of Ghana's Volta herbal medicines, this will help to Tokamalirawo agreed to take part. ten mixed with superstition. In some region makes dozens of herbal po ensure the survival of our traditional He was one of 400 healers to cases the cure is worse than the ai l tions and medicines in heavy iron healers." - Barbara A. Johnston attend the frrst meeting in June 1993. ment and may result in accidental pots over open fires. His medical [AOL News. WHO Acknowledges Af- Only 20 completed the program 15 poisoning, the biggest problem in degree is from Lakeland College in rican Healers. Nov. 18, 1997. months later, the rest having left out African traditional remedies. Wisconsin. He also has a 1988 Or Reeder A. UN-AIDS, Geneva. Personal of intransigence or to keep making ganization of African Unity report communication. April21, 1998] money. citing him for successfully treating
16 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 The HERB REsEARCH FOUNDATION provides accurate up-to-date scientific information on the health benefits of herbs. Our members include the public, health professionals, researchers, and herb industry manufacturers. Anyone can access HRF information services - call (303) 449-2265. AnJ c1upport the organization that eJucateJ the world ahout herhc~ HRF is internationally recognized as a leading source of current scientific information on botanicals. We advocate worldwide plant conservation and sustainable cultivation, and are instrumental in educating legislators and the media about the health benefits and safety of herbs.
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Hawthorn Benefits Chronic Heart Failure
This review ar Based on the entire body of laboratory, human pharmacologi ticle offers a very cal, and clinical research, the two phytotherapies considered valu straightforward able for chronic heart failure to date are extracts of cardiac glyco comparison of sides and Crataegus. It is known that plant extracts containing crude hawthorn leaf and cardiac glycosides act in a qualitatively similar manner to the pure flower extract glycosides digoxin and digitoxin, because they bind to the same gly (Crataegus spp., coside receptor. The reader should bear in mind that while the car Rosaceae) to the diac glycoside-containing plants such as oleander leaves and standard drugs Convallaria (lily of the valley) are poisonous, the glycosides de adrenaline, rived from them are not. On the other hand, hawthorn does not amrinone, contain the typical cardiac glycosides. milrinone, and Because of the narrow therapeutic index for cardiac glyco digoxin in treat sides, the author concludes by stressing the necessity of using ing chronic heart phytotherapies that meet explicit criteria. Herbal alternatives for Hawthorn, Crataegus spp. failure. Heart chronic heart failure need to have pharmacologically known con Photo ©1998 Steven Foster failure is defined stituents, adequate bioavailability and known onset, a set duration as an inadequate of action, and known processes of activity and elimination. Re supply of oxygen searchers also need to have access to methods for therapeutic moni and nutrients to the body's peripheral areas as a result of heart dis toring of and detecting toxic concentrations of glycosides in the blood ease. Emphasizing that acute heart failure is a medical emergency, plasma.- Krista Morien the author makes it clear that phytotherapy is an option only in cases [Loew D. Phytotherapy in heart failure. Phytomedicine. 1997; 4(3): 267- of chronic heart failure. Using the same three treatment goals of 271.] standard drug therapy, he scrutinized hawthorn's efficacy as mea sured by an increase in survival rate, improvements in primary mea surements such as quality of life and exercise capacity, and in sec ondary measurements such as threshold hypertension, tachycardia Garlic Prolongs (rapid heartbeat), and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). Though long term studies of survival time are lacking, randomized, double-blind Elasticity of the Aorta clinical studies of a Crataegus extract standardized to 2.2 percent flavonoids have shown positive results in improving primary and Building on previous research suggesting that garlic has protective secondary measurements. Hawthorn appears to show potential in effects against a variety of cardiovascular diseases, German investi treating chronic heart failure, being well-tolerated with broad thera gators designed a cross-sectional, observational study to assess the peutic indications and no known drug interactions. effects oflong-term garlic use (Allium sativum L., Liliaceae) on elas Like the conventional inotropic drugs studied, hawthorn pro ticity of the aorta in healthy, nonsmoking adults (Breithaupt-Grogler, duced a dose-dependent increase in the force of cardiac contraction. 1997). They hypothesized "that if garlic has any protective effect While the mechanism of hawthorn's action remains unclear, in vitro against cardiovascular diseases related to aging, regular garlic in and in vivo studies have revealed a pharmacodynamic profile that take would delay the stiffening of the aorta related to aging." varies strikingly from standard drugs used for chronic heart failure. As the largest artery in the human body, the aorta is essential The key ways in which Crataegus differs from conventional drugs to the healthy function of the entire cardiovascular system. Although (especially digitalis) are that it prolongs the refractory period (resis gradual Joss of aortic elasticity occurs as part of the normal aging tance to treatment), has no effect on heart rate, and lowers consump process, studies have established a positive correlation between aor tion of oxygen and energy by the heart muscle. In common with tic stiffening and elevated cholesterol. Aortic stiffening is also seen conventional drugs, except for digoxin, hawthorn successfully short in patients with high blood pressure. ened AV-conduction time (bloodflow to the atria and ventricles of The study compared 101 healthy adults of both sexes, aged the heart), increasing the efficiency of nerve impulses in the heart 50 to 80, who had been taking >300 mg of standardized garlic pow muscle. Hawthorn has also demonstrated cardioprotective benefits der daily for at least two years with 101 age-and sex-matched con against ischemia (oxygen deprivation of the heart muscle). There trol subjects. (Authors state that the average time of intake was 7.1 sults of this review further document hawthorn's antiarrhythmic ef years). Blood pressure, heart rate, and lipid profiles were similar in fect. the two groups. Subjects taking cardiovascular medications that might affect aortic elasticity or the effects of garlic were excluded
18 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 RESEARCH REVIEWS
from participation. The elastic properties of the aorta were assessed via a measure of cardiovascular function known as pulse wave ve Echinacea pal/ida shortens the locity (PWV), as well as pressure-standardized elastic vascular re sistance (EVR), described as an index of aortic stiffness. Results demonstrated a clear association between long-term duration of upper respiratory intake of standardized garlic powder extract and decreases in both PWV and EVR. PWV was significantly lower in subjects taking tract infection garlic than in control subjects (p<.OOOl), as measured while sub jects were at rest and during a handgrip isometric exercise. The Various Echinacea species have been shown to improve clinical out difference in PWV results between garlic and placebo groups was comes in minor infections, and numerous in vitro and animal stud greater in older subjects. ies have been performed to elucidate the mechanisms of the herb's To find out whether the decrease in aortic stiffening among immune-stimulating actions. In a recent placebo-controlled, double garlic subjects was dependent on the amount of garlic consumed per blind study conducted at a European clinic, an aqueous ethanolic day, garlic users were subdivided according to their reported daily extract of Echinacea pallida (Nutt.) Nutt., Asteraceae, root was sig intake: 300 mg/day (n=36), 400 mg/day (n=21), and 600 mg/day nificantly more effective than placebo in shortening the duration of (n=39); the other five subjects reported taking 500 mg or 900 mg/ illness in upper respiratory tract infections of both bacterial and vi day. Analysis of these subgroups revealed no dose effect between ral origin (Dom et al. 1997). garlic consumption and changes in aortic stiffness. In other words, The study compared the effects of E. pallida extract to pla the degree of improvement was approximately the same in all three cebo in 160 adults with upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) of dosage subgroups, suggesting the maximal effect was achieved with no more than three days duration. URTI was broadly defined by the the lowest dose reported. investigators to encompass sinusitis as well as cough and pharyngi According to the authors, "The results of this cross-sectional tis. For study inclusion, patients had to demonstrate a score of at observational study suggested for the first time that regular long least 15 based on a three-point scale assessing the severity oftypical term garlic powder intake attenuated age-and pressure-related in URTI symptoms. Elevated differential neutrophil count was used crease in aortic stiffness." They postulate that this effect may be as an indicator of bacterial infection, and elevated differential lym related to mediation of nitric oxide synthase activation "and subse phocyte count of viral infection. Initial evaluation also included quent restoration of impaired endothelial function" but conclude, determination of the in "The precise mechanism or mechanisms of this effect of garlic on cidence of URTI over the the elastic properties of the aorta remain to be defined." previous three years,- one As noted earlier, elevated cholesterol is associated with in of the aims of the study creased aortic stiffness. While the authors acknowledge that garlic was to determine how may have direct cholesterol-lowering effects, they assert that pos URTI frequency might sible cholesterol-lowering effects of garlic " ... cannot account for affect the success of differences in the elastic properties of the aorta because serum lipid treatment with echinacea. levels were similar in the two groups." To support this point, they Patients were excluded cite a 1995 study published in the journal Atherosclerosis in which from the study if they had 28 patients with high cholesterol showed no reductions in plasma auto-immune disorders cholesterol after three months of treatment with garlic powder at a or infections other than dose of 900 mg/day (Simons, 1995). URTI or if they were tak Possible study shortcomings suggested by the investigators ing medication that might include potential inaccuracies in subject's reporting of dosages, a interfere or interact with narrow dosage range that might not allow for accurate judgment of the herb preparation. dose-effect relations, inherent limitations of the methods used to Patients were ran assess aortic elasticity, and the epidemiological, cross-sectional study domized to receive eight design itself. The garlic powder preparations taken by the subjects to 10 days of treatment were not identified in the paper, however it would be easy to assume with either placebo they were taking Lichtwer's Brand Kwai. Kwai tablets are the only (n=80) or E. pallida root known brand sold in Germany that are both standardized and con extract (n=80) at a total tain 100 mg. of garlic powder. - Evelyn Leigh daily dosage of 900 mg. [Breithaupt-Grogler K, Ling M, Boudoulas H, Belz GG. Protective effect of chronic garlic intake on elastic properties of aorta in the elderly. Circulation. 1997; 96(8): 2649-2655. Simons LA, Balasubrarnaniarn S, Konigsmark M, Parfitt A, Simons J, Pe continues on next page ters W. On the effects of garlic on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in mild Pale Coneflower, hypercholesterolemia. Atherosclerosis. 1995; 113; 219-225.] Echinacea pal/ida. Photo © 1998 Steven Foster.
HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 19 RESEARCH REVIEWS
Evaluations were performed at baseline, three to four days after en The seven studies presented in this article focused on try into the study, and eight to 10 days after entry into the study. Phyllanthus amarus and P. urinaria, Sho-Saiko-To (the traditional Outcome criteria were resolution of cough and cold symptoms and Japanese Kampo medicine based on a traditional Chinese formula), reduced duration of illness as demonstrated by normalization of lym glycyrrhizin (from licorice, Glycyrrhiza spp.), catechin (found in phocytosis and differential neutrophil count. green tea and other plants), and silymarin (from milk thistle, Silybum According to the results, duration of illness was reduced from marianum). Though the active constituent remains unknown, the 13 days to 9.8 days in bacterial infections and to 9.1 days in viral traditional Ayurvedic plant Phyllanthus has produced encouraging infections. These results were considered highly significant com clinical results with no reported side effects. In a study of 60 sub pared to placebo (p Far right: Licorice root, Glycyrrhiza uralensis; right: Korean Ginseng, Panax ginseng. Photos © 1997 Steven Foster. 20 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 RESEARCH REVIEWS Used in Japan to treat chronic hepatitis B and C, glycyrrhizi n shortened recovery time, and lowered the (a main constituent in licorice root) is traditionally given intrave mortality rate. The plants produced a stron nously in a solution called Stronger Neo Minophagen C. In one ger healing effect when combined with clinical study it compared favorably with alpha interferon, produc antibiotics. The authors concluded that ing a 30-40 percent success rate in treating chronic HBV infection. rasayanas work by enhancing leucocyto More research is necessary to determine whether glycyrrhizin may sis (an increase of white blood cells), and be useful in therapy-resistant cases of hepatitis C when combined by preventing neutrophil destruction after with alpha interferon. exposure to toxins such as cyclophospha A slightly more controversial treatment for hepatitis is the fla mide. Important immune functions like vonoid catechin, which is isolated from several medicinal plants in phagocytosis, intra-cellular killing, and cluding Uncaria gambir (black catechu). Catechin has been shown macrophage activity also increased in to reduce the hepatotoxicity of many chemicals, and in vitro studies treated animals as compared to control suggest that it may work by increasing cell-mediated immunity. groups. Though clinical studies have shown effectiveness in treating chronic, In addition to these six "general" active hepatitis B, catechin is associated with a number of side ef rasayanas, previous research supports the fects, including fever and hemolytic anemia. A few patients have traditional use of "specific" rasayanas to even died taking this drug. strengthen individual tissues or organs. For A safer, long-term treatment for chronic active hepatitis is example, Tinospora cordifolia is known to silymarin, the active flavonoid compound found in Silybum be useful for the liver, Emblica officina/is marianum (milk thistle). This well-known plant's hepatoprotective for the pancreas, Asparagus racemosus for benefits have been seen in over 300 clinical and laboratory studies. the stomach, and Piper longum for the In cases of acute hepatitis B, silymarin improves liver function tests lungs. In a double-blind study of 30 pa without affecting HBsAG. Though it does not lower viral replica tients with obstructive jaundice, research tion (HBcAG), silymarin still has a therapeutically useful effect in ers found that T. cordifolia (TC) combined chronic hepatitis B. Clinical studies have shown reductions in ne with conventional therapy reduced mortal crosis (liver cell death) and lowered formation of fibrous tissue, along ity to 6.25 percent, compared to 39 per with reduced levels of serum transaminases (a marker for cell dam cent in the placebo group. The therapy age) and MDA (a marker of lipid peroxidation) in patients with minimized complications and significantly chronic hepatitis Band C. - Krista Morien improved overall quality of life. In a fol [Reichert R. Phytotherapeutic Alternatives for Chronic Active Hepatitis. low-up laboratory study, the researchers Quart Rev Nat Med. 1997 Summer: 103-108 .] determined that TC works by activating the immune cells of the liver and by increas ing bile flow to the intestines. In another New Research Supports Top : Ashwagandha, placebo-controlled, randomized, double Withania somnifera; blind study of 50 tuberculosis patients, TC above: black pepper, Ayurveda's Traditional Uses produced fewer side effects in combina Piper longum . Photos tion with conventional therapy, as com © 1997 Steven Foster Based on far-reaching traditional uses for a class of Ayurvedic herbs pared to placebo. A third double-blind known as "rasayanas," researchers were able to clarify the scientific study of 40 breast cancer patients showed mode of action for six of these plants, using new laboratory, clinical, that white blood cell counts remained higher and general well-being and in vitro studies along with previous research. The authors hy improved in subjects given TC as an adjuvant to cancer chemo pothesized that rasayanas work by acting on components of the im therapy. mune system, which in turn have broad effects on the entire body. Although many of the original studies from the authors' lab Reputed to strengthen the "primordial tissue" that nourishes the rest were of good quality, a major drawback of this review article was of the body, rasayanas are said to enhance longevity, youth, memory, the researchers' summary and evaluation of their own work. Scien intellect, the immune system, and physical endurance. tists continue to examine the intricate cascade of physical events The authors used six rasayanas to test their hypothesis, in associated with Ayurvedic rasayanas. At the Ayurvedic Research cluding Emblica officina/is (now Phyllanthus emblica L.), Tinospora Center (KEM Hospital in Mumbai, India), preliminary clinical studies cordifolia, Asparagus racemosus (now Protasparagus racemosus), are evaluating the effects of rasayanas on anal fistula, hemorrhoids, Withania somnifera, Terminalia chebula and Piper longum. In labo and asthma. Currently, the center is appraising adverse drug reac ratory studies on both normal and immunosuppressed animals, pre tions in order to ensure safety and effectivness for all Ayurvedic treatment with all six rasayanas protected animals from infection, medicines. Despite 6,000 years of traditional use, volumes of HER BALGRAM No. 43 • 21 RESEARCH REVIEWS Ayurvedic knowledge have not been translated from Sanskrit and agreed to take part in the pharmacokinetics portion of the study were further scientific studies are called for. Those who have an interest used for analysis of absorption and elimination kinetics. Serum con in Ayurveda are advised to work with a skilled practitioner. Like centrations of ephedrine alkaloids were obtained from these samples any complex healing system, even "the science of life" (Ayurveda) via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The test re can cause adverse events, especially when misused through self sults were compared with results of earlier research utilizing similar prescription.- Krista Marien methodology and dosages of ephedrine tablets and an oral ephe [Dahanukar S, Thatte U. Current Status of Ayurveda in Phytomedicine. drine solution (Pickup et al, 1976). Elimination kinetics were simi Phytamedicine. 1997; 4(4): 359-368] lar among all product forms, but absorption of ephedrine was as complete but much slower with the capsule formulation: 3.9 hours for maximal absorption of ephedrine from the capsule of powdered herb vs. two hours from a tablet of ephedrine. Cardiovascular effects of HPLC test results showed that the variability in content of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine among capsules was low. Analysis Ephedro in normol volunteers of 32 capsules yielded a mean ephedrine content of 4.84 + 0.45 mg, and mean pseudoephedrine and methylephedrine contents of 1.22 + In the wake of recent FDA warnings advising consumers not to in 0.28 and 0.31 + 0.07, respectively. Therefore, the study dosage of gest supplements containing ephedrine, American investigators four capsules contained roughly 19.4 mg of ephedrine, 4.9 mg of evaluated the effects of commercially available ephedra capsules on pseudoephedrine, and 1.2 mg of methylephedrine. By comparison, heart rate and blood pressure in 12 healthy men and women be a nonprescription drug dose typically contains 25 mg of ephedrine tween the ages of 23 and 40 (White et al, 1997). The study also hydrocloride or sulfate. sought to assess the variability in ephedrine and pseudoephedrine The authors concluded that "the pharmacodynamic aspects of content among capsules of the same product lot and to investigate ingestion of ma-huang in a normotensive, young population were the pharmacokinetic properties of these two constituents at recom fairly benign." However, they also believe that use of ephedra in mended dosages. Ephedra capsules manufactured by Solray, Inc., combination with other stimulants or in doses higher than recom were used as the study preparation. Each capsule contained 375 mg mended could result in clinically significant elevation of heart rate of powdered Ephedra sinica Stapf, Ephedraceae (ma-huang). and blood pressure. They suggested that the danger "is heightened The study subjects underwent two phases of ambulatory blood for herbal products containing ephedrine because many of these prod pressure monitoring. Normal blood pressure was established dur ucts and their ephedrine alkaloid content are not regulated-a prob ing the control phase, and cardiovascular effects after ingestion of lem exacerbated by the extreme variability in ephedrine alkaloid ephedra were measured during the treatment phase. Blood pressure content associated with different Ephedra species and their place of readings were taken every 15 minutes during both phases. For the origin-and they are marketed to 'produce euphoria and increase treatment phase, the subjects ingested four capsules of powdered sexual sensation,' which in itself is a calling card for potential over ephedra with breakfast and, nine hours later, took another four cap dose." sules with dinner. Possible study shortcomings include an extremely small None of the 12 study participants experienced adverse effects sample size (only 12 subjects) and no mention of whether subjects' at any time during the trial. However, six had statistically signifi sex or weight determined how they were affected by the ephedra. cant increases in mean 12-hour heart rate after taking ephedra, three - Evelyn Leigh had slight increases, and three showed no changes. In the first three [Pickup ME, May CS, Senadagrie RS, Patterson JW. The pharmacokinet hours after taking ephedra, four subjects had statistically significant ics of ephedrine after oral dosage in asthmatics receiving acute and chronic increases in systolic treatment. Br J Pharmacal. 1976; 3: 123-134. blood pressure, while White LM, GardnerS, Gurley B, Marx MA, Wang PL, Estes M. Pharmaco two demonstrated sig kinetics and cardiovascular effects of ma-huang (Ephedra sinica) in nor motensive adults. J Clin Pharmacal. 1997; 37: 116-122.] nificant decreases in diastolic blood pres sure during that time. None of these effects were considered clini Grapefruit Juice Squeezes cally significant. Blood samples More Out of Medications drawn during the treat Researchers, led by a team from the University of Michigan Medi ment phase from six cal Center, Ann Arbor, have isolated a pair of substances in grape subjects who had fruit juice (Citrus x paradisi Mcfadyen, Rutaceae) that cause greater absorption of certain drugs in the human body. The new findings Ephedra, Ephedra sinica. Photo © 1 997 Steven Foster. are published in the November 1997 issue of the journal Drug Me tabolism and Disposition. 22 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 RESEARCH REVIEWS Earlier studies found that patients who took certain medica Schmiedlin-Ren P, Edwards DJ, Fitzsimmons ME, He K, Lown KS , Woster tions with grapefruit juice absorbed more of the medicine. The key PM, eta/. Mechanisms of Enhanced Oral Availability of CYP3A4 Sub to how grapefruit juice enhances drug absorption lies in the interac strates by Grapefruit Constituents. Drug Metab Dispos. 1997 Nov; tion between the grapefruit juice and an enzyme found in the small 25(11): 1228-1233. intestine. Wilkins D. University of Michigan Medical Center (Press Release). Nov 19, 1997.] Paul B. Watkins, M.D., director of the U of M General Clini cal Research Center, and his colleagues have isolated two substances in grapefruit, called furanocoumarins, that are responsible for the so-called grapefruit effect. Watkins says the two components act like suicide bombers, attaching themselves to the enzyme and de Clinical Study Concludes Dong stroying its ability to interfere with drug absorption. The enzyme, known as CYP3A4, normally acts as a sort of Quai Not Effective for Menopause gatekeeper against certain types of medication, including those pre scribed for high blood pressure, heart disease, allergies, AIDS, and A recent 12-week study conducted by Kaiser Permanente Medical organ transplantation. These types of drugs, unlike most medica Care in Oakland, California, does not support the use of the herb tions, are not absorbed efficiently in the intestines because they are dong quai (Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, Apiaceae) as a solo agent largely broken down by CYP3A4 in the intestinal wall. Watkins for the relief of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and sweat says people typically have varying levels of the enzyme in their in ing. The study involved 71 women, roughly half of whom received testines-which appears to explain why some individuals absorb placebos; dong quai recipients took 4.5 g dried root per day. Inci greater amounts of a given medication than others. dence of symptoms dropped in both placebo and dong quai groups Watkins says the two furanocoumarins have different proper over the study 's course, with no statistically significant difference. ties. The major active substance in grapefruit juice is called 6',7' Unfortunately, The New York Times coverage may give the dihydroxybergamottin (DHB) and the researchers named the other cursory impression that the study results disproved any therapeutic ingredient they discovered FC726. Where the two differ is that DHB value at all for the herb ("An Herb, Yes; a Remedy, No"). Tradi appears to have multiple effects, while FC726 seems to work spe tional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners usually prescribe dong cifically on the CYP3A4 enzyme. quai in combination with other herbs, and for other therapeutic ap Watkins says these findings could have important ramifica plications that have not yet been studied in the West. tions for the future of drug-making. Researchers now believe that The New York Times identifies the therapeutic effect sought by adding one of the furanocoumarins contained in grapefruit to by Western dong quai consumers as "an attempt to get the benefits certain oral medications, the reliability and safety of the drugs can of estrogen without the side effects, which include a heightened risk be noticeably improved. "This discovery allows for the develop of breast cancer." The herb sells very well in the U.S. for this use. In ment of improved oral medications, not just for existing drugs, but a personal communication with Mark Blumenthal, Dr. Subhuti more importantly, drugs that would not have made useful oral medi Dharmananda, Director of the Institute for Traditional Medicine, cations without this prior understanding," Watkins says. "By plac asserts that "the idea that dong quai has hormonal action was perpe ing DHB or FC726 directly intp a pill, much more of the drug will trated by Western herbalists by the method of guess, tell, then sell; it be absorbed in a reliable manner." is used for woman 's problems, we guess it works via hormones, Another interesting fmding in the study was that the concen let's tell people it works by hormones, and sell it to them on that tration of the active ingredients varies dramatically among grape basis." Dr. Dharmananda notes that the study was otherwise well fruits and grapefruit juices, even within the same product line. This conducted, and hopes that in the future, Western herb researchers is most likely because of growing conditions in different regions will refer to existing "serious" research literature to see if there is a and because manufacturers typically buy their grapefruits from many basis for a given investigation. The New York Times incorrectly iden areas. "For this reason," Watkins says, "it would be preferable to tified the length of the study as 24 weeks. add the active ingredient to pills, rather than just taking medication The study did not deal with a major use of dong quai as an with grapefruit products." antispasmodic for menstrual irregularities. Watkins believes there are probably additional substances in The New York Times added that a double-blind clinical trial of grapefruit that control drug absorption. "The direction of the re a traditional mixture of 10 Chinese herbs for the alleviation of hot search now," he says, "is to continue to search for these flashes is underway at Columbia University. Dr. Fredi Kronenberg, furanocoumarins to find the magic bullet, the one that just does what the study's director, expects that the results will be published this we want it to without interfering with anything else. We believe the summer. -Betsy Levy grapefruit harbors all kinds of compounds that will be useful in for [Bates B. Dong Quai Shown Not Effective for Menopause. Internal Medi mulating different kinds of drugs." - Barbara A. Johnston cine News. 1997 Aug 1: 46. [Lown KS, Bailey DG, Fontana RJ, Janardan SK, Adair CH, Fortlage LA, GilbertS. An Herb, Yes; a Remedy, No. New York Times. 1998 Jan 13. eta/. Grapefruit Juice Increases Felodipine Oral Availability in Humans Hirata JD, Swiersz LM, Zell B, Small R, Ettinger B. Does dong quai have by Decreasing Intestinal CYP3A Protein Expression. J Clin Invest. 1997 estrogenic effects in postmenopausal women? A double-blind, placebo May; 99(10): 2545-2553. controlled trial. Fertil Steril. 1997; 68(6): 981-986.] HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 23 aThe Herb Rec1earch Foundatwn i1 one of the modt reLia6le dourced of accurate botanicaL informatwn avaiLa6Le:' -0. Akerele, MD, former Tradit ional Medicine Programme Manager, World Health Organization A worliJ of information at your fingertipJ Where do you turn for answers on the health benefits of herbs? The Herb Research Foundation offers a full range of information services for the public, manufacturers, and health care professionals - everything from ethnobotany to scientific documentation of medicinal benefits and safety. The Natural Healthcare Hotline CuAom botanical literature reJearch • Fast answers about health benefits, dosage, and • Full online and in-house literature searches on safety on more than 200 herbs thousands of p lants • Special subscription service available for manufac • In-depth information for personal or professional turers, pharmacies, and retailers use - or to substantiate claims made in product literature 185 Herb Information Packet.; • All the information needed to safely and correctly Herb ahJtract.J~ ru ource li.J&~ aniJ more use herbs H RF MEMBERS RECEIVE D ISCOUNTS ON ALL INFOR MATION SERV1CES. To JOLN HRF OR TO REQUEST HERB A COMPLETE CATALOG OF H R F SERVICES, PLEASE CALL (303) 449-2265. RESEARCH FOUNDATION Better world health through the informed u.Je of herhd 1007 Pearl Street, Suite 200, Boulder CO 80302 USA GINKGOLIDE PAF ANTAGONISTS FEVERFEW PLANT PATENTS As researchers continue to document the Process for preparing microclustered wa beneficial effects of Gingko biloba, commer ter. Invented by Lee H. Lorenzen (Trabuco By Karen Dean cial producers are developing new ways of Canyon, CA). U.S. Patent 5,711 ,950. Is making this potent herbal agent proprietary, sued January 27, 1998. LEUTIN by patenting novel extraction and formula tion processes and combinations with other Feverfew (Tanacetumparthenium) has Process for the formation, isolation and natural products. a long history of use in the prevention and purification of comestible xanthophyll treatment of migraine headaches. Like most crystals from plants. Invented by Rodney Extracts of Ginkgo biloba and their pharmacologically active herbs, feverfew has L. Ausich and David J. Sanders (Des Moines, methods of preparation. Invented by Ezio fallen short of its full commercial potential, IA) and assigned to Kemin Industries, Inc. Bombardelli , Giuseppe Mustich, and Marco in large part because of the difficulties of (Des Moines, IA). U.S. Patent 5,648,564. Bertani, all of Milan, Italy. U.S. Patent making natural products proprietary. Issued July 15 , 1997. 