Atv\ERICAN BoTfoNICAL COUNCIL

MEDICINAL PLANTS OF FIELD GUIDE TO EASTERN/ r------, FIELD GUIDE TO VENOMOUS WEST AFRICA J'r:l ERSO:\ F!ELO Gl !Df); CENTRAL MEDICINAL ANIMALS & POISONOUS by Edward Ayensu. 1978. 187 PLANTS, species of reported medicinal by Steven Foster ond James Duke. i;~iLJ PLANTSby Steven Foster ond Roger Caras. plants and their uses, 127 1990. Pocket size guide to i 1994. Pocket size guide to safety in illustro~ons, that occur in West medicinal plant use, iden~fying 500 the field. Features 90 venomous Africa, local names and the medicinal plants, their uses, animals and over 250 poisonous standard scientific binomials. remedies, line drawings, over 200 plants and fungi. 340 line drawings Bibliography, glossary of medical color photos. From the Peterson and 160 color photos. From the terms, medical and botanical Field Guide Series®. Hardcover, Peterson Field Guide Series®. indexes. Hardcover, 330 pp. 366 pp. $24.95 #B096 Hardcover, 244 pp. $24.95 #B097 $39.95 #B094

NEEM, A TREE FOR SOLVING ETHNOBOTANY AND THE OUTLINE GUIDE TO CHINESE GLOBAL PROBLEMS I:J:"fl:fi~~...:...... w.n SEARCH FOR NEW DRUGS, HERBAL PATENT MEDICINES BOSTID, Notional Academy Press. IJSIIA!II~IIL.li1~\t.l.l!!'l Cibo Foundation Symposium 185. IN PILL FORM 1992. This book contains the 1994. This book examines how by Margaret Neoser.1991. 2nd medicinal uses, chemical ethnomedicol reports perform when edition. Over 17 5 potent medicines cons~tuents, growing and judged by scientific standards and ore explained. Organized with propogo~on, habitats, insec~cidol ways to develop the discipline of Chinese characters and English use, cultural use, safety tests, ethnobotony for o more quontito~ve tronslo~on and Pinyin spelling, reforesto~on, industrial products, and approach. Also discussions of the historical source and dotes, func~on other uses of this versatile plant. important differences between and clinical application, ingredients Softcover, 141 pp. $19. #B098 disease concepts in Western and with explanation of clinical function traditional medicine. Hardcover, of each herb, pictures of packaging. 280 pp. $7 6. #B095 Softcover, 371 pp. $24.95 #B099

~~;;::;;;llll----r):;;;] ATLAS OF MICROSCOPY HANDBOOK OF ARABIAN FLOWERING PLANTS OF OF MEDICINAL PLANTS, MEDICINAL PLANTS CRC THE WORLD <::::::::::C:~;::J;~ CULINARY HERBS, AND PRESS by V.H . Heywood. 1993. 1tt'!-~~!!!f"l SPICES by Shohino Ghozonfor. 1994. Essential and authoritative by Betty Jackson ond Derek Identifies over 250 species of reference book on angiosperms. Snowden. 1990. This reference plants, their medicinal uses, Taxonomically arranged and book shows microscopic shapes biochemical information and generously illustrated, including of powders or fragments of plant references for each. lllustro~ons entries on over 300 families of materials that ore commonly of fresh and herbarium plants, consisting of distribution, used as drugs, flavorings, or specimens. Guide to diseases and diagnostic features, classification, oddi~ons to food. Based on the conditions, and on appendix of and economic uses. Over 200 out-of"jlrint Powdered plant cures. Hardcover, 265 pp. illustrations. Hardcover, 9,335 Vegetable Drugs 1968. $99.95 #B092 $45. #B089 Hardcover, 257 pp. '-=--"=-"'=~------$67.95 #B090

A Synomized Checklist A SYNOMIZED CHECKLIST OF THE VASCULAR of the FLORA OF THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AND DRUGS OF NATURAL ORIGIN: Vascular Flora GREENLAND A TEXTBOOK OF PHARMACOGNOSY of the by John Kortesz. 1994. These two volumes ore the most by Gunnar Somuelsson 1992. This textbook describes the origin United States, Canada, current and comprehensive summary of accepted names and of natural drug compounds, their chemistry, and biochemistry, as and Greenland their synonyms for plants of North America . Offers o well as the employment in medicine. The material is arranged taxonomic cadre beginning with the division and subdiivisior1s! according to biosynthe~c principles which places the substances in of the vascular plant kingdom and continuing with family, o natural context and facilitates on understanding of complicated genus, species, subspecies, and variety. Hardcover, 2 vol. chemical structures. Hardcover, 320 pp. $59. #8093 1,400 pp. $149.95 #B100 CREDIT CARD HOLDERS CALL TOLL FREE: 800/373-7105 OR FAX: 512/331-1924 FENAROLI'S: HANDBOOK Defines much of the arcane and OF FLAVOR INGREDIENTS specialized lexicon of the VOL I & II, 3RD EDITION flovorist. Vol. 1: includes 1995. The defini~ve guide to defini~ons, history, identifico~on , flavors. Provides regulatory descrip~ons of flavors, botanical KAVA· THE PACIFIC DRUG citations, FEMA numbers, source, ports used. Alphobe~col by Vincent Lebot, Mark Merlin substance iden~ty, names and lis~ng of opprox. 200 natural & Lamont Lindstrom. 1992. common synonyms, specifications flavor ingredients. Vol. 2: Summarizes literature ond for GRAS by FEMA, natural includes olphobe~collisting of research on Kovo's botany, sources, permitted and current use opprox. 1,000 synthe~c flavor chemistry, ethnobotony, levels in food, 350 oddi~onol ingredients listing the structure pharmacology, social usage, natural and synthetic substances ond formula. Conprehensive list distribu~on, ond economic iudged GRAS by FEMA. Features of the uses of flavor ingredients. poten~ol. B/'N photos, updated regulatory citations from Hardcover, 1,340 pp. illus., Hardcover, Chapter 21 of the Code of Federal $400. Set. #B091 255 pp. $4 5. #B032 Regulo~ons (CFR).

ISLANDS, PLANTS, AND POLYNESIANs- AN INTRODUCTION TO POLYNESIAN ETHNOBOTANY Paul Alan Cox and Sondra Anne Bonock (Eds.) 1991. Based on symposium sponsored by lnst. of Polynesian Studies, BYU, Hawaii. Discussions of plant CHINESE HERBAL CHINESE HERBAL environments, herbal medicine, MEDICINE-FORMULAS MEDICINE MATERIA linguis~c analysis, and more. MEDICA AND STRATEGIES lllus., Bj'N photos. Hardcover, by Don Bensky and Andrew by Don Bensky and Randall 228 pp. $34.95 #8042 Gamble. Revised Edi~on, 1993. Barolet. 1991 . Companion volume Extensive sourcebook about the to Chinese Herbal Medicine: most commonly used substances Materia Medico, the first book of in Chinese herbal medicine. Each Chinese medicinal formulas in herb is illustrated and iden~fied by English that is textbook for its pharmaceutical, botanical, and students ond reference for practi­ family names. Hardcover, 556 pp. tioners. 600 Chinese medicinal 380 illustro~ons. $7 5. #B003 formulas in 18 func~onol categories. 18 illustrations, THE INDIAN Hardcover, 562 pp. MATERIA MEDICA $85.#B004 by Or. Kim Nodkorni, two volumes. 1993. This updated classic, known as the Ayurvedic MEDICINAL PLANTS CHINESE HEALING "Bible," contains about 2000 OF CHINA FOODS AND HERBS herbs by botanical nome, by James A. Duke ond Edward S. by AlbertY. Leung. 1984. common Indian nome in six Ayensu. 1985, Two volumes. An Contains over 30 truly traditional, languages plus English, habitat, excep~onolly useful reference. The tested remedies, comprised of l 'lo.~l"::1"'~~~ ports used, varie~es, ornon and result of o colloboro~on between herbs, spices, ond conventional common historical uses. two of the world's leading botanists, foods. Includes trodi~onol Hardcover, 2,286 pp. this guide to Chinese medicinal plant medicinal preparo~ons ond $100.#8070 resources ond their uses is intended dosages which will enable the for use by biologists, chemists, and reader to toke o new look at laypersons. Covers 1, 240 species of trodi~onol Chinese medicine. Chinese medicinal plants. B/'N illus., lllus., Softcover, 192 pp. Hardcover, 705 pp. $94.95 #B048 $10.95 #B054

CHINESE DRUGS OF AN ILLUSTRATED DICTIONARY OF PLANT ORIGINS CHINESE MEDICINAL HERBS by W. Tong and G. Eisenbrand. by Wee Yeow Chin and Hsuong Keng. For reviews of select 1992. lnformo~on on recent 1992. AWestern approach hoping to remove odvonces/perspec~ves for some of the mystery surrounding Chinese new books, please future research into Chinese medicine. Alis~ng of over 270 Chinese medicinal materials. Bridge medicinal herbs, including scien~fic and see pages 63-69. between trodi~onol Chinese common names (with indexes), physical medicine and modern Western attributes, and historical use. Pertinent To order, see page 79. medicine. Chemical research results included. Color plates, illustrations. Hardcover, Hardcover, 184 pp. 1,056 pp. $169. #B035 $32.95 #8041

CREDIT CARD HOLDERS CALL TOLL FREE: 800/373-71 OS OR FAX: S12/331-1924 rom R AHANDBOOK AMAZONIAN HANDBOOK OF OF AFRICAN ETHNOBOTANICAL BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE MEDICINAL PLANTS DICTIONARY PHYTOCHEMICALS AND THEIR by Maurice M. lwu. 1990. by James Duke and Rudolpho Vasquez. AOIVITIES Reference text on ethnobotony, 1994. Excellent resource book on the by James A. Duke. 1992. chemical constituents, and wealth of botanicals in the Amazon, Chemical compounds listed probable therapeutic application of listing the use and common names of alphabetically, with explanations African medicinal plants. hundreds of plants. 2371ine drawings, of their biological activities. Hardcover, Hardcover, 435 pp. Softcover, 215 pp. 183 pp. s108 . #B027 $108.#B025 $34.95 #BOll DATABASE OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE PHYTOCHEMICALS AND THEIR ACTIVITIES by James A. Duke. 1992. The Handbook on IBM computer HANDBOOK OF ALTERNATIVE AHANDBOOK OF disk (Word Perfect 5.1 needed for database) $205. #B028 CASH CROPS EDIBLE WEEDS by James Duke &Judith L. duCellier. by James A. Duke. 1992. AHANDBOOK OF PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS 1993. Describes 128 alternatives to Detailed description, distribution OF GRAS, HERBS, AND OTHER ECONOMIC PLANTS conventional crops. Alphabetically data, and account of the plant's by James A. Duke. 1992. Chemical composition of 1,000 ordered by genus and species with utility. Aunique treatment only commonly used herbs and other plants of economic importance. information on ecology, cultivation, Duke could write. Numerous Covers 3,000 compounds. Hardcover, 654 pp. $206. #B026 harvesting, economics &biotic illustrations, Hardcover, factors. Invaluable for agricultural 246 pp. $39.95. #B024 DATABASE OF PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF extension agents, formers, and soil GRAS, HERBS, AND OTHER ECONOMIC PLANTS crop professionals. Illustrated, For IBM (PC compatibles, Word Perfect 5.1 required). Hardcover, 536 pp. $141. #B045 $209. #B026A