5,700,468. Assigned to Indena, SpA, Milan, A California company, La Jolla Diag Kemin is an animal feed and agricul Italy. Issued Dec. 23,1997. nostics (LAJD), has established one type of tural specialty ingredient company with an Patent provides the process for produc proprietary hold on feverfew by licensing a international market presence of more than ing a purified extract from Gingko biloba novel method of formulating it (and other 25 years' duration. One of the company's leaves by solvent extraction with selected herbal extracts) into a highl y absorbable sa flagship products has been marigold solvents, and describes pharmaceutical com line solution. The manufacturer describes (Tag etes sp.) flowers, sold principally for positions comprising dimeric flavones or the liquid, called ClusterWater, as being poultry feed. The flowers are rich in nutri polyphenols. Indena continues to accumulate chemically identical to unprocessed water, ents, including lutein, a bright orange-yel process and formulation patent protection on and as forming "polywater complexes" when low carotenoid that enhances the commer the numerous plant extracts and products it exposed to active biological molecules. The cial value and color of egg yolks. By the researches, manufactures, and markets. complexes reportedly take on structural and early 1990s, numerous scientific papers had electronic qualities of the biomolecules, reported research demonstrating that lutein, Anxiolytic ginger/ginkgo combina which are claimed to enhance the effective which is also found abundantly in green leafy tion. Invented by Rudiger Hacker ness of the agent in the solution. vegetables and yellow corn , plays a critical (Herrsching, Germany) and Claudia Mattern ClusterWater technology enables the role in maintai ning good macular health in (Starnberg, Germany). U.S. Patent manufacturer to deliver active herbal ingre humans. Advanced age-related macular de 5,622,704. Assigned toArrowdean Limited., dients in a sublingual spray, directly to the generation (AMD) is one of the leading Dublin, Ireland. Issued April 22, 1997. bloodstream, through the oral cavity. The causes of blindness and visual impairment Covers use of a medication contain patent covers the method of preparing in humans. A growing body of evidence sug ing active ingredients from ginger (Zingiber microclustered water from steam produced gests that consumption of a diet rich in lutein officina/e) and gingko (Ginkgo biloba) for under specified conditions, and then adding and the related carotenoid, zeaxanthin, is the treatment of anxiety states. [This combi biological, pharmaceutical, or chemical associated with a decreased risk of AMD. nation apparently attempts to capitalize on agents to the condensed steam, which clus Kemin has taken a vigorous role in making the fairly well documented anti-emetic, anti ters around the active ingredients as the con this research available to the interested pub nausea effects of ginger and the cardiovas densed steam depressurizes. The active in lic. cular and cognitive effects of ginkgo.] gredient becomes more readily absorbable Since the mid-1990s, Kemin has fo in microclustered water, thereby allegedly cused increasing attention on uncovering the Medication fo r impotence contain increasing the effectiveness of medications, role of carotenoids in human health, and on ing lyophilized roe and a powdered extract catalysts, agricultural products, and other the processes of extraction and purification of Ginkgo biloba. Invented by Lotfy Ismail bioproducts formulated this way. of food- or pharmaceutical-grade pigments. Omar (Kew Gardens, NY). U.S. Patent LAJD has introduced a feverfew The company has patented a solvent-based 5,730,987. No assignee. Issued March 24, ClusterWater-based oral spray and plans to method of isolating and purifying xantho 1998. launch a similar nose spray, and eventually phyll crystals, particularly in the forms of Patent discloses the process of manu a line of all ergy-relief products. The com lutein from marigold flower petals, zeaxan facture and the method of use of an orally pany is not commenting on the likelihood or thin from wo lfberries (Lycium spp.), or administered composition for treating impo identity of future herbal products. The stron capsanthin and capsorubin from red pepper tence in human males. The composition con gest patents on naturall y occurring sub (Capsicum spp.). The isolated and purified tains a mixture of lyophilized (freeze-dried) stances, such as herbs and their active ingre xanthophyll crystals are suitable for human sturgeon roe and a dry powdered extract of dients, are generally those protecting some consumption, and can be used as a nutritional Ginkgo biloba leaves, standardized to include sort of processing of the natural substance. supplement and as an additive in food . flavonoid glycosides and terpenes. The mix These processes can run the gamut from ex Kemin sells lutein as a dietary supplement ture is preferably encapsulated and provides traction and purification methods to chemi for humans and as a nutritional ingredient lyophilized roe and lyophilized Ginkgo cal modification or novel formulation and for other food, pharmaceutical, and dietary biloba in the ratio of approximately 12.33: 1. delivery of the active ingredient. supplement manufac turers to incorporate in [The documented action of Ginkgo biloba ClusterWater technology may provide La their products. as a circulatory oxygenation enhancer is most Jolla Diagnostics wi th the means of devel likely responsible for the contribution of the oping a varied line of herbal products. gingko extract to the activity of this combi nation.] HERBAlGRAM No. 43 • 25 LEGAL AND REGULATORY FDA Proposes New Rules on Dietary Supplement Structure-Function Claims Agency Redefines // Disease" in What Critics Call an Attempt to limit Claims and Weaken OSHEA by Mark Blumenthal The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 2. Statements of nutritional support NEW DEFINITION OF DISEASE has published proposed rules to regulate should be supported by scientifically valid Although FDA says that its proposed rules claims made by manufacturers of dietary evidence substantiating that the statements are based on guidance from the CDSL, regu supplements. On April29, 1998, FDA pub are truthful and not misleading. latory attorneys in the dietary supplement lished in the Federal Register a proposed set 3. Statements indicating the role of a industry have criticized FDA's position. of rules titled "Regulation on Statements nutrient or dietary ingredient in affecting the According to Loren Israelsen, head of the Made for Dietary Supplements Concerning structure or function of humans may be made Utah Natural Products Alliance (UNPA), a the Effect of the Product on the Structure or when the statements do not suggest disease trade group representing many of the largest Function of the Body" (FDA, 1998a). prevention or treatment. manufacturers of dietary supplements in One of the major areas of innovation 4. Statements that mention a body sys Utah, the FDA previously used a different in the Dietary Supplement Health and Edu tem, organ, or function affected by the definition of disease for the health claim cation Act of 1994 (DSHEA) is found in supplement using terms such as "stimulate," regulations written pursuant to the passage Section 6 of the Act, where Congress allowed "maintain," "support," "regulate," or "pro of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act the labels or labeling of dietary supplements mote" can be appropriate when the state of 1990 (NLEA). Israelsen says, "This new to carry a statement that "describes the role ments do not suggest disease prevention or definition gives FDA significantly more au of a nutrient or dietary ingredient [e.g., herbal treatment or use for a serious health condi thority and interpretive power to decide what products] intended to affect the structure or tion that is beyond the ability of the consumer is a disease and what is not." (lsraelsen, function in humans" or that "characterizes to evaluate. 1998). the documented mechanism by which a nu 5. Statements should not be made that "Consider these conditions: baldness, trient or dietary ingredient acts to maintain products "restore" normal or "correct" ab poor night vision, age-related memory loss, such structure or function." (DSHEA, Sect. normal function when the abnormality im menopause, fatigue, joint stiffness, irregular 6). Such claims are known as "structure/func plies the presence of disease. An example ity, and water retention. Are these diseases tion claims." might be a claim to "restore" normal blood or are they health conditions? Under this DSHEA specifically points out that pressure when the abnormality implies hy proposed rule, FDA would now make these such claims are not drug claims; that is, they pertension. decisions. I find this alarming, and while I are not allowed to claim to "diagnose, miti 6. Health claims are specifically de recognize FDA is grappling with a difficult gate, treat, cure, or prevent a specific dis fined under NLEA as statements that char issue and one that virtually defies definition, ease or class of diseases." (DSHEA) acterize the relationship between a nutrient what has been proposed is unacceptable." or a food component and a specific disease (Israelsen, 1998). Israelsen is intimately fa COMMISSION GUIDANCE or health-related condition. Statements of miliar with DSHEA and its legislative his Because there can be confusion between a nutritional support should be distinct from tory. He was one of the lead negotiators for disease (drug) claim, a health claim under NLEA health claims in that they do not state the industry involved in the fine points of NLEA, and a statement of nutritional sup or imply a link between a supplement and the negotiation of DSHEA. In his view, port or structure/function claim under prevention of a specific disease or health re "DSHEA stands for the principle that con DSHEA, the President's Commission on lated condition. sumers should be given more and not less Dietary Supplement Labels (CDSL), pub 7. Statements of nutritional support are freedom of information and freedom of lished in November 1997, provided guidance not to be drug claims. They should not refer choice. Just like the USDA's proposed or to FDA to clarify the issue. The CDSL re to specific diseases, disorders, or classes of ganic standards regulations, we must now tell port provided the following guidance: diseases and should not use drug-related FDA clearly and with great frequency that 1. Statements of nutritional support terms such as "diagnose," "treat," "prevent," the proposed definition of disease simply will should provide useful information to con "cure," or "mitigate." (CDSL, 1997; FDA not do, and that a more broad-based defini sumers about the intended use of a product. 1998a). tion is in order. 26 • HER BALGRAM No. 43 LEGAL AND REGULATORY Types of Claims Not Allowed Under FDA's Proposed New Rules "Consumers with proper guidance and conditions ranging from hiccups to minor 1 . Statements about the formulation of the advice are prepared to take more responsi cuts and bruises, and even snoring, could be product, including a claim that the product bility for their health. This includes being classified as diseases. . . . I strongly object contained an ingredient that has been trusted to make choices for the conditions to the broadened definition of disease as pro regulated by FDA as a drug and is well noted above as well as many others. Granted, posed by FDA because it greatly limits the known to consumers for its use in preventing some conditions are tricky and require pro amount of information that can be made or treating a disease (e .g ., aspirin, digoxi n, fessional advice and diagnosis. However, I available to the consumer on the label of cer or laetrile) . think we all are prepared to take steps to gov tain dietary supplements." (Tyler, 1998). 2. Citation of a title of a publication or other ern our lives and make healthcare choices, Professor Norman R. Farnsworth, Re reference if the title refers to a disease use. knowing this involves a greater degree of search Professor of Pharmacognosy and Se 3 . Use of th e terms "disease" or "diseased." 4 . Use of pictures, vignettes, symbols etc . (e .g ., self-responsibility." (Israelsen, 1998) nior University Scholar at the University of Rx) that suggest an effect on a disease. In the new proposed rules FDA now Illinois, was a member of the CDSL. ref In Whole human body is OK. defines disease as follows: erence to previous FDA rules on the subject 5 . Product class names strongly associated A disease is any deviation from , impair of structure and function claims for choles with diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or ment of, or interruption of the normal terol levels, he wrote the following comments prevention of a disease or diseases, e.g ., structure or function of any part, organ, to MichaelA. Friedman, M.D., Lead Deputy "antibiotic," "laxative," "analgesic," or system or combination thereof of the Commissioner of FDA: "antiviral," "diuretic," "antimicrobial," body that is manifested by a character The FDA final rules on labeling state "antiseptic, " "antidepressant," or "vaccine. " istic set of one or more signs or symp ments, in my opinion, were not hel pful 6. Statement implying that a dietary toms. For purposes of the definition, to the industry as to how to craft truth supplement has an effect on a disease by signs or symptoms include laboratory ful and not mi sleading health claims. claiming that effect of the DS is the same as that of a recognized drug or disease or clinical measurements that are char For this reason, the [CDSL] stated, "it therapy. (" Herbal Prozac" or "use as part acteristics of a disease, such as elevated is possible to craft a statement of nutri of your diet when taking insulin to help cholesterol fraction, uric acid, blood tional support regarding the mainte maintain a healthy blood sugar level") sugar, glycosylated hemoglobin, and nance of healthy blood cholesterol lev 7. A statement that may contain an express or characteristic signs of disease, such as els that is a statement of nutritional sup implied disease claim if it suggests that the elevated blood pressure or intraocular port and not a health clai m or drug product cures, mitigates, treats or prevents a pressure. " (FDA 1998a) claim." It seems to me th at hav ing a disease or diseases by augmenting the However, statuatory definition of dis mild to moderately elevated cholesterol body's own disease-fighting capabilities: ease in the Code of Federal Regulations at level being lowered is a clear structure "supports the body's antiviral capabilities" the time Congress passed DSHEA (Oct. function claim as opposed to a statement "supports the body's ability to resist infection" 8. Claims that the DS is intended to counter 1994 ), was more limited: The present that lowering cholesterol may prevent adverse events resulting from medical defmition is in 21 CFR Sec. 101.14 (a)(6) as atherosclerosis. (Farnsworth, 1997). intervention are considered claims that the follows: Scott Bass, one of the principal par product is intended as part of the treatment Di sease or health-related condition ticipants in the drafting of DSHEA and Na program and, as such, are claims that the means damage [emphasis added) to an tional Nutritional Foods Association general DS is intended to mitigate, treat, or cure the organ, part, structure, or system of the counsel, believes that the proposal is, in part, disease state: body such that it does not function prop a good faith attempt to draw a line between "reduces nausea associated with erly (e.g., cardiovascular di sease), or a the protections needed to encourage pharma chemotherapy" state of health leading to such ceutical research and the freedoms provided "helps avoid diarrhea associated with dysfunctioning (e.g., hypertension); ex by DSHEA. But the proposal also contains antibiotic use" cept that di seases resulting from essen many subtle points of great concern to the "to aid patients with reduced or compromised immune function, e.g., patients undergoing tial nutrient deficiencies (e.g. sc urvy, industry. On top of that list is a practical chemotherapy" pellagra) are not included in this defmi enforcement issue: FDA may be able to stop (Source: derived from Notice of Proposed tion (claims pertaining to such diseases claims without having to prove that a dis Rulemaking, Federal Register, April 29 1998; are thereby not subject to Sec. 101.14 or ease claim was actually intended. For ex FDA, 1998a; Anon, 1998 - Tan Sheet) 101.70). (Young, 1998.) ample, just by including menthol, an OTC According to Varro E. Tyler, Dean and drug ingredient, in a product, FDA would be Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the Col able to say that an implied drug claim is lege of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences present. Said Bass, "In addition, much like of one health professional to support the view at Purdue University, the former definition the old food additive cases in which FDA that any claim was intended as a disease of disease is "a sickness or malady which merely submitted an affidavit of one scien claim." (Bass, 1998) impairs the performance of a vital bodily tist to establish that an ingredient was not Also on the issue of OTC drugs, Tony function." (Tyler, 1998). Under FDA's generally recognized as safe to obviate any Young, attorney for the American Herbal broadened definition, writes Tyler, "various defense, FDA would need only the opinion Products Association (AHPA), says there is HERBALG RAM No. 43 • 27 LEGAL AND REGULATORY courtesy letters FDA informs the company FDA Examples of Acceptable and Unacceptable Claims for Dietary Supplments that its claims are not acceptable under the agency's interpretation of DSHEA. Acceptable Structure/ Function Claims Young, voicing AHPA's concerns, Helps maintain a healthy cholesterol level for Reduces stress and frustration men over 50 years old Inhibits platelet aggregation says, "Statements that relate matters of struc Helps maintain regularity to meet nutritional Improves absentmindedness ture and function to natural health-related needs during pregnancy Use as part of your weight loss plan conditions such as sleeplessness, pre-men Supports the immune system strual syndrome, functional effects of meno Promotes relaxation Cardiohealth pause, elevated cholesterol, overweight, cir Heart Tabs culation, effects of aging, and fatigue, to Helps promote urinary tract health name a few, are arguably allowed under Helps maintain cardiovascular function and a Energizer DSHEA because these are merely conditions healthy circulatory system Re juvenate and not diseases. FDA, however, has indi Helps maintain intestinal flora Revitalizer cated otherwise both in its proposed regula Helps maintain healthy intestinal tract Adaptogen tions and repeatedly in response to manufac turers' 30-day notification letters describing Disease Claims/Unacceptable for Dietary Supplements the statements being made for their prod Lowers cholesterol Alzheimer's disease ucts." (Young, 1998) Improves urine flow in men over 50 years of Decreased sexual function For example, Yo ung cites the FDA age Hot flashes Home Page, which states that "[ d]espite its Alleviates constipation Toxemia of pregnancy Herbal Prozac sometimes annoying, peripheral problems, Supports body's ability to resist infection Carpaltum more than ever before menopause is now Supports the body's antiviral capabilities Raynaudin seen as a natural process, not a disease." Heptacure (FDA, 1998c). Yet FDA has objected to the Protective against the development of cancer statement that soya isoflavones "avert meno Reduces the pain and stiffness associated with Use as part of your diet when taking insulin to pausal symptoms" because it suggests that arthritis maintain a healthy blood sugar level the product is intended to treat a disease. Reduces joint pain Reduces nausea associated with chemotherapy FDA has also asserted that a claim that a Relieves headache Helps avoid diarrhea associated with product is "important for women concerned Decreases the effects of alcohol intoxication antibiotic use about the discomforts of menopause" is a To aid patients with reduced or compromised Premenstrual syndrome immune function, such as patients disease claim (Young, 1998). Presbyopia undergoing chemotherapy Menstruation and pre-menstrual syn drome have been treated as diseases in FDA (derived from Notice of Proposed Rulemaking , Federal Register, April 29, 1998; FDA 1998o; courtesy letters regarding claims made for Anon, 1998-Ton Shee~ dong quai, gamma linoleic acid (GLA), and evening primrose oil. Statements that these products "help minimize discomfort associ a "tension between DSHEA's structure/func a disease. This includes statements regard ated with the monthly cycle" or "help allevi tion claim allowance and FDA's over-the ing the structural or functional effect of such ate the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome" counter drug regulations. Several OTC drug dietary ingredients on the body. Thus, un were considered claims to treat or mitigate categories, such as laxatives, address struc der the law as it is written, there is no bar to disease (Young, 1998). ture/function issues as much as they address relating these structural or functional effects Products containing Saw Palmetto and disease. Thus, the proposal is also as much to health-related conditions, those natural Pygeum africanum that claim to "reduce [or a product of the economics and research in conditions that are not diseases or a class inhibit] prostate inflammation" or "manage centive rationale underlying the OTC re of diseases. FDA's proposed disease defini prostate enlargement" were also cited by views, as it is a product ofthe Commission's tion would swallow up this distinction." FDA as suggesting an intention to treat or report." (Young, 1998) (Young, 1998) mitigate disease; namely, benign prostatic Young states, "Against the background hypertrophy or prostatitis. Yet, prostate en of FDA's proposal, it is important that all COURTESY LETTERS AND largement is common in men over SOy and concerned understand that DSHEA, by its UNAPPROVED CLAIMS is sometimes referred to as male menopause. terms, may in fact allow more claims, espe The proposed regulations are generally con Similarly, structure-function claims for prod cially with respect to health-related condi sistent with FDA's position as noted in so ucts affecting cell damage resulting from tions, than FDA would ever recognize. For called "courtesy letters"-letters that were light exposure were considered to be mak- dietary ingredients, DSHEA allows state sent by the agency over the past few years to ments of nutritional support to be made, con manufacturers, in response to the 30-day sistent with NLEA's health claims regulation notification letters sent by them to FDA con continued on page 57 requirement, if the statements do not claim taining the manufacturers' structure-function to diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure, or prevent claims, as required by DSHEA. In these 28 • HERBALGRAMNo . 43 LEGAL AND REGULATORY Federal Court Lifts FDA Import Ban on Cholestin® by Mark Blumenthal A district federal court in Utah has delivered press reports and industry faxes, the current FDA had previously impounded I 0 an initial blow to the Food and Drug Admin decision only allows importation of raw tons of the red yeast rice. At the hearing held istration (FDA) by preliminarily declaring material but does not deal with the dietary before Judge Kimball on June 15, Pharmanex Cholestin® a dietary supplement, not a drug, supplement vs. unapproved drug issue. asked that the material be released. The thereby allowing the manufacturer, Cholestin is made from red yeast rice judge's decision orders FDA to release the Pharmanex Inc. of Simi Valley, Calif., to re (Monascus purpurea Went), an ingredient in material for entry into the country immedi sume importation of the raw material for the Chinese cooking that give the characteris ately and allow the company to import addi product. tic flavor and color to Peking Red Duck and tional material at the rate of six tons every Pharmanex sued FDA after FDA had other dishes. The yeast contains appreciable three months, or whatever quantity the com taken action against Cholestin. FDA had is levels of a compound called mevinolin which pany needs to meet its demand. sued a 30-page ruling on May 20, 1998, to is chemically similar to lovastatin, an ingre Pharmanex president Bill McGlashan Pharmanex attorney Stuart M. Pape of the dient synthetically produced by the pharma is quoted in a press release as saying, "We law flllTl of Patton and Boggs in Washing ceutical company Merck & Co. and marketed are thrilled with the Court's decision and ton, D.C., arguing that Cholestin is an unap as the cholesterol-lowering prescription drug believe it is a reflection of the weakness of proved drug under the Food, Drug, and Cos Mevacor® since 1987. the FDA's legal and factual position ...." In metic Act and the Dietary Supplement Health As part of its case against Cholestin, an Associated Press article he is quoted, "It and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA). FDA FDA has maintained that Pharmanex has shows that the FDA cannot arbitrarily declare has been investigating Cholestin since o marketed the product by promoting the pres a drug from something that is clearly a food." vember 1997. During this time FDA has met ence of lovastatin in the product, thereby FDA is reportedly planning "to continue to with Pharmanex officials three times and has making reference to an approved drug ingre pursue the case on its merits." 0 received hundreds of comments from dient. In the warning section of the Cholestin academia and the dietary supplement indus package there is language that reads, "ingre SOURCES try. As part of its actions against the prod dients in Cholestin (HMG-CoA reductase Anon. Phannanex Wins Fight to Import Product While Courts Dec ide Case on Cholestin®. 1998. uct, FDA had issued an import bulletin on inhibitors, e.g., lovastatin) ... " HMG-CoA Caner M. Judge Orders Cholestin Ban Lift. Associated Press. March 27, 1997, intended to keep Pharmanex reductase inhibitors are compounds that Jun 17 . 1998. Food and Drug Administration. "Cholestin from Beijing WBL from importing red yeast rice manufactured affect the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase Peking Uni ve rsit y Biotech Co. Ltd .. Beijing. China." by Beijing WBL Peking University Biotech and thus have an effect on cholesterol Import Bulletin #61-B02. Revised Mar 27. 1998. Co., from which the product is made. metabolism. oonan C. Personal communication. 1998. Stolberg SG. Ju dge Rebuffs Drug Agency on Effort to Ban In a three-page decision, U.S. District Diet Supplement. New York Times. June 17, 1998. U.S. District Court for District of Utah, Central Di vision. Judge Dale Kimball indicated that r------ Order. Case o. 2: 97CV 0262 K. Phannanex Inc. v. Pharmanex would suffer irreparable injury Shalala and Friedman. 