PHYTOPHARMACUETICAL BIOACTIVE NATURAL COLOUR ATLAS OF CHINESE ..------, TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS: DETECTION, TRADITIONAL DRUGS COlOUR AliAS 01 CHINISI by P. H. Ust and P. C. Schmidt. ISOLATION AND Edited by Notional Institute for the TRADITIONAl DRIGS 1989. Practical reference volume STRUCTURAL Control of Pharmaceutical and that aims to provide the basic DETERMINATION Biologocol Products. 1987. A information necessary to select By Steven M. Colegote and Russell collection of 500 color photos of the and operate machinery and to J. Molyneu x. 1993. Technical papers most important Chinese traditional process plant products through to from 32 experts on natural plant drugs, showing the natural the desired liquid, solid, or compounds used as anticancer drugs, community, appearance of the "'"'. UTitii.IISIJJIIt fll.a.Td. • powdered form. Hardcover, 37 4 immune stimulators, sweeteners, pantsI , on d th ed iognostic feotures ,__...... __ ...... _ ...,__ -J pp. $93.95 #B067 insecticides, and more. Hardcover, of flowers, fruits, leaves and roots. 528 pp. $169.95 #B068 Hardcover, 300 pp. A HANDBOOK OF $103.95 #B069 ~-... AYURVEDIC II \'-1!1\0r•, MEDICINAL PLANTS HERBAL DRUGS AND PHYTOPHARMACEUTICALS by L. 0. Kapoor. 1990. 50 Edited by Max Wich~. translated by Norman G. Bisset. 1994. This illustrations and descriptions of new translation of o respected German text provides references, HANDBOOK OF MEDICINAL HERBS over 250 plants used in Ayurvedic pharmocopeiol monographs, sources, synonyms, constituent by James A. Duke. 1988. Description and line drawings of 365 herbal medicine. An indispensable indications, side-effects, preparation of o teo, commercially available folk medicinal species with toxicity tables, chemistry, pharmacology, resource for physicians, phytomedicines, regulatory status, authentication using macroscopic, ethnobotany, and more. Hardcover, pharmacists, and those interested microscopic, and chromatographic techniques. 181 detailed 677 pp. $299. #B029 in the healing art. Hardcover, monographs of medicinal herbs. Color prints of the dried port and 416 pp. $257. #B023 whole plant in natural habitat. Hardcover, 568 pp. S179 .95 #BOBO

BOTANICAL INFLUENCES r.======~ SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS rr======il THE ECLECTIC MATERIA ON ILLNESS Specific by John M. Scudder. 1994. First The Eclectic MEDICA, PHARMACOLOGY by Melvin Werboch M.D. &Michael AND THERAPEUTICS Diagnosis published in 1874. "Or. Scudder T. Murray N.D . 1994. Reviews of maintained that there was o Materia Medica, by Harvey W. Felter, M.D. 1994 botanical treatments for 60 different definitive relationship between Pharmacology and first published in 1922. Endorsed T herapeutics illnesses. Materia Medico on 26 known drug action and known by the Notional Eclectic Medical common phytomedicines and conditions of disease as manifested Association. This work prescribes annotated list of resources. by symptoms, and upon this theory on the basis of the symptoms that Hardcover, 341 pp. $39.95 #B07 4 based his justly famed book. " the agent would either cure or by John M. Scudder -ilditor of the Gleaner, 18 75. by Harvey W. Felter, M.D. palliate. Felter's thoroughness L.::::=:=:=:=:=:::J Hardcover, 387 pp. $48. #BOBS makes this text ofavorite of '-======~ modern-day practitioners interested in herbal medicine. Hardcover, 764 pp. $95. #B082 These books ore not intended os a replacement of a health practitioner. CREDIT CARD HOLDERS CALL TOLL FREE: 800/373-7105 OR FAX: 512/331-1924 KREMERS AND URDANG'S GINSENG GINKGO BILOBA HISTORY OF PHARMACY A CONCISE HANDBOOK EXTRACT (EGb 761): by Glenn Sonnedecker. Revised 4th by James A. Duke. 1989. App~ing PHARMACOLOGICAL edition. 197 6. Comprehensive GINJtK~ o healthy scientific scepticism to ACTIVITIES AND history and leading textbook in U.S. some of the wilder claims mode lor CLINICAL APPLICATIONS A Concise ginseng, Dr. Duke throws light on by F. V. De Feudis, 1991. A colleges of Pharmacy. Originally Handbook published in 1940, Soltcover, exactly what is known about this technical review of much of the 571 pp. $18. #8073 ancient plant. He examines its experimental and clinical scientific history, taxonomy, chemistry, and research that has been conducted pharmacology and surveys the over the lost 25 years. Soltcover, economics of ginseng cultivation. 187 pp. $55. Vol. 1# 8016. JamaA. Duke 8/W illus., Hardcover, 273 pp. Vol. 2, 1992 $66. #80168. $39.95 #8047 Vol. 3, 1993 $68. #8016C.

THE YEW TREE, BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR ATHOUSAND WHISPERS ARIDLAND PLANTS by Hal Hartzell, Jr. 1991. Covers yews from Ed by Tom J. Mabry, Henry T. Nguyen, Richard A. mythology to modern medicine. The modern Dixon, and Maureen S. Bonness. 1993. The dilemma : the bark of this tree is at the center proceedings from on international symposium to of ostruggle between those who wont to evaluate local, regional, and international protect the slow growing, endangered species strategies lor biotechnology developments of and the drug companies which require it to midland plants. Topics range from physiological make toxol, on experimental on!Koncer drug. adaptations and genetic analysis, to marketing Soltcover, 319 pp. $19.95 #8066 of alternative crops. Soltcaver, 370 pp. $30.#8059

BOTANY-AN THE PLANT-BOOK, FLORA EUROPAEA, INTRODUCTION TO by D. J. Mobberley. 1987. VOLUME 1: PSILOTACAE PLANT BIOLOGY Comprehensive portable dictionary of TO PLATANACEAE by James D. Mouseth. 1991. flowering plants, conifers, and ferns Second Edition, editied by T. G. Excellent general botany will be of value to botanists, Tutin. 1994. Botanical reference textbook; lavish color photos and zoologists, gardeners, foresters, of the plants of Europe. First transparencies. Emphasis on agriculturists, journalists, and writers published 29 years ogo, the evolution by natural selection, who need o handy reference work on new edition is o great step analysis of botanical phenomena, plants. Soltcover, 706 pp. forward . 350 new toxo hove and diversity of organisms. $44.95 #8001 been included, hundreds new to Glossary and index, Hardcover, science. Hardcover, 581 pp. BOO pp. $61.7 5 #8036 $200.#8078

TIBETAN MEDICAL PAINTINGS Edited by Yuri Porlionovitch, Gyurme Do~e and Fernond Meyer. 1992. Two volumes. Illustrates the entire For Scientific, contents of oseventeenth century commentary on the most fundamental treatise of Tibetan medicine. Very detailed with one book containing the color plates and North American and their names. The second book uses numbered and labeled b/w versions of the color plates to describe all other book topics, the ingredients of the paintings. Hardcover, slipcosed, 505 pp. $195. #8034 please see pages 75-77. For books on Amazonian topics, please see page 47. To order, use page 79.

CREDIT CARD HOLDERS CALL TOLL FREE: 800/373-7105 OR FAX: 512/331-1924 Board of Trustees Mark Blumenthal Executive Oiredor This issue of HerbalGram features a special section on our recent "Pharmacy in the Rainforest" ethnobotany ecotour in hv1 James A. Duke, Ph.D. ERICAN the Peruvian Amazon. The response to Professional Advisory Board BoTfoNICAL this trip was so overwhelming that we Each issue of H ERBA!GRAM is reviewed by COUNCIL Norman R. Farnsworth, Ph.D. have had to set up three more trips this members of the Herb Research Foundation Professional Advisory Board prior to publication. year to accommodate the demand from pharmacists, physicians and the general President-Rob McCaleb public. We have received considerable Glenn Appelt, Ph.D. press coverage on the uniqueness of our Professor of Pharmacology project-especially the fact that pharma­ University of Colorado, Boulder cists can receive continuing education John A. Beutler, Ph.D. Barbara Johnston Managing Editor credit for attending. Natural Products Chemist National Cancer In sti tute Ro b McCaleb Technical Editor Of particular interest is Professor Robert A. Bye, Jr., Ph.D. Ginger Hudson-Moffei Art Director Varro Tyler's keynote address on the Professor of Ethnobotany Penny King Coordinator history of drug discovery from plants. Nati onal University of Mexico Forester Jay Hutchinson takes us on a Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D. Steven Foster Associate Editor Director, Institute for Traditional Medicine tour of the Amazonian Useful Plants and Preventive Health Care Trail while Kathy McKeon shows us a J ames A. Duke, Ph.D. Contributing Editors medicinal plant garden on the banks of Economic Botani st Dennis V. C. Awang, Ph.D. the Amazon. U.S. Department of Agriculture Koren Dean Also in this issue is a stimulating Norman R. Farnsworth, Ph.D. Research Professor of Pharmacognosy James A. Duke, Ph.D. article by Washington food and drug at­ and Senior Un iversity Scholar torney Bill Pendergast on the legal and University of lll inois at Chicago Norman R. Farnsworth, Ph.D. regulatory history and conflicts of the past Richard I. Ford, Ph.D. Christopher Hobbs Professor of Ethnobotany twenty years between the herb industry Un iversity of Michigan Steven R. King, Ph.D. and the FDA. Pendergast says that FDA Harriet Kuhnlein, Ph.D. Peter Landes must now realize that herbs are here to Professor of Nutrition Albert Y. Leung, Ph.D. McGi ll University stay- a fact that was repeatedly empha­ Ara Der Morderosion, Ph.D. sized at the Office of Alternative Albert Leung, Ph.D. Pharmacognosist Vorro E. Tyler, Ph.D. Medicine's conference on botanicals in Glen Rock, New Jersey Washington last December. In the con­ Walter Lewis, Ph.D. Andrew T. Weil, M.D . ferences section Steven Foster gives a Professor of Biology Washington University brief overview of this historic event Ara Der Marderosian, Ph.D. Circulation I Classified Advertising Manager Herbalist and author David Professor of Pharmacognosy Ma rgaret Wright Hoffmann presents the present day di­ Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and lemma in which herbalism (aka Science James D. McChesney, Ph.D. Woli Stopher Copy Editor phytotherapy) finds itself in America. Professor of Pharmacognosy While consumers have increasingly em­ University of Mississippi Karen Newton Editorial Assistant braced herbal medicine, health profes­ C. Dwayne Ogzewalla, Ph.D. sionals are only beginning to consider its Professor of Pharmacognosy Distribution Coordinator Un iversity of Cincinnati potential merits. Practicing "herbalists" J ames Ruth, Ph.D. Joni Weismann-McCioin and the use of herbs in healthcare are vir­ Professor of Medicinal Chemistry tually nonexistent. University of Colorado However, as the public increases its E. John Staba, Ph.D. Cecelia Thompson Accountant Professor of Pharmacognosy interest in herbs, health professionals are University of Minnesota H ERBAlGRAM is publi shed quarterl y by the Ameri can Botanical Council and the Herb also beginning to express interest in learn­ Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D. ing about the legitimate benefits of herbal Lilly Distinguished Professor Research Foundation as an educational project. Educational and business offices are medicine. As this process continues, of Pharmacognosy Purdue University at the American Botan ical Counci l, P.O. Box American consumers will have more op­ Phil Weber, M.D. 201660, Austin, Texas 78720. 512/331-8868. tions in selfcare and healthcare. Physician FAX 5 12/33 1-1924. Subscri ptions: $25/yr; Boulder, Colorado $45/2 yrs; $60/3 yrs. Foreign subscriptions, Andrew Weil, M.D. please add $10 per year. © 1995 American Physician and Author Botanical Council. ISSN #0899-5648. Tuscon, Arizona Printed in the U.S.A.