1998. if the FDA's ban continued. "The threatened injury to Plaintiff [Pharmanex] greatly out weighs whatever damage the proposed in junctions may cause to Defendants [FDA]," '------~ Kimball wrote in his decision, acknowledg ing that FDA does not consider the product to pose a public health problem. Pharmanex officials have indicated that the Cholestin issue could become a test case for the dietary supplement industry and DSHEA. Judge Kimball noted that the com pany had "raised substantial and serious questions regarding the lawfulness of FDA's interpretation of 'article' to include an ac tive ingredient in an approved drug product." This refers to the definition of "dietary supplement" in DSHEA in which Chris Noonan of Pharmanex indicated that in the next 60 to 90 days the judge will rule on the issue of whether Cholestin is a dietary supplement or an unapproved drug. There ~~ Reprinted by permission. is an indication that Pharmanex may get a ~- All rights reserved . favorable ru ling, but the outcome of this de- · · cision remains to be seen. Contrary to some HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 29 LEGAL AND REGULATORY USP Publishes Information Monographs on Ginger and Valerian Pharmaceutical body claims "lock of adequate scientific evidence and conflicting study results" by Mark Blumenthal In a development that may surprise many advisory panel was that there is insufficient "USP advisory board panels recognize herb users and advocates, the United States evidence in the scientific literature to war that [ginger or valerian] has a long history Pharmacopeia (USP) has published Informa rant use of valerian as a short-term treatment of use, including current extensive use, a lack tion Monographs on the herbs ginger root and for insomnia and to support the use of gin of reported harmful side effects, and limited rhizome (Zingiber officina/e) and valerian ger for nausea and vomiting, whether from supporting evidence in the scientific litera root and rhizome (Valeriana officina/is), in motion sickness or other types of nausea. ture for [the prevention and treatment of nau which USP has concluded that neither bo The panel concluded that there was a lack of sea and vomiting associated with motion tanical is sufficiently documented for its sufficiently strong evidence in the few clini sickness and prevention of postoperative therapeutic benefits. cal studies available for each botanical, since nausea and vomiting-ginger; [short-term USP has published the Information the subject size in most studies was relatively treatment of insomnia characterized by dif Monographs on valerian and ginger, both of small and that conflicting results were found ficulty in falling asleep and poor sleep qual which were reported as final in the Decem in the studies. ity-valerian] . A general recommendation ber 1997 USP DI Update. After several drafts In virtually identical wording, the for its use, however, cannot be supported of each monograph were reviewed by inde "USP assessment" section of each mono by the pendent peer reviewers, the decision of an graph reads: continued on page 57 Basic Course in the Microscopic Advanced Course in Microscopic Identification and and Chemical Characterization of Characterization of Botanicals Botanicals Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. October 19-23, 1998 March 1-5, 1999 e Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition The Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN), a joint endeavor of the Food and Drug Administration (JIFSAN), a joint endeavor of the Food and Drug Administration and the University of Maryland, will convene a four and a half and the University of Maryland, will convene a four and a half day training experience which will provide the following basics day training experience which will extend the proficiency sed in the identification or characterization of whole and ground acquired during JIFSAN's introductory Course "Microscopic !ant materials: Identification & Characterization of Botanicals" with the following: • Optical theory and practical microscopy experience necessary to purchase, maintain and use compound, brightfield and • Application of advanced microchemical and semi-quantitative polarized light microscopes microscopic techniques. • Application of voucher specimens • Chemical overview of plant secondary metabolites • Use of diagnostic features of powdered plant materials • Introduction to a number of rapid, simple phytochemical methods (extraction, spot tests, thin layer chromatography) • Sources of information on nomenclature, literature, botany and plant anatomy Application of these techniques will aid the participant in systematic identification and evaluation of botanicals. A B.S. in e students will develop a broad background that will enable Biology or other life science related field and some familiarity them to continue learning on their own. A B.S. in biology or with organic chemistry is strongly recommended. llFSAN's other life science related field is recommended as a course introductory course (or equivalent) is a prerequisite. etails available by contacting Science and Outreach at Details available by contacting Science and Outreach at (301)405-7941 or www.life.umd.edu/jifsan (301)405-7941 or www.life.umd.edu/jifsan 30 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 &sential Oils of Economic Value in Madagascar: t together the chemical analysis, production, and export of essential oils from aromatic plants in Philippe Rasoanaivo Madagascar. and Philippe De La The objectives of the Gorce, survey are to expand Institut Malgache traditional export de Recherches markets and Appliqwies, B.P. 3833, 10 ]-Antananarivo, to open up new Madagascar. markets, with a view to increasing foreign exchange Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, with an area of Madagascar is like nowhere else on Earth. It has long been about 592,000 square km, a length of approximately 1,600 km, an famed for it unique fauna, which has evolved in comparative isola average width of 400 km, and a maximum width of 580 km . It is tion from mainland species ever since the island separated from Af situated in the Indian Ocean and is separated from Africa by the rica some 140 million years ago. The same is true for its flora , which 400-km-wide Mozambque channel. It extends from 11 o 57' to 25 ° has acquired a pronounced individuality with an unparalleled de 32' latitude South, thus forming a small continent. Its southern ex gree of endemism [native or confined to a certain region] . Many tremity is a little outside the Tropic of Capricorn and the rest is in botanists have praised the unique flora of Madagascar, but the most cluded in the southern tropical zone. relevant praise likely came from the French botanist Commerson HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 31 life able to survive in and withstand much rainfall] east ern rainforests to the strong aridity of the southwest re gion, where the vegetation is extremely xerophilous [able to withstand a dry, hot environment] with several adapted aphyllous [having or bearing no leaves], prickly or succu lent species with swollen trunks for water storage. Such a Eastern coast, humid great ecosystem diversity allows most medicinal and aro matic plants used in modern industry to be cultivated in one or another region of the country. INDIAN Since the Malagasy flora is disappearing at an alarm- OCEAN ing rate due to massive deforestation, there is an urgent need to evaluate the present state of knowledge of this flora in terms of economic value (Rasoanaivo, 1990 and 1996), and to conserve the remaining forests to ensure the future availability of known and undiscovered medicines, MADAGASCAR essential oils, and foods. The first paper dealing with the General bio-regions inventory of aromatic plants of Madagascar dates back to for more precise mapping, see http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/Madagasc/vegmad l.html 1921 (Gattefosse). Two years later, Perrier de Ia Bathie Map not to scale (1923), who also made a substantial contribution to the Map by Gin ger Hudson for Herba/Cram knowledge of the Malagasy flora, published a list of aro matic plants of Madagascar. Then, based on 30 years bo- when he wrote, in 1771 : "What an admirable country is Madagas tanical fieldwork of some western researchers in Madagascar, Decary car. It deserves not an itinerant observer but entire academies. ( 1955) published an updated list of aromatic plants. Finally a recent Madagascar is truly the naturalist's promised land. Here nature seems paper made a comprehensive literature compilation of aromatic plants to have withdrawn into a private sanctuary in order to work in de growing in Madagascar (Rakotovao, 1996). We report here the signs which are different from those she has created elsewhere. At present state of knowledge on these plants in terms of scientific and every step you are met by the most bizarre and wonderful forms." economic importance. Madagascar harbors some 13,000 plant species, of which 85 percent are endemic to the island. However, so much of Madagascar's wild INTRODUCED AROMATIC PLANTS life is now threatened that the island is frequently considered to be OF ECONOMIC VALUE IN MADAGASCAR the single highest conservation priority in the world. When the Dutch abandoned Mauritius in 1638, after attempting to Madagascar can be roughly divided into two well-marked colonize it, the island entered into the possession of the French, who physical regions: about one-third of the mass consists of highlands. named it "lie de France" and appointed first Mahe de Labourdonnais The other two-thirds is a belt of extensive plains elevated not more and then Pierre Poivre (1767 -1772) as governors. As a passionate than a few hundred meters above sea level. The greater part of the botanist, Poivre undertook the beneficial initiative of planting all highlands is at an elevation between 1,000 and 1,500 meters, but available tropical aromatic and medicinal plants in a botanical park this is surpassed by old volcanic massifs such as Tsaratanana in the he named Jardin des Pamplemousses. For this purpose, he sent sev north, the hi ghest point of the island (2,876 m), the Andringitra mas eral boat crews to collect mainly spice plants all over the world. He sif in the south with Pic Boby (2,658 m), and the Ankaratra massif also took part in some of these perilous expeditions. Because Mada in the center with Tsiafajavona (2643 m). The belt of plains is nar gascar constituted a focus of attraction for botanists since the 1650s row on the eastern side but much broader in the west, and in the under the impetus of E. De Flacourt, Poivre sent his nephew Sonnerat south it occupies a wide continuous area. On the whole the relief of in 1768 to the great island, with the aim of collecting Malagasy palms Madagascar is "accidente" [hilly, uneven, broken, and rough] and to supply the Jardin des Pamplemousses. Other French botanists one characteristic feature is its west-east asymmetry. The highlands working in Madagascar, namely Commerson, Le Chapelier, and slope steeply toward the east while the escarpment is much less pro Michaux, shipped several plants to the lie de France. Conversely, nounced in the west. This asymmetrical relief produces a conse Poivre disseminated various plants in the neighboring islands of quent asymmetry in the climate. The southeast trade winds di s Madagascar, Bourbon Island (presently La Reunion), Comoro, charge most of their precipitation on the steep slopes of the eastern Seychelles, Zanzibar, and Pemba (Fran~Yois, 1935). There was, there mountains and so reach the western region as dry winds. This has fore, a high traffic of plant exchange in the Indian Ocean in the 18th resulted in the specification of many distinct ph ytogeographical re century. It is likely that most plants introduced to Madagascar en gions, ranging from the dense, evergreen and ombrophilous [plant tered the island via Mauritius. 32 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 The extremes of Madagascar. Top: Southwest dry region with xerophytic vegetation. Below: the eastern rain forest. Photos by the Phillipe Rasoanaivo. Probably aware of TRADITIONAL the success of the Jardin ESSENTIAL OILS des Pamplemousses, Gen- Clove oils. Native to the eral Gallieni delimited 740 acres of land in Mahanorokely lvoloina Moluccas Islands, cloves (Syzygium aromatic urn (L.) Merr. & Perry, ( 14 krn from Tomasina center), just two years after the beginning of Myrtaceae (Spreng) Bullock and Harrison) was for a long time un the French colonization in 1895, for the experimental cultivation of der exclusive and strict control of the Dutch, who had the monopoly. indigenous and introduced plants of economic value for local uses However, Poivre and his team managed to collect 300 seeds in the and export. Introduced plants came mainly from Mauritius, La Moluccas Islands. They were succe sfull y harvested in La Reunion, Reunion, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Java, the Philippines, Congo, then imported in 1795 to Zanzibar and Pemba islands, which even Mauritius, Antilles, and the Museum National d'Hi stoire aturelle tually became the principal producers of cloves, and to Sainte Marie de Paris (National Museum of Natural Hi story of Paris). Plants se Island around 1820 ( Fran~oi s, 1927; Ledreux, 1928). Since then, lected on the basis of their optimal growth were then disseminated distribution of cloves in the eastern coastal region of Madagascar to various areas of Madagascar. With respect to aromatic plants, the has been remarkable, and during the short period 1924-1926, it was cultivation program focused on those used in perfumes and cosmet estimated that one million cloves [trees] were planted in the Mananara ics, i.e. ylang-ylang, geranium rosat, lemon grass, vetiver, and region . Now cloves are grown mainly between Vatomandry and patchouli (Chalot, 1927). It is worth noting that, based on Chalot's Maroantsetra, although attempts have been made to cultivate them paper, Madagascar exported in 1925 0.8 ton of geranium oil, 12.8 in the northeast (Antalaha) and southeast (Manakara and Mananjary). tons of ylang-ylang oil, 2.78 tons of clove oil, 11.7 tons of lemon Clove oils, in terms of quantity, are by far the most important essen grass oil, 52 kg of patchouli oil, 1.3 tons of citronella oil, and 16.3 tial oils produced in Madagascar. Several exporting companies are tons of mi scellaneous oils. This reflects the development of the involved in the production of clove oils, which are available in three production and export of essential oils in Madagascar at that time. different qualities: clove bud oil , clove stem oil, and clove leaf oil. Since then, the culture of aromatic plants has been extended to other While Madagascar had practically the monopoly of the world mar species, i.e. niaouli, cinnamon, and combava. ket in the 1970s, only half of it came from Madagascar in 1988. Perrier de Ia Bathie (1933) published an exhaustive list of in Now, production fluctuates widely, probably due to the appearance troduced plants in Madagascar, from which it is easy to identify 59 of new exporting countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and species reported to be aromatic. For clarity of presentation, it is Tanzania. From the scientific point of view, one paper dealt with convenient to classify them into three groups: the first group in the differentiation of clove bud and clove stem oils from Madagas- cludes the so-called tradi- car by multidimensional tional essential oils (clove, analysis of gas chromatog ylang-ylang, cinnamon), raphy data (Gaydou et a/., the second group includes 1987). plants from which essen Ylang-ylang oil. tial oils have been ex Ylang-ylang (Cananga ported in a large scale (es odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & timated at higher than 200 Thomson, Annonaceae) kg per year) for several was introduced in La Re years, and the third group union Island in 1880 and includes aromatic plants of then in Madagascar in 1905. potential economic value Since then, it has been suc for which export of essen cessfull y cultivated in the tial oils has been success northern part of Madagas fully initiated but produc car, mainly in osy Be is tion has not yet been suffi land and Ambanja region ciently developed. HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 33 ... so much of Madagascar's wildlife is now threatened (Chalot, 1927). The highest quantity ex that the is land is ground for germination. Although ported so far from Madagascar amounted China, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia to 31 .6 tons in 1922 (Franvois, 1935). are the main suppliers of cinnamon for Madagascar is now the second producer frequently considered the world market, Madagascar exports of ylang-ylang essential oils for the world both scraped and non-scraped barks (up market, behind Mayotte. About a dozen to be the single highest to 4,000 tons/year) and essential oils companies are now involved in the pro (unspecified quantity) from leaves (0.4 duction and export of ylang-ylang essen conseroation priority percent yield) and barks (0.6- 1.5 per tial oils, using high capacity and modem cent yield). Exporting companies buy distillation units. Some of them have ex in the world. cinnamon barks or leaves from farmer clusive market contracts with importers, collectors. Collecting can be done all whereas others are suppliers to various year long but the best period is Febru companies. While the essential oils obtained by steam distillation ary-May, since the collectors are mostly available during this pe of fresh flowers are currently available in the market with four grades, riod. The quality of cinnamon oils produced in Madagascar has extra, first, second, and third, only the first, second, and third grades been largely investigated through engineering dissertations are produced in Madagascar. The first and second grades are re (Razafindramiarana, 1985; Vognogno & Ranivoarisoa, 1987; ported to have special olfactory properties in comparison to those Raharivelomanana, 1988; Randriamanantena, 1992). Results are originating from Mayotte. Soil composition and climate factors are summarized in the table below. claimed to play a role in the composition of essential oils of ylang Four relevant points can be deduced from these results: (1) ylang in Madagascar. To our knowledge, only one paper has ap cinnamon oil from fresh leaves is rich in eugenol while dried leaves peared in the literature for the composition of a first grade essential are claimed to contain unexpectedly high percentages of benzyl ben oil of ylang-ylang produced in Madagascar (Gaydou et al., 1986). zoate; (2) cinnamon oil from bark close to roots contains a high Cinnamon oil. Native to Sri Lanka, cinnamon (Cinnamomum amount of camphor, which is a limiting factor for good quality ex- verum J. Pres!, Lauraceae) grows in the Ambanja re Constituents of Cinnamon Oils gion (northern Madagascar) and Constituents #I #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 along the eastern coastal region, Linalool 0.7 2.4 5.4 0.4 0.7 0.2 3.1 4.5 2.5 mainly between Vatomandry and Camphor 1.3 7.3 37.5 Maroantsetra. It is 13-caryophyllene 0.7 0.9 1.7 2.0 1.3 1.5 2.7 5.9 13 .8 said that the distri bution of the cinna Cinnamaldehyde 1.4 0.8 45.5 60.7 33.7 24.8 57.4 34.6 22 .4 mon tree is partly Cinnamyl acetate 7.2 12 .6 29.4 1.7 8.6 4. 9 2.5 due to two Mala- Eugenol 89.2 37.9 19.5 2.2 2.6 1.9 5.1 7.0 25.4 gasy birds, Marotaina and Eugenyl acetate 0.5 0.2 0.6 0.6 3.6 Rova, which eat Benzyl benzoate 5.5 53 .4 4.2 0.6 0.1 7.7 mature fruits and let seeds fall on the 1: From fresh leaves; 2: From dried leaves, 3 : From oxidized barks; 4: From crude barks; 5: From scraped barks; 6 : From barks close to roots; 7 : Crude bark sample from Tomasina region; 8: Crude bark sa mple from Sambava region; 9 : Crude bark sample from Fenoarivo region. 34 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 . .. . '~>- • Collecting Niaouli leaves for essential oil distillation. Photo by Phillippe Rasoanaivo . port; (3) essential oil compositions are dif influences do not affect the niaouli ferent from one region to another; and (4) chemical content and therefore the es it is likely that the way that barks are dried sential oil composition is fairly stable all plays a role in the oil composition. Because year long. of over-exploitation and lack of cultivation, Camphor oil. Cinnamomum good scraped cinnamon barks are no longer camphora (L.) J. Pres!, Lauraceae, com available in Madagascar in great quantity. monly named ravintsara, was introduced Alarmingly, some collectors supply roots in Madagascar in the middle of the 19th instead of barks. Good quality cinnamon oil can be produced in century. It grows in the Hauts-Plateaux (Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Madagascar if careful attention is paid to the proper collecting and Ankazobe) as ornamental trees in public and residential areas. Trees drying of the bark and to the renewal of cultivation. are also found wild growing in the central east (Anjiro, Moramanga) and south (Ambositra, Ambohimasoa). The essential oil from the ESSENTIAL OILS EXPORTED ON A LARGE SCALE leaves, with a yield range of 0.7-1.0 percent and the highest yield Niaouli oil. Native to the Moluccas islands, the niaouli tree grows (1.5 percent) in December-February, contains a high proportion of in tropical areas and particularly in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, I ,8 cineole (up to 60 percent) and sabinene (13 percent), while a and New Caledonia. In Madagascar, it is found in abundance in the very low camphor content is unexpectedly observed, in contrast with swamps along the eastern coastal region. For a long time it has been camphor oils originating from Japan (45 percent yield in camphor) botanically named Melaleuca viridiflora Gaertn. by Humbert and and Taiwan (39 percent yield in camphor). Cinnamomum camphora then by Cabanis. Recently some authors have claimed that, based has been erroneously named Ravintsara aromatica as a result of a both on the Blake revision of the genus Melaleuca and the compari regrettable confusion in vernacular names. Thus, based on the pub son of the Malagasy voucher specimens with those deposited at the lished gas chromatography pattern, reminiscent of that of C. Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris, the niaouli tree in camphora, it is likely that the plant investigated in a previous paper Madagascar must be called Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S. T. under the botanical name R. aromatica might be C. camphora Blake , Myrtaceae -(Ramanoelina et al., I994 ). One feature that (Theron et al., 1994). Despite the importance of the demand, large characterizes the niaouli essential oils is the existence of several scale export of camphor oil from Madagascar is somewhat hindered chemotypes occuring as a result of ecological effects: a chemotype by the Jack of supply of the raw material. Aware of this problem, rich in 1,8-cineole (40-60 percent), a chemotype rich in (E)-nero lido! some exporting companies have initiated a large scale cultivation of (40-80 percent), two chemotypes rich in methyleugenol (up to 99 ravintsara, which hopefully will increase export of camphor oil within percent) or methylisoeugenol (up to 88 percent), a chemotype rich seven years. in linalool. Investigation of niaouli essential oils in Madagascar reveals the existence of the I ,8 cineole (37 percent) chemotype as Basil oil. Ocimum basilicum L., Lamiaceae, originates from predominant, a chemotype relatively rich in I ,8-cineole (23 percent), Asia and now grows in several regions of tropical and temperate viridiflorol (20 percent) and terpinolene (5 percent), the (E)-nerolidol countries around the world . It is cultivated on a large scale in the (87 percent) chemotype with low oil content, and the newly described north (Ambanja) and also previously in the southwest (Toliara) of viridiflorol (48 percent) chemotype which seems to be native to Madagascar. Its essential oils have acquired commercial importance. Madagascar (Ramanoelina et al., I994). However, in a daily mas The annual export from Madagascar is estimated at 400-600 kg. One sive collecting of niaouli tree for commercial exploitation, it is im main feature of basil oils is the existence of several chemotypes, possible to discriminate niaouli chemotypes by a simple differentia depending on the geographic origin. European basil oils are charac tion of morphological characters, since chemotypes are not well terized by their equallinalool and methyl chavicol proportions. Basil delimited in specific areas. As a result, the essential oils produced oils that originate from La Reunion Island, the Comoro Islands, in one region of Madagascar might be a mixture of various Thailand, and Vietnam are rich in methyl chavicol (80-90 percent). chemotypes. The niaouli essential oil produced in the Basil oils from India, Pakistan, Haiti, and Guatemala have higher Ampanotoamaizina region contains a high percentage of 1,8-cin methyl cinnamate content than the others. Basil oils distilled in Rus eole (57 percent), along with 8.2 percent limonene, 1.4 percent a sia and North Africa (Egypt, Morocco) are rich in eugenol. Investi terpineol and 5 percent viridiflorol. This essential oil composition gations of the basil oils produced in Madagascar have shown that is close to the Australia type. It was also reported that the seasonal several samples collected in the period I979-I982 are fairly homog- HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 35 Imported plants now grown for commercial use include ginger, cinnamon, lemongrass, cloves, and black pepper. Photo by John Jonietz for Herba/Gram . enous in composition, methyl chavicol Fianarantsoa, Marovoay, (estragole) being the main constituent, Ambovombe, Nosy Be, Ambanja 74-87 percent of the essential oil, along (Chapot, 1952). It is also currently with low content in linalool, methyl cultivated in gardens as a domestic cinnamate, and e ugenol tree. Several companies are actively (Randriamiharisoa et al., 1986). These involved in the production of results indicate that the Malagasy basil combava leaf oil and combava zest oils belong to the Reunion chemotype. oil. The annual export is estimated This relevant information is useful for importing companies who at 300-500 kg. In our opinion, the cultivation of combava trees should want to order a precise quality basil oil from Madagascar. be further developed in Madagascar. Palmarosa oil. Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) J. F. Watson Lemongr ass oil. Originally from India, Cymbopogon var. motia Bruno, Poaceae, is cultivated in the northern (Nosy Be, flexuosus (Nees ex Steudel) J.F. Watson, Poaceae, is cultivated in Ambanja), western (Mahajanga) and southwestern (Toliara) regions northwestern Madagascar. While the production of lemongrass oil of Madagascar. The Malagasy Palmarosa essential oil (0.13 percent amounted to 11.7 metric tons in 1925 and 54 metric tons in 1933, yield) is a pale yellow fluid with a characteristic rose green odor. the annual production has fluctuated widely since 1970, ranging from The annual production is estimated at 500 kg. Investi gati on of its as low as 100-300 kg to an average of7-8 metric tons. composition led to the identification of 69 components, of which Foraha oil. Foraha is the common name given to Calophyllum geraniol was by far the main constituent, as expected inophyllum L., Clusiaceae, This plant grows in abundance in the (Randriamiharisoa et al., 1987). Although the quality of the Mala eastern coastal regions of Madagascar. Mature seeds, available only gasy Palmarosa oils is fairly constant, it is said that, many times in in August-November each year, contain fatty acids that are used as the past, the Malagasy Palmarosa oil exported to the U.S. via Eu ingredients in shampoo and also medicinal purposes for burns, her rope was blended with Indian oil and therefore lost its identity nias, atonic wounds, post-surgical wounds, ulcers, skin cracks, and (Champon, 1972). chapped feet and hands. Our institute can produce annually up to Pepper oils. Native to India and Indonesia, Piper nigrum L. 600 kg of foraha oils. Piperaceae, was first cultivated in the Agricultural Sta tion of lvoloina in 1900, then successfully di ssemi- AROMATIC PLANTS OF POTENTIAL nated in the northwest (Ambanja and Nosy Be) and ECONOMIC VALUE later on throughout the eastern coastal region of Geranium. Geranium species belong to the bo Madagascar (Sambava to Farafangana). The tanical genus Pelargonium. The labelled "Gera- first export of pepper from Madagascar dates nium Bourbon," also called Geranium rosat, back to 1928, with an amount of 60 metric is reported to be a specific hybrid of P. tons. Two quality peppers are available in capitatum (L.) L'Her. ex Alt., Geraniaceae, the market: black pepper and green pepper. and P. radens H. E. Moore, Geraniaceae. Madagascar produces annually 200-300 Native to the Cap de Bonne Esperance, ge- kg of pepper oi l for export. With a den ranium was first cultivated in Madagascar sity of 580 g/1 and characteristic volatile in the 1920s. It is generally assumed that the constituents, Malagasy pepper oil is val samples for such a purpose came from La ued in international trade. Combava oil. Citrus hystrix DC., Rutaceae, is a robust plant growing under a wide range of climatic conditions and therefore is found in every part of Madagas- car: Tomasina, Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Combava, Citrus hystrix, by Rumph ius, G . E. 1741, Herbarium amboinense. Courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, St. Louis, MO . 36 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 Cf3ecause of over-exploitation and lack of cultivation, good scraped cinnamom barks are no longer available Reunion Island, following the French car have had to import patchouli oil policy to maximize the exploitation in Madagascar in g-reat for their needs in cosmetic manu of natural resources in the colonial facturing. However, since many countries. In 1925, 800 kg of gera quantity, and alarmingly regions of Madagascar fulfill all nium essential oils produced in climatic conditions for the optimal Madagascar were exported to some collectors supply roots growth of patchouli, cultivation of France. Probably due to the high this plant should be encouraged. quality and quantity of the geranium instead of barks. Chemical analysis of the patchouli produced in La Reunion Island, the oil produced in Ambanja showed cultivation of geranium was gradu- that it possesses all quality require ally abandoned in Madagascar. The production of Bourbon gera ments for export (Randriamihanta, 1994). nium has drastically dropped as a result of the impoverishment of Vetiver. There is now a renewed interest in the cultivation of the lands and the increase of labor cost. There is, therefore, a grow Veti veria zizanoides (L.) ash ex Small , Poaceae, various regions ing interest in the production of geranium essential oils in the hi gh of Madagascar: Antal aha, Ambanja, Ambato-Boeni, Moramanga, and lands of Madagascar, which share some ecological features with La Ankazobe. Several exporting companies are involved in the pro Reunion. Large scale cultivation has been successfully achieved in duction of vetiver essenti al oil ( 1.2 percent yield) and it is expected several areas such as Tsiroamandidy, Anjozorobe, Ambatolampy, that the quantity produced will increase. Moramanga, Ambohimasoa, and Betampona. In 1996, 500 kg of Rad riaka. Radriaka is the local name given to Lantana essential oils with similar quality to that of Bourbon geranium were camara, L., Verbenaceae, a very old plant introduced originally from exported, and it is expected that this quantity will increase in the South America. It is an invasive plant in the highlands and in the coming years. Careful monitoring of the world market for gera East coast of Madagascar. There are two varieties: one with blue nium oil should be performed regularly in order to avoid overpro flowers and another with orange-colored flowers. Aerial parts give duction in Madagascar, a situation which could lead to a drop in a strong odor essential oil with a 0.2 percent yield. This oil has been prices. exported sporadically by several companies in small quantities. Patchouli. Native to India, Indonesia, and the Philip- Longoza. Known under the local name "longoza," pines, Pogostemon patchouli Pellet. var. suavis Hook.f., which is also shared with another Zingiberaceae spe Lamiaceae, (syn. P. cab/in Benth.) was introduced in cies, Aframomum angustifolium, Hedychium Madagascar in 1898 and cultivated in the Ivoloina coronarium J. Koenig var. flavescens Carey ex agricultural station. It was then disseminated to Roscoe, Zingiberaceae, grows in abundance in hu- Tomasina, Moramanga, Nosy Be, andAmbanja. mid areas. Relevant data that arose from the pre The Itasy region also produced patchouli oil liminary investigation of this plant are the yield in the past. In 1925, Madagascar exported 25 range of the essential oil from the rhizomes kg of patchouli oil. Since 1960, production (0. 17-0.7 percent) and the presence of several has decreased gradually as a result of the high chemotypes depending on the areas of collect concurrence with other producers. Indonesia ing (Randrianalison, 1995). The rainfall, al (90 percent of the world market, of which 32 titude, and soil composition are claimed to percent is exported to the U.S.), Malaysia, and affect longoza essential oil composition and India are the main suppliers of the patchouli oil for the world market, while small quanti ties come from La Reunion, Seychelles, Comoro, Tanzania, Paraguay, former USSR, Singapore, and Brazil. Paradoxically, two ex Cedrelopsis grevei, by Baillon , H. and porting companies of essential oils in Madagas- Drake del Castillo, E., 1886 Histoire naturelle des plantes. Courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, St. Louis, MO. HER BALGRAM No. 43 • 37 Madagascar harbors some 13,000 plant species, of which 85 percent are endemic yield. In particular, high rainfall favors the oi l yield may be higher than that previ presence of monoterpenes such as b-pinene to the is land. ously recorded ( 1.3-3.5 percent). and sabinene (Marozevo and Mandraka re- Cypress. Cupressus lusitanicus gions) whereas high altitude and moderate rainfall increase the pro Miller, Cupressaceae, is a well-adapted cypress tree in the highlands portion of a-terpinene, a-phellandrene and linalool (Ambositra re and the central regions (from Mandraka to Moramanga). It is used gion ) or b-caryophyllene and terpinolene (Anjozorobe region). mainly as fencing around houses, and in public and private gardens. Longoza essential oil has been exported sporadically. Essential oils have been sporadically exported to Europe and U.S. Eucalyptus. Several Eucalyptus species are present in Mada Larger cypress oil quantities from cypress could be produced for gascar. Only two of them, E. citriodora Hook, Myrtaceae, and, to a export according to the demand. lesser extent, E. globulus, Labill., Myrtaceae, have attracted atten Ocimum. Ocimum gratissimum L., Lamiaceae, is another tion for their essential oils. However, small quantities have been Ocimum species growing in the wild in the highlands and the south exported so far, although Madagascar has the potential for a larger western regions. Essential oil has been sporadicall y exported in low production. quantities. Tagete. Tagetes minuta L., Asteraceae grows abundantly in the wild in the highlands of Madagascar during the rainy seasons. ENDEMIC AND INDIGENOUS AROMATIC PLANTS Large scale cultivation has been achieved in the Ambanja region, IN MADAGASCAR and it has also been initiated in the middle south (Betafo) with the Fifty-five indigenous aromatic plants, 89 percent endemic to Mada aim at increasing the tagete oil production and export. Two compa gascar, have been inventoried so far. However, analysis of the local nies are actively involved in the export of tagete oil. The main vola literature, together with Pascal and Medline databases, shows that tile constituents are trans-tagetone (37.4 percent), hydrotagetone only a few of these plants have been exported, or even phytochemi (21.5 percent), and ocimene (3.1 percent) (Rakotondramasy, 1994). call y investigated for their essential oil contents. Tagete oil is used locally as one of the main liquid soap ingredients. Citrus. In addition to the classical Citrus species, Citrus ESSENTIAL OIL PRODUCTION medicaL. subsp. bajoum H. Perrier, Rutaceae, deserves special at AND EXPORT FROM ENDEMIC PLANTS tention. It was introduced in Madagascar in the 18th century, and Agathophyllum aromaticum (Sonnerat) Willd., Lauraceae, since then, it has been well-adapted in the littoral eastern forest from (Ravensara aromatica). The best known endemic aromatic plant is Ambila to Ampanotoamaizina. The leaf essential oil has a specific certainl y A. aromaticum, commonly named havozo or, to a lesser composition, probably due to ecological factors, and has been re extent, hazomanitra (aromatic tree) in the Malagasy language. It is cently exported to Germany. a tree of 20-30 meters height growing wild Ginger. Zingiber officina/is Roscoe, in the evergreen, humid cental eastern rain Zingiberaceae, is cultivated in the highlands fo rests of Madagascar at 700-1000 meters and the central eastern regions, mainly in altitude (Ambodinifody, Nosy Be an ' Ala, Beforona and surrounding districts. Two va Anjojorobe, Ambatondrazaka); but it is also rieties exist in Madagascar: one with yellow found sparsely in the coastal eastern for flesh rhizomes, more suitable for consumer ests. It was first described in 1642 by E. de use, and another with blue-gray stringy flesh Flacourt as an aromatic tree of great inter rhizomes, suitable for essential oil and oleo est for all its plant parts. He reported that resin extraction. It is said that because of the the local people, instead of climbing the nature of the Malagasy ginger, the essential tree, cut it merely to collect the clove-fla vored seeds, which are cooked wi th ginger and fish to give a highly appreciated dish. Alembic for the production of Niaouli in the Although full botanical characterization of eastern forest of Madagascar. this plant was achieved in 1782 by Sonnerat, Photo by Phillipe Rasoanaivo. it is a matter of regret that much confusion remains regarding its correct botanical 38 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 Involving local population in prospecting new sources of aromatic plants (author is second from left) . Photo courtesy of Phillipe Rasoanaivo. name. In 1925 Danguy de Our ongoing investigation scribed a species under the shows that essential oils origi botanical name R. anisata, probably because of its aniseed odor. In nating from the central highlands (Antananarivo region) and the cen 1950 Kostermans established the botanical identity of R. aromatica tral eastern (Mangoro region) share comparable qualitative gas chro and R. anisata. Therefore, the botanical name R. aromatica Sonnerat matography patterns regardless of the season of co!Jecting, but in has precedence over that of R. anisata Danguy then is a synonym of terestingly our results differ from previous published results in the R. aromatica. Unfortunately, they are still erroneously described in yield of some relevant constituents, i.e., b-caryophyllene and a-ter some publications as two distinct species. What's more, the botani pineol. Further investigation is needed to determine Rambiazina cal word ravensara came from the Latinization of the Malagasy word chemotypes. The essential oils of Rambiazina are valued by export ravintsara ("good leaves"), which refers the introduced species ing companies and therefore have been exported to Europe and the Cinnamomum camphora Nees, Lauraceae, in the local language, and U.S. However, recent information has revealed that the Malagasy this is another source of confusion. As noted previously, C. camphora helichrysum oils do not meet the required quality as do those of is sometimes erroneously named R. aromatica since its vernacular European origin. name is ravintsara and it is aromatic, while R. aromatica is desig Vepris madagascarica. Several aromatic species have been nated as R. anisata merely because of its aniseed odor. Additional reported in the Rutaceae family in Madagascar. Among endemic confusion comes from the word raventsara found in some papers. aromatic species, only one, Vepris madagascarica (Baillon) H. This word is a hybrid between the Malagasy word Ravintsara and Perrier, Rutaceae, attracted much attention in the past for its content the botanical genus Ravensara, and is completely inaccurate. The of essential oils, which were exported to the Far East for use in tooth major essential oil component of stem barks of R. aromatica is pastes. Known under the vernacular names manitranzety and anzety, estragole (methyl chavicol), amounting to 90 percent (Groebel et in reference to the aniseed odor of the plant, this species, of 2-l 0 m al., 1969; Raharivelomanana, 1988), along with some minor con height, grows in the littoral humid forests. It also shares the same stituents. The essential oil composition of the leaves, completely vernacular name tolongoala with several aromatic plants, namely V different from that of stem barks, consists of 5.2 percent b-myrcene, pilosa (Baker) I. Verd., Croton anisatum Bail!., Euphorviaceae, 6.1 percent 1,8 -cineole, 12.5 percent linalool, and 5.5 percent carotol. Dicoryphe noronhae Tul., Hamameliadaceae, Boutonia cuspidata Essential oils from the stem barks and leaves have been exported to DC. (DC.) (Periblema cuspidatum), and Citrus medica subsp. bajoum Europe and the U.S. Based on an odor reminiscent of that of cloves, H Perrier, Rutaceae. In the Malagasy language, it is common to find the fruits are claimed to contain a high percentage of eugenol; but one vernacular name for several plants that share common features, no phytochemical studies have been undertaken to support this as e.g., flavor, morphological characteristics, and pharmacological prop sumption. erties. This is often a source of confusion in the correct botanical Helichrysum bracteiferum and H. gymnocephalum. Among identification of these plants. Phytochemical investigation of the the Malagasy helichryses, two abundant species, H. bracteiferum essential oils from aerial parts of V Madagascarica showed that the (DC.) Humbert, Asteraceae, and H. gymnocephalum (DC.) Humbert, main constituents include a-pinene, p-cymene, e ugenol, Asteraceae, have long attracted attention for their essential oils con methyleugenol, and estragole (Billet & Favre-Bonvin 1973). Inter tent (Ranaivo, 1932). They are commonly known under the same estingly, our ongoing work has shown that essential oils from the vernacular name, rambiazina, although they can be distinguished fruits have a particular composition, including 30 percent estragole, through the size of their leaves: H. bracteiferum, with small leaves, 31 percent cis-anethole, and 33 percent trans-anethole as major con is said to be the male Rambiazina, while H. gymnocephalum, with stituents. Regarding the commercial aspect, export of the V larger leaves is named the female Rambiazina. These two species madagascarica essential oils has gradually decreased, although spo are resistant to drought and fire and are found in abundance in the radic exports have been recently reported. It is the opinion of the central highland and the central eastern hills at 800-1000 m altitude. Leaves of both species have similar and complex essential oils com position with low yield (0.12 percent), from which 1,8-cineole has continued on page 58 been identified as the major component in samples analyzed so far; but the presence and the yield of other constituents vary from one sample to another (Bouchet eta/., 1991 ; DeMedicis eta/., 1992). HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 39 Top : Member of Masai tribe, photo by Steve Morris, N .D.; above: Lake Elmenteita, photo by Dan Wagner; rig ht: although this zebra appears to be eating Gotu kola, it is actually drinking from the lake at Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzan ia, photo by Joan Weingordt, Ph .D. 40 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 Pharmacy an Safari African James A. Duke, Beneath the limitless blue skies growling rises from the land Ph .D., a regular of the African savannah lives an scape. Here among the acacia instructor for ABC/ explosive population of wildlife, woodlands, euphorbia forests, TPF /IE Pharmacy Workshops, and staggering in its numbers and and savannah grasslands, work Mosoi medicine diversity. Equally diverse grass shops were conducted on the ge man identifing lands supply both humans and ology and evolution of the Great Pygeum, Prunus animals with resources of food Rift Valley, on the bush medicine africanum, in the and medicine. In June 1997, of the Ndorobo hunter-gatherers, field, photo by "Pharmacy on Safari" visited the and on African birds. A sidetrip Joan Weingordt, Great Rift Valley to explore the to nearby Lake Nukuru National Ph .D. evolutionary interrelationships Park, known as the "orni of animals, plants, and humans thologist's Serengeti," provided in this "cradle of civilization." ample opportunity en route to Amidst a manifold array of East view other spectacular African African habitats in Kenya and wildlife. Tanzania, a series of workshops The Lewa Wildlife Con was led by Dr. James Duke and servancy, a 170-square-mile eco Mark Blumenthal, with field ex system in the northern foothills cursions conducted by local heal of Mount Kenya, encompasses ers and naturalists. habitats including thick Camp Delamere sits on the bushland, dry savannah, wooded shore of Lake Elmenteita in the gorges, and the last vestige of Dominic Nguguno, Herbalist and beautiful Soysambu Wildlife indigenous montane forest in the Instructor. Photo by Mark Blumenthal. Sanctuary, deep within the Great region. An astonishing assort Rift Valley of Kenya, famous for ment of plant and animal species its ornithological variety and exist here. Field workshops in STUDENTS splendor. A continual murmer of cluded savannah ecology and squawking, grumbling, and vegetation, forest medicinals of Pygeum, Prunus africanum. Photo by Cindy Klee. SOUTH AFRICAN From Medicinal Plants of South Africa by Ben-Erik van Wyk, Bosch van Oudtshoorn, and Nigel Gericke. Photos in this excerpt by Nigel Gericke. uz:ara (German, English), ishongwe (Zulu), bitterwortel (Afrikaans) Xysmalobium undulatum . One of the most important medicinal plants of South Africa. The roots hove been used since early times as a remedy for diarrhea and colic. brandblare, Mary Marquis above and Matthew Di katjiedrieblaar (Afrikaans), Pasquale, left. Photos Knowlton ia The fresh by Mark Blumenthal. vesicatoria. leaves are an old Cope remedy for lumbago and rheumatism . 42 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 Warkshaps the Kikuyu, and bush medicine In Nairobi, "Pharmacy on Adenath at the Sumburu Clinic, a rural Safari" visited the Nairobi Hos Amwega, Ph .D., health facility near Lewa. pital Pharmacy, the Bugoma Geography The pastoral Masai moved Women 's Programme Kenya Instructor. into the fertile savannahs of the Project-Agroforestry and the Photo by Mark Blumenthal. Great Rift Valley and surround Preservation of Medicinal Trees, ing uplands over a thousand and the African Medical and Re years ago. The Masai Mara search Foundation's (AMREF) game preserve extends from headquarters. AMREF di strib Kenya into Tanzania, and the utes medical supplies to rural ar grasslands here are noted for eas and airlifts emergency and ill their abundance of big game. An patients from these rural loca introduction to Masai culture and tions to hospitals in Nairobi and traditions and an interpretative other urban areas for conven walk on the Masai Medicine tional medical care. Trail gave insight into the heal Pharmacy on Safari was ing traditions and medicinal co-sponsored by the American plant uses of this tribe. Botanical Council, Texas Phar Above: Paul Kaboch i, Botanist Instructor, macy Foundation, and Interna discussing senna, Cassia didymobotrya, noted tional Expeditions. - Dawnelle for its laxative properties. Paul planted most of Malone the medicinal plants at the Camp Delamere where th is lecture was given . THANK YOU, PHOTOGRAPHERS------..I Right: Domenic Nyuguna showing the students Spilanthes mauritiana, used for toothaches. ABC would like to thank all the Pharmacy on Safari partici- I Taken on the pants for attending the 1997 workshops. HerbaiGram would like to I hike up the thank all participants who submitted photos for our Pharmacy on mountain trail at Safari photo contest. The images we liked best can be seen in this I Lewa Downs. special review section. I Photos by For information on upcoming Pharmacy expeditions, please I Constance see page I 0 or 46 of this issue or page 29 of the Herbal Education Nozzolillo, Ph .D. .. Catalog in the center of this issue. - - ..I MEDICINAL PLANTS For a complete book review, see page 69 of this issue. To purchase this book, see the Herbal Education Catalog in the center of this issue, or page 46. aambeibossie, bitterbossie (Afrikaans). Christmas berry, Chironia baccifera. A decoction of the whole plant is taken as a blood purifier. Its purgative use, especially for hemorrhoids, is widely known. isidakwa (Zulu). wild yam, wildejam (Afrikaans) Dioscorea Pau l Kabochi with one of the many dregeana. The tuber is prickly pear, Opuntia spp. An example used topically for scabies; of an introduced plant that is now valued made into a lotion for cuts locally. Photo by Mark Blumenthal. and sores; and is a remedy for hysteria, convulsions, and epilepsy. HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 43 The Environment SOUTH AFRICAN duiwelsklou (Afrikaans), devil's claw, Horpogophytum procumbens. characteristic fruit. Roots are used to treat rheumatism and arthritis. muvevha (Venda), Top left: Colorful boats used along the umfongothi (Zulu) , coast; top right: the landmark designating sausage tree, Kige/io the mid-line of the earth ; cen ter left: aerial ofricono. Parts as they view of a typical Masai village; center are sold for medicinal ri ght: African/ Masai landsca pe; above: use. Dried fruit is used Impala. photos by Mark Blumenthal. as dressing for ulcers, sores, syphilis, and applied locally for rheumatism . 44 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 Top: l ake Elmenteita as seen MEDICINAL PLANTS from Camp Delamere, photo by Joan Weingardt, Ph.D .; umganu (Zulu), morula center left: the stately cheetah (Northern Sotho), Marula at the Masai Mara, photo by (English), maroela Constance Nozzolillo, Ph. D. ; (Afrikaans), Sclerocarya above right: a group of grey birrea. In South Africa, the shrikes at the M asai M ara, photo bark is used to treat diarrhea, by Constance Nozzolillo, Ph.D . dysentery and stomach problems. Elsewhere in Africa, the main use is in treatment of diabetes. dawidjiewortel (Afrikaans), Cissampe/os capensis, rhizome-the traditional product, taken as a blood purifier, for boils, syphilis, bladder ailments, diarrhea, colic and cholera . HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 45 Right: Two Masai herdsmen/ elders at the village the workshop participants visited, photo by Constance Nozzolillo, Ph.D. ; far right: an experienced Cape "bossiedoktor" holding a sample of dawidjiewortel, Cissampefos capensis, photo by Nigel Gericke; left: what trip to Africa would be E;xparianca complete without sight Pharinacy an Safari of a beautiful lion! photo by YaurseU! Joan Weingardt May 28-June 12, 1999 Ph .D. Pharmacy on Safari will be in South Africa! Pharmacists and Physicians can earn continuing education credit. Contact Ginger Webb at ABC for registration: 512/926-4900, or [email protected] • African books available from ABC's Herbal Education Catalog MEDICINAL PLANTS MEDICINAL PLANTS OF AFRICAN ETHNOBOTANY: OF SOUTH AFRICA WEST AFRICA POISONS AND DRUGS by B. Von Wyk, B. Von Oudtshoorn, by Edward Ayensu . 1978. 187 by H. D. Neuwinger. 1994. and N. Gericke. 1997. 132 medicinal plants that occur in West Africa, Comprehensively reviews the plants; over 500 photographs of their uses, local names, and chemical composition, plants, plant ports used and products; standard scientific binomials. pharmacology and toxicology introductory chapters on cultural Bibliography, glossary of medical of more than 240 plants. aspects of healing, methods of terms, medical and botanical Covers botany, vernacular names, collection and storage, methods of indexes. 127 illus. Hardcover. hunting poison, traditional preparation and administration; plant 330 pp. $39.95 #B094 medicine, chemistry, list according to ailments; 132 geographical distribution mops; pharmacology/ toxicology, and literature. Hardcover, 941 pp. and comprehensive references for furthe r reading . Hardcover, $229.95. #8325 (See review on page 68 of this issue.) 104 pp. $75. #B314 HANDBOOK OF AFRICAN ZULU MEDICINAL PLANTS: MEDICINAL PLANTS MEDICINAL PLANTS AN INVENTORY OF NORTH AFRICA by Maurice M. lwu . 1990. Compiled by Hutchings, Scott, Lewis, by Loutfy Boulos. 1983. Authoritative, Reference text on ethnobotony, and Cunningham. 1996. Covers more systematic, and wide-ranging work, chemical constituents, and probable than 1,000 plants based on os urvey illustrated with 103 line drawings. therapeutic application of African of the literature from the late Over 500 species. Medical, common medicinal plants. Hardcover, nineteenth century to the present. nome, and botanical indexes. 435 pp. $129. #B025 Includes updated botanical names, Hardcover, synonyms, common Englishand 286 pp. $39.95. #B125 Afrikaans names, on extensive list of Zulu names, data on the medicinal usage of th e plants by the Zulu and other ethnic groups, known physiological effects, chemical compounds, and biological properties. Softcover, 450 pp. $114.95. #B247 Credit card holders, order toll-free 800/373-7105 See the Catalog in the center of this issue for over 500 other books, videos, audio tapes, software and order form. 46 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 Top: Small farming village in Photos by Rob McCaleb Mali. Bottom left: Winnowing hibiscus in the wind, Sudan. Bottom right: McCaleb demonstrates the seed removal tool. One of the goals of the Herb widely used in Thailand and Research Foundation is to help China, was provided to each preserve traditional herbal medi farmer, and speeded up the pro cine use as a source of affordable cessing of the calyces (hibiscus health care. In many cases, flowers) as well as equalizing the dwindling native plant popula work load between women and tions and expanding human men. Tradition populations threaten both as me ally men cut the dicinal herbs become more hibiscus plants scarce in the wild. One of the down and women best solutions is cultivation to remove the seed produce sustainable medicinal pods, a process plant resources. Beyond grow which formerly ing herbs for herbal self-care at took much more home, however, herbs can be an time than cutting important source of income to the plants. Now, impoverished farmers through men both cut the out the world. The Herb Re plants down and search Foundation is working to remove flowers help African farmers to grow from the stems and women, us nities for success. Hibiscus was profitable herb crops for local ing the tool, can prepare them for the herb of choice because of and international markets. The drying as fast as they can be har ease of growing, light weight, project, sponsored by the US biscus crop Hibiscus sabdariffa. vested. market potential (it is one of the Agency for International Devel This USAID-sponsored The seed pods are dried most popular tea ingredients), opment (USAID), helps encour hibiscus project was a collabo separately and the farmers pro value with minimal investment. age sustainable production of rative effort between Ronco duced more than enough seed to The project's goals in botanicals, which can lower Consulting, a US AID contractor, double production for the next cluded training Malian farmers health care costs and provide the Herb Research Foundation, season. Because of the quality to produce high quality crops, much needed income to local and the Malian Office du Haute of hibiscus produced, local trad from planting through harvest populations. Over the past eight Vallee du Niger (OHVN). The ers quickly purchased most of the and preparation for market. One years, HRF has worked in project was designed to develop crop, leaving little for the export key innovation was the introduc Senegal, Uganda, Zambia, Mo sustainable herb agriculture for market. The project was consid tion of a simple hand tool used rocco, and Mali. Currently, HRF domestic, regional, and interna ered a success in providing good to remove the seed pod from the is working in South Africa and tional use. In 1995, after initial income to local farmers, and pro hibiscus fruits. This increased Ghana on projects to bring bo assessments were made regard duction will increase as long as the efficiency of seed pod re tanical agriculture and value ing what botanical crops might the local and export demand con moval, making it up to five times added botanical products to a be grown, harvested, and ex tinues to grow. It is possible that faster than traditional methods, state of economic viability for ported successfully in Mali, test because of high freight costs in dramatically increasing the eco the local populations. crops of hibiscus, echinacea, and Mali the domestic market may nomics of the crop for the farmer. One project of particular milk thistle were planted from always be better for farmers than The project also trained farmers interest is a wonderful success superior seed supplied by HRF. export. This is the case in in improved quality management story in local and international One of the most important con Mexico as well, once a major techniques that raised the crop's cooperation in Mali, West Africa, siderations in botanical hibiscus exporter until local value, so that the finished crop one of the world's most impov agribusiness plans is cost of prices began to exceed the price was a very clean, high quality erished countries. The project freight. The fact that Mali is a exporters could pay. product. resulted in the establishment of landlocked country substantially The success of the Mali The project produced 12 a Niger River Valley hibiscus increases freight costs, so botani hibiscus project has surpassed tons of hibiscus-well over the growing cooperative and pro cal products that have value expectations on many levels. expected seven to eight tons. vided training and income for added on-site, or dense, high HRF's goal was to help the Two hundred eighty local farm more than 1,000 people who value crops are the most viable. farmer and improve the quality ers and their families in the were able to improve cultivation Hibiscus is fairly dense and al of the end product. The seed re Sirakorola area participated in and processing methods to meet though it is not an extremely lu moval tool HRF introduced is the production of the crop. The strict international standards for crative crop, it thrives in the hot "depodding" tool, which is HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 47 quality and cleanliness of the hi- African sun and offers opportu- traditionally made in Thailand of lected species used in traditional vegetable markets now domi eas such as Cape Town and metal, but this can impart a me medicine, to foster regional pro nated by large producers. Sus Johannesburg, no longer have tallic taste to the acidic hibiscus duction and distribution of tra tainable herb cultivation offers access to the traditional folk medi flowers, and requires a machine ditional herbal remedies, and to the potential to bolster local ru cines which have formed much of shop or at least tubing cutters and develop cash crops for low-in ral economies and improve qual the basis of their self-care. files to make. The Mali project come farmers. HRF's goal is to ity of life for thousands of dis At the same time, the in substituted plastic water pipe, work with disadvantaged farm advantaged families. Because of creasing demand for wild South which is inert to the hibiscus ac ers on growing projects that will its location in the southern hemi African medicinal plants for ex ids and can be fabricated with generate income from herbal sphere, South Africa also has the port and domestic use has cre only a pocket knife. cash crops as well as provide opportunity to become one of the ated great environmental pres Other experimental crops improved access to low-cost bo few producers of off-season sure on local plant populations. in Mali included Echinacea tanical medicine. herbal raw materials, which This situation has forced the purpurea and milk thistle HRF, USAID, and the Ag would be available at a time closing of some areas to collec (Silybum marianum). Milk ricultural Research Council of when world market prices are at tion, further increasing the pres thistle in particular may have the South African Ministry of their peak. sure on other areas. Exhaustion special significance for Mali. Agriculture have teamed up to An additional pmject goal of botanical resources presents a There is a high rate of liver dis develop agribusiness opportuni is to protect and preserve native threat not only to the environ ease in this developing nation, ties in South Africa for crops South African plants and the tra mental well-being and and thus a compelling need for with established markets. At ditional healing system of South biodiversity of South Africa, but the preventive and therapeutic present, there is little or no culti Africa by identifying and culti could virtually eliminate the tra benefits of milk thistle seed. In vation of medicinal herbs in vating regional medical plants ditional medicinal system on addition, edible seeds (including South Africa. HRF identified the now endangered by which such a large part of the hibiscus seed) are commonly Northern Cape as an initial area overcollection. Currently, at population depends. Identifica ground and added to food in to research potential crops for least 60 percent of the South Af tion and cultivation of threatened Mali. Since the traditional dose export, and this year will be rican population relies exclu plants will reduce demand on of milk thistle seed is only 12 to planting some test crops. Trials sively on traditional plant-based wild populations and help pre 15 grams, effective doses could will begin in September, at the medicine for primary health care. serve the South African tradi be easily incorporated into food. start of the growing season in Almost all of these plant medi tional healing system by ensur Its widespread use as a food South Africa. cines are gathered from the wild. ing a continued supply of native could greatly contribute to im Sustainable herb cultiva Now, displaced rural people, medicinal botanicals. proved liver health in Mali and tion offers small farmers in South who are emigrating to urban ar- Cooperative herb growing perhaps throughout the develop Africa the opportunity to create projects such as these improve ing world. a profitable niche for themselves lives-by boosting the local in a highly competitive market. economy through earth-friendly, SOUTH AFRICAN Small farmers are currently at a sustainable agriculture, by pro BOTANICAL PROJECT disadvantage, as they lack the viding the community with bet UNDERWAY resources to compete in the well ter low-cost health care, and by Based on the remarkable success established fruit, flower, and providing the world market with of HRF's Malian high quality, organic botanicals. hibiscus-growing - Rob McCaleb project, the plan ning process has begun for a simi lar venture in South Africa. The Far left: Hibiscus drying on explosive growth nylon sheets. l eft: Seed pod removal from fresh hibiscus. in the worldwide lower left: Malian hibiscus botanicals mar field . lower right: Egyptian ket, coupled with calendula field . the changing po litical atmosphere and favorable growing condi tions in South Africa, lay the groundwork for a cultivation project that promises to benefit the people and economies of both South Africa and the United States. Three main challenges exist in South Africa: to help pro tect wild plant populations through cultivation of over-col- 48 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 Passing Problems: Prostate and Prunus African Team Works to Maintain Sustainable Supply o/ Pygeum Bark A.J. Simons, I.K. Dawson, B. Duguma, and Z. Tchoundjeu International Centre for Research in Enlargement of the Agroforestry, prostate, technically Nairobi, Kenya known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), affects most men over the age of 50 and manifests itself as an increasedfrequency of urination, inability to empty the bladder, pain in passing urine and post urinary dribbling (Garnick, 1994). While BPH and prostate cancer are two separate afflictions (BPH being a non-malignant enlargement of the prostate), their under lying causes share similarities. The culprit is believed to he an extremely active form of testosterone (dihydroxytestosterone, DHT) that is produced from testosterone by the enzyme 5-a/pha reductase (Flamm et al., 1979). HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 49 Tony Simons holds a piece of pygeum bark. Photo by Mark Blumenthal. that evolved from Laboratoire Debat) and others have made a real effort in Cameroon to train bark collectors to ensure sustainable bark collection. The recommended procedure is to remove bark from opposite quarters of the trunk from about 35cm above ground level to the height of the first branch. After seven to eight years, the bark regrows to allow the alternate quarters to be removed. This provides a mean bark yield of 55 kg per tree with a range from 38- 74 kg (Macleod, 1987). Such practices, however, were destined to be replaced as larger and larger quantities were sought and when The urologist's arsenal to treat BPH includes drug, surgical, recently licensed entrepreneurs entered the picture (Sunderland and and herbal options. Notwithstanding their side effects (nausea, fa Nkefor, 1997). In an unpublished report from Mount Oku, Mbenkum tigue), drugs such as finasteride (Proscar®) that inhibit 5-alpha-re and Fisiy record the presence of 8,000 dead but standing trees, while ductase are often a first-line defense in the early stages of BPH. at Mount Kilim it was observed that 80 percent of mature trees die Prostate surgery sounds drastic but, despite some serious side ef as a result of poor harvesting techniques. fects (impotence, urinary incontinence), is routinely performed to In the past 10 years, the annual harvest of P. africana bark has remove the part of the gland that is impinging on the urethra. Reas risen to approximately 3,500 tons, of which the majority comes from suringly for most men, the historic cure of castration to control BPH Cameroon (2,000 tons) and Madagascar (600 tons) (Dawson, 1997). has been abandoned. For many, the oldest and perhaps most effec The rise in the annual quantities harvested has been most marked in tive remedies are the natural alternatives of herbal medicines. Among Cameroon where according to official figures only 200 tons were these, three plants are regularly used in European phytotherapy ei harvested in 1980 but by 1991 this had peaked at 3,100 tons ther singularly or in combination. They are nettle root (Urtica w·ens), (Cunningham and Mbenkum, 1993). Most worrying is that a large saw palmetto berry (Serenoa repens) and pygeum bark (Prunus af proportion of this comes from destructive harvesting of the entire ricana). Interestingly, they hail from three different continents bark of a tree through felling (Mbai, 1998). The remaining frag (Eurasia, North America, and Africa, respectively) and three ume mented populations of P. africana are at best under threat of genetic lated families (Urticaceae, Arecaceae and Rosaceae, respectively). erosion and at worst liable to extinction (Walter and Rakotonorina, P. africana, and the issue of its sustainable production to meet in 1995). creased demand, is the focus of this article. REGULATION HARVEST Such is the concern for its survival that trade in the bark of P. africana Prunus africana (Hook. f) Kalkman (aka Pygeum africanum Hook.) has been added to Appendix II of the Convention in Trade in Endan is a montane forest species occurring naturally from Ethiopia in the gered Species (CITES)-trade in both wild and captive bred/artifi north, down to South Africa, as far west as Nigeria and as far east as cially propagated specimens is allowed but subject only to licens