6 • H ERBALGRAM 33 The Journal of the American Botanical Council and the Herb Research Foundation Number 33 • Spring 1995 Departments Features

ABC News 8 FDA and the Herbal Industry: Problems, 23 Herb Blurbs 9 AntaSJonisms and a Possible Solution by William R. Pendergast Camouflaged Chamomile; Vanilla Orchid; Fennel Week Guest View: Some ChallenSJes FacinSJ 28 Jeevaka's Test 10 Herbalism in North America Retold by D. K. M . Kartha by David Hoffmann Research Reviews 13 Pharmacy From the Rainforest 33 by Rob McCaleb Special Supplement to H ERMLGRAM #33 Garlic's Cardiovascular Benefits Confirmed; Workshop tour in the Peruvian Amazon Anti-oxidant Effects of Garlic; Ayurvedic Longevity Formula; Lavender Oil Green Adventures 34 Aromatherapy; St. John 's Wort Treats by Penny King and Barbara Johnston Depression; Anti-emetic Compounds in Plant DruSJs, HealinSJ Herbs and 36 Ginger and Magnolia; Chinese Herbal Medicine Toxicity Phytomedicinals: Rainforest Conference Keynote Address Plant Patents 18 by Varro E. Tyler by Karen Dean A Riberefi.os Garden 38 LeSJal and ReSJulatory 19 by Kathy McKeon, photos by lan Hunter Clinton Says Law Brings "Common Sense" to Supplement Regulation ; ABC and HRF On the Amazonian Trail of Useful Plants 42 Publications Cited in Senate Report on Dietary Text and Photos by Jay Hutchinson Supplement Act; AHPA Issues Chinese Patent Medicine Policy Paradise Lost 49 by Dr. James A. Duke Conference Report 51 Symposium on Botanicals: A Role in U.S. Health Care?; Drug Discovery and Commercial Opportunities in Medicinal Plants; The Fifth International Mycological Conference Market Report 57 Chinese Dump Garlic in the U.S.; Supplement and Herb Sales Increase; Herbs and the Commodities Market In Memoriam 61 Ben Stone Book Reviews 63 Letters 70 Access 71 Calendar 71 Classified 72

Cover: Looking up. Photo by Kathy McKeon Right: Medicinal herbs featuring Una de Gato for sale in Peru. Photo by Penny King

(i HERBAi.GRAM is printed on recycled paper. ABC NEWS

''Herbs and Health" ABC to Market Video ABC Launches Pamphlet and Audio Tapes Pharmacy Continuing

ABC has just published a large quan­ ABC has begun selling video tapes of Education Program tity of a one-page, two-sided, four-color pam­ compelling herbal issues. The first two video phlet titled, "Herbs and Health." ABC is of­ projects are the "Pharmacy From the Rain­ The American Botanical Council fering this publication to herb companies to forest" videos, which includes tapes from (ABC) has joined with the Texas Pharmacy educate the general public on the benefits of workshops held in the Amazon rainforest Foundation (TPF) to offer pharmacy home October 22-29, 1994 (see page study continuing education programs in 47). The Office of Alternative phytomedicines. The initial courses have Medicine of the National In­ been approved by the American Council on stitute of Health authorized Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) in Chi­ ABC to audio and video tape cago. The first modules include the topics its conference on December "The History of Herbs in Pharmacy" and 14-16,1994, "Symposium on "Phytomedicinals and the Environmental Botanicals: A Role in U.S. Factor." These modules are based on ABC's Healthcare?" Future issues of Classic Botanical Reprints and include test Herbal Gram will announce questions which will be sent to TPF for grad­ upcoming available tapes. ing. Additional phytomedicine homestudy programs include video tapes of workshops at the "Pharmacy from the Rainforest" Ama­ zon trip and the Office of Alternative Medicine Botanicals Conference. For more information contact Penny King, American Botanical Council, P. 0. Box 201660, Austin, TX 78720. 512/331-8868. FAX 512/331-1924.

herbs. The pamphlets will be distributed in retail stores across the U.S. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of IN THE END, WE WILL CONSERVE ONLY WHAT WE LOV£, 1994 now allows manufacturers to distrib­ More Rainforest WE Will LOVE ONLY WHAT WE UNDERSTAND, ute balanced "third party" literature. ABC WE WILL UNDERSTAND ONLY WHAT WE ARE TAUGHT. has established itself as one of the leading Trips in '95 sources of credible herb information. The ABC pamphlet has been reviewed by lead­ Due to the overwhelming response to ing experts in the areas of herbs and the ethnobotanical trip to the Peruvian Ama­ medicinal plants to insure the accuracy of zon in the fall of I 994, ABC, in conjunction its contents. with the Texas Pharmacy Foundation and In­ ternational Expeditions, is offering three ex­ peditions to rainforests of Central and South America in 1995. The schedule is: May 20-28, Belize August 5-13, Costa Rica October 21-28, Peruvian Amazon Pharmacists may receive up to a year's AMERICAN BOTANICAL COUNCIL continuing education credits for participa­ TEXAS PHARMACY FOUNDATION tion. For details on the upcoming trips, see INTERNATIONAl EXPEDITIONS, INC· ACEER FOUNDATION the special Amazon section, page 48.

8 • HERBALGRAM 33 Chamomile is the common name given to the perennial fa­ vorite herb used in many teas. The name refers to the small yellow and white daisy-like members of the genus Matricaria (German chamomile) and the genus Anthemis (English or Roman chamomile). "Chamomile" derives from the Greek words chamai for "ground" and melon for "apple," as the ancient Greeks thought that thi s low­ growing plant had an apple-like fragrance. Another common Euro­ pean herb, germander, has the Latin name Teucrium chamaedrys, literally meaning "low-growing rods." Other English language words that derive from similar ori­ gins are camouflage from French, meaning "to blend into the ground or background," and chameleon, from the Greek, meani ng "low lion (leon) or ground lion."

When God, or Lord, made chamomile, He lent it power to ease and heal.

That simple flower in patience waits for someone with a stomache-ache.

But pain-racked man, that silly race, puts no faith in commonplace,

but calls for pills, says, "Goodness me! Roman or English Chamomile, Chamaemelum nobile Physician, spare me with your tea! " © 1995 Steven Foster -K. H. Waggeri, Austrian poet, in "The Humorous Herbarium" quoted from M. Wichtl's Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals (CRC Press, 1994). Sexy VaV\illa Orchid Botanists have long classified plants according to their sexual characteristics, i.e., the morphology or shape of their flowers. The orchid family (Orchidaceae) is so named because the orchid bulb or root resembles a man's scrotum, the Greek word for which is orchus. The popular flavoring vanilla, from Vanilla planifolia and other species, members of the orchid family, are so named because, when New World botanists returned this tropical plant to Europe, the beautiful vanill a flowers looked to them like a sheath. Hence, the Latin name, vanilla, from Spanish vaina, meaning "sheath" or "small scabbard" from the Latin vagina. So the term "vanilla orchid" includes nomenclature that encompasses both genders!

Fennel is Official Plant for 199 5 National Herb Week The International Herb Association (formerly the International Herb Growers & Marketers Association) announced that fennel (genus Foeniculum) is the official plant for National Herb Week May 8-14, 1995. Fennel was chosen for its versatility in use as o vegetable and fresh-cut herb, and to flavor medicines. Aperennial herb, fennel is generally grown as on an­ nual, and is o hardy and attractive landscape plant that serves as o host plant for butterfly larvae. Fennel seeds ore commonly used for their carmi­ native properties, aiding digestion and helping to dispel gas. Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare ©1 995 Steven Foster

HERBALGRAM 33 • 9 A legendary physician in the Jataka tales, Jeevaka, was Jeevaka replied, "Revered Aatreya, I did go around and taking his final examination after a protracted period of dis­ perform the task at hand. I have done similar searching and cipleship under his guru, Aatreya. experimenting throughout my long studies with you. I found For the practicals, Aatreya gave his students the following out today, as I have done before, that everything in Sarlaka and, task: Bring all those plants and animal products and minerals in fact, elsewhere as well-everything in nature-is filled with that have no medicinal value at all from the heavily wooded medicinal power. Not only the plants and animals and miner­ Sarlaka hills in the medical school's vicinity. They had a week to als, but also the wind and the sunlight and the birdsong and fulfill the task and to present the answer for the guru's scrutiny. fl ower smells and river sounds and cloud shadows heal. Some Aatreya's students left for the hills, carrying the tools heal humans, some heal animals. Some cure physical sicknesses necessary"for digging, uprooting, de-barking, cutting, peeling, and others cure mental sicknesses. The omnipresence of heal­ de .. hus~, cleaning, drying, etc., and disappeared into the ing is what I discovered today as I have done before. Please v.... f tile wc)()fts. evaluate my work on the basis of this answer." After wee~l' by one they all returned to the medical The rest of the story can easily be guessed. Aatreya had, school. W'st'Udents had coDected cartloads of leaves, of course, known the answer already, but he wanted to test his bar~ins, animal secretions, and student practically and individually, and Jeevaka gloriously e~ hkh tlley W found to"be totally devoid passed the test. In later life, Jeevaka went on to become a most illustnous and compassionate healer of everyone from King Bindusara, father of the Indian Emperor Ashoka, on down to ailing animals in the Buddhist kingdom of Magadha. It is perhaps this story t led to the creation of the following Sanskrit aphorism, weU-knowlt'ln the healing dreles of India: There is no trable without ID8D e teacher asked, "Jeevaka, how come your hands are person without good qualities; empty? Di ou decide not to take he examination or did you without medicinal...,,,. ... ,_...... not find anything that n medicinal?" powers and

("Healing," S nng l'J93) tO • HER BALGRAM 33 HERBALGRAM 33 • 11 Need the Facts?

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I HERB RFSEARCH FoUNDM10N ] RESEARCH REVIEWS by Rob McCaleb GARLIC'S CARDIOVASCULAR BENEFITS CONFIRMED Garlic and onions have been the subject of hundreds of sc ien­ at least over a few months. Resolving this si tuation will require tific studies and at least several dozen clinical studies on choles­ further trials that avoid the methodological problems of earlier studies terol-lowering effects. Some scientists, including British research­ and, in particular, last long enough and have adequate statistical ers Silagy and Neil, found many of these studies "suffered from power to detect whether any clear-cut benefits arise from the use of significant methodological shortcomings." These British research­ garlic." [Silgay, C. and Neil , A. , Garlic as a lipid lowering agent­ ers from the University of Oxford recently conducted a meta-analysis a meta-analysis, lrnl. of the Royal College of Physicians, Vol. 28 , of the clinical studies to date. Meta-analysis combines the results No. I, January !February, 1994, pp. 2-8.] of many studies and evaluates the results based on the quality of the research and repeatability of results. This analysis looked at 16 trials, representing the combined experience of 952 subjects. We previously reported on a meta-analysis by Warshafsky et al., which covered 28 clinical studies on garlic's ability to lower LDL choles­ terol (average 9% on the five studies to which researchers narrowed the focus) (see HerbalGram #30, p. II). Overall, those using garlic therapy achieved a 12% reduction in total cholesterol, compared with those taking a placebo. This reduction was evident after one month of garlic use and persisted for at least six months thereafter. Garlic powder products also sig­ nificantly lowered serum triglycerides. Side effects, "other than odour," were rare. Non-powder preparations included raw garlic ( I 0 g) and garlic oil ( 18 mg). The total reduction of cholesterol was greatest in the non-powder preparations, but these preparations ANTI-OXIDANT showed "significant heterogeneity ... [variation in baseline choles­ terol - Ed.] . All further analyses were therefore confined to the EFFECTS OF GARLIC powder preparations only." Interestingly, the authors comment that Japanese researchers have documented anti-oxidant and free the effect of increasing dosages of garlic powder within the 600- radical scavenging effects of aged garlic extract (AGE) and its con­ 900 mg range did not produce any clinically or statistically signifi­ stituents. Previous research had shown garlic to prevent tumor pro­ cant difference in the effect. The 600 mg dose of dried garlic pow­ motion, cardiovascular di sease, and aging processes which are as­ der was as effective as the 900 mg effect on total cholesterol. They sociated with free radicals. The current in vitro study demonstrated also noted that the effective garlic therapy on serum cholesterol pro­ that AGE has a potent free radical scavenging activity. The test gressively increased between the first and third months. measured the damage to liver microsomes by an oxidizing agent Garlic powder preparations also reduced triglycerides by 13 %. called t-butyl hydroperoxide. Aged garlic extract inhibited the ap­ One trial compared the effect of garlic therapy against a pharma­ parent damage, while water extracts of raw garlic and heat-treated ceutical lipid-lowering agent, bezafibrate. "Although both agents garlic showed no inhibition. AGE was prepared by extraction of were effective, they did not differ significantly." The authors were raw garlic slices in ethyl alcohol for 10 months at room tempera­ impressed with thi s magnitude of effect: "the similar effect on lipid ture. It contained 1.7 mg/g of alliin, but no measurable allicin. The levels of dried garlic powder and of bezafibrate is promising. Data water extract of raw garlic contained no measurable alliin but was from systematic reviews of the magnitude of lipid lowering with high in allicin. Heat-treated garlic extract was high in alliin but not other non-pharmacological measures , such as oat products and di­ allicin. AGE was higher in a sulfur compound called S-allylcysteine, etary advice, suggest much more modest reductions in total serum which was found to have antioxidant activity. Thi s result is another cholesterol." The only significant side effect reported by any study salvo in the continuing saga of the garlic wars. At issue is which concerned "a garlic smell." types of preparations best capture the health benefits of garlic. But While this meta-analysis confirmed the lipid-lowering effect the major benefit of all this research may be in our increasing un­ of garlic, the 16 studies evaluated in the analysis were characterized derstanding of the complex chemistry of garlic. As with all in vitro as relatively poor studies. Over 80% were considered poor in their research (lab experiments in glassware), it is difficult to extrapolate control of bias at entry; over half were considered poor in control of the results to living animals. By far the most active garlic compounds bias after entry; and around 40% were considered poor in outcome were the amino acid glutathione, produced naturally in our bodies, assessment. Only about ten percent of the studies were character­ and S-allylmercapto-L-cysteine, a chemical which consumers are ized as good in their outcome assessment or their control of bias at unlikely to remember to look for in their garlic supplements. entry. [Imai, J., Ide, N. , Nagae, S. , Moriguchi, T., Matsuura, H. , and The results of the study were quite positive, but were tem­ Itakura, Y. Antioxidant and Radical Scavenging Effects of Aged pered by this statement: "Garlic is not a licensed medication and Garlic Extract and its Constituents. Planta Med. Vol. 60, 1994. pp. there is not enough evidence to recommend garlic therapy as an 417-420.] effective lipid lowering agent for routine clinical use. However, there is also no evidence to suggest it is harmful. The current avail­ able data support the likelihood of garlic therapy being beneficial,