Madagascar (Cunningham and Mbenkum, 1993). It is an evergreen, ing. mid-to-late successional species that can attain a height of 45 m. It Laws are one thing and enforcing them is another. In one is found only above 1000 m altitude and hence is confined to iso month alone (July 1996) on Mount Cameroon, a dedicated but un lated populations that form a wide but disjunct distribution. Among der-resourced Provincial Delegation of the Environment and For the 200-plus species in the genus Prunus , it is the only one native to estry seized 100 tons of illegally collected bark (Mbai, 1998). Ndibi Africa. European interest in the species began as early as the 1700s and Kay (1997) provide a comprehensive review of the regulatory when medicine men from Natal tribes in South Africa related to early policies and their effectiveness in Cameroon. According to these settlers the palliative effect of pygeum bark on bladder pains. Simi authors, anomalies exist which have hastened the exploitation of the larly, Bakweri peoples on the slopes of Mount Cameroon revealed species. For instance, export licenses were given to operators who to colonists that they had used the bark of Prunus to treat "old man's did not have exploitation permits, and who subsequently carried out disease" for centuries (Mbai, 1998). Despite the clearly African large-scale illegal harvesting on Mount Cameroon. This encour derived indigenous knowledge it was a French entrepreneur, Dr. ages destructive harvesting by engendering the attitude in others that Jacques Debat, who lodged the first patent for pygeum bark extract "well if I don't cut the tree down and only strip bark it then I won't in 1966 (Cunningham and Mbenkum, 1993). Today it is no longer be able to come back again in seven years because someone else one of nature's secrets, with thousands of Internet addresses adver will have cut the tree down." These attitudes are hard to reverse tising its merits. although one successful participatory initiative by the Mount When people first started to collect bark of the species they Cameroon Project (MCP), based at Limbe Botanic Garden, involves did so in a sustainable way. Small pieces or panels of bark were the custodians of the resource, namely the local communities (Glyn removed and the standing trees could easily regenerate the removed Davies, MCP, Limbe, Cameroon). portion (Eben-Ebai et al., 1992). PlanteCam-MediCam (a company 50 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 Pygeum trees at International Centre for Research in Agroforestry in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo by Mark Blumenthal. CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY What is the magic of pygeum bark that has led to its near extinction? From chemical and pharmacological studies the efficacy of pygeum is believed to be a synergistic effect of a cocktail of a number of known and unknown compounds (Legramandi et at., 1984; Waterman, 1994; Bassi et at. , 1987). On the list of knowns are: ( 1) phytosterols (e.g. beta-sitosterol), which have anti-inflammatory effects by interfering with the accumulation of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins in the prostate; (2) pentacyclic triterpenes (ursolic and oleanic acids), which have an anti-edema or decongesting ac tion; and (3) ferulic esters (n-docosanol and tetracosanol), which reduce prolactin levels and block accumulation of cholesterol in the prostate (significant because prolactin increases uptake of testoster one by the prostate and cholesterol increases binding sites for DHT) (Murray, 1995). Lipophilic extracts from dry, powdered bark are obtained through chloroform extraction and standardized to 12-13 percent total sterols (as beta-sitosterol). MARKET DEMAND There is no doubt that the market for herbal treatments for urologi cal and prostatic problems is lucrative. In 1994, German men spent US $150 million for this purpose alone with a large proportion of this being P. aft"icana-based products (Gruenwald and Buttle, 1996). In the U.S., where P. africana use is more limited, a survey of Health Food Stores revealed that saw palmetto accounts for 4.4 percent of all sales of herbal products (Brevoort, 1996). The OTC trade in wild stands) during the decade leading up to 1993 to reach a volume Prunus remedies is currently estimated at US $220 million annu of 170,000 m3 (cubic meters; timber is measured by volume not ally. (Cunningham et at., 1997). weight). With a rising incidence of prostate problems, an aging popu The suitability for Prunus africana to be grown in plantations lation, and growing confidence in natural medicines, some compa in East Africa was not matched in Cameroon experiences. This can nies believe the market for Prunus remedies could double or triple largely be attributed to the low altitude at which it was planted, where in the coming decade. Assuming this demand profile is accurate, a wood boring beetle larvae (Cerambycidae) attacked 87 percent of from where will future stocks of Prunus be supplied? All of the trees (Cunningham, 1995) in contrast to the 9 percent of trees at bark currently harvested comes from wild populations although many tacked at higher altitudes (2,300 m). The real tree-planting surge in observers consider production to have peaked in Cameroon and Cameroon, however, is happening on farms. Cunningham (1995) Madagascar. While moderately sized natural stands still exist in estimates that about 3,250 small-scale farmers in Cameroon are plant Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and Uganda, these could ing seedlings of P. africana. A serious constraint faced in the expan easily be exhausted within 5-10 years. Cultivation appears to be the sion of on-farm tree planting is seed availability. Here a key diffi only long-term solution. culty is the recalcitrant nature of seed. Further, although a large tree can produce up to 20 kg of seed (5,000 seeds per kg), this fluctuates CULTIVATION widely between years. The seed shortage is likely to be exacerbated The earliest recorded attempt at cultivation is a 0.4 hectare in future years as sizes of natural populations of trees diminish. Since block established at Ngong in Kenya in 1913 (Forest Department the approximate time to the first flowering and fruiting is 15-20 years, Inventory, Kenya). Interestingly, this trial plantation as well as 64 establishing reliable seed sources is an urgent priority. others established in Kenya during the period 1914 to 1992 (total Raising awareness about the need for seed provision and other 628 hectares) were planted for timber production and not bark ex activities as part of a wider domestication effort has been a long but traction. Prunus africana produces a high-value, quality hardwood fruitful process for the WWF/UNESCO/Kew People and Plants Ini (specific gravity 0.75) exported for veneers and paneling (Brown, tiative. In this regard, most credit should be accorded to Alan 1978). Farmers also value it for axe handles, agricultural imple Hamilton and Tony Cunningham. For a medicinal species that in ments, and construction because of its durable nature (Simons, 1996). volves impoverished farmers, deteriorating rainforests, international Reliable timber trade figures for Prunus are scarce. In Kenya, Leakey regulation and big business, it would be unusual if there were not (1995) reports a nine-fold increase in timber production (mostly from conflicts. Certainly mutual suspicion of private sector companies HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 51 between conservation, research, NGO, and policy groups is evident. dered extract on three capsules) cost US $5 .50. It was revealed dur On the brighter side, companies are appreciating the need to be more ing another Internet search that one company (Sequential Healing ethically and environmentally minded. The attendance by indus Health Services, North Carolina, USA) no longer sold Prunus ex trial representatives (e.g. Jean-Francois Colas, Industrial Director, tract with the explanation "because of the severely endangered sta Groupe Fournier) at a recent workshop in Nairobi (March 1997) tus of the pygeum tree, tablets are no longer carried." demonstrates a positive and changing philosophy. From the indus trial point of view, the Prunus market is mainly about economies of CONSERVATION EFFORTS scale, profitability, pseudo-monopolistic control and the sustainability As for the conservation of the species it is clear for Prunus that it of the supply of raw material. Price paid to bark collectors is likely will not become extinct. However, total Joss, or at best genetic ero a lower priority but one that will need greater attention as more sion, of specific populations has already occurred. It is likely that material is sourced from farm sources. The prospect for farmer in useful genetic variation has been lost with these local extinctions terest groups to collectively market their produce, perhaps with a due to the pronounced intra-specific variation in the species as re "green label," may result in greater returns to rural communities. vealed by DNA-based molecular markers (Barker et al., 1994; Dawson and Powell, in press). Clearly, the top priority for domesti MARKET VALUE cation of P. africana is collection of germ plasm from extant stands. What one considers as equitable returns to the various actors in The International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) to volved in the product marketing chain (i.e., those with tree tenure gether with its national partners (Kenya Forest Research Institute rights, harvesters, transporters, middlemen, processors, exporters, KEFRI; Institut de Recherche Agronomique et Development governments where bark originated, and pharmaceutical companies) IRAD) has, with modest funding from UNESCO, carried out germ will depend on one's perspective. Little reliable data are available plasm collections in Kenya (2 populations) and Cameroon (3 popu on margins and mark-ups. The crudest calculation of worth is to lations). These have been planted out in large blocks to serve as divide the annual OTC figure (US $220 million) by the yearly har conservation stands, comparative trials, seed orchard and selection vest (3,500 tons), which gives a value of US $63 per kg of bark. It is gardens for sexual or vegetative propagation. They have also been easy to point the accusing finger at the most obvious actors, the planted in farmers' fields as part of a participatory domestication pharmaceutical companies, but this tendency has Jed to their reluc effort. The traits for improvement in the species logically center tance to get involved in open forums. In this regard, PlanteCam around yield (quality, amount, timing, etc.). These traits are in ur deserve praise for venturing out into the foray of criticism (fair and gent need of assessment to determine the genetic control and ex unfair) against them. pected gains from selection. Obviously, bark harvesters cannot expect to get US $63 per Palevitch (1988) questioned the scope for genetic improve kilo. In addition, however low the current price they receive, it is ment of secondary metabolite yield in medicinal plants, citing low still a strong incentive to continue in this activity. Dawson (1997) heritability due to strong environmental influences. This conflicts reports from Madagascar that villagers residing at forest margins with a report by Ohlendorf ( 1996) who described the process of do receive US $0.20 per kilo for delivered bark. In Cameroon, in 1997, mesticating a medicinal tree species (Duboisia) which until the late licensed harvesters were paid 170 CFA (US $0.35) per kilo at the 1950s was largely collected from the wild. In this instance, a large PlanteCam factory gate (Gerard Del Vechio, General Manager, pharmaceutical company (Boehringer Ingelheim) took the bold de PlanteCarn). PlanteCarn stresses, however, that the buying price cision to support silvicultural and tree improvement research, which does not represent the sole investment in villagers on Mount has resulted in enhanced alkaloid content (scopolamine, hyos Cameroon by the company since they have been involved in train cyamine), ease of vegetative propagation, elevated alkaloid yield ing bark harvesters, providing seedlings, and community develop and increased hardiness. In Prunus, environmental influences (tem ment projects. In Kenya in 1997, bark was typically bought from an perature, li ght, altitude, soil) will partly determine the potency of entire tree on site (personal communication; Jonathan Leakey, sole the bark but genetic differences are also likely. For example, exporter in Kenya to Groupe Fournier). A tree with 100 kg of bark PlanteCam researchers are able to distinguish bark from the north fetches about 2,500 Kenya Shillings (US $40), equal to about US ern and southern slopes of Mount Cameroon (personal communica $0.40 per kilo. After adding the costs for reconnaissance, transpor tion; G. Del Vechio, General Manager, PlanteCam, Cameroon). One tation, administration, obtaining CITES permits and containeriza source has high docanosollevels and low beta-sitosterol levels, and tion, Leakey maintains a profit is made on the price (US $2 per kg) the other the reverse. he sells to Groupe Fournier, but it is not exorbitant. What may be biologically possible in terms of genetic im provement (e.g., clonal development through vegetative propaga COMMERCIAL tion with rooted cuttings) may not be economically profitable for One kilo of bark produces approximately 5 g of dried extract. farmers or industry. Economic and marketing analyses are urgently Tadenan and other products with a similar concentration of extract required to back up the enthusiasm being generated about Prunus (50 mg per capsule) sell for between US $0.30 and US $0.80 per domestication. The fact that Prunus appears to perform better un capsule. One can derive 100 capsules (50 days' worth of treatment) der an inter-cropped situation than in plantations (Bahiru Duguma, from a kilogram of bark. The most expensive product found during IRAD/ICRAF Project, Cameroon, personal observation) is encour a cursory search of the Internet was from Life Health Inc (Ohio, aging for rural development, and it is here that greatest efforts should USA). This might be expected given their more expensive process be focused with a need for extension materials. Declining natural ing to a liquid extract (steeped in distilled water and grain alcohol populations and concerns over local extinctions may be a passing for two to six weeks, cold-pressed and filtered). In this product, 28 problem with P. africana if continued collaborative efforts result in g of bark (presumably containing an equivalent of 140 mg of pow- policy reforms and greater on-farm cultivation. 0 52 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 REFERENCES Barker N, Cunningham AB, Morrow C, Harl ey EH. A preliminary investigati on into the use of RAPD to assess the geneti c diversity of a threatened Afri can tree species: Prunus africana. In: Huntley B, editor. Botanical diversity in south ern Africa. Pretoria, South Africa: Bl; I 994. p. 22 I -230. Bassi P, et at. Standardised Pygeum africanum extract in the treatment of beni gn prostatic hypertrophy. Minerva Ural Nefrol. 1987; 39:45-50. Brevoort P. The US botanical market. Herba/Gram. 1996; 36: 49-57. Brown WH. Timbers of the World. Afri ca Timber Research and Development Association; I 978. Cunningham AB. An economic evalu ation of Pnmus africana cultivati on for me dicinal bark: a case study from Cameroon. WWF/UNESCO/Kew People and Plants Initiati ve, unpublished trip report; I 995 April 3-26. Cunningham AB, Mbenkum FT. Sustainabi lit y of harvesting Prunus africana bark in Cameroon. A medicinal plant in intern ational trade. People and Plants Work ing Paper 2. Paris: UNESCO; I 993. Cunningham M, Cunni ngham AB, Schippmann U. Trade in Prunus africana and the implementation of CITES. Gerrnan Federal Agency for Nature Conserva ti on, Bonn, Gerrnany. 52 pp. 1997. Dawson IK. Prunus africana: how agroforestry can help save an endangered me di cinal tree. Agroforestry Today. 1997; 9(2): 15- 17. Dawson IK , Powell W. Genetic variation in the afromontane tree Prunus africana, an endangered medicinal species. Mol Ecol. ln press. Del Vechi o, G. Personal communication. June 1998. Duguma, B. Personal communication. Ju ne 1998. Eben-Ebai S, Ewusi B, Asanga C, Nkongo J. An evalu at.ion of the quantity and distribution of Pygeum africanum on the slopes of Mount Cameroon. Di vi sional Service of Forestry Report. Li mbe, Cameroon: DS F; 1992. Flamm J, Ki ess wetter H, English M. An urodynamic study of patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy treated conservati vely with phytotherapy or testosterone. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 1979; 9 1:622-627. Gamick MB . The di lemmas of prostate cancer. Sci Am. 1994 Apr: 52-59. Gruenwald J, Suttle K. The European Phytotherapeut ics market: Figures, trends and analyses. Drugs Made in Germany. 1996; 39: 6- 11 . Leakey, Jonathan. Personal communication. June 1998. Leakey RRB. Domesticati on Potential of Pn mus africana in sub-saharan Africa. UNESCO/UNEPWorkshop on Biodiversity Conservation and Uti lization; 1995 Jut 24-28; Nairobi, Kenya: 13 pp. Legramandi C, eta/. Importance of Pygeum africanum in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Gazz It Medical. 1984; 143: 73. Macleod H. The conservati on of Mount Oku Forest, Cameroon. International Coun cil fo r Bird Preservation Study Report No. 15. Cambridge: ICBP; 1987. Mbai VN. Prunus africana-The brown gold of Mount Cameroon. ln: Pnmus Bulletin Annuel D'inforrnations de PlanteCam. 1998; o. 7: 15- 17. Murray MT. The Healing Power of Herbs. Rockl in (CA): Prima Publishing; 1995. p. 286-293. Ndibi BP, Kay EJ. The regul atory framework for the exploitati on of medicinal plants in Cameroon: the case of Prumts africana on Mount Cameroon. Biodi versity and Consen•ation. 1997; 6: 1409-1412. OhlendorfW. Domesticati on and crop development of Duboisia spp. (Solanaceae). ln: Domestication and Commercialization of on-timber Forest Products in Agroforestry Systems, Non-Wood Forest Products o. 9, FAO Special Publi cati on, Forest Division. Rome: FAO; 1996. p. 183- 187. Palevitch D. Agronomy Applied to Medicinal Plant Conservati on. ln: Akerele 0 , Heywood V, Synge H, editors. Conservation of Medicinal Plants. Cambridge University Press; 1988. Simons AJ . Delivery of improvement of agroforestry trees. ln: Dieters MJ, Matheson AC, Jim Du ke and author To ny Simons Nikles DG, Harwood CE, Walker SM, editors. Tree Improvement for Sustainable For estry. Caloundra, Queensland: QFRJ-IUFRO; 1996. p. 39 1-400. in Nairobi, Kenya . Sunderland T, kefor J. Conservation th rough cultivation. A Case study: the propagation of Photo by Mark Blu mentha l pygeum-Prunus africana. TAA ewsletter. 1997 Dec: 5-12. Walter S, Rakotonorina JCR. L'exploitation de Prunus africana a Madagascar. Report to PCDI Zahamena and Department of Water and Forests; Antananari vo, Madagascar: 1995: 23 pp. Waterman PG. Trees for drugs and other extractives: future prospects. In : Leakey RRB , ewton AC, editors. Tropical trees: potential for domestication and the rebuilding of forest resources. London: HMSO; 1994. p. 42-48. ITALIAN BoTANICAL ExTRACTOR SuPPORTS REFORESTATION OF PYGEUM IN MADAGASCAR The Society for the Industrial Development of collaborator in the pygeum plantation since its inception. lndena pur Plants of Madagascar (SODIP) is actively involved in the reforesta chases all of its pygeum bark supplies from Madagascar, and has long tion of the pygeum tree in Madagascar. A pygeum plantation been involved in reforestation efforts there. As part of their collabora program began in 1996 with the location of adequate land, and tion with SODIP, lndena plants one new pygeum tree for every one the purchase of seedling wild stock. The initial planting was one that is harvested. lndena supports the responsible collection of pygeum hectare (2.47 acres). Every year additional trees will be planted, and bark, and plans to continue efforts to insure the trees have long term the plantation controlled and followed for research purposes. lndena®, survivaL a leading manufacturer of botanical extracts in Milan, Italy, has been a HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 53 CONSERVATION Maior Diversity Loss: 1 in 8 Plants In Global Study Threatened by Barbaro A. Johnston At least one out of every eight known plant by the problem. "Plants have historically worldwide, or fewer than 100 locations in species on Earth is now threatened with ex provided some of the most important drugs which it is found. Comparing the latest cen tinction or nearly extinct. that we have," said chemist David G. I. sus against decades of field records and com A 20-year effort among 16 organiza Kingston of Virginia Tech. Celebrated bined collections totaling 20 million speci tions working on an international survey staples such as morphine, aspirin, and qui mens, experts found a pace of species de showed that habitat destruction and introduc nine, as well as a number of less common cline far above the historic extinction rate. tion of nonnative species have caused ap drugs such as anti-cancer medications de The study included only vascular plants, proximately 34,000 species to become so rare rived from the periwinkle, are included. those with water and nutrient-conducting tis that they could easily disappear. This con "We 've screened about 50,000 plant species sues. Algae, lichens, fungi and the like were stitutes 12.5 percent of the 270,000 fern, co so far, and gotten about 50 drugs," Kingston not studied. nifer, and flowering species known world said, "so that's about one per thousand." If The IUCN released the study simul wide. Of the imperiled species, 91 percent the same ratio of 1: 1,000 holds, the loss of taneously in Washington, London, exist in no more than one country. 34,000 species could well doom develop Capetown, and Canberra, emphasizing that According to the report, these statis ment of 34 pharmaceuticals. data from some parts of the world "are patchy tics are "just the tip of the iceberg," with in Loss of potential new food strains and or lacking," particularly in sections of Af creasing alarmingly numbers as more infor ecosystem vigor would affect agriculture. rica, Asia, the Caribbean, and South America. mation becomes available. "There is an accumulating body of evidence Brazil, for example, with 56,215 reported The more detailed a country's species indicating that as biological diversity is lost, plant species, is listed as having only 2.4 inventory, the higher its proportion of threat there are changes in the way both natural and percent of its flora threatened. ened plants. For example, in the United managed ecosystems function," said ecolo A 1987 survey held by the Center for States, which probably has the planet's best gist Christopher B. Field of the Carnegie In Plant Conservation (CPC) in St. Louis, found studied flora, about 29 percent of 16,000 spe stitution of Washington, "and they can often about 25 percent of American species in dan cies are at risk. Similar percentages have have negative impacts on goods and services. ger. Anukriti Sud, manager of conservation been recorded for Australia and South Af When there are more plant species present, programs at the CPC, feels that it is difficult nca. the recovery from disturbance is faster and to quantify the significance of shrinking W. John Kress, chairman of the de total production is greater." biodiversity. The U.S. figures from there partment of botany at the Smithsonian's Na Diversity provides a biological buffer port agree in general with the CPC study. tional Museum of Natural History, said, "against things like climate change or mi "We just don't know how important these "This is the first comprehensive assessment grations," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser things are," she said, "and that's what makes of threatened species we've ever had. It's a vice biologist John J. Fay. "Every time we it so hard to say definitively that this is so wake-up call to a major extinction event." lose a species of plant we're losing a unique terribly serious. It's going to take more of Entire plant families were in trouble gene pool that has undetermined but possi an understanding that [biodiversity] actually in some species. For example, 75 percent of bly very significant benefits to mankind." means the difference between life and death. the yew family-which produces the anti The World Conservation Union . .. It's something really fundamental. It's cancer drug taxol-is threatened with glo (IUCN), in conjunction with the not a luxury." bal extinction. Familiar groups are also in Smithsonian, the World Wildlife Fund, the [Editorial. A Census of Botanical Risk. New York jeopardy, including approximately 14 percent Nature Conservancy, the Royal Botanic Gar Times. April 12, 1998. of roses, 32 percent of lilies and irises, 29 dens in Kew and Edinburgh, and 10 other Stevens WK. One in Every 8 Plant Species Is percent of palms, and 14 percent of cherry government and independent research and Imperiled, a Survey Finds. New York Times. species. conservation groups in a half-dozen coun April 9, 1998. Suplee C. 1 in 8 Plants in Global Study Threat With more than half of all prescription tries produced the 862-page report, titled ened; 20-Year Project Warns of Major Diver drugs modeled on natural compounds, and "1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants." sity Loss. Washington Post. April 8, 1998.] one-fourth taken directly from plants or To be classified as threatened, a spe chemically modified versions of plant sub cies must have reached the point at which stances, medical science may well be affected there are fewer than 10,000 individuals 54 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 CONSERVATION #Clinical Herbalism Brazil Designates The Emerging Conservation Acreage Profession" October 1-4, 1998 In early spring of 1998 Brazil promised to Edgewater Inn set aside 62 million acres of Amazon rain Seattle, Washington forest for conservation, underscoring the government's renewed commitment to the Join some of North America's most renowned faltering preservation of the imperiled tropi herbalists as we explore ways to revitalize our cal wilderness. Aided by financial and tech herbal tradition: nical assistance from the World Bank and the World Wildlife Fund International, three • Learn and participate in over 30 workshops times as much acreage can be protected as is and herbal intensives. being protected now. The success of the long-term project faces enormous challenges • Browse our Herbal Marketplace and bookstore. from the Brazilian logging, farming, mining, and grazing industries. The conservation • Tour some of Seattle's best known herbal project would be the largest undertaken by resources including the University of Brazil but would hardly halt the degradation Washington Medicinal Herb Garden, in a region that covers nearly one-third of the remaining tropical forests which may Discovery Park and the International District hold one-tenth of all plant and animal spe Herb Stores. cies. Deforestation has increased in the past • Hear Joseph Pizzorno, ND, founding 10 years with nearly seven million acres president of Bastyr University at Saturday burned in the 1994-95 burning season and evening's dinner and dance. even more area burned in the intense and widespread fires over the last few months. Of the nearly one billion acres of Amazon Register for what promises land, nearly 130 million acres are deforested due to decades of perennial fues, logging, to be an exciting and Speakers Include: and other forms of land clearing. knowledge-packed event: Steven Horne, -Barbara A. Johnston President, AHG [Cushman JH, Jr. Brazil to Set Aside Vast Tract AHG Symposium '98 in the Amazon for Conservation. New York 24609 12th Avenue South Chanchal Cabrera, AHG Times. April 30, 1998.] Des Moines, WA 98198 Valerie Cooksley, RN Phone: (206) 233-8044 Eaglesong Fax: (425) 4 86-9479 Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa, AHG Lisa Meserole, ND Aviva Romm, AHG Jill Stansbury, ND Michael Tierra, AHG and many others www.healrhy.net/herbalisrs/ahg98.htm HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 55 CONSERVATION Frontier Herbs Establishes Herb Preservation Center Early in April an international study the help of industry sponsorship. Working medicinal herbs, with additional herbs culti conducted by the Smithsonian Institute, the together for the common good, these manu vated for the purposes of research. Noted World Wildlife Fund, and others-was re facturers, retailers, environmental organiza grower and researcher Tim Blakely has been leased and reported by the New York Times tions, media, growers/farmers, and research retained as the manager of the Center to work and Washington Post, alerting the public that ers will guide the development of the Cen on projects with professionals, university stu one in eight plants and perhaps 29 percent ter. Their efforts will ensure that new herb dents, regional farmers, and volunteers. An of the plants in the United States are in peril research and organic farming methods are existing house will be developed into a bo of extinction. In March at the Natural Prod adopted by organic farmers and promoted tanical education site and lab to facilitate re ucts Expo West, Frontier Natural Products within the natural products industry. search and information sessions. Co-op introduced its solution to this poten "Without direct intervention, our own Frontier's goal is to provide consum tial problem-the creation of the National grandchildren won't be able to en joy the ben ers with the highest quality and integrity in Center for the Preservation of Medicinal efits of our most treasured botanicals," says its natural and organic products, while sup Herbs. Recognizing the need to protect and Frontier CEO Rick Stewart. Jeff Tripician, porting and promoting socially responsible expand populations of medicinal herbs for V.P. of Marketing, adds, "We've invited our business practices, organic agriculture, en the future, Frontier established the Center on business partners and our competitors to vironmental activities, and positive, healthy a 68-acre site in Meigs County, Ohio, to fo work with us to create an invaluable resource lifestyles. cus on the research and protection of "at risk" which will benefit our entire industry and Members of the Center's Advisory herbs, as determined by United Plant Savers everyone who uses herbal remedies." Council represent a wide range of the indus "at risk" and "watch" lists. Frontier purchased the land to save it try including manufacturers, retailers, dis The National Center for the Preserva from potential deforestation by local loggers. tributors, growers, researchers, educational tion of Medicinal Herbs is a not-for-profit The shade of the woodland ecosystem will institutions, and media. facility that will be funded by Frontier with now continue to protect a variety of wild [Frontier Natural Products Co-op. PRNewswire: Boulder, CO. April14, 1998.] ~ E?jtritxa: the nation's largest medicinal herb conference at Frontier Natural Products Co-op in Norway, Iowa. ~ J.,e:arn from outstanding expert speakers from around the world, including: Christopher Hobbs, Dr. Tierona Low Dog, Dr. Jill Stansbury, Rosita Arvigo, Juliette de Bairacli-Levy and others. Participate in comprehensive seminars for both beginners and advanced students. ~ t'Y·OJ a fun-filled and family-friendly weekend. :Rf!jt!trativx de-adLixe- 1! :Jury 2 ~ attexdaJLCe- 1! Limitu{ CaLL tvd«y I 1-800 -66J-327S The reg istration fee is $169- which includes all seminars, comprehensive seminar book, six delicious vegetarian Cultivating Herbal Wisdom meals, camping and HerbFest t-shirt. 