HERBALGRAM 33 • 13 RESEARCH REVIEWS

AYURVEDIC LONGEVITY fORMULA

In 1981, Professor D. Harman proposed the free-radical theory Rasayans: Centella asiatica (Gotu kola), Phyllanthus emblica, of aging in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Withania somnifera (Aswagandha), as well as Tinospora cardifolia According to this theory, one of the main chemical reactions in­ (Guduchi). Researchers from India's Kurukshertra University re­ volved in aging is the damage of DNA and cells, especially cell ported in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences last year membranes, by highly reactive chemical compounds called free radi­ on an experiment involving this formula. In this placebo-controlled cals. The superoxide free radical is one of the most active and has study, scientists measured the levels of the two free radical quench­ led to the use of the term "oxidative damage" to describe the effect ing enzymes (SOD and CAT) and the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of the superoxide free radical in damaging healthy cells and tissues. in the brains of rats, some of which were given the Ayurvedic remedy. Such damage when it involves membranes of nerve cells is thought The results were remarkable. The animals in the active group to be the primary cause of aging of an organism. In healthy young showed SOD and CAT levels increased by 24 and 30% respectively animals, the enzyme superoxide di smutase (SOD) eliminates the in aged mice, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating free radicals and spares the tissues from damage. This process pro­ cellular damage, decreased by 26%. The dosage used in the experi­ duces hydrogen peroxide, which is then eliminated by another en­ ment was 900 mglkg body weight orally daily for two months. The zyme called catalase (CAT). If enough of these two enzymes is authors were apparently quite impressed with the results, and con­ present, little oxidative damage occurs. However, when free radi­ cluded, "As is evident from the present results, Geriforte has a cals are not being destroyed, they damage the cell membranes and marked potency to induce a large amount of SOD and CAT produc­ produce another chemical called malondialdehyde (MDA), which tion against the damaging effects of free radicals. We can safely is a product of lipid peroxidation; an indicator of cell membrane say that Geriforte is an ideal geriatric tonic for promoting health damage. and longevity. However, further investigations are needed to eluci­ The ancient healing art of Ayurveda utilizes a group of tonic date the exact mode of action of individual ingredients of Geriforte herbs called Rasayans to "bring about balance in physiology, en­ in the aging process." [Singh, B., Sharma, S.P. , and Goyal, R. , Evalu­ hance immunity, and retard aging." A commercial formula called ation of Geriforte, an Herbal Geriatric Tonic, on Antioxidant De­ Geriforte is an herb and mineral compound, including three fense System in Wistar Rats. Ann NY Acad Sci. Vol 717, 1994. pp. 170-173.]

AROMA THERAPY

Much of the scientific research which is cited to support the efficacy of aromatherapy involves the internal consumption of essential oils with known medicinal effects, or their topical use against skin diseases. Now Japanese scientists have documented an anticonvulsive effect from inhaling lavender oil vapor. As a flrst step toward clinical evaluation of sedative or hypnotic use of lavender in humans, the researchers showed that 15 minutes of inhaling natural lavender oil prevented convulsions in mice. It also appeared to reduce the toxicity of nicotine. The protection against nicotine toxicity was strongly dose-dependent, with maxi­ mum protection offered by one ml of lavender oil inhaled over a 15 minute timespan. "At present, details of the mechanism by which lavender oil vapor inhalation affects anti-convulsant action are not clear." The authors believe the effects may be based on an augmentation of the brain's natural calming mechanism which in­ volves a neurotransmitter called GABA. [Yamada, K., Mimaki, Y., and Sashida, Y. , Anticonvulsive Effects of Inhaling Lavender Oil Vapour, Bioi. Pharm. Bull., Vol. 17, No. 2, February, 1994, pp.359-360.]

Lavender, Lavandula spp. © 1992 Steven Foster

14 • HERBALGRAM 33 St. John's Wort, Hypericum perforatum ©1995 Steven Foster

Clinical trials of St. John's Wort (Hypericum peiforatum) ex­ for the patient's feeling of health to be disturbed substantially, are tract demonstrated its effectiveness in the treatment of mild to mod­ not suited for the treatment of mild depression, because experience erate depression in a double-blind study of 105 patients. The active has shown that such side effects affect the patient's compliance, group took 300 mg of St. Johns Wort extract, three times a day, for and because the best preparation is useless if the patient refuses to a period of four weeks. The patients were male and female, 20 to take it regularly. Such prejudice toward the 'classical' synthetic 64 years old, with depressive symptoms in two diagnostic catego­ antidepressants and the lack of willingness to accept the side effects ries: neurotic depression, and temporary depressive mood. The pa­ caused by them is particularly widespread among patients affected tients were evaluated at the start of the study, and after two and four by mild forms of depression .. . the Hypericum preparations were weeks of treatment. The extract used was identified as "LI 160" found to have an antidepression effect in the treatment of mild and from Lichtwer Pharma in Germany. By the end of four weeks of moderate depressions which can be compared to the therapeutic treatment 67 % in the Hypericum group had responded positively to effect of traditional antidepressants, and did not cause any undesir­ the treatment versus only 28% in the placebo group. able side effects. Hence, according to the authors' point of view, Psychiatric medications are notorious for side effects and the Hypericum should be used as a remedy of choice in the treatment of need for safer antidepressants is widely acknowledged, even by the such categories of depressions which in practice are most widely Director of New Drug Approval at the FDA, Dr. Robert Temple, in spread." comments before the botanical medicines working group of the Office of Alternative Medicine. The authors of this study comment The authors caution that Hypericum preparations "are not on this balance between effectiveness and side effects: suited for the treatment of serious depressions." [Harrer, G. and Sommer, H., Treatment of mild/moderate depressions with "The therapeutic value of an antidepressant does not only Hypericum, Phytomedicine, Vol. 1, 1994, pp. 3-8.]. depend on its anitdepressive effects, but also on the type and extent of the side effects occurring in the treatment. Preparations which, as a result of the undesirable side effects caused by them, provide

HERBALGRAM 33 • 15 RESEARCH REVIEWS

ANTI-EMETIC COMPOUNDS IN GINGER AND MAGNOLIA

Japanese researchers Kawai et al. set out to de­ emetic principles of the magnolia bark, while six chemi­ termine which of the many chemical compounds present cal compounds were determined to be important to the in two herbs traditionally used aga inst nausea showed activity of gi nger root. The most active of the compounds the hi ghest activity. The "bioassay of anti-emetic were [ 10]-shogaol from gi nger and magnalol from mag­ activity" utilized frogs fed orally with small earth­ nolia. However, even more impressive results were worms, and then also treated orall y with doses of the obtai ned fro m eugenol and methyleugenol obtained magnolia and ginger compounds in the range of 10 to fro m cloves (Syzygium aromaticum). The authors 1,000 mg/kg body weight. Overall, ginger root (Zingiber note that clove is also a traditional herbal remedy used officinale) proved to be more effective than magnolia bark for its anti-emetic activities. [Kawai, T., Kinoshita, (Magnolia obovata) as an anti-emetic. The magnolia, how­ K., Takahashi , K. Anti-Emetic Principles of Magnolia ever, proved to be chemically si mpler as two compounds, obovata Bark and Zingiber officinale Rhizome. Planta magnolol and honokoliol, were determined to be the anti- Med. Vol. 60, 1994. pp.l7-20.]

Ginger, Zingiber officinale, by Ira Kennedy from The Herbal, John Gerard, 1633

CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE TOXICITY

Researchers from the Department of Clinical Pharmacology In two cases, patients were inadvertently given podophyllum (Podo­ at Chinese University of Hong Kong described some recent prob­ phyllum spp .) instead of gen ti an. Podophyllum emodi is hi ghl y irri­ lems in volving Chinese medicines in the British medical journal tati ng and toxic, while Gentiana spp. are a mild appetite stimulant. Th e Lancet. They began by stating that the use of Chinese herbal Additionally, Chinese proprietary medicines may contain medicines and Chinese proprietary medicines rarely causes signifi­ Western drugs, including acetaminophen, aspirin, antihistamines, cant toxic effects. In fact, according to a recent study, Chinese and even steroids. In Hong Kong at least, the manufacturer's infor­ herbal and proprietary medicines caused only 0.2% of all acute mation insert usuall y lists these ingredients, but according to the medical admissions in Hong Kong. However, there are problems authors, "may not warn of their side effects." In addressing these and they are pointed out in this article to alert medical professionals problems, the authors point the finger squarely at Hong Kong. and the general public. "By contrast with Taiwan and mainland China, there is at The authors state that at least 7,000 species of medicinal plants present no federal supervision or regulation of sales or prescrip­ are used in China, and that of the 150 species most commonl y used, tions of Chinese herbal medicines in Hong Kong, partl y because I 0 are toxic. In Hong Kon g, most cases of serious poi soning are the government is re luctant to interfere with Chinese cu lture and caused by the use of aconite, Aconitum kushezoff and A. carmichaele, practice. known in Chinese as Fu zi, which is used to treat rheumati sm, ar­ "Although some of these traditional and proprietary medi­ thritis, brui ses, and fractures. Acon ite therapy req uires precise cines may not be readily ava il able in Western countries, many over­ amounts of this toxic plant to be used and a curi ng process which seas Chinese manage to obtain them through visiting friends or by reduces the toxicity. Adverse reactions with properly cured acon ite postal delivery. There is increasing concern about the safety of some used within the context ofTCM are quite rare. Failure to follow the of these preparations, both among the medical profession and the preparation instructions precisely, along with variable amounts of general public, and a work ing party has been set up to review prac­ active ingredi ents in the root, make this an unpredictable medica­ ti ces as regards the use of Chinese medi ci ne in Hong Kon g with the tion. In some cases practitioners have been blamed; for example, in aim of improving surveillance." For aU. S. herb industry response several cases in which patients had been prescribed doses of aco­ to this problem, see the American Herbal Products Associations nite of seven to ll grams, far in excess of the usual recommended policy on Chinese patent medicines on page 29. dose of 1.5 to 4.5 grams. [Chan, T. , Chan, J.C.N., Tomlinson, B., and Critchley, J. Mi sidentification of Chinese medicines can also occur because Chinese Herbal Medicines Revisited: A Hong Kong Perspective. of "similarity in appearance or confusion about the nomenclature." The Lancet. Vol. 342, Dec. 18/25, 1993. pp. 1532-15 34.]

16 • HER BALGRAM 33 Bring Nature Back into Modern Health Care!

erbs were our first medicines, and have brought us nearly every medicinal breakthrough H in history. For most of the world, herbs are still the major drugs used in primary-not alternative-health care. For hundreds of years, chamomile flowers have been individually hand­ picked to make a calming tea, fragrant perfumes, and soothing baths. Cultivation of chamomile supports hundreds of farm­ ers in developing countries. This herb is recognized as safe and effective medicine in most advanced nations, but not in this country. In the U.S., inappropriate FDA Fieldworkers in Egypt gather chamomile. Photo by Rob McCaleb. regulation prevents the legitimate use of herbs for health. The Herb Research Foundation is Call us today with your Visa or MasterCard to join working to bring herbs back into health the Herb Research Foundation, and become a part of care through science and education. HRF returning natural health care to prominence in the U. S. educates lawmakers, scientists, and the and abroad. Memberships start at $35 for individuals, public with facts about the safety and ef­ with special benefits for larger contributors. fectiveness of natural health care. HRF Your membership provides: helps to prove that herbs can improve world health and welfare in its role as a • a one-year subscription to HerbalGram (a $25 value) • a free Info-Packet, with basic information on your choice major center of herb documentation, re­ of herbs or health topics from over 150 available subjects search, and education. HRF reaches mil­ • discounts on all research services, from one article to lions of people every month, from the lay­ everything we can find person to the lawmaker, with reliable in­ • access to herb information from our library of over 50,000 formation about herbs for health. When books and articles we start growing more of our medicine, in­ Most important, your membership supports projects in stead of making synthetics, we can achieve: health care research, public and professional education, legislative action, environmental conservation, and • more preventive medicine international development. • safer, more affordable medicine • healthful crops for the family farm To join, call us toll-free: • income for developing nations • sustainable use of wilderness areas 1(800)748-2617 • better health and longer lives or write Join us in this vision! You can help Herb Research Foundation HRF advance natural health care, while 1007 Pearl St., Suite 200 becoming one of the world's most herbally Boulder, CO 80302 PLANT PATENTS

by Karen Dean

Alkaloids of Picralima nitida used ceed slowly indeed. Iwu plans to encourage (Geranium viscosissimum), balsam root for treatment of protozoal diseases. In­ local companies and practitioners to develop (Balsamorhiza sagittata), sagebrush vented by Maurice M. Iwu et al., and as­ the plant extracts as phytomedicines when (Artemesia tridentata), African mint signed to the U.S. Secretary of the Army, he returns the technology to the source (Ocimum canum), and Bergamot's mint or Washington, D.C. U.S . Patent 5,290,553 is­ country, Nigeria. American Cyanimid has horse mint (Monarda fistulosa)-whose sued March I, 1994. indicated interest in entering into a non­ leaves produce volatile compounds that ef­ A Walter Reed Army Institute research exculsive agreement for the alkaloids with fectively control many insects in agricultural team headed up by pharmacognosist Maurice the research team. soils and in the storage environment. The Iwu has identified several plant alkaloids, compounds killed exposed storage insects or alstonine, dimeric indole alkaloids, and modified their behavior, reproductive activi­ akuamine, that could become the first broad­ ties, and impaired their reproductive success. spectrum antiprotozoal product, a develop­ Dunkel has applied for a second patent ment that would revolutionize the treatment covering a screening assay she developed to of parasitic protozoal diseases as dramati­ identify the plants with anti-insect activity cally as sulfa drugs revolutionized the treat­ out of the many aromatic plant species that ment of bacterial diseases 60 years ago. grow worldwide in such varied environments The investigators tested extracts from as rangelands, deserts, and rain forests. Her seeds, fruit-rind, and stem-bark of Picralima second patent also covers methods of nitida, Gongronema latifolia, Rothmania formulating and delivering active plant withfieldii, Desmodium gangeticum, and compounds to the storage environment. Dorstenia multiradiata for activity against Dunkel has also started looking at the the protozoans that cause malaria (Plasmo­ effects of the concentrated volatiles on such dium falciparum), leishmaniasis (Leishma­ metals as brass, copper, aluminum, and steel, nia chagasi and L. mexicana), and Pine nuts, Pinus spp. all of which may go into sensitive compo­ trypanosomiasis (Trypanosoma brucei). All nents of the delivery equipment or target the plant extracts showed some activity environment. against one or more of the parasites, and ex­ Once Dunkel has enlisted the finan­ tracts of P nitida even inhibited drug-resis­ cial support of a commercial partner, she will tant strains of P falciparum. Insecticidal or insect behaviorally move on to the next stage of development, Millions of people throughout the active preparations from aromatic plants. which will address optimization of produc­ tropics suffer from malaria, leishmaniasis, Invented by Florence V. Dunkel et al. , and tion, storage, and delivery systems, and field and trypanosomiasis. Several strains of the assigned to Research and Development In­ testing of active plants. (Previous coverage protozoans that cause these diseases do not stitute, Inc., at Montana State University, of Dr. Dunkel's work can be found in respond to conventional anti protozoal thera­ Bozeman, MT. U.S. patent 5,306,497 issued Herba!Gram #28, p. 7; #30, p. 8.) pies. Outside the tropics, immuno-compro­ April 26, 1994. mised patients face a serious threat from op­ Research from the lab of Montana portunistic protozoal and fungal infections. State University entomologist Florence Method of extracting a physiologi­ lwu and his group hope that their plant alka­ Dunkel could help replace the ozone-deplet­ cally active substance from the husks of loids will lead to the development of broad­ ing, petroleum-based fumigant, methyl bro­ pine nuts and anticontagion medicine spectrum antiprotozoal and antifungal drugs. mide, with a safe, renewable alternative made of said extract as principal raw ma­ The U.S. Army, which has joined the based on volatile compounds extracted from terial. Invented by Masazumi Yoshihara et World Health Organization in support of the leaves of certain aromatic plants. For al., and assigned to Masazumi Yoshihara, Iwu 's work, offers nonexclusive licenses or many years, methyl bromide has been the Hiroshima, Japan. U.S. Patent 5,241,091 Cooperative Research and Development standard fumigant for control of insects that issued August 31, 1993. Patent covers ex­ Agreements (CRADAs) to companies inter­ infest and damage stored food and plant­ traction of a physiologically active granular ested in developing the plant leads into com­ based imported goods such as grass, woven acid polysaccharide from husks of pine nuts, mercial products. rush mats and carpeting, and wooden items. (Pinus strobus) and use of the extract as an Despite lwu's promising results, nei­ Freezing has also been used as an alterna­ anticontagion medicine that activates im­ ther U.S. nor European pharmaceutical tive. Operators of storage facilities and trans­ mune function of the polymorphonuclear houses have shown interest in following the portation companies will have to find a new leukocytes. Inventor claims the method of leads. The greatest demand for antiparasitic fumigant by 1996, when the Montreal Pro­ extraction and production of an antiviral, medications comes from people in countries tocol starts phasing in and methyl bromide antibacterial granular acid polysaccharide that can least afford the high prices that new will go off the market. that stimulates immune response more drugs demand. Without industrial input, Dunkel has identified and patented the effectively than conventional antitumor work on the antiparasitic alkaloids will pro- use of five aromatic plants-sticky geranium polysaccharides.

18 • HERBALGRAM 33 LEGAL AND REGULATORY

CLINTON SAYS LAW BRINGS ''COMMON SENSE'' TO SUPPLEMENT REGULATION

The following is a statement by President Bill Clinton issued from the White House on November 13, 1994, after he signed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act into law. For a review and analysis of this new law, see the article in HerbalGram #32, pp. 18-20.

• f Today I am pleased to signS. 784, the "Dietary Supple- ...agenCieS 0 ment Health and Education Act of 1994." After several years ••• an unofficial of intense efforts, manufacturers, experts in nutrition, and government legislators, acting in a conscientious alliance with consum­ army of ers at the grassroots level, have moved successfully to bring charged with common sense to the treatment of dietary supplements un­ nutritionally der regulation and law. • protecting the More often than not, the Government has been their COnSCIOUS ally. And the private market has responded to this develop­ food supply ment with the manufacture of an increasing variety of safe people supplements. and the But in recent years, the regulatory scheme designed to worked • promote the interests of consumers and a healthful supply of rights of good food has been used instead to complicate choices con­ democratically sumers have made to advance their nutritional and dietary COnSUmerS goals. With perhaps the best of intentions agencies of gov­ to change ernment charged with protecting the food supply and the have... limited rights of consumers have paradoxically limited the informa­ tiOn to make healthful choices m an area that means a great the laws the deal to over 100 million people. • And so, an historic agreement was finally reached in 1n an area the Congress this year that balances their interests with the information Nation's continued interest in guaranteeing the quality and deeply safety of foods and products available to consumers. This to make agreement was embodied inS. 784, legislation sponsored in important the Senate by Senator Orrin Hatch and Senator Tom Harkin, healthful in the House by Congressman Bill Richardson, and passed to them. • with the help of Senator Edward Kennedy, Congressman John Ch OICeS... Dingell, Congressman Henry Waxman, and scores of cospon­ sors in the House and Senate. Simply said, the legislation amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish new standards for the regulation of dietary supplements including vitamins, min­ erals, and herbs. The passage of this legislation speaks to the determi­ nation of the legislators involved, and I appreciate their work. But most important, it speaks to the diligence with which an unofficial army of nutritionally conscious people worked democratically to change the Jaws in an area deeply impor­ tant to them. In an era of greater consciousness among people about the impact of what they eat and how they live, indeed how long they live, it is appropriate that we have finally re­ formed the way Government treats consumers and these supplements in a way that encourages good health. 0

HERBALGRAM 33 • 19 LEGAL AND REGULATORY

ABC AND HRF PUBLICATIONS CITED IN SENATE REPORT ON DIETARY SUPPLEMENT ACT

The Dietary Supplement Health and Foster, Steven. "Milk Thistle, Silybum Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) was passed marianum." American Botanical Council by Congress and signed into law in October Botanical Series #305; "Legalon 990," of 1994. A Senate Report from the Com­ Madaus AG, Cologne, Germany); improve­ mittee on Labor and Human Resources ac­ ment of the peripheral circulation so impor­ companying Senate Bill 784 contains a sec­ tant to the elderly (see ginkgo references tion on herbs which makes numerous refer­ cited below); improvement of night vision ences to publications of the American Bo­ (Belleoud, et al. "Study on the effects of an­ tanical Council and the Herb Research Foun­ thocyanin glycosides on the night vision of dation. Section II of the Report, "Background flight personnel"); and reduction of risk fac­ and Need for Legislation," deals with sev­ tors associated with cardiovascular disease eral subsets of dietary supplements: "The (e.g., garlic and ginkgo) and possibly even Potential of Vitamins and Minerals," some forms of cancer. "Herbs," and "Amino Acids and Other Di­ Unlike many drugs, the role of herbal etary Supplements." The section on herbs is dietary supplements is to enhance the diet reprinted here in its entirety. (For a more by adding safe and natural plants and their complete review of the major components constituents to support and protect bodily of the DSHEA, see HerbalGram #32, pp. 18- functions and processes. Containing com­ 20.). There are a total of five references to binations of numerous naturally-occurring articles in HerbalGram plus two references plant chemicals, herbs generally act in a to additional ABC publications, the Botani­ wider, more general, less specific way than cal Series on Milk Thistle by Steven Foster most single-ingredient pharmaceutical drugs. and one of ABC's Classic Botanical Reprints. Their actions are more "gentle" than conven­ The following is the copy of pages 10- tional medicines and work usually in more 12 of the Report with slight edits of typo­ long-term situations (Weiss, R.F. 1988, graphical errors in the references: Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield Publishers, England). Increasingly, Americans are using A recent review of 28 clinical studies herbal supplements to enhance their diets demonstrated that garlic helps reduce blood with substances found in plants and veg­ serum cholesterol levels (Warshafsky, S. et etables. Modem diets lack many novel con­ al., "Effect of garlic on total serum choles­ stituents found only in herbal products. terol: A meta-analysis"; Annals of Internal This year, the National Institutes of Med. (1993) 119(7) (part 1):599-605). The Health, through the Office of Alternative scientific literature abounds with documen­ Medicine, will hold a conference on the tation of the cardiovascular and other health "Role of Botanicals in American Health benefits of garlic. (Klein, S. (trans.), Koch, Care." This conference was the result of rec­ H. and Hahn, G., 1988. Garlic: Fundamen­ ognition by NIH/OAM, the scientific com­ tals ofthe Therapeutic Application ofAllium munity, the herb industry, consumers, and sativum L. Urban & Schwarzenberg; also even the FDA, that there is increased usage Lawson, L.D. 1993. "Bioactive organosulfur of herbal products by millions of American compounds of garlic and garlic products: role consumers with potential health benefits. in reducing blood lipids." In Kinghorn, A.D. Some ofthe important protective ben­ and Balandrin, M.F. (eds.) Human Medici­ efits herbs provide include: enhancement of nal Agents from Plants, American Chemical the general immune system to ward off colds Society, 306-330.) and flu (citations in Hobbs, Christopher. Another recent review of multiple 1994. "Echinacea: A Literature and Review: clinical studies found that standardized ex­ Botany, History, Chemistry, Pharmacology, tract of ginkgo promotes peripheral circula­ Toxicology, and Clinical Use." HerbalGram tion particularly in the elderly (Kleijnen, J. #30, 33-48); protection of the liver from di­ and Knipshild, P., "Ginkgo biloba." The Lan­ etary and environmental toxins (citations in cet (1992) 340:1136-1139.). The scientific