56 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 FDA RULES from the central issue. "FDA, by creating a continued from page 28 "may help lower blood cholesterol levels," "[r]educe [y]our [c]holesterol up to 15 per 'punch list' of various specific clai ms, may cent in 4 weeks," and "[m]ay help to decrease cause our industry to focus on the wrong ing drug claims. FDA interpreted the state [c]holesterol and [t]riglyceride." FDA re point. The real issue of substance is the at ment that lutein and zeaxanthin "may serve gards these claims as suggesting an intent to tern pt to redefine ' disease,' he warned to protect the macular region from light in prevent, treat, or mitigate heart disease and (lsraelsen, 1998). duced damage or other oxidative insults" as notes that "[a] product that claims to lower In another notice published in the Fed suggesting an intent "to prevent eye dam cholesterol, but is not used in the context of eral Register on the same day, FDA com age." Another product that claimed to "re dietary management, is a drug ... . " The Com mented on the Report of the Commission on pair skin cell[s] damaged by everyday expo mission on Dietary Supplement Labels ac Dietary Supplement Labels (FDA, 1998b). sure to sunlight" and "promote the skin 's knowledged FDA's resistance to cholestol (For more details on the CDSL report, see DNA repair system and prevent the spread reduction claims and asserted that "this po HerbalGram 41, pp. 24-27,57, 64.) of DNA damaged skin cells" was objected sition may need reconsideration in light of The public can file comments on the to as demonstrating an intent "to prevent the DSHEA and that it would be possible to craft proposed rules until August 27, 1998. Inter formation and spread of abnormal cells and a statement of nutritional support regarding ested persons can file to Docket o. 98N- to repair, that is, to treat, damaged cells." the maintenance of healthy blood cholesterol 0044, Dockets Management Branch, (HFA- (Young, 1998). levels that is a statement of nutritional sup 305) FDA, 12420 Parklawn Dr. Rm 1-23, Some statements regarding digestive port and not a health claim or drug claim." Rockville, MD 20857. 0 related conditions have also been character FDA's proposal regarding structure-functi on ized by FDA as drug claims. One example regulations specifically invites comment on REFERENCES AND SOURCES is a product's claim to "help correct minor the subject of cholesterol claims (Young, Anon. Supplement Claims Referring 10 "Characteri stic" Dis ease Claims Symptoms. Th e Tan Sheer. Chevy Chase, and common gastro-intestinal imbalances 1998). MD: F-D-C Reports. May 4, 1998. and ensure that the digestive tract works at As Young points out, FDA's proposal Bass S. Personal communication. June 4, 1998. the optimal level, without the discomfort as Commission on Dietary Supplement Labels. Report to the would allow a product to be named President, Congress, and the Secretary of the Department sociated with flatulence, gaseous distention Cardiotabs, to claim to help maintain a of Health and Human Services. 1997 Nov. and hyperacidity." FDA also objected to Farnsworth NR. Letter to Michael A. Friedman (FDA). Dec healthy cholesterol level but prohibit provid 15, 1997. statements made fo r ginger which claimed ing consumers with truthful and not mislead Food and Drug Administration. 1998a. Regul ations on State that "its unique compounds can help offset ing information on the label about the cho ments Made for Dietary Supplements Concerning the Effect of the Product on the Structure or Function of the the distresses which cause stomach discom lesterol levels maintained (reduced) by the Body. Federal Register. 1998 Apr 29; 63(82): 23623- fort from motion or certain foods." FDA in product when used in conjunction with sound 23632. Food and Drug Administration. 1998b. Dietary Supplements; terpreted this statement as making a drug dietary management. This flies in the face Comments on Report of th e Commission on Dietary claim for the treatment or mitigation of nau of DSHEA's goal of providing more, not less, Supplement Labels. Federal Register. 1998 Apr 29; sea (Young, 1998). 63(82): 23633-23637. information to consumers, according to Food and Drug Administration. 1998c. Website GINGER AND VALERIAN The first, Standards Monographs, deals with able. USP Information Monographs focus continued from page 30 identity and purity of botanicals and is de on these studies and highlight the proposed signed for publication in the United States uses, plus adverse side effects, Pharmacopeia and the National Formulary contraindications, duration of use, interac advisory panels due to the lack of adequate (USP-NF). These monographs contain stan tions with conventional drugs, and related scientific evidence and conflicting study re dards for determining proper botanical iden therapeutic data, if this information is known sults. USP advisory panels encourage fur tity and chemical tests for purity of botani from the scientific literature. USP publishes ther research on [ginger/valerian], including cal ingredients. Standards Monographs con Information Monographs after they are re at least one adequate and well-controlled trial tain no therapeutic data. ported as fmal in the monthly USP Drug In for the reported use(s)." Information Monographs focus on the formation Update. therapeutic aspects of botanicals used as di According to a recent review article on Since a resolution passed in 1995, etary supplements in the U.S. Many of these clinical trials on herbal products affecting USP's Committee of Revision began to look herbs are recognized as approved nonpre psychological states, "Valerian is the best into herbs and has become increasingly in scription drugs or "traditional medicines" in known drug of this group worldwide, but at terested in helping set standards for and dis other industrialized nations (Germany and the same time the one with the weakest ba tribute information on leading herbal dietary France) and a significant amount of data ex sis for its efficacy from modem clinical stud supplements. In July 1996 USP held an open ists to document their historical and tradi ies .... In contrast to ginkgo, hypericum and conference on botanicals in order to develop tional use, as well as scientific data on their priorities in this area. USP decided it would chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology; in publish two kinds of monographs on herbs. many cases, clinical studies are also avail- continued on page 77 HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 57 MADAGASCAR oils from leaves of this plant, which may be a useful source of b continued from page 39 caryophyllene, deserve special attention for commercial exploita tion. authors that the essential oils from different parts of this species are Canarium species (Burseaceae) are generally all known un worthy of further attention for commercial purposes. der the same vernacular name, ramy, in Madagascar. So far C. Croton anisatum. Several Croton species, Euphorbiaceae, madagascariense Engl., C. luzonicum (BI.) A. Gray, Burseraceae, have also been described as aromatic. One species, Croton anisatum has been investigated, resulting in the identification of sabinene (60.3 Baillon, has become increasingly interesting because of its essential percent) and a-pinene (23.0 percent) as the major volatile compounds, oils, which have been exported recently to Germany. It is a shrub along with several common constituents (Lamaty et al., 1993). In growing wild in the littoral humid forests, and its local name, anzety, our opinion, essential oils of C. madagascariensis (0.4-0.5 percent reflects also its aniseed odor. Based on our preliminary work on this yield), different from those of classical elemi oils (C. luzonicum), species, essential oil composition includes 79.9 percent anethole and have no particular features and therefore may not present useful ap 3 percent estragole. Further investigation is under way to identify plications. the most volatile constituents in this species. Among the nine Potameia species (Lauraceae) reported to be aromatic in Madagascar, P. incisa Kostermans, Lauraceae, (vernacu ENDEMIC PLANTS INVESTIGATED lar name antavaratra) was studied for its essential oils content (0.1 FOR THEIR ESSENTIAL OIL CONTENTS percent yield). More than 50 constituents were identified from gas So far, five endemic plants have been chemically investigated for chromatography analysis, of which trans-ocimene (60.0 percent) was their essential oil contents. Such studies have been undertaken for identified as the major component (Lamaty et al. , 1993). academic purposes, mainly within the framework of agronomy and chemistry engineering dissertations. We have made an exhaustive CONCLUSION compilation of these scattered documents because they contain Madagascar has tremendous potential for the production of useful information and they are not easily accessible for western traditional and new essential oils. It is likely that most aromatic importers who may want to get precise data on a given aromatic plants can be cultivated in one or another region of the island. The plant available in Madagascar. To the best of our knowledge, no annual turnover for essential oil export is estimated at US$ 6 mil successful attempts have been made to bring these essential oils into lion. However, one striking point that arises from this review is the the market place. regrettable paucity of our knowledge regarding scientific Aside from Vepris madagascarica described previously, V investigations of endemic aromatic plants of Madagascar and elliotii (Radik) I. Verdoorn, Rutaceae, was investigated among the also the relatively little work that has been done to explore their nine Vepris species described as aromatic in the Malagasy flora. The economic potential. There are a few reasons for this. Because the ampodimadinika are shrubs growing in the littoral humid forests. essential oil market is highly competitive as well as aleatory, export The main constituent of the essential oils extracted from their aerial ing companies have focused on traditional oils easily sold in com parts is methyleugenol (56.3 percent), together with minor volatile mercial trading. Diversifying essential oil production or launching constituents (Ramaroson et al., 1988). new essential oils is a good strategy in itself, but requires a long Hernandia voyronii Jumelle, Hernandiaceae, (vernacular name term investment to be productive. The lack of collaboration between hazomalany) is an aromatic tree found in west and southwest Mada universities and exporting companies should be also stressed. The gascar. The French botanist Capuron claimed that, based on mor situation is changing since there is now a renewed interest in the phological characteristics, this species should be ranked in a new exploitation of essential oils as evidenced by the increasing number endemic genus that he named Hazomalania. Because of its inten of new exporting companies. 0 sive use for manufacturing water-resistant coffins, dugouts, and wooden buildings, this species has become increasingly endangered. Dr. Philippe Rasoanaivo is a professor of chemistry at the School of Essential oil compositions of leaves (0.2 percent yield), stem (< 0.1 Polytechnics, University of Antananarivo, and Head of the Department of percent yield) and stem barks (not stated) are quite different. The Phytochemistry and Essential Oils Production at the lnstitut Malgache de main volatile oils from the leaves include 10.2 percent 1,8-cineole, Recherches Appliquees (IMRA ), in Antanarivo, Madagascar. 10.4 percent limonene, 17.6 percent linalool, 11.2 percent perilla Philippe De La Gorce is a chemical engineer who spent 20 months at IMRA between 1995-1997 as part of his military service, and took an aldehyde, and 19.0 percent b-caryophyllene, while the stem barks active part in launching the essential oil production at the facility. contain 82.8 percent perilla aldehyde, and the stems are reported to IMRA was founded in 1958 as a non-governmental institution of ap contain 30.0 percent limonene, 13.5 percent perilla aldehyde, and plied research. Main objectives are the study of medicinal and aromatic 7.3 percent 1,8-c ineole (Andrianaivoravelona, 1993). One relevant plants, the promotion of their sustainable utilization, and the improvement result is the identification of perilla aldehyde as the major constitu of traditional foods in Madagascar. Facilities include clinical and research ent of the stem barks. In our opinion, essential oils of this plant may departments, and an extraction unit. As a self-supporting institution, IMRA have special interest for commercial purposes. also has an export section. Cedrelopsis g revei Baill., Meliaceae (vernacular name katrafay) is a tree found in the western part of Madagascar. This REFERENCES species is also seriously threatened as a result of its extensive use as Andrianaivoravelona JO. Analyse de Ia composition chimique de quelques huiles essentielles malgaches par chromatographie en phase gazeuse et spectrometrie de masse. Memoire firewood by the local population. Investigation of the essential oils de DEA, Ecole Superieure Polytechnique, Universite d' Antananarivo; 1993. from leaves (0.1 percent yield) resulted in the identification of sev Billet D, Favre-Bonvin J. Constituants de l'huile essentielles de Vepris madagascarica. Phy· tochemistry. 1973; 12: 11 94. eral constituents, among which b-caryophyllene was found to be the Boucher P, Petitjean A, Rasoanaivo P. Contribution a !'etude des huiles essentielles et des major component (Razafindrabe, 1986; Andrianaivoravelona, 1993). concretes de Lantana camara, d ' He lichrysum bracteiferum et He lichrysum It is worthwhile emphasizing the high percentage of sesquiterpenes gymnocephalum. Bulletin de l'Academie Malgache. 1991; 66(1-2): 131. Chalot C. La culture des piante s a parfums dans les colonies fran~aises. Agronomie Colonia/e. (67.5 percent), which are known as fixative flavors . The essential 1927; 112: 105. Champon B. Essential oil of the Indian Ocean. American Cosmetics and Petfumery. 1972; 87:42. 58 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 Chapot H. Le Combava, Citrus de Ia Reunion et de Madagascar. Revue de Botanique Appliquee. 1952; 32: 377. Commerson P. Voyage ~ Madagascar en 1770: notes concernant les dates et les observations Ed it ions; 1996: p. 187. d'histoire naturelle faites dans le Sud, notamment dans Ia region de Fort-Dauphin, Ramanoelina PA, Viano J, Bianchini J-P, Gaydou EM. Occurrence of various chemotypes in Manuscrit conserves~ Ia Bibliotheque du Museum National d' Histoire Naturelle, Paris: Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenen•ia) essential oils from Madagascar using multivariate Copie partielle deposee dans Ia Bibliotheque Grandidier, Tsimbazaza, Antananarivo. 1771. statistical analysis. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 1994; 42: 1177. Decary R. Quelques plantes aromatiques et a parfum de Ia flare de Madagascar. Journal Ramaroson JD, Ravoavy-Harisoa JN. Etude des huiles essentielles de deux arbres des cote d' Agriculture Tropicale et de Botanique Appliquees. 1955; 2: 416. malgaches, Hemandia voyroni et Vepris elliotii. Memoire de fin d'etude d'Ingeniorat. De Medicis D, Pierretti S, Salvatore G, Nicoletti M, Rasoanaivo P. Chemical analysis of Ecole Superieure Polytechnique, Universite d 'Antananarivo; 1988. essental oils of Malagasy medicinal plants by gas chromatography and NMR analysis. Ranaivo C. Emplois therapeutiques du Rarnbiazina. La Parfitmerie Moderne. 1932: 491 . Flavour and Fragrance Journal. 1992; 7: 275. Randriamanantena AA. Approche technico-economique de !'extraction industrielle d'huile Fran ~ois E. Le girotle: l'avenir de sa production a Madagascar. Bulletin Economique de essentielle d 'ecorces de cannel! e. Memo ire de find 'etude d' lngeniorat, Ecole Superieure Madagascar. 1927; 27: 145. Polytechnique, Universite d'Antananarivo; 1992. Fra n ~ois E. Parfums et huiles essentielles. Revue de Madagascar. 1935; 9: 37. Randriamihanta TH. Relance de Ia production et de valorisation d'esences de patchouli a Gattefosse J. Les vegetaux aromatiques de Madagascar. Agronomie Colonia/e. 1921 ; 46: Madagascar. Memoire de fin d'Etude d'Ingeniorat. Ecole Superieure des Sciences 11 3. Agronomiques, Universite d'Antananarivo; 1994. Gaydou EM, Randriamiharisoa RP. Mutidimensional analysis of gas chromatographic data, Randriamiharisoa RP, Gaydou EM, Bianchini J-P. Ravelojaona G. Vemin G. Etude de Ia application to the differentiation of clove bud and clove stem essential oils from Mada variation de Ia composition chimique et classification des huiles essentielles de basi lie de gascar. Perfumer & Flavorist. 1987; 12:45. Madagascar. Sciences des Aliments. 1986; 6: 221. Gaydou EM, Randriarniharisoa R, Bianchini J-P. Composition of the essential oil of ylang Randriarniharisoa RP, Gaydou EM. Composition of Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) es ylang (Cananga odorata Hook Fil. et Thomson forma genuina) from Madagascar. Jour sential oil from Madagascar. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 1987; 35: 63. nal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 1986; 34: 481. Randrianalison JY. Contribution a !'etude de l'huile essentielle de Longoza (Hedychium Groebel A, Lenoir D, Pemet R. Uber die inhaltsstoffe aus Ravensara aromatica einer auf coronarium var.flavescens) de Madagascar: variabilite de Ia composition chimique selon Madagaskarvorkommenden Lauraceae. Planta Med. 1969; 18:66. les zones de collecte. Memoire de fin d'Etude d'lngeniorat, Ecole Superieure des Sci Lamaty G, Menut C, Molangui T, Valade I, Rasoanaivo P, Petitjean A. Hui les essentiell es de ences Agronomiques, Universite d' Antananarivo. 1995. quelques plantes aromatiques malgaches. Proceedings of the 5th NAPRECA Sympo Rasoanaivo P. Rain forests of Madagascar: sources of industrial and medicinal plants. AMB/0 . sium; 1993 Sept. 19-23. Antananarivo. 1993: p. 61. 1990; 19:421. Ledreux. Le giroflier dans les regions de Fenerive, Soanerana et Sainte Marie. Bulletin Rasoanaivo P. Plantes medicinales et aromatiques a valeur economique a Madagascar. Les Economique de Madagascar. 1928; 28: 38. Cahiers du CITE. 1996; 4: 5. Perrier de Ia Bathie H. Sur quelques plantes ap arfum de Madagascar. Bulletin Economique Razafindrabe F. Reserches ethnobotanique et phytochimique sur le Katrafay ou Katafa de de Madagascar, lerTrimestre. 1923:210. Madagascar Cedre/opsis grevei H. Baillon (Meliacees}, These de Docteur d'Etat en Perrier de Ia Bathie H. Les plantes introduites aMadag ascar. Revue de Botanique Appliquee. Pharmacie, Montpellier, France. 1986. 1931; 11:719. Razafindrake, 1986 Raharivelomanana PJ. Contribution ~ !'etude des huiles essentielles de Laurus nobilis, Razafindramiarana H. Contribution ~ I 'etude de I 'huile essentielle de Ia cannel! e. Memo ire Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Ravensara anisata (Lauraceae): composition chimique, inhi de fin d'etude d'lngeniorat, Ecole Superieure Agronomique, Universite d'Antananarivo. bition microbienne. Memo ire de DEA, Faculte des Sciences, Universite d' Antananarivo; 1985. 1988. Theron E, Holeman M, Potin-Gautier M, Pinel R. Authentication of Ravensara aromatica and Rakotondramasy SF. Contribution a !'exploitation et a Ia valorisation de Tagetes minuta Ravensara anisata. Planta Med. 1994; 60: 489. Linner comme nematicide. Memoire de fin d'etude d 'lngeniorat, Ecole Superieure des Vognono F, Ranivoarisoa H. Contribution a !'etude de quelques huiles essentielles, concretes Sciences Agronomiques, Universite d' Antananarivo; 1994. et absolues de plantes aromatiques de Madagascar. Memoire de fin d'Etude d'lngeniorat, Rakotovao LH, Randrianjohany E. Origine et repartition bioecologique des pi antes aromatiques Ecole Superieure Polytechnique, Universite d'Antananarivo; 1987. de Madagascar. In: Louren~o WR, ed. Biogeography of Madagascar. Paris: ORSTOM ...... STEVEN FOSTER GROUP, INC. eatured in Herba/Gram for over a decade, the photographs of Steven Foster are available for licensing for editorial or com mercial projects. Specializing in medicinal and aromatic plants, our stock photo files include more than 40,000 images, including most major...... herbs sold as dietary supplements . Steven Foster Group, !tzc. Ellen Miller, Vice President, Sales and Marketing P.O. Bo x 1343 Fayetteville, AR 72702 501-521-5887 fax 501-521-6369 email: [email protected] www.stevenfoster. com COME...... TO THE SOURCE HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 59 MARKET REPORT by Peter Landes Spices: As the monsoon approaches India but certainly not large. Demand actually in Later-harvesting crops such as Cumin, (the real monsoon, not those wimpy, paltry creased from Asia during the golden years, Laurel, and Oregano are still a question showers that El Nifio brought to California but that is thought to be a thing of the past as mark at this time. this year) it is time to sit back and reflect on reality hits home and Asians cut back on their Botanicals: These markets remain an unusual year in spices. Most of the ac purchases of"luxury" items like Pepper. The very active, as we predicted in our last re tion in the spice markets for the period cov new crop, harvested in August and Septem port. Faithful readers (and you know who ered by thi s report really had nothing to do ber, is reported fairly large so there is a huge you are) will recall that the problem dis with spices; rather it resulted from very ac discrepancy in "old crop" vs. "new crop" cussed was one of stagnant or even reduced tive Asian currency. White Pepper prices, currently around 80 supply just at a time when demand was ex Readers who follow the financial news cents/lb difference. Consequently, every user ploding, especially in the US. Since we wrote (or, by now, any news at all) are surely aware is trying desperately to make do with present our last Market Report there have been at ofthe precipitous drops in the values of vari inventories until the cheaper new crop Pep tempts here and elsewhere to meet demand, ous Asian currencies, but the two of most per arrives so· the White Pepper market is but efforts have been spotty and often less concern to spice traders are the Indonesian thinly traded and nervous. In Black Pep than successful from a quality standpoint. Rupiah and the Indian Rupee. India and In per , India has had a normal-to-large crop, In many instances inappropriate, care donesia are large producers of tropical spices, and has marketed about a third of it at high lessly harvested plant parts have been mar particularly Black and White Pepper, Nut prices since January. But now competition keted (the whole damn plant instead of just meg, Mace, Cloves and Cassia in Indonesia, is starting to loom from Malaysia and Indo the rootlets or the flowering tops) or whole and those and almost everything else in In nesia and this will intensify further when fields with delicate ecologies have been deci dia. Brazil markets its crop in September. Prices mated. Careful cultivations are underway in The devaluations in Indonesia have have just recently shown a great deal of ner many places by concerned agronomists but created far greater problems than those in vous weakness as Indian exporters, reeling many projects have yet to reach fruition. The India and so far have led to the downfall of from a weak Rupee, realize they still have burgeoning demand is causing market dis the Suharto government and riots and mur two-thirds of their crop to market and the ruptions all over and there have been reports ders of ethnic Chinese Indonesians. This is party may be over as price pressure comes of operators coming into areas and attempt one of those countries where three, four, or from competitors across the Bay of Bengal ing to buy five years worth of wildcrafted five percent of the population controls 70 or and the An dam an Sea (pretty exotic and ro production at once. The effect will probably 80 percent of the wealth and that small per mantic locales, huh?) be devastating in these areas. centage happens to be ethnic Chinese. This So, what will happen to spice prices? The usual "hot" herbs are, of course, is greatly resented by the ethnically Indone The short-term immediate effect has been a in extremely short supply and this will not sian Indonesians and they tend to take out precipitous price drop and dire predictions change soon. These include, of course, high their frustrations (and it certainly must be of further weakening. But markets have a quality St. J ohn's Wort, European Vale frustrating to find you have today about a way of doing exactly the opposite of any logi rian, Saw Palmetto, various Echinaceas, fifth or quarter of the money you had yester cal analysis. This is what makes them end Black Cohosh, etc. Just check the "Hot day) on the Chinese. Imagine going down lessly fascinating and worthy of study- and Herbs for Health" feature in any supermar to the local gas station and finding that gas, what makes some traders rich and others ket magazine. We've also seen the power of which was $1.29 a gallon yesterday is $6.00 poor. the mass media, especially television. One today, you only have $10.00 and you have Early-harvest Mediterranean spices feature on "20/20" or "60 Minutes" can in to drive 200 miles. Imagine the loaf of bread such as Basil, Marjoram, Fennel and the crease demand by a factor of 10, 20 or 100. which was $1.00 yesterday is $5.00 today. Mints (Spear- and Pepper-) continue to lan Interesting products, interesting markets. Imagine every single item you need to sur guish. Pricewise these have certainly been Needless to say, careful and prompt purchas vive is suddenly four or five times the price the sad sacks of the spice world for years ing is key here. Competition for scarce sup it was yesterday-and you have no job be and this year looks no different. We can only ply increases almost daily as more and more cause the factory just closed because it could wait for the too-cheap-for-too-long syndrome new players, smelling big profits from main no longer afford raw materials, nor could it to manifest itself yet again and for farmers stream use of these once-esoteric products, afford to pay the debt it has incurred during and gatherers to finally say, "What? Basil? enter the market. the "economic miracle" days. This might Fennel? Marjoram? For that price? The hell Potpourri Items: Same as last issue make you angry. with it-I'll grow something else." Then the qualities good, prices cheap, exporters des On top of these currency problems inevitable shortages and commensurate perate to sell. Will this worm turn? Prob there are, of course, the same basic supply higher prices will prevail and there will be ably-and probably soon. If anyone cares and demand considerations that have always money in growing Basil again-and then the they should buy now-these lovely little existed in trading markets. The current crop overproduction phase will come again. items-perfect hostess gifts-can be pur of White Pepper is not large-adequate to 'Round and 'round it goes ... chased by the ton from (you guessed it) supply a slightly diminished world demand, K.H.L. Flavors, Inc. 0 60 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 MARKET REPORT Indonesian Clove Market Boord Axed In January of this year, the International Suharto took turns battling allegations of Monetary Fund (IMF), in a move to restore corruption. Chinese Herbal confidence in the economy of Indonesia by The kretek industry generates about $2 deregulation of domestic trade in all agricul billion a year in revenue and employs 4 mil Medicine Soles Up tural products, called for the elimination of lion Indonesians one way or another from the Clove Bufferstock and Marketing Board raising the crops to hand rolling the ciga China has experienced high-speed develop (known as BPPC) by June 1998. rettes. About five years ago, the country ment in fin ished traditional Chinese medi Much of Indonesia's clove (Syzygium became self-sufficient in clove production, cine sector in recent years with total output aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry, Myrtaceae) but in 1997 the island nation was hit by a value hitting US $3.7 billion in 1996, Mr. crop is used to flavor kretek, the popular series of three disasters. Zhang Wenkang, viceminister of MOH and clove cigarettes. For years, clove farmers in First, major clove areas were hit by head of the State Administration of Tradi Java were poor, selling directly to local co forest fires, then came a drought and, finally, tional Chinese Medicines, told the recent operatives or traders who would help store torrential rainstorms soaked the island. The TCM development conference in Beijing. and dry the cloves, then sell them to the ciga country's monetary crisis has put a hold on Up to now, 13 out of the top 50 TCM rette producers. A group of Indonesian busi purchase of the 8,000 to 12,000 tons of cloves producers have been listed publicly on Chi nessmen and speculators who tried to corner Indonesia was ready to buy to fill in the nese domestic stock exchanges. There are the market and failed went directly to former shortfall. 14 state-owned TCM companies, each President Suharto's son, Hutomo Manfdala Indonesia controls the world market in achieving annual sales of US $24 million in Putra, known as Tommy, for help and pro cloves as the largest user of this item. When 1996. A total of 14 Chinese fmished TCM posed that the government require clove ciga Indonesia buys cloves in the world market producers have passed the GMP certification rette manufacturers to buy all their cloves prices rise precipitously. When Indonesia conducted by the Australian and German from BPPC. They had nearly 17,000 tons of doesn't buy (or even worse, actually sells), pharmaceutical administrations. cloves and Tommy had the clout. clove prices drop dramatically. The government encourages the estab In theory BPPC was to charge the ciga The last time Indonesia had a serious lishment of large-scale TCM production en rette companies more for the cloves and thus clove crop failure (1981) clove prices in New terprises by mergers and acquisitions. Five pay higher prices to the farmers. In 1990, York topped out at about $5.38/lb. Currently companies are expected to reach annual sales BPPC was awarded an exclusive license for the price is about $.75/lb. so the difference of RMB 2-3 billion (US $240-360 million) importation and sale of cloves and the Bank between Indonesia's importing or not import each by the year 2000. The government aims of Indonesia advanced the group $325 mil ing cloves can be that dramatic. -Barbara to form a TCM multinational company with lion in credits and loans. The price of cloves A. Johnston sales of more than US $1 billion by the year skyrocketed, farmers grew more and the re [Ch emical Market Reporter. February 2, 1998. 2010. sult was an oversupply. In recent years the Farley M. A Familiar Scent of Monopoly. Los [Yuquan W. China Medipharmlnsights. April8, board became more of a "kickback situa Angeles Times. March 21, 1998. 