20 • HERBALGRAM 33 LEGAL AND REGULATORY

ECHINACEA A LITERATURE REVIEW

herbs as dietary adjuncts and advocate their proper use. In the 1970s, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued several resolu­ tions recommending the use of herbal prepa­ rations by local populations to promote health and reduce disease risks. (Akerele, 0. 1988. "Medicinal Plants in Primary Health Care: An Agenda for Action." Fitoterapia 59(5):355-363, published in American Botanical Council's Classic Bo­ tanical Reprint #220). In 1991 , WHO issued its "Guidelines for the Assessment of Herbal Medicines" to assist the regulatory bodies of member nations in developing rational approval processes for evaluating the qual­ ity, safety and efficacy of herbal products and medical evidence for ginkgo is so com­ based on hi storical and cultural usage com­ pelling that at least four books have been bined with modern scientific research published documenting the circulatory and (Akerele, 0. 1992. "Summary of WHO related health benefits of ginkgo extract and Guidelines for the Assessment of Herbal its constituents (Fungfeld, E.W. (Ed. ) Rokan: Medicines." HerbalGram #28, 13-20). Ginkgo biloba: Recent Results in Pharma­ Many modern, industrialized nations cology and Clinic, 1988, Springer-Verlag; such as Canada, England, France and Ger­ Braquet, P. Ginkgolides: Chemistry, Biology, many have regulatory systems that acknowl­ Pharmacology and Clinical Perspective, Vol. edge the benefits of hundreds of herbs. 1, 1988, J.R. Prous and Vol. 2, 1989; (Tyler, V.E. 1993. "Phytomedicines in West­ DeFeudis, F.V. Ginkgo biloba Extract (EGb ern Europe: Their Potential Impact on Herbal 761 ): Pharmacological Activities and Clini­ Medicine in the United States," in Kinghorn, cal Applications, 1991 , Elsevier). A.D. and M.F. Balandrin (eds.) Human Me­ Numerous other pharmacological and dicinal Agents from Plants, American clinical studies reveal that ginseng enhances Chemical Society; also in Herbal Gram #30, endurance and stamina (Shibata, S. et al., pp. 24-30, 67, 68, 77). "Chemistry and Pharmacology of Panax." In Germany, beginning in 1993, medi­ Economical and Medicinal Plant Research, cal doctors have had to prove competency in Vol. 1 (1985), Academic Press, London, the area of phytotherapy, the use of herbal pp. 217-254; Bailey, W.G. et al., Proceed­ products in therapy (Blumenthal, M. , "Ger­ ings ofthe International Ginseng Conference man MDs Required to Pass Herb Exam." 1994, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, 1992. HerbalGram #26, p. 45). All over in press). the world, herbs are being used by growing Several clinical studies indicate that numbers of consumers. Herb product sales the common spice ginger relieves nausea and continue to climb and regulatory authorities stomach distress (Bona, M.E. et al., "Gin­ are developing rules for the proper labeling ger root-a new antiemetic. Anesthesia of these products (Kuipers, S. and (1990) 45:669-672). Another study showed Farnsworth, N.R., etal. 1995. "Herbal Medi­ that pine bark extract contains potent anti­ cines-A Continuing World Trend." oxidants-proanthocyanidins which can HerbalGram #33 (in press)*). 0 have a number of preventive health benefits (Masquelier, J. , "Pycnogenols: Recent ad­ *[This article is being edited for pub­ vances in the therapeutic activity of lication in a future issue of HerbalGram. At procyanidins." J. Medicinal Plant Research, the time the Senate Report was written last (July, 1980) pp. 243-256). summer, the article was scheduled for this Respected medical and scientific au­ issue.-Ed.] thorities recognize the important role of

HERBALGRAM 33 • 21 LEGAL AND REGULATORY

AHPA ISSUES CHINESE PATE NT MEDICINE POLICY

The American Herbal Products steam-heated vats which are either ceramic . garding the manufacture of these products or steel. The final products may contain as in East Asia-which includes the People's Association released, in September many as 30 or 40 individual ingredients or Republic of China (Mainland China), Tai­ 1994, a policy report on Chinese as few as one or two primary herbs. The wan, Japan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia-is general level of cleanliness and adherence not consistently strict. In China there is a patent medicines. This policy follows to good manufacturing practices varies from separate government agency, the National continuing reports of adulteration of factory to factory. Some are well known as Traditional Chinese Medicine Administra­ producing consistently high quality products, tion, which regulates the manufacture and herbal patent medicines with Western others are not. These products have long sale of traditional Chinese medicines. This prescription drugs.* We present the been sold and used in China in ways similar agency has published regulations (now only AHPA policy in its entirety. to our OTC category products in the U. S. available in Chinese) called The Quality and Today they are found in all types of stores Species of Common Traditional Chinese throughout China and Asia. China's 2,000- Medicines. Chinese patent medicines are a group year history of use of traditional medicine Examples of some of the more com­ of products developed, manufactured, and includes the use of such herbal products. mon patents available are Yin Chiao Pien (for packaged in East Asia. The term "patent" is They are based on traditional usage of for­ colds) and Po Chi (for indigestion). Al­ an awkward translation for the ready-to-take, mulas or individual herbs. Some are for though most of these products contain only prepared medicines seen in Chinese commu­ chronic conditions, others for short-term herbs, there have been instances in which the nities. According to Dr. He X ian-Guo of the symptomatic relief of self-limiting condi­ product contained an isolated chemical sub­ Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, a bet­ tions. The "patent" remedies are the pre­ stance. For example, lin Bu Huan contains ter translation would be "Chinese Prepared packaged versions of these traditional for­ 30% of the alkaloid L-tetrahydropalmatine. Traditional Medicine." Although the end mulas. The packaging on these products may Chuifong Toukuwan ("Black Pearls") has processes used in the preparation of Chinese be glass or plastic bottles filled with 10 to been proven to also contain a pharmaceuti­ herbal pills have been codified and formal­ 300 tablets or round pills. One product con­ cal ingredient and in Florida, certain Taiwan­ ized, there is little sense of proprietary ex­ tains I 00 tiny pills in a bottle no more than ese "patent" medicines, specifically "Cow's clusivity in either product or process that we one-half-inch tall. Often the pills or tablets Head" brand of Tung Shueh pills, were usually associate with the term "patent." The are coated. Some patent medicine comes in banned by the Department of Health and "patent" name refers to the fact that they con­ powdered form ready to be mixed with liq­ Rehabilitative Services in 1993 after samples tain a formula which has been patented by uid by the end-user. Prepared liquid tonics were found to contain unlisted ingredients. the Asian manufacturing company produc­ (usually a combination of water, alcohol, The Taiwanese formula in question listed ing them. The Chinese law allowing these herbs, and sweetener) were originally sold numerous herbal ingredients but was also proprietary rights is only ten years old. Prod­ in glass vials which had to be cut open with found to contain diazepam, commonly ucts with the same name may be manufac­ a small sharp stone included in the package. known as valium. In his book, Chinese tured by different factories and can contain Many of these are now sold in a screw-top Herbal Patent Formulas (1986, Shya Publi­ different ingredients in each formula. Other lid and contain a tiny straw. Some formulas cations, Boulder, Colorado), Jake Fratkin products are exclusive to only one factory. are produced in the form of large (one-inch states, "The Tianjin factory recently pro­ Therefore, the actual manufacturer becomes diameter) soft, wax-coated "herbal balls." duced a version of the very popular Yin Dhiao an important concern in evaluating the qual­ Although the laws in China allow the Pien with the addition of three western ity of the product. manufacture and sale of these products, their drugs." Fratkin's book is an excellent refer­ There are hundreds of factories in label claims are illegal in the U.S. Because ence for more detailed information on Chi­ China that produce these patent medicines. these products are an integral part of Chi­ nese patent medicines. Another resource is Some have been producing the same prod­ nese culture, they have been sold for many the Clinical Handbook of Chinese Prepared uct for over 200 years. Their processes are years in Chinese communities in the U. S. Medicine , by Dr. Chun-Han Zhu ( 1989, very similar, using a water and/or alcohol ex­ More recently, these products have also been Paradigm Publications, Brookline, MA). 0 traction process in large (200-300 gallon) dispensed in this country by health practi­ tioners trained in their usage. Due to the in­ creasing interest in herbal products in the *See McCaleb, R. and Blumenthal, M. U.S., these products are now appearing in 1990. Black Pearls Lose Their Luster, some American health food stores. They are HerbalGram #22, pp. 4-5, 38,39 . Also, exotically packaged and inexpensively see Dharmananda, S. 1994. The Story of priced. However, the American herbal mar­ lin Bu Huan: Chinese 'Drug' Not Herb, ket has absolutely no influence over the stan­ HerbalGram #31. pp .28-32, 72-73.) dards used to develop them. Regulation re-

22 • HERBALGRAM 33 LEGAL AND REGULATORY

FDA AND THE HERBAL IND USTRY: PROBLEMS, ANTAGONISMS AND A POSSIBLE SOLUTION

By William R. Pendergast*

INTRODUCTION ing of China to travel from the United States liERBAIGRAM Editor's note: One of the newer segments of indus­ was especially significant to the development This article was written try in the United States deals in herbal prod­ of herbal uses since that country, more than ucts. Although herbal products have been a any other, had a particularly unique history and published before the part of commerce from earliest times-in the of herbal use, not only by the "barefoot doc­ form of spices and flavors used in foods and tors" and herbalists but also by the general passage of the Dietary as ingredients in drugs 1-the phenomenal population. growth of this industry is of much more re­ Starting in the late 1960s, a number of Supplement Health and cent origin, and involves herbs and a pattern individuals and the small companies they of usage far different from its more tradi­ organized began to develop herbal products Education Act of 1994. tional role.2 These "new" herbs and certain for sale here. The early history of this new William R. Pendergast aspects of their particular usage, here and industry is colorful with widely recounted abroad, have led to a number of problems tales of formulas concocted at kitchen tables makes statements regarding and confrontations with the United States in Utah and harvesting herbs in the Colorado Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prob­ mountains for sale in crude bags and boxes the legal status of herbs lems and confrontations which many people door to door. Surprisingly, at least to the es­ believe are largely unnecessary, the result of tablished food industry, these products found reflecting previous law and misunderstandings, by each side, of the in­ wide-spread acceptance and an industry terest and goals of the other, coupled with a which virtually did not exist in 1970 now policy. This is particularly pattern of laws and regulations that do not reports annual sales in excess of one billion fit. The purpose of this article is to explore dollars.3 This industry is now in the main­ true for herbs being the problems and to suggest at least a short­ stream and would appear to have a fruitful regulated in the category of term solution. future. In fact, this industry faces a very se­ rious problem which, if not solved, will seri­ food additives by FDA; THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW ously curtail any significant growth and in­ HERBAL INDUSTRY deed threaten the very existence of some of DSHEA now prohibits FDA In the 1960s, a number of people be­ its members. The problem is the FDA. gan to explore alternative ways of taking care There are a number of reasons for this from treating herbs as food of their health, particularly alternatives fol­ situation. First, there is the nature of the lowed by cultures other than our own. These products themselves: FDA knows very little additives. Nevertheless, ranged from an acceptance of such diverse about them. Many come from other coun­ cultures as the Ayurvedic from India, the Zen tries and while they may be widely known despite the fact that some of Japan and elsewhere, and the practices of there, they are not well understood here. Very aspects of this article are the medicine men in the tribes of Native often there is little scientific literature in this Americans. The use of acupuncture grew as country about them and what there is appears superceded by the new law, did an increased interest in such older, non­ in journals n ot regularly scanned by FDA traditional (and often controversial), forms scientists. Such an information gap (or at we feel it is worthy of of health practices as naturopathy and ho­ least the absence of a readily available source meopathy. There was a turning away by of information) causes concern to those at publication in its original some from what was thought of as a blind FDA responsible for assuring the safety of acceptance of modern medicine (and chem­ what we consume. form. Please note our istry) as the only way to good health. Some Second, there is the pattern of usage comments at the end of these individuals looked to the herbalist for many of these herbs, first in the coun­ as one source of alternative health informa­ tries from which they come, and now here. of the article. tion and as dispenser of substances that may help in this new quest. The subsequent open- Continued on next page

HERBALGRAM 33 • 23 LEGAL AND REGULATORY

In sum, Very often their use elsewhere has been a metic Act (FDCA) have been an especially our laws and "health" use that does not fit into our tradi­ abused tool. tional view of such matters. These herbs are Under this law, a food ingredient can not always used simply as something to eat legally be sold here on ly if it either (1) was our regulatory and enjoy, rather they are often used for the commonly used in food before 1958 and that additional and overlapping reason that they "common use" (rather than scientific data) philosophy are thought to somehow "maintain health" shows it to be safe, or (2) it is generally rec­ by avoiding illness in general or some ill­ ognized as safe based on scientific data, or ness in particular.4 They are not used in what (3) it has specifically been approved for food of health tare we would think of as either the role of a use by FDA pursuant to a food additive pe­ drug-to treat or prevent a disease-or as tition.5 Many of the herbs now popular here have a hard time just a food. They are in between in that their qualify for sale here only under number (1). history of use seems to support a reasonable However, their safe "common use in food" conclusion that in addition to taste, etc., they prior to 1958 was, to a great extent, in coun­ dealing with this help to fend off bad health. Such a state of tries other than ours. At first, FDA attempted affairs is disturbing to FDA, particularly be­ to exclude these herbs from other countries 10n1ept that an cause the laws which FDA is to enforce are by relying on a regulation which restricted themselves rigid and drafted at a time when the "common use in food" exemption to such "foreign" products were unknown. In common use in the "United States." How­ herb, whi1h is sum, our laws and our regulatory philoso­ ever, this gambit fai led when the geographi­ phy of health care have a hard time dealing cal restriction was declared illegal.6 Subse­ eaten in a soup, with this concept that an herb, which is eaten quently, and in an obvious attempt to sal­ in a soup, might also fill some other "health" vage something from this set-back, FDA might also fill giving role. published regulations specifying the circum­ Third, FDA is a problem in part be­ stances under which a food substance can cause of the industry itself. When this in­ come into this country based on its common some other dustry began to grow it was managed by use in food in another country.7 Suffice it to people who knew little about FDA and the say, these new regulations were stricter than ''health" laws it enforced. They tended to ignore FDA FDA ever imposed on a food ingredient com­ as an intrusion into their freedom of choice monly used in food here prior to 1958.8 and thought they would or should be left In addition to this use of the food ad­ giving role. alone. This led to needless confrontations. ditive definition, there has been an inordi­ A few others, less honest, took advantage of nate amount of litigation under the food ad­ the confused situation and inappropriately ditive law directed at herbal products, again, marketed their products. This led to a sus­ with FDA pushing the definition to the ex­ picion that this industry needed watching. treme. FDA has asserted that an herb, sold Thus, neither side is without blame. by itself as a food, was a "food additive" even though the legal definition specified that a THE HERBAL INDUSTRY AND FDA food ingredient could be a "food additive" As a result, the relationship between only if it was or became a component of a this industry and FDA has been rocky. In food or otherwise affected a food, and even this author's opinion, the import detentions though FDA conceded that there were no of herbal products instituted by FDA, the known safety problems with the herb.9 In warning letters issued, and the lawsuits, di­ other words, the herb was an "additive" even rected at both products and companies, have though it was not added to anything. FDA been disproportionate to the size of this in­ lost when the court ruled that this argument dustry. Many seem to have been brought not was basically absurd.10 because of any genuine need to protect pub­ Such activities take place over a wide lic health or pocketbook but rather to ad­ range of products. There are FDA import vance novellegal arguments in order to sim­ alerts, effectively banning from the United ply harass this industry either into submis­ States a wide range of herbs, from ginseng, 11 Evening Primrose, Oenothera biennis. sion or extinction. The food additive provi­ to stevia (a natural sweetener used to sweeten ©1994 Steven Foster sions of the Federal Food, Drugs and Cos- teas for hundreds of years in South

24 • HERBALGRAM 33 LEGAL AND REGULATORY

Both sides America)12 and evening primrose oil. 13 None promi se-or capitulate. Where these bills appears based on any genuine health con­ will go remains to be seen. It may be that must re1ognize cern. To be sure, segments of the industry neither side will entirely prevail here. have themselves overstepped the limit, mak­ The industry has, however, taken an­ ing claims much too broad for some prod­ other step designed to address the one issue that the laws ucts but such matters don't seem to get the that overrides all those technical legal and FDA attention that the far broader scheme statutory arguments. Are these herbals in­ on the books today of banning herbs altogether by use of the deed safe enough so that they can freely be food additive law.14 available to the public wi thout the prior ap­ proval of some government agenc y? In re­ just don't lit. FDA AND INDUSTRY REACTIONS sponding to this question, judicial debates As a result of all this contention, each about the scope of the food additive law It is futile, party has sought a solution in its own way. count little and the wording of possible new FDA began by appointing a task force (of laws lose their importance. It is public con­ FDA employees) to look into the whole mat­ fidence that is important. The industry has lor example, ter of how FDA was regulating this industry addressed this concern. (and the dietary supplement industry in gen­ This effort began with FDA's proposed to try and lit eral) "and to propose ... a strategy that would regulations for health claims for dietary best serve the public health" .15 For herbal supplements. A trade association, suspect­ into our 1urrent ingredients and the food additive question, ing that FDA's approval of health claims the Task Force report states that "FDA's cur­ might be difficult because of FDA's per­ rent legal authority provides a reasonable and ceived bias against such products, proposed laws the ethni1 defensible mechanism for increased regula­ a mechanism by which such claims would tion of [these] products .... Further, although be reviewed by an independent panel of ex­ and philosophi1 the safety of many of these products has not perts, particularly experts in those areas of been established, there is no clear-cut evi­ science unique to botanicals. This panel dence that.. .[they] present a serious risk to would have before it the world literature on prin1iples that consumers" .16 The Task Force decided to not the particular herb and the proposed claim, ask for additional legal authority and instead something not easily obtained even by FDA, have guided the recommended increased consumer educa­ and could seek additional scientific advice tion. wherever it felt that doing so might be help­ The industry, on the other hand, moved ful. If the panel di sapproved a claim that use of herbs as in two other directions. First, it sought leg­ would have been the end of it. If the panel islative relief. For example, one bill would felt the claim justified the iss ue then (and ''healthy foods" protect herbal ingredients from the broad only then) would it be presented to FDA reach of the food additive law by placing which would, of course, have the final sayY and them in a separate category where FDA This procedure was, and is, not par­ in China could regulate them as additives only by ticularly novel. For years, industry-spon­ rulemaking where FDA finds a substance to sored groups have conducted similar evalu­ elsewhere present "a substantial and unreasonable link ations of fl avors and of cosmeti c ingredi­ of illness or injury .. . "17 FDA responded to ents.22 Nevertheless, FDA has tentatively re­ lor the last two this legislative threat with vigor, by public jected this proposal, arguing that the mecha­ statements, 18and by Congressional testimony nism would involve a significant transfer of and documents purporting to demonstrate agency authority, that the FASEB and CIR millennia. "the pervasiveness of unsubstantiated claims procedures are not precedent, and that the being made for dietary supplements ... and proposed panel could be subject to the Fed­ [the] health hazards associated with eral Advisory Committee Act. 23 [them]."19 Finally, to counter the industry­ Nonetheless, the industry has decided sponsored bills other legislation has been of­ to proceed with this pl an but for now the fered the effect of which would be to increase focus shifts somewhat. The industry is re- FDA's authority-not to decrease it. 20 On the legislative front then, the issue is joined and neither side appears disposed to com- Continued on next page

HERBALGRAM 33 • 25 LEGAL AND REGULATORY

viewing the safety of herbs beginning first for example, to try and fit into our current The industry, on the other hand, needs with a review of the world literature and then, laws the ethnic and philosophic principles to realize that FDA is here to stay, that the as needed, with an examination of the mat­ that have guided the use of herbs as "healthy public must have confidence in the safety of ter by a panel of experts. The industry then foods" in China and elsewhere for the last herbal products and the integrity of its mem­ makes its recommendations known-recom­ two millennia. (3) Both must recognize that bers. To do this, the present safety review mendations which since they come from the it is impractical, and perhaps also futile, to needs to be accelerated and more participants industry carry great weight with the indus­ expect either Congress or the judicial sys­ brought into it and the industry must make a try. To date, the review mechanism has rec­ tem to devise solutions to these problems. clear commitment to comply with the deci­ ommended severe restrictions on the mar­ Congress has a hard time acting at all and sions there made. This will cost money-a keting of one herb-comfrey-and at least the courts can only act in the margins. Nei­ lot of it, and doubtless valuable products will the temporary halt in all sales of another­ ther could ever make both parties content. be lost along the way. The industry must chaparral. FDA is aware of these actions. (4) Finally, both parties must realize that understand this. The industry must also see Thus, the industry is taking on the job and something must be done or the FDA, on the to it that the claims it makes for its products already has taken strict actions where one hand, will continue to fritter away a dis­ are accurate and consistent with the cultural needed. proportionate amount of its limited resources milieu in which they originated. It does no It is apparent, however, that the con­ on this relatively small industry and the in­ good to take a Chinese herb used as an in­ tentions and disputes between the industry dustry, on the other hand, will slowly wither gredient in soup there to aid in preventing and FDA continue. The legislative front re­ away- both to the detriment and wishes of needless stomach upset and marketing it here veals a wide gap between the two as to what the public. as an anti-immune therapy. A code of eth­ is needed. If anything, the possibility of leg­ The answer lies then with the parties ics, vigorously enforced within the limits of islation has hardened FDA resolve to not themselves. FDA could begin by meeting the law by the industry must be in place. capitulate to this industry-the extensive list not only with industry officials but also with Obviously, the two parties have to talk of unsubstantiated claims shows that. And, responsible scientists, including botanists, to each other and must search for a way of while the industry's efforts in assessing the pharmacognosists, anthropologists and oth­ eliminating the distrust that now exists. A safety profile of its products is laudable, it ers who have studied these herbs and how mechanism for such a dialogue, if carried doubtless appears to FDA to be too late and other cultures use them and the true scope through, is surely the only way to bring this only a defensive move. FDA continues its of that usage. What is a "traditional medi­ to a halt. Each side, committed to the above enforcement philosophy. For example, al­ cine" in China is far different from what we purposes can bring this confrontation to an though it now releases certain herbs from think of the term "medicine" here. If FDA end. There may be no other way out. 0 import detentions, the agency continues to could spend some time on this-at the high­ state that while it is allowing them into this est and lowest levels of the Agency-then Endnotes country they are still food additives-judi­ maybe FDA would understand that these I. Psyllium has tentatively been found safe and effec­ cial decisions notwithstanding. herbal people are not frauds and charlatans ti ve as a laxative active ingredient. Proposed 21 CFR and that their customers are neither dupes 334.10(f), 50 Fed. Reg. 2,124 (1985). Numerou s herbs are recogni zed as safe as spices or flavors, RESOLVING THE CONFLICT nor fools. While the law may be rigid, FDA e.g., basil , fenn el and sage, 21 CFR 182. 10 (I 993), Indeed, there very likely is only one does not have to be and a way could be de­ while others, e.g., camomjle, mace and Yiang-ylang solution. Litigation is piecemeal and new veloped so that these products could be sold as essenti al oils, 21 CFR 182.20 (1993). The range legislation too often a compromise that suits without unnecessary enforcement actions. and interchangeable uses of herbs has been elo­ quentl y described : "Nose herbs, pot herbs, salad no one. As a result, bringing the herb indus­ At the same time, FDA could make herbs, and healing herbs, who indeed shall say just try and FDA together so that they can at least better use of the data banks on these herbs whi ch is whi ch and what is what when herbs are operate under a truce may be the only way that are now available to the industry. These confu singly now the one, now the other, now two out, at least in the short run. This requires sources of information, if consulted before or three at once, now often enough all four. " Beston, Herbs and th e Earth 9 ( 1990). that both sides fully appreciate certain facts: FDA acts (rather than after, as too often hap­ 2. For our purposes, an herb is a seed-producing annual, (1) FDA must realize that herbal preparations pens now), could assist FDA in deciding bienni al, or perennial that does not develop persis­ are here to stay. What began as a counter how best to apply current laws to a problem tent wood ti ssue. 3. G. John son & Associates, Analysis of U. S. Herbal culture phenomenon is now part of main­ at hand. Thus, such crude devices as the ar­ Products Industry ( 1992). This fi gure stream business. Many people are full y con­ tificial "food additives" arguments could be ($ 1, 290,000,000) includes the natural food indus­ versant with and understand the scope and avoided. If a claim is false, FDA could prove try ($ 17 6,000,000), mass market sales limitation of herbal preparations but they it so-an action that would surel y impress ($432,000,000), herbal teas ($ 180,000,000) and oth­ ers. desire something as an alternative to our tra­ the industry more than FDA's current legal 4. See supra note I. ditional chemical based health care system. arguments. The public, too, would have a 5. 21 USC § 32 l (s). (2) Both sides must recognize that the laws better respect for FDA. 6. Fmali Herb, Inc. v. Heckler, 715 F.2d 1385 (9th Cir. 1983). The court noted that there was nothing in on the books today just don't fit. It is futile,