1998.] Landes P. KHL Flavors, Inc. Personal commu tion," as family members of President nication. April 28, 1998.] Herb Sales Up 101 % in Mainstream Market %increase in 1998 over 1997 based on %of herb sales based Dollar Sales S volume on S volume 52 week ending 52 week ending 52 week ending 52 week ending 52 week ending May 18, '97 May 17, '98 May 17, '98 May 18,'97 May 17, '98 Total Herbal Supplements $292,192,768 $587,336,112 101.0 100.00 100.00 Echinacea/Goldenseal $32,508,184 $63,553,612 95.5 11.13 10.82 Garlic $65,550,763 $81,090,618 23.7 22.44 13.81 Ginkgo $52,056,1 52 $126,230,314 142.5 17.82 21.50 Ginseng $76,485,744 $96,219,614 25.8 26 .18 16.38 Pycnogenoi/Grape Seed $7,393,439 $11,074,712 49.8 2.53 1.89 St. John 's Wort $1 ,019,662 $102,939,51 8 10,001.3 0.35 17.54 Other He rbs $57,148,820 $106,1 39,614 85.7 19.56 18.07 Source: Courtesy of Nature's Resource, from Information Res ources, Inc. Scanner Data, FDM (Food, Drug, Mass Market combined), Total U.S., 52 weeks endi ng May 18, 1997 and May 17, 1998. HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 61 IN MEMORIAM Nicole Maxwell 1906-1998 Nicole Maxwell, seeker of obtain samples of the medicinal plants she had been cataloging. She medicinal plants in the discovered what she felt was a variety of highly effective contracep Amazon, former debu tives and other botanicals used by the Indians to prevent tooth de tante, dancer, and artist's cay, dissolve kidney stones, heal bums, and cure or prevent many model, died in a nursing other maladies. Maxwell found out later, much to her disgust, that home in West Palm Beach, the company had no intention of researching the botanicals, but used Florida in May. Maxwell, her findings as a publicity stunt. Hoping to salvage some of her who became fascinated work, she wrote Witch Doctor's Apprentice, published in 1961 and with native medicines on a reprinted in 1975 and in 1990. She returned to South America and 1947 trip into the Ecuadorian jungle while on a visit to Quito, Ecua continued her research until 1986, eventually collecting more than dor, spent 12 years running the first shoestring tourist service in Lima, 350 plants used to treat more than 100 common ailments. She con Peru. She subsequently made dozens of trips into the remotest re tinued her work compiling a manual on Amazon remedies, confi gions of the upper Amazon, befriending the local Indians and slowly dent that it would be recognized by mainstream science. "As soon learning the secrets of their vast medical lore. In 1958 she obtained as I'm gone," she said, "they'll come running." - Barbara A. a small grant from a drug company and made a special expedition to Johnston OkuAmpofo bought land at Amanase which became their home. He described 1908-1998 his father as kind, gentle, and loving. When his father was made Chief of Amanase, Oku, as a young child, enjoyed sitting on the sheep's skin placed in front of his father during court sessions. In 1932, he was awarded a Gold Coast (Ghana's former name) government scholarship to study medicine. After a pre-medical A LIBRARY HAS BURNED course, he left for Edinburgh University in Scotland in 1933. DOWN IN THE HILLS OF During his seven years' stay in Edinburgh, despite the rigor GHANA ous demands of the medical course, he studied sculpture and music. In 1939, he qualified as a doctor at the Royal College of Surgeons A "library" has indeed burned and followed this up with short courses at the Karolinska Hospital down. Dr. Oku Ampofo, who in Stockholm and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. In died on February 18th in his 1940 he returned home to Ghana as a fully qualified medical doctor. home of Mampong-Akuapim, Having been told by the Director of Medical Services that nestled among the rolling hills there was no vacancy for African doctors, he set about looking for in Ghana, was a vast library of capital to establish a medical practice in Mampong. Unable to raise information on Ghana's medicinal plants. He was most likely the a loan with a reasonable interest rate, he started his practice anyway last Western-trained physician who also possessed the knowledge with 25 pounds. With such little capital, he had to make weekly of many traditional herbalists who had passed on over the last 50 trips to Accra to replenish his stock of medical supplies. In a very years. short time, he gained a reputation as a skillful and greatly loved He was beloved by all-by the herbalists, who entrusted him practitioner. Many patients were treated free of charge. Dr. Ampofo with their secrets because he showed respect for them and was genu also conducted research into the treatment of a number of tropical inely interested in their work and by his patients, who cherished diseases that plagued the inhabitants of Akuapim. Among these were him, trusted him completely, and who benefited by his healing touch. yaws [a tropical skin disease caused by Treponema pertenue, char He used the tools with which they were familiar-their traditional acterized by multiple red pimples, also called "frambesia"], tuber herbal medicines. Herbalists came to him until the day he died, culosis, and tropical ulcers. He established another clinic in Suhum sharing with him secrets both new and old. and recommended the creation of sick bays and school clinics. He was one of a kind, a multi-talented man in medicine, mu I met Dr. Ampofo in early 1963, shortly after he began work sic, and the arts. His one ambition was to serve humanity. He served ing with the traditional herbalists. I first went to Ghana in 1962 as his family, his village, Akuapim, and the entire nation. He was to part of a National Institutes of Health research group. We had gone tally selfless and unassuming, able to relate to people of all ages and on the heels of the first Peace Corps group that was sent to Ghana by from all walks of life. President Kennedy, both groups having been requested by President Dr. Oku Ampofo was born on a small cocoa plantation just K warne Nkrumah. outside Adawso, on November 4, 1908, to Chief K wasi Ampofo and Having returned to his native village to practice medicine, Madam Akua Adwo. During his early childhood his father's family Ampofo was facing a lack of import licenses for foreign drugs, and 62 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 was just starting to work with the traditional herbalists to discover IN MEMORIAM what they were using. He was the first of the Western-trained phy sicians who showed respect for the herbalists and, as a result, they shared their secrets with him. His purpose was to discover plants that were cheaper and more available to the local people. In the "Diane's First Husband" and credited him with many discoveries process, he found that, in his opinion, many were better than West that helped many people. em medicine. In 1976, the government recognized Dr. Ampofo 's efforts and His memory was incredible; up until the very end, he remem set him up in the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine bered every plant he had ever used, he knew the botanical name, in his hometown of Mampong-Akuapim. We were there for the what part was used, the habitat (down to a particular comer round groundbreaking of the Centre, and I have raised money over the the bend of a particular village, just behind the tallest silk cotton tree years to help to support its work. The Centre, according to Dr. where a particular bush grew and there only), the course of treat Norman Farnsworth, is the only plant medicine research center he ment, the other plants that were prepared with it and in what propor knows of that has a clinical unit. They currently see approximately tion, which patients were treated, the number of patients whom he 1,600 patients a month and treat diseases such as hypertension, had treated and the success rate, how quickly they were helped, and asthma, arthritis, diabetes, malaria, gout, diarrhea, piles, epilepsy, whether they were completely cured or continued taking the treat herpes, and other skin diseases. Patients are seen jointly by an herb ment. alist and a Western-trained physician. The Centre also has a clinical Much of what he knew he credited to "Diane's First Husband." laboratory, a phytochemistry laboratory, a pharmacology laboratory, It was because of an old herbalist, S. Adu Dako from Akropong, an animal house, a herbarium, an arboretum, several farms , a pro who claimed to have cured a woman with breast cancer, I was fust duction unit, and a dispensary. The staff are encouraged to pursue invited to meet at Dr. Arnpofo's home. The old man took one look advanced studies and regularly participate in conferences, seminars, at this 23 -year-old American woman and, at the ripe age of 91, an and symposia. Dr. Farnsworth visited Ghana in 1994 and was im nounced to Dr. Ampofo that he wanted to take me as his thirteenth pressed by the potential for good work being done at the Centre. wife, because he had never had a white wife before. We carried on In an article published in HerbalGram o. 31 , Dr. Ampofo this wonderful charade for well over a year, even meeting with wife was quoted as saying that "the beauty of traditional medicine is that number 12 and eventually asking the old man's permission to take a there is a hope of discovering something yet unknown to the West second husband when I became engaged to a Scottish banker. It em world." took some time of introspection before he reluctantly granted me He was "convinced that among all these thousands of plants the permission I sought. Those were wonderful days full of learn around us, there are some with as yet unknown bioactive principles. ing-learning the value of the plants, how to make the preparations, If we can find useful applications for these, we shall have made testing them on rats in my lab at Korle Bu Hospital. To the day he a significant contribution to the world of medicine." died, Dr. Arnpofo referred to the old herbalist in conversation as - Diane Robertson Winn Dan Palevitch 1935-1997 Good-bye, Dan. You have left a lot of friends here. As a mentor, Dan Palevitch and Zohara Yaniv, as articles in you were adept in guiding and encouraging others. As a scholar, an international journal and in Herbs, Spices you helped establish the science related to medicinal and aromatic and Medicinal Plants. In 1996 he authored species. As a vicepresident in the Medicinal and Aromatic Plant another book: Medicinal Plants. Section of the International Society for Horticultural Science, you Research projects under the direction of contributed leadership and direction in building a strong organiza Professor Palevitch were treatment of enlarged tion. As a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Herbs, prostate with Opuntia (prickly pear) Spices, and Medicinal Plants, you provided useful and timely ad flowers,prevention of migraine headache with vice for creating a scientific publication dedicated to the study of feverfew (reviewed in HerbalGram o. 42, page 18), and develop medicinal and aromatic plants. We miss you, Dan. -Lyle E. Craker, ment of new strains of paprika and specific cultivation methods lead Ph.D. ing to outstanding yields. For this research he was awarded the Kaplan Prize, one oflsrael 's highest honors, in 1996. Professor Dan Palevitch, "Dashi", was born in Czechoslova Professor Palevitch was a pioneer in the field of medicinal kia in 1935 and immigrated to Israel in his childhood. He studied plants in Israel. He was among the fust to be involved in the teach agronomy and completed his Ph.D. from the Faculty of Agriculture, ing of this subject in many and varied frameworks . His interna Rehovot, Israel, in 1967. tional activities included the organization of two international con For many years he worked in agricultural research at the ferences held in Israel. Within the framework of the International Vulcani Institute where he established the department for medicinal Association of Horticulture, he headed a group which dealt with the plants and was its director until 1991. He organized ethnobotanical cultivating of medicinal and aromatic plants. research on the medicinal plants of Israel and their use in the Arab Dashi was highly appreciated as a researcher, a colleague, and and Bedouin populations. The results of this research were pub a friend. The vacuum that he leaves will not easily be filled. lished in the book The Medicinal Plants of the Land of Israel by - MinaFerna HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 63 BOOK EXCERPT African Ethnobotany-Poisons and Drugs: Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology by Hans Dietter Neuwinger Introduction active plants have also found application in evaluate them before their use disappears traditional medicine and yielded drugs and completely. Undoubtedly, here lies a great The use of poisoned weapons is a fascinat remedies for treatment of diseases. In the potential for future development of medi ing aspect of the attempts of humankind to Africa of today, they belong to the most re cines and the beneficial utilization of other gain mastery over a hostile environment, to nowned plant sources for traditional medi wise highly poisonous substances. Remem provide themselves with food and protect cines. Some of our most valuable drugs were ber the Paracelsian dictum: "Only the dose themselves from animal and human enemies. di scovered by primitive peoples. determines that a thing is not a poison," in Peoples in all parts of the world, with the The dreaded arrow poisons have also other words: one man's poison-another possible exception of Australia and New provided modern scientific medicine with man's medicine. Remember also the saying Zealand, have used poisoned weapons. Early effective therapeutics, or have been applied of the renowned West African poet Amadou evidence of that use comes from Ancient as tools in research; the best known examples Ham pate Ba: "When an old man dies in Af Egypt. One arrow in a tomb from the First are ouabain and k-strophanthin for acute car rica, an entire library burns." Intermediate Period (about 2181-2050 BC) diac insufficiency, physostigmine for the There exist two wider reviews which was found with largely water-soluble poison, treatment of glaucoma and myasthenia deal with arrow poisons, but in the lack of whose aqueous extract was cardio-active in gravis, d-tubocurarine as a muscle relaxant detailed facts both are more general discus mice like the cardenolide strophanthin and in anesthesia, reserpine as an antihyperten sions: the book of Perrot and Vogt (1913) in muscle relaxant like the alkaloids in curare sive and psychotropic drug, and ajmaline for France and that of the toxicologist Lewin poison. Much information has already been cases of cardiac rhythm disturbance. Often, (1923) in Germany. Both are out-of-date, lost. But in spite of their however, the therapeutic effects of the plant but they are of historical value in showing often-prognosticated disappearance, arrow extract with its complex of compounds may the extent to which such poisons have been poisons are by no means a thing of the past. be more beneficial than the effects of an in used. The work of Lewin is more concrete They continue to be utilized not only in hunt dividual compound. Certainly, the biologi and useful because he investigated many poi ing to procure food and to protect against the cally highly active arrow poisons are many soned arrows from Africa, Asia, and South depredations of wild animals but also for times more likely to possess therapeutically America (Leipzig, Museum of Ethnology) tribal warfare, especially in Africa. valuable compounds than higher plants se for their toxicological activity in laboratory On the other hand, throughout the lected at random. animals and showed for the first time the ages, almost all poison-based biologically Sooner or later, arrow poisons will dis great number of cardiac poisons among the appear. It must be in the interest of various African arrow poisons. Little was known, sciences to research these poisons and to however, about the botanical base and almost nothing about the chemistry and pharmacol incwadi (Xh osa), incotha (Zulu), ogy of the poisons and their active principles. muwandwe (Sh ona), bushman Finally, the literature is vast, scattered, often poison bulb, Boophane dis ticha. Bulb incorrect, and of doubtful scientific value. scales, flowering plant, bu lb. Photo by Arrow poisons can be roughly classified: Nigel Gericke from Medicinal Plants of • Africa with a clear predomination of car South Africa. See book review on diac poisons (cardenolides) page 68 of this issue. • South America with almost exclusively muscle-paralyzing (curarising) poisons (alkaloids) • Asia mainly with cardiac poisons followed by tetanising poisons (cardenolides, alka loids) With few exceptions, African and most Asian arrow poisons as cardiac poisons are 64 • HER BALGRAM No. 43 BOOK EXCERPT absolutely deadly; there is no antidote against rienced hunters never smear the poison on POISON PREPARATION them, in contrast to the South American the iron head, but always behind the head, The secrets of poison composition and prepa curare poisons which usually can be survived so that fresh poison cannot be stripped off ration are known to the medicine man, ma by true antidote or artificial respiration. when piercing the skin. Often the shaft be gician, herbalist, a selected person or fam The first white man who was killed hind the head is notched: when the animal ily, and today often the hunter himself. The with an African poisoned arrow was prob runs through the bush, the shaft of the arrow poison preparation is regarded as a ably Nuno Tristan in 1447 at the mouth of breaks off easily and the poisoned tip stays medicinal-magical art and even today, the Gambia River in West Africa. The next in the wound. The same effect can be poison-making is sometimes accompanied centuries showed that poisoned arrows were achieved by subdividing the arrow: a thin by mysterious rituals and taboos. Thus a nowhere as common and used to such an additional shaft as the holder of the poison poisonmaker would never prepare poison extent as in Africa. is inserted into a hollow in the upper shaft. when unwell; in this condition his weakness There are monovalent poisons, but When bolting, the animal loses the main shaft could be transmitted to the poison and make more often the poisons are polyvalent and which is largely jutting out and the thin shaft it weak and ineffective. consist of a mixture of plant materials up to with the poison stays in and takes effect. In 12 ingredients. Strongholds of such com central Africa (Southeast Cameroon, South There are three principal methods of poison plex poisons are the forest zones. Generally west Central African Republic, North Congo, preparation: one or two of the components are the pri North Gabon, Equatorial Guinea) a very ef mary source of activity ("base poison") and ficient weapon for poisoned arrows is used • Boiling in water (aqueous decoction). others are added for a variety of reasons: to by many societies, mainly the pygmies: the increase the toxicity and effectiveness of the crossbow; formerly, it was also to be found The most common poison preparation poison, e. g., by promoting its absorption in tribes in Southeast Asia. is boiling of the ground plant material in from the wound, to enable it to adhere better water. Often the boiling time is long, sev to the arrowhead, for magical purposes, and eral hours to several days, with continuous perhaps also to hide the real toxic compo nents. Today, most poisons consist of 2-4 components. According to ethnic variety, there is a great assortment of poisons: in principle, all types of poisons are to be found and their composition is often complicated. The unique variety and complexity of the Afri can hunting poisons together with a secrecy which appears completely insuperable made their identification and exploration difficult for a long time. Only after the Second World War did the dark begin to lighten and a few detailed and scientifically useful findings on African arrow poisons from special areas were published. Even today, in certain ar eas, the composition and preparation of ar row poison is a closely guarded secret of se lected individuals. POISONED WEAPONS The bow and arrow is the most widespread weapon. As a crude rule, it can be said that forest people have small bows and mostly wooden-tipped arrows; savannah people have large bows and arrows with iron tips. The "forest type" of arrow consists of hardwood, with the tip hardened in a fire; the "savannah type" of arrow with an iron Distribution area of the APS hunting head and mostly complicated barbs, which poisons (Acokanthera-Parquetina are wrapped round behind with plant mate Strophanthus) in Africa. rial for better adhesion of the poison. Expe- HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 65 BOOK EXCERPT addition ofwater. After concentration, a vis PLANT SOURCES AND also have other toxic properties which do not cous mass remains; it is smeared in a thick THEIR ACTIVE PRINCIPLES always run parallel to the hemolytic proper layer on the wooden tips or behind the ar Green plants are essential for all life on earth ties. Saponin-bearing plants are extensively row head if the tip is iron. The technique of since they convert solar energy into organic employed as fishing poisons, as are plants the preparation ranges from primitive boil compounds and have the remarkable capac with diterpenoid esters (Euphorbia species). ing in an open pot to a subtle poison extrac ity of producing carbohydrates, protein, fats Euphorbia latex is esteemed for its glutinous tion in special equipment. and vitamins and, most importantly, oxygen. properties. Beyond that, its extremely irri In addition, the "plant laboratory" produces tant diterpene esters may promote the absorp • Pounding of the fresh ingredients and ad countless other products, the so-called sec tion of the toxic principle through stimula dition of glutinous sap. ondary products or secondary metabolites. tion of peripheral blood circulation, in addi These "waste products" often are the most tion to being highly toxic on their own ac This method of poison extraction is conspicuous of the constituents of a plant and count. Capsicum frutescens has similar prop mostly restricted to oil-rich plant parts such have been in use for many purposes since erties, its fruit or seeds found in many arrow as seeds or roots. The addition of glutinous prehistoric times. Constituents with special poisons all over Africa. Its pungent sap helps to hold the poisonous mass together properties often occur in a remarkably high capsaicinoid complex not only causes strong and helps the poison to adhere to the arrow concentration and sometimes with great pu irritation and inflammation around the arrow head. Especially strong is the adhesive rity in a particular plant. wound, but also shows acute fatal toxicity power of the latex of cactiform Euphorbia All drugs act by three basic mecha when a dose is administered parenterally. species, an almost constant component of nisms: stimulation, inhibition, or irritation Alkaloids, with a diversity of structure arrow poisons. Euphorbia species are highly of a physiological system, they operate in a types, are known to have a wide range of toxic themselves, and to be found almost dose-dependent manner, and will kill if the pharmacological activities. They rank everywhere. dosage is high enough. It is the skill of a among the most powerful plant constituents poisonmaker to find out which plants con and are responsible for the activity of a wide • Squeezing out the fresh plant material. tain highly toxic principles easily extracted variety of poison ingredients. The with water in a sufficient amount to achieve muscle-relaxant, cardiovascular, respiratory This method for wooden-tipped ar a "toxic" preparation that acts in the desired and CNS activities derive mainly from rows is typical of the forest tribes, especially way and is suitable as a hunting poison which alkaloids. Quite a few of the alkaloid-bear the pygmies. There is a large stationary press acts rapidly and surely. It is the skill of a ing plants can be used as base poisons and and a small mobile press for making poison good medicine man to find out which poi several are indeed so used, e.g., Strychnos during the hunt. The plant material must be son possesses little toxicity or few unpleas species, Boophane disticha, Crinum species, fresh and rich in sap: thin twigs, stem bark ant effects at a "therapeutic" dose level and Triclisia dictyophylla, Nicotiana species, and roots of young bushes and trees, lianas has a high degree of accuracy and safety. It Physostigma venenosum, Sarcocephalus and herbaceous plants. is easy to understand that, if they achieve latifolius, Erythrophleum species. The last success, they guard the secrets of poison take a special place among the making or medicinal treatment from anyone alkaloid-bearing plants: their poisonous prin else. ciples are alkaloids chemically, but behave Often, however, Almost all of the primary active ingre like cardenolides pharmacologically and dients of African hunting poisons come from toxicologically. the therapeutit plants. At least 80 per cent of the poisons Plants with cyanogens often enter into are based on cardio-active components, the preparation of arrow poison, they liber effetts of the plant mostly cardiac glycosides. The main plant ate enzymatically volatile hydrogen cyanide sources in reference to this are Acokanthera, on damage to the plant cell, but the com extratt with Parquetina, Strophanthus ("APS-Poisons" ) pound does not survive the process of pre of and scattered or in more special areas paring the poison. its tomplex Adenium, Mansonia, Calotropis, Pergularia, Flavonoids show a wide range of ac tompounds may be Corchorus, and Erythrophleum, the last an tivities, valuable pharmacologically and exception, in that it has cardiac alkaloids. medicinally, but they seldom function as a more benefitial Several other large groups of poisonous prin primary source of toxicity for mammals, ex ciples of African hunting poisons are alka cept for several compounds of special struc than the effetts loids, triterpenoids, especially saponins ture, such as rotenoids in Tephrosia and (many plant genera), and diterpenoids, e.g. , Lonchocarpus species; they are in the first of an individual the highly irritant esters of diterpenoid instance toxins for fish poisoning. alcohols (Euphorbia, Gnidia, Jatropha) . Many other plant toxins used have a tom pound. Most saponins are able to cause hemolysis variety of activities, but their toxic effects of erythrocytes with only a few mg/ml. They are long-term rather than acute, e.g,. sesquit- 66 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 BOOK EXCERPT erpene lactones, iridoids, pyrrolizidine alka stomach swells up, the cow foams at the loids, tannins. Mostly it is unclear and can mouth, and death ensues rapidly. Apparently scarcely be evaluated to what extent the ad in the early days of European settlement the CoMMENTS ON juvant plants contribute to the activity of the Kikuyu used to feed European cows with poison. It is known that the fmal poison is these frogs in bundles of hay. When they INTRODUCTION TO often essentially more active than the con died they would customarily be buried. The centrated extracts of the corresponding Kikuyu would dig them up later and eat them AFRICAN plants. This may be due to possible interac (Verdcourt and Trump, 1969). According to tions between the various compounds dur our investigation this frog has never been ETHNOBOTANY ing the elaborate processing of preparing the used for arrow poison as South American poison. natives use tree frogs. 0 Aside from highly specialized vol ANIMAL POISONS umes, such as Mcintyre's Curare, History, Almost all of the primary active ingredients Nature and Clinical Use ( 194 7), detailed of African hunting poisons come from plants, information on arrow poisons has not been readily available to Anglophones. only a few from animals (toads, snakes, in Perrot andVogt's Poisons de Fleches et Poi sects). Only the bushmen of the Central sons d'Epreuve ( 1923) and Lewin's Die Kalahari desert use animal poison exclu Pfeilgifte ( 1923) constituted the principal sively. It is prepared from the highly toxic references in the field, and they were larvae of several leafeating beetles both ancient and quite difficult to lo (Diamphldia, Polyclada), and their cate. Tschirch's more recent ( 1933) flesh-eating parasitic larvae (Lebistina), chapter "Pharmacoethnologie" in his found deep in the ground under certain host Handbuch der Pharmakognosie, 2nd bushes and trees. Bushmen of other areas ed., devotes less than seven pages to mix the larvae with plant extracts. the subject. All other animal venoms from snakes, Consequently, Neuwinger's 1998 volume in English , excerpted here, is scorpions, millipedes, and insects, are incor a welcome addition to this obscure but porated as minor ingredients into arrow poi Available from ABC's fascinating subject area. The author sons and contribute marginally or not at all Herbal Education Catalog sagely observes that arrow poisons of to the toxic properties of the final product; African Ethnobotany- Poisons plant origin have great potential for fu they may be highly toxic in laboratory tests and Drugs: Chemistry, ture development of medicines. They are but, because of the lack of heat stability of Pharmacology, Toxicology. far more likely to possess therapeutically most of these toxins, they rarely survive the by H.D. Neuwinger. 1996. Comprehensive reviews valuable compounds than higher plants usual long-lasting boiling process in prepar of the chemical composition, pharmacology, and selected at random. Consequently, all per ing the poison and are seldom effective ar toxicology of more than 240 plants. Covers botany, sons interested in botanical medicine will find them, and this book, of considerable row poison adjuncts. It must also be remem vernacular names, hunting poison, traditional interest. bered that the amounts of these venoms in medicine, chemistry, pharmacology /toxico logy, and The excessive costs of publishing the arrow poison mixture are usually too literature. Hardcover, 941 pp. $229 .95. #B325 . limited editions of books on highly spe small and their effects would be greatly di cialized subjects in the United Kingdom luted. Only the heat-resistant toad toxins will prevent many individuals from pur (bufadienolides, similar to cardenolides), chasing this volume. However, as exem survive the boiling process and may be ef See the Catalog in the plified in the section reproduced here, fective in the final poison. Toads are nowa African Ethnobotany-Poisons and Drugs days used only rarely for arrow poison in center of this issue for overflows with interesting and valuable gredients. order form. Credit card information not available elsewhere in or There is an interesting report, which holders in the U.S. phone ganized form. If you cannot personally has been confmned by several independent toll-free 800/373-7105, afford the $229.95 investment in knowl edge, persuade your library to purchase sources, on a species of "tree" frog used by or fax 512/926-2345. a copy. - Varro £Tyler, Ph.D., Sc.D. the Kikuyu in Kenya for poison, at least in former times. This frog (Hyperolius marmoratus glandicolor Peters; "kiengere" in Kikuyu language), white above and red dish below, sits in low-growing vegetation and is accidentally ingested by cows. The HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 67 BOOK REVIEWS of the whole plants and parts, including line 19 pages with over fo ur pages devoted to drawings in many of the monographs, geo the "hunting poison" section alone and over graphical distribution, information on tradi four pages devoted to pharmacology and tional medicinal use and, in some cases, thor toxicology. ough explanation of the chemistry of the In general, African hunting poisons are plant including occasional diagrams of quick-acting cardiac poisons; this is in con chemical structures. References also accom trast to South American arrow poisons that pany each monograph. The section on ver are mostly muscle relaxants. The three plant nacular names is usually broken down by genera that constitute the predominant poi country and an interesting and detailed sec sons of Africa are Acokanthera in East Af tion on "hunting poison" provides some of rica, Parquetina in Central Africa, and Stro the most interesting aspects of the mono phanthus in West and Southeast Africa. graphs, particular to the theme of this book. These are termed by the author the "Big Detailed pharmacological data is also pre Three," which he says are chemically and sented when available. toxicologically similar to/known as the APS African Ethnobotany-Poisons and Under the section "hunting poison" the poisons. "They are ideal hunting poisons: Drugs: Chemistry, Pharmacology, author has included historical data from the fast, easy to obtain and fast in action! " There Toxicology by Hans Dietter Neuwinger. flrst European observers in the 19th century, are seven plants that produce hunting poi 1996. New York: Chapman & Hall. 941 botanical data as noted in various herbaria, sons, more toxic and more widely dispersed. pp. Hardcover. 202 drawings, 67 color chemical and chromatographic data when In addition, there are hundreds of other plants photos. $229.95. ISBN 3-8261-0077-8. available, and ethnobotanical/anthropologi that are combined with up to twelve ingredi ABC Catalog #B325. cal observations by other authors, including ents. The author notes that contrary to other A common vision many people have other plants with which the particular plant regions, Africans do not rely on poisons of ethnobotany is of the botanist or anthro poison is mixed. based solely on animal ingredients (e.g., pologist traveling in South America or Af The book also contains a short chap beetles, scorpions, toad venoms, etc.). The rica encountering a tribe of native peoples ter on fish poisoning plants, consisting of an book attempts to focus on chemistry of the who use poison-tipped arrows and darts ei index of plants used as fish poisons organized plants when possible-much of this data has ther to paralyze or kill their prey, either ani alphabetically by family name, indicating not been available before in a concise for mal or human. The use of poisonous plants which plant parts are used as fish poisons mat.- Mark Blumenthal in traditional societies to aid in hunting is an and from which countries in Africa they have ancient art. As a source of modem drug de been observed. A bibliography of references velopment, this is epitomized by the creation on traditional African medicine is provided, of d-tubocurarine, a presurgical muscle re organized by the traditional medicine litera laxant derived from South American arrow ture of each of 31 countries. The book also poisons, discovered in this century as a func contains indexes based on plant and subject. tion of ethnobotany. This book constitutes Although the obvious emphasis of this book Medicinal Plants of South Africa by what is clearly the most extensive and au is the development of poisons, there is con Ben-Erik Van Wyk, Bosch Van Oudtshoorn, thoritative work in this field pertaining to the siderable good data to be gleaned for the stu and Nigel Gericke. 1998. Pretoria, South African continent. An interesting explana dent or researcher looking for traditional Africa: Briza Publications. 304 pp. Hard tion of different types of arrow poisons and medicine information. This book is a wealth cover. Color photographs. $75.00. ISBN their development into drugs is provided in of information and deserves a space in the 1-875093-09-5. ABC Catalog #B314. the introduction excerpted on pp. 64-67 of libraries of anyone interested in poisons from This book, now available in English, this issue of HerbalGram. medicinal plants of these regions. There is is a most colorful introduction to the rich The book contains extensive mono no doubt that Newinger's book will become plant diversity of South Africa, a country of graphs on 240 poisonous plants. All are ar the classic reference on this subject; it is of more than 30,000 species of higher plants. ranged alphabetically by family name. Each value not only to botanists and ethnobota Cape Floral and Kingdom, according to the monograph takes up from one-half page to nists, but also to chemists, toxicologists, phy book, has nearly 9,000 species of plants and several pages and contains the following el sicians, and others interested in this field. is probably the most diverse temperate flo ements: the botanical name and synonyms, Although some of the monographs ral region on Earth. This diversity produces local vernacular names in tribal languages, a consist of only one to two pages, the mono about 3,000 species of plants, of which about line drawing of Africa showing the region of graph on Erythrophleum sauveolens 350 are commonly used and traded as me distribution, detailed botanical descriptions (Saesalpiniaceae family) consists of at least dicinal plants. The book highlights 132 of 68 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 BOOK REVIEWS authors are a professor of botany, a retired In African counties the bark is used by professor of pharmacy, and a medical doctor traditional healers for inflammati on, kidney and expert in ethnobotany. As interest in disease, malaria, stomac hac he, and fever, medicinal plants increases worldwide, as re among other uses. Closely related to cher search increases on medicinal plants of Af ries, the fruits are small and very bitter. The rica and, as Africa expands, this book will freshl y cut bark, fresh cru shed leaves, and become an important part of the literature, fruits contains hydrocyanic acid, thus have a especiall y as an initial means of study for strong cherry or almond fragrance. In Natal students, pharmacists, researchers, and indus the bark was traditionally made into a tea in try. Although the information provided on milk, which was used to treat problems of each plant is brief, the referencing provides diffic ult urination. Pharmacological studies avenues to further research for someone who confirmed its potential value. In 1966, a wants more detailed information. - Mark patent was issued fo r use of the bark extract Blumenthal in the treatment of benign prostati c hyper trophy. the most popular and well-researched of Three different classes of chemical these medicinal plants, plus several other constituents have been fo und in non-water related plants as well. soluble extracts, including ph ytosterols, The first part of the book gives a beau triterpenes, and organic ac ids that produce a tifully illustrated introduction into the cu l beneficial effect on the prostate. This in tural aspects of healing, including some of cludes anti- inflammatory activity, reduction the ethnic cultures of South Africa, plant parts of cholesterol levels in the prostate, and in used in traditional medicine, methods of hibition of prostaglandin synthesis. In the collection and storage, dosage forms and past two decades, 26 clinical trials on ex methods of preparation, methods of admin tracts, at a dose of 100/200 mg per day, have istration, and active ingredients (i.e., brief shown positive effects in the treatment of paragraphs on active phytochemicals). symptoms associated with BPH such as dif On each right-hand facing page, the fic ulty in urination, frequent nighttime urge publishers have included three or more high ·-- ...... --.... to uri nate, and volume of residual urine. quality color photographs, making this book Pharmacological studies have shown it may a valuable publication independent of the text increase prostate secretions, improving semi offered on each plant. The skeletal mono nal fluid composition, and may improve graphs include Latin name, family name, Trade in Prunus africana and the sexual functi ons. Most research and clinical local colloquial or vernacular names in the Implementation of CITES by M . experience has been in Italy and France, tribal languages, botanical description of the Cunningham, A.B. Cunningham, and U. rather than Germany. It is often used in com plant, plant part used, medicinal uses, prepa Shippmann. 1998. Bonn: German Federal bination with stinging nettle root and/or saw ration and dosage, active ingredient, phar Agency for the Conservation of Nature. palmetto berry extracts. Its fu ture will de macological effect, and geographical distri 52 pp. $12.00. ISBN 3-89624-608-9. pend upon sustainable development of sup bution. The geographical distribution is also A BC Catalog #B333. pl y. A 1993 report, "Sustainability of har indicated with a color-shaded area on a line Prunus africana (Hook f.) Kalkman vesting Prunus africana bark in Cameroon," drawing of the map of South Africa. The (formerly Pygeum africana Hook f.), a mem by A. B. Cunningham and F.T. Mbenkum, active ingredients are also represented with ber of the rose family (Rosaceae), is a large published in UNESCO's "People and Plants chemical diagrams of one or two major ac tree that grows in highland/mountain fo rest Working Papers" series, highlighted the ad tive compounds. Each monograph contains islands and is harvested commercially in verse environmental impact on the harvest six to eight references. Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzani a, Madagascar, of bark in Cameroon and surrounding coun The book also has a brief glossary of and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Like tries. This and other studies Jed to the in medical terms, a cross reference of plants the fruits of saw palmetto and the root of clusion of P. africana in Appendix II of included in the book according to the vari stinging nettle, the bark of pygeum is valued CITES (Convention on International Trade ous ailments for which they are used, and a in European phytotherapy fo r the treatment in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and general index. With over 500 color photo of benign prostatic hypertrophy. (See article Flora) at the 9th Confe rence to the Parties. graphs of excellent quality, this book pro on page 49 of this issue.) The listing became effective on March 15, vides compelling visuals of the major me 1995 . dicinal plants of this beautiful country. The HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 69 BOOK REVIEWS Better understanding of the complexi can tree to the world market. Given its thor ties of international trade and how best to ough treatment of the subject with clear rec monitor the tree's survival are the subjects ommendations and strategies for long-term of a new report published by the German development of P. africana supplies, the re Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. port serves as a model for other phytomedi This book explores the structure of interna cine source plant conservation efforts. The tional and national trade, resource manage work includes 11 illustrations (including 22 ment, and CITES implementation in coun color photographs on three color plates), and tries of origin, as well as recommendations. l 0 tables that give the reader quick access to In international trade, P. africana is sold as key information points. Would that we had air-dried unprocessed bark, bark extract, and such detailed data for all "at risk" species in finished herbal products. Most of the har international trade. Anyone who offers the text is organized by family. Each 1/4- to vest goes to Europe, estimated at 3,310 met pygeum products should read and understand 1/2-page write-up provides the Latin bino ric tons per year, excluding figures from the this important report. - Steven Foster mial and possibly synonym, botanical de former Zaire (Democratic Republic of scription, a guide to the flowering times (an Congo), due to political unrest. essential ingredient for identification in situ), According to the report, 54 percent of and the colloquial names in both the crude extract originates from Cameroon. Mandinka and Wollof names. The book also Madagascar is second, supplying 18 percent, Flowering Plants of the Gambia by contains a brief glossary of botanical fea followed by Tanzania at 3.6 percent. Michael Jones . 1994. AA Balkema: tures, references, and a botanical index that Cameroon supplies 18 percent of the crude Rotterdam, the Netherlands and Brookfield, includes English common names, Latin bark in international trade, and Kenya sup Vermont. 733 pp. Softcover. Color illustra names, geographical distribution, and local plies 6.3 percent of the world's bark. Most tions. ISBN 90-54 70-7 97-0. vernacular names. This book is designed to bark is locally processed, then shipped to The Gambia is a river flowing west be a guide, and a stimulant to increase re Italy or France. This detailed report contains ward in western Africa bordering the coun search and commercial interest in the flow data on legal and illegal international trade try of Senegal. Senegal has approximately ering plants of the Gambia. Unfortunately from countries of origin. Information on 2,000 indigenous and naturalized plants and there is little information regarding ethnic use harvest, manufacturing processes, and the about 300 introduced. This book acts as a and traditional medicine to be had here. Nev companies that utilize or market P. africana guide, with illustrations of 160 species in ertheless this is a useful volume; the color provides identification details for crude bark color photographs, and text describing an photography is quite good providing oppor from a macroscopic and organoleptic per additional 173 species. The color photo tunities to view plants not readily available spective. Chemical analysis of the bark is graphs are arranged in order of color while elsewhere. - Mark Blumenthal also included. The varying procedures for resource management in both Cameroon and Madagascar are explored, along with politi cal and market factors that impact how the Top 10 Sellers of ABC BookStore bark is managed and problems with obtain MARCH THROUGH MAY 1998 ing accurate data on trade for current CITES PREVIOUS STANDING SHOWN IN ( ) reporting procedures. The authors acknowl edge the need to balance rural economic de I. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide To Herbal Medicines: velopment and resource management with Blumenthal, Busse, Goldberg, Gruenwald, Hall, Riggins, and Rister, eds. Klein and Rister, the need to strengthen national and regional trans. (I) (in print) conservation issues. Noting that European 2. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: Bertram (5) pharmaceutical/phytomedicine companies 3. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions: Brinker (new listing) are the primary beneficiaries in the trade of 4. Rational Phytotherapy: Schulz, Hansel and Tyler (new listing) P. africana products, the authors highlight 5. Botanical Safety Handbook: McGuffin, Hobbs, Upton, and Goldberg (4) the need to shift from "resource-mining" 6. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals: Newall, Anderson, and Phillipson (7) practices from wild stocks to a strategy that 7. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia: British Herbal Medicine Association (back after a shon absence) combines limited sustainable harvest from 8. Herbal Prescriptions for Bener Health: Brown (6) tied with carefully managed wild stocks with further 8. Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses: Bown (8) 9. Herbs for Your Health: Foster (3) development of cultivated resources. This 10. Herbs of Choice: Tyler (2) report provides a fascinating, detailed look at highly complex scientific, environmental, See the Herbal Education Catalog in the center of this issue for these trade, and political issues revolving around and over 500 other titles! the supply of the bark of an indigenous Afri- 70 • HERBAlGRAM No. 43 GINGER AND VALERIAN continued from page 57 a Traditional Herbal Medicine sleep aid and 144345, Austin, TX 78714-4345. Ph: 512/ sedative. The Block Drug Co. markets 926-4900. Fax: 512/926-2345. Email kava-kava, the pace of data gathering on vale "Nytol Natural Source" made of valerian HERBALGRAM No. 43 • 71 LETTERS PHYTOTHERAPYINITALY STRIP MINING OF ECHINACEA The publication in BMJ [British Medical I am fortunate to be working with a graduate Journal] of some articles concerning the use student who is writing her thesis on the of Hypericum pelforatum for a cure of de wildcrafting of Echinacea angustifolia from pression1·2·3 helped for a correct approach to eastern Montana. She's gone to areas hard phytotherapy also in Italy, where phyto hit to talk with local folks, local buyers, har therapy recently became a part of a National vesters, and herb manufacturers. She has Health-Care Service, with a new unit inside taken photos of hundreds of holes in the hills our Hospital. (no, they don 't bother to fill them back up). We also founded a centre of drug Photos of a tool designed to make the dig control that monitors adverse reactions dur Laurel, Laurus nobilis ging more efficient. Photos of children hold ing the use of medicinal plants and deriva ing up huge (and probably very old) roots tives, because, unfortunately, there is a lack from a "contest" to find the biggest roots! of know ledge among some doctors, but also The short of it is that there are two the wrong employment of phytotherapics major companies, dozens of medium-sized (being not titrated or standardized in active companies, and a couple dozen entrepreneurs principles or even the use of improper ex who are strip-mining Montana of every last 4 tracts) • For example the Mother Tincture AUTHOR RESPONDS Echinacea root. And they are moving into (Ph. Fr) of Hypericum perforatum has been I have just received a copy of your review of Wyoming right now. used until today in Italy and in France for my Dictionary (HerbalGram No. 42). I So, what can I do? I can't stop the the cure of depression syndrome. In reality thought the review was very well done and harvesting at the source because these people we showed that it has a very low and insuffi showed that you had made a quite thorough are either poor and unconnected to the Earth cient content of hypericin and flavonoids study of the text. However, I have found or helpless to stop the constant digging. The for the treatment of this illness: hypericin several errors in your critique as follows: only thing I CAN do is to inform herb manu 0.007 - 0.09 mg/ml , flavonoids 0.25 - 0.60 Under Hypericum perforatum, I have facturers of the facts. The main fact is that if 5 mg/ml . given detail s of therapeutic use, however they are buying ANY wildcrafted Echinacea We believe that it is necessary and omitting the important indication of depres they are responsible for encouraging the strip should be obligatory for all the phys icians to sion. Siberian ginseng is defined under gin mining of Echinacea and the resulting deg have a basic introduction and chemical stud seng. Bilberries (the fruit) as shown. Cat radation of American prairie lands. They can ies of phytotherapy with a foundation in c law comes under catclaw. Uncaria no longer pretend they don 't know about the botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology. guianeses is only one of 10 species defined; strip mining. The truth is out! although I do not have U. tomentosa. Robyn Klein Fabio Firenzuoli Under chemical compounds I included Bozeman, Montana Physician phytotherapeutist allicin, alliin, and diallyl disul (under Allium Ambulatorio di Fitoterapia sativum). Similarly given are ginsenosides Ospedale S. Giuseppe- USL 11 and ginkolides and eleutherosides. Under Wildcrafting is creating problems ev 50053 Empoli (Firenze) -Italy chromatography, you will find GC, TLC, etc. erywhere. Here in Manitoba there are prob I should have included under serials lems created by the wildcrafting of narrow the various newer herbal journals. leaved purple coneflower (Echinacea I. Linde K, eta/. St. John 's wort for depression- an over George M. Hocking, Ph.D. angustifolia DC., Asteraceae) and senega view and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. (Polygala senega BMJ. 1996 Aug 3; 313: 253-258. Auburn, Alabama snakeroot L. , 2. DeSmet PAGM, Nolen WA. St. John 's wort as an antide Polygalaceae). pressant. BMJ. 1996 Aug 3; 313: 24 1-242. We are grateful for Professor Robin Maries, Ph.D . 3. Houghton PJ. St John's wort for depression. BMJ. 1996 Nov 9; 3 13: 1204- 1205. Hocking's clarification of our oversights re Brandon University, 4. Firenzuoli F. Le insidie del naturale. Tecniche Nuove Ed., flected in our review of his voluminous dic Brandon, Manitoba Milano; 1996. 5. Stankov BM, Firenzuoli F. Determinazione del contenuto tionary. His comments will make an already di ipericina nelle tinture madri di Hypericum peiforatllm comprehensive reference even more useful. utilizzando HPTLC. Atti Congresso STFIT; 1997. p. 27. -Mark Blumenthal MOVING? Our mail permit does not allow us to forward Herba/Gram . If you move or change your mailing address, please notify us immediately so you will not miss any copies. Send your change of address notice to Margaret Wright, Circulation Manager, American Botanical Council, P.O . Box 144345, Austin, TX 78714-4345. 512/ 926-4900, Fax: 512/926-2345. 72 • HERBALGRAM No. 43 LETTERS PRAISE FROM AN HERBALIST WILD HARVESTED HERBS ST. JOHN'S WORT ABC and HRF have accomplished fantastic Here at Herb Pharm, we dec ided last year In yo ur Herba/Gram No. 41 I read a letter feats over th e years, and, as an herbali st, I that we wi ll no longer purchase wild E. "advertising" St. John's wort by Mr. Craig very much appreciate the efforts of your dedi angustifo/ia. We did the same thing with wild M. Jones in wh ich he is talking about hepa cated staff. Herba/Gram has made a big dif American Gin seng (Panax quinquefolius) 3 totox icit y in long-term use ot the hero. Did ference in people's understanding of medici years ago. ow we are onl y using organi he provide, as you requested. data about li ve r nal plants and the politics surrounding their ca ll y culti vated E. purpurea from our own tox icity? My son is tak ing SJW since three use in our culture. Although as an herbalist farm and the farm of a close neighbor. After months ago with superb res ult s. Last week I wo uld like to see more herb methodology years of Echinacea culti vati on we are now he complained about pain in the li ve r area presented (model s such as Eclectic, able to grow superb quality E. purpurea I hat and we nt th ro ugh some t e~t~ ~b l ood , urine, Ayurveda, and TCM). Si gh. Well , a publi is as buzzy or buzzier th an wild E. li ver ultrasound , etc.). The tests showed high cation must keep its focus, aft er all and must angustifolia. cholesterol and tri glycerides index. but no temper all that controversy. But with cancer However, I can not get too self-ri gh liver tox icity. But still I would like to know coming on as the number one cause of death teous here because we still buy wild Gold whi ch is the truth abo ut Mr. Jones's com in the U.S. by the year 2000, and the fact enseal. We are now into th e second year of ments. that many alternative treatments are show our Goldenseal cu lti vation project that will , And, by the way, yo u are doing an ex ing more promise than tox ic Western cancer hopefully, all ow us to convert to using on ly traordinary job wi th yo ur magazine. Please treatments, I have hope. cultivated plants and cease buying the wi ld . keep en li gh tening us about herbs!! ! Robyn Klein , A .H.G. So far this project has cost mucho money and Juan Carlos Bonetto Bozeman, Montana produced little except knowledge about what Laguna Hills, California not to do. However, thi s is the price of re search and we have also had enough success To our knowledge. no data has sur PICTORIAL HISTORY LACKS to encourage us to continue. What other faced here in th e U.S. or in Europe in regard FEMALE FOCUS choice do we have? to any hepatoto.ricitr associated wi1h inges l was di sappointed that the pictorial hi story Ed Smith , Herb Pharm tion of St. John's H'Ort. If it did. it would of botanical s in medicine and pharmacy Williams , Oregon hm·e been included in the American Herbal (Herba/Gram No. 42) included few women Pharmacopoeia monograph pub/i~hed in and them mostl y in peripheral roles-e.g. Herba/Gram #40 in summer 1997 us 1rell as standing in the background and draped in BLACK COHOSH OVERHARVESTING during th e SJW conji:rence in March in Ana infants ("Before the Daw n of History") or The eastern forests have been reverberating heim, Califomia. attended by 10p t.uropean langui shing before Galen ("Galen and Drug recentl y with black coho sh (Cimicifuga researchers. Also. th ere has been 1w men Compounding") who looks like he mi ght racemosa (L.) Nutt. , Ranuncul aceae) dig tion ofsuch indications in the Gemwn Com have experimented with steroids as well as ging, to the extent that the sound has reached mission E and ESCOP monographs. Al botanicals . me way out here on the West Coast. Any though idiosyncratic fi rer dysfunction can I reali ze that public hi story is long on body else hearin g the same thing? occur wilhout being associated u·i1h a par men and short on women, but I thought that First, my friend Charl es Perry in east licular source, in general, S1. John's wort publication dealing with botani ca ls might be ern Kentucky call ed me up and said "What's appears to be relatil'ely safe from a firer per interested in the "domestic" history of herbs with the Bl ac k? There shore is a lot, I mean speer ire. Also. the majority of cliniwl re and other botanicals-which surely included a lot of it go ing out right now." Then, I got a search on SJW is based on a specifh propri women as experimenters and practitioners. fax from a West Virgini a dea ler stating th at etarr standardi:ed extract from Germany. Leigh Coffey he has an inven tory based on harvest of With the proliferation of hundreds of prod Portland, Oregon I 0,000 dry pounds a week. I talked to him ucts containing SJW here in th e U.S., there later, and he gave me to be li eve that hi s in is no way to guarailtce the safety of all th ese Feedback has run strongly positil•e on ventory is small compared to some of th e products~lf least not by reji:rence :o the this particular article-most people appre "big boys." Again, according to thi s so urce, clinical literature. We think 1hi~ herb can ciating the fact that we were even able to he knows of a warehouse containing 200,000 still be recommended without L"OnL L 1·n about obtain the rights to reprint th ese beautifiil pounds of black cohosh. At 40 plants to the !i1 ·er damage. - Mark Blumenthal paintings. We believe that we are contribut pound, thi s eq uates to eight million pl ants. ing a l'a luable service to the cause of herbal Hard to believe, and di sturbing. medicine by reminding people in the con Richo Cech ventional health field that much of their heri Williams. Oregon tage is tied to the del'elopment of botanical medicine. Unfortunately, the history ofmedi cine and pharmacy has usually been written by men about men. Perhaps as we all grow personally and move into more enlightened times, the significant role that women have played in all the healing arts th roughout the centuries will he gil'en appropriate recogni tion.- Mark Blumenthal HE RBALGRAM No. 43 • 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. Amruth: The Magazine on Medicinal Plants, nal research, clinical studies, and literature re MedWatch: The Food and Drug Administration's published bimonthly by the Foundation for views covering many areas of medi cine. Volume (FDA) program to report serious reactions and Revitali sati on of Local Health Traditions I ( 1998, 4 issues) avail abl e fo r U.S. $48 for those problems with medical products such as drugs and (FRLHT). Focus of Amruth is to disseminate in outside Europe and Japan. For residents of Eu medical devices. Consumers and health profes formation on medicinal pl ants conserv ation ef rope and Japan, cost is 84 NLG (Dutch Guilder). sionals can now report adverse reactions to di forts. FRLHT was formed in 199 1 to help pro Subscription is U.S. $98 or 171 NLG. Contact: etary supplements including herbs directl y to the tect India's medi cal heritage. U.S. and other for Elsevier Science, 655 Avenue of the Americas. FDA MedWatch program online. Website eign subscriptions are US $30 fo r one year (post NewYork, NY 10010. Ph:888/437-4636or212/ 74 • HERBAL GRAM No. 43 • CALENDAR July IS-17: International Symposium on cine, herbal medicine wheel, and more. Contact: workshops fo r the beginning herbali st to the es "Worldwide Herbal Industry: Present and Fu RMCBS, P.O. Box 19254, Boulder, CO 80308- tabli shed clinician. Contact Autumn Summers at ture," Hong Kong. Strategies to discover, de 2254. Ph: 303/442-686 1. Emai I P.O. Box 2131, Sebastopol, CA 954 73. Ph./Fax: velop, approve, manufacture, market and regu < rm cbs@ indra.com>. Website 707/579-6209. Email July 31-August 2: Wild Herb Weekend, Va ll e August 20-22: Saw Palmetto Symposium, September 6-9: 29th International Symposium Crucis, NC. Sponsored by the North Carolina Naples, FL. Presented by the American Herbal on Essential Oils (ISEO), Frankfurt, Germany. Herb Association. Speakers, classes, herb walks, Products Association. Lectures by top experts on Topics include all aspects of essential oi ls and and more. Contact Jean Turman, NCHA, 1915 latest advances in the science, uses, cultivation, related natural products ranging from analys is, San Fernando Dr. , High Point, NC 27265. Ph: and economi cs of saw palmetto. Identi fy al ter biogenesis and chemistry, to biological activity 336/454-45 17. native solutions to the key scientific, legal, and and utilization. Contact: Prof. Dr. Armin economic issues facing saw palmetto industry, and Mosandl, In stitut fiir Lebensmittelchemie. Marie August 2-7: XXV International Horticultural develop retailer, medical professional, and con Curie-Sir. 9, D-60439 Frankfurt am Main, Ger Congress, Brussels, Belgium. Scientists will ad sumer-ori ented answers to the top I 0 questions many. Ph: 49 69 798 29202. Fax: 49 69 798 298 dress state of the art horticultural research. Con asked about saw palmetto. Cont act: Accurate 29207. Email September 10-11 : 2nd Annual care givers in both complementary and conven learning and practi cal information on the cultiva Pharmacovigilance '98, Washington , D. C. Man tional medicine, in a serene, retreat-center setting. ti on and conservati on of native medi cinal plants. age ment strateg ies for the moderniza ti on of the Con tact: JoAnn Lev itt, Kripalu Center, Box 793, Workshops, herb wa lks , herbal market, and more. adverse events process. Sponso red by: I BC USA Lenox, MA 01240-0793. Ph : 800/74 1-7252 or Spea kers include noted herbalists, plant conser Conferences, 225 Turnpike Rd. , Southborough, 4 13/448-3 134. Websit e . Webs it e and more. Contact: Sa ll y King, P.O. Bo x C, A nnual Meeting, "Clinical Herb al ism-The October 19-20: Dietary Supplements: Strategies November 8-11 : New Crops & New Uses: ships:· ew Zealand. Top ics include cultural per to Support the Regulatory Process, sponsored by Biodiversity &Agricultural Sustainability, Phoe spec ti ves on conservation. use of th e Intern et. MHCC/Biotech, Philadelphia PA. Learn strat ni x, AZ. Sponsored by the Associati on for the trade industry. sustai nabl e development. in tell ec egies to promote products and navigate regula Advancement of Industrial Crops (AA IC), Purdue tual propert y ri ght s. and ethnobotanical research tory pathways. Design clinical studies efficiently University Center for New Crops & Pl ant Prod methodologies. Fi eld trips/working sess ions to and with a hi gher probabil ity of efficacy. Incor ucts (PUC C), and New Uses Council, Inc. Maori communities. Contact: Tom Carlson, 213 porate European data into U.S. product claims, (NUC). Contac t: David Di eri g. AAIC. c/o U.S. E. Grand Ave .. South San Francisco. CA 94080. and much more. In U.S. ca11888/670-8700. Out Water Conservation Laboratory, 4331 East Broad Email A listing in this classified section does not constitute any endorsement or approval by Herba/Gram , the American Botanical Council, the Herb Research Foundation, or the HRF Professional Advisory Board. Herba/Gram Classified ad rates: $1 .25 per word; $35 minimum . Contact Margaret W rig ht, P.O. Box 144345, Austin , TX 78714-4345. 512/926-4900. Fax 512/ 926-2345 . CORRESPONDENCE COURSES Institute of Chinese Herbology has been teac h The School of Natural Healing was founded in AND SEMINARS ing courses in Chinese Herbal Medi cin e since 1953 by Dr. John R. Christopher. M.H.. N.D .. and 1986. Our 130-hour aud iotaped program (in continues in hi s time-tested modalities. The SNH Aromatherapy Studies Course/J eanne Rose. cludes ex tensive notes and herb samples) is ex offers Mas ter Herba li st (M.H. ) trai ning in 2 1 Correspondence, certification, in-person cell ent for anyone who wa nts to ga in a working co urse leve ls at $100 each. This full spectrum of int ensives. 160 CEU provided, California Board knowledge of Chinese herbs. Free brochure: courses is taught by ex pert in structors . in th e con of RN Provider #CEP 11659. Info: 219 Carl St. . Admissions 2HG, 387 1 Pi edm ont Ave. , #363, venience of yo ur own home. on professionally San Francisco, CA 941 17 or FAX 415/564-6799. Oakland, CA 94611 . Ph ./Fax 5 10/428-2061. produced video and audi o tapes. Books. work books, and home ass ignm ent s are also provided. Green Terrestrial offers herbal and eanh aware Medical Botany, the Top Ten Herbs: A course Upon completi on of the 21 co urses. student s are ness workshops. quality herbal products, and ap taugh t by noted ethnobotani st Dr. James Duke and eli gibl e to attend the intensi ve cenificat ion se mi prenti ceships in an atmosphere of co-creativ e Clinical Herbalist Mr. Michae l Tims at the Uni nar held at our own beautiful retreat in the majes pannering with the Eanh. Brenda Nicholson & versity of Maryland College Park , Oct. 16-1 8. tic Wasatch Mountains. For free informati on. ca ll Marina Nelson, 328 Lake Ave. , Greenwich, CT In troduction to medical botany. crude herbs. clini 1/800/372-8255 or writ e to the School of atural 06830. 203/862-8690. cal herbalism and the start of tinctures. Learn Healing. P.O . Box 412. Springv ill e. UT 84663 or about growing the herbs. take a tour of Dr. Duke's SCHOOLS sive Clinical Extern shi p. 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