26 • HERBALGRAM 33 LEGAL AND REGULATORY

the literal terms of the statute nor in its legislative Such narrowly focussed enforcement is rare. 22. See, e.g., Elder, 'The Cosmetic Ingredient Review history to justify this restriction. "The regu lation is 15. Dietary Supplement Task Force, Final Repon (FDA, -A Safety Evaluation Program," II Journal of the not a reasonable interpretation of [the FDCA] and May, 1992), p. 65 and App. I. Although thi s repon American Academy of Dermatology 11 68 ( 1984). cannot be sustained in its present form." 715 F.2d is dated May, 1992, in fact it was not publicly avail­ 23. 58 Fed. Reg. 33,700, 33 ,704 (1993). This decision at 1391. able until June, 1993. 58 Fed. Reg. 32,690 (1993). was made in the context of deciding how to permit 7. 21 CFR 170.30(c)(2)(!993). 16. !d. at 65. In reaching this conclusion, the Task Force health claims fo r dietary supplements and here agai n 8. Compare the requirements set out in 21 CFR assened that FDA has limited its food additive en­ FDA is taking a strong stand against thi s industry. 170.30(c)(l), for food substances commonly used forcement actions to instances where there was "a Whether it wi ll continue thi s stance in the final regu­ in foods here prior to 1958 with those required for particular reason to be concerned about the safety of lations remains to be seen. As to the Federal Advi­ substances used elsewhere. 170.30(c)(2). the substance (e.g., oil of evening primrose)." !d. at sory Committee Act argument, see Consumers 9. United States v. Two Plastic Drums ... Black Cur­ 53 . It is doubtful if this statement is wholl y accu­ Union v. HEW, 409 F. Supp. 473 (D.D.C. 1976), rant Oil, 984 F.2d 814 (7th Cir. 1993). rate. In Two Plastic Drums . .. Black Currant Oil, aff'd without opinion, 551 F.2d 466 (D.C. Cir. 1976) I 0. "The onl y justification for this Alice-in-Wonderland supra note 9, FDA conceded that BCO in liquid form (C IR mechanism not subject to FACA). approach is to allow the FDA to make an end-run is not a food additive but in a capsule is. 984 F.2d at around the statutory scheme ..." 984 F.2D at 819. 8 19. *William R. Pendergast, Esq., is a partner in the Wash­ See also United States v. 29 Cartons of an Article 17. H.R. 1709, 103 Cong. 1st Sess., Sec. 3. ington, D.C. , law firm of Arent Fox Kentner Plotkin of Food, 792 F. Supp. 139 (D. Mass. 1992). 18. Address by Michael Taylor, FDA Deputy Commis­ & Kahn and has been involved with legal and regu­ II . FDA Impon Alen No . 66-02 (May 4, 1992). Gin­ sioner for Policy, "The Dietary Supplement Debate latory matters regarding the herb industry fo r al­ seng is probably the most widely used herb in the of 1993 : An FDA Perspecti ve," March 3 1, 1993. most 20 years. This article was originally published world. 19. See, e.g., Unsubstantiated Claims and Documented in Vol. II, No. I , Food, Drug Cosmetic and Medi­ 12. FDA Impon A len No . 45-06 (May 17, 1991 ). Health Hazards in the Dietary Supplement Market ca l Device LLiw Digest, (January, 1994), the New 13. FDA Impon Alen No . 66-04 (March 5, 1990). Place (FDA, July, 1993). Several hundred alleged York State Bar Association and is reprinted with per­ 14. United States v. Vital Health Products, Ltd., Food false claims are listed. However, about half seem to mission. Drug Cosmetic L. Rep!. (CCH) '138,266 (E.D. Wi s. come from one company. Mar I 0, 1992), involves, inter alia, licorice tea pro­ 20. H.R. 2923, 103 Cong. 1st Sess. moted as useful in treating AIDS and cancer. Here 2 1. Comments filed by the American Herbal Products the focus of FDA's legitimate concern is a claim. Association in FDA Docket No. 85N-0061, filed There was no attempt to ban the use of licorice. May I 0, 1991 , and February 20, 1992.

HERP:AIGRM1 Editor's comments

The specific points that need to be reconsidered due to pas­ for herbs under the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 sage of OSHEA include the following: (NLEA). FDA's repeated rejection of this proposed mechanism 1. Re FDA's regulation of herbs as food additives (discus­ and its failure to re-propose a realistic procedure to evaluate health sion on pages 24 and 25): claims for botanicals were primary reasons for the introduction of a. Section 3 of the OSHEA now excludes herbs and all legislation by Senator Orrin Hatc h (R-UT) and Congressman Bill other dietary supplements from the definition of food additive. Richardson (D-NM) which eventually passed as the OSHEA. For b. Re FDA's prior policy that an herb could be consid­ more information on the BIR see AHPA Botanical Ingredient Re­ ered a food additive even though it was not added to anything, view Proposal to the Food and Drug Administration. 1991 . Mr. Pendergast is referring to the black currant oil litigation. For HerbalGram 25:32-37. Also, Blumenthal, M. 1992. Health Free­ more on thi s, see Blumenthal, M. 1993. Firm Wins Appeal in Black dom Bill Would Protect Herbs. HerbalGram 27 :24-26. Also, Currant Oil Case: Court Chides FDA's "Alice-in-Wonderland" McCaleb, R. Food Ingredient Safety Evaluation. HerbalGram Approach. HerbalGram 29:38-39. 29:40-44. 2. Re comments under section "FDA and Industry Reac­ 4. The author recommends that FDA should meet with in­ tions" on page 25, the author states that neither side appeared dustry and responsible members of the scientific community who willing to compromise on legislation dealing with regulation of have studied herbs and how they are used in other cultures. In dietary supplements. In fact, such a compromise did occur on some fact, just such a meeting took place on December 14-16, 1994, key issues, e.g. the approval of health claims, which is now re­ "Botanical s: Role in U. S. Healthcare?" which was sponsored by manded to a Presidential Commission to develop recommenda­ the National Institutes of Health ( IH) office of Alternative Medi­ tions. Nevertheless, numerous consumer and industry groups ci ne and co-sponsored by FDA. For more on this conference see claim an overall _v ictory on these issues. page 53 of this issue. 3. The author makes reference to an independent expert panel (Botanical Ingredient Review, BIR) proposed by the herb industry which was intended to review safety and health claims

HE RBALGRAM 33 • 27 GUEST VIEW

SOME CHALLENGES FACING HERIALISM IN NORTH a.ERICA: j PIIJfOflteNpisf's Persf*five

by David Hoffmann

Recent events have profoundly affected herbalism in the U.S., planet, regardless of the authorities' official opinion. with the furor surrounding the previously proposed FDA regula­ Phytotherapy is an aspect of human culture that takes many tions having an unexpected side effect-the focusing of attention forms, ranging from the many folkloric approaches, to non-Western on herbalism. This process has revealed an identity crisis in the medical systems such as Ayurveda and Kampo, to the bio-medical diverse arena that is embraced by model-influenced systems of the the term herbalism. I am using West. The diversity of modali­ crisis in its Chinese sense, where ties embracing medicinal plant the word wei-ji is constructed ... from the 1loisters of use in the Western world is clear from the two characters for "dan­ when European phytotherapy ger" and "opportunity." a Western medi1al s1hool, and the phytochemical basis of People holding conflicting modern medicine are consid­ opinions in the lamentably polar­ ered. While this rich diversity ized debate triggered by the FDA the view of reality may be as is a gift deserving celebration, would benefit from recognizing it can also be a cause of much that the driving forces for each misunderstanding. side are not the arcana of label­ limited and limiting as that Antagonism reveals itself ing law, but that the labeling is­ between world views that see sues are a focus for well-meant from a shaman's hut phytotherapy either as an ex­ concerns resulting from very dif­ pression of a green flowering in ferent world views. human consciousness or the There is a profound philo­ in West Afri1a. pharmacology of secondary sophical debate in play, with the plant products. This leads to di­ culturally dominant belief system vergent goals, assumptions, and insisting that it alone is a repository of truth. This questionable visions, but more importantly, unless there is a recognition and ac­ intellectual construct and world view has the force of law behind it. knowledgment of the differences in frames of reference, meaning­ Practicing medicine without a license is illegal, but if the decision ful dialogue becomes problematic. about what constitutes a license is in the hands of intellectual vested Phytotherapists must lose what might be described as a "ghetto interest then the law can become a tool of oppression and not pro­ mentality," a sense of inferiority developed from years of cultural tection. This all comes into focus on relatively minor issues, such disdain and active suppression (from the AMA, FDA, and academia as the labeling regulations, because the substantive issues are not in general. It cannot be argued that this is the only country that bans being addressed. the practice of phytotherapy. I must emphasize that I am writing The current flowering of interest in phytotherapy is the epitome about the practice of phytotherapy and not the study of medicinal of a grass-roots movement. Its 20th century history in the U.S . is plants.). This also entails losing the reaction to the "system" which one of legal suppression that almost succeeded in wiping the collec­ often takes the reprehensible form of an arrogant condemnation of tive memory clean. The 50's and 60's were herbal deserts; so where doctors and the delusion of being on the moral high ground. On the did the renaissance come from? It came from individuals' relation­ other hand, those working within the scientific, medical, and legis­ ship with nature. In fact, herbalism is an aspect of the ecological lative communities need to actually apply scientific objectivity and embrace all animals experience. Invoking Darwinian theory we assess the evidence that already exists. Much of value will be found might say that all our needs are met by our environment, including if phytotherapy is illuminated by critical evaluation. health care. The new generation of herbalists has discovered this for themselves, as will future generations of people living on this Continued on page 30

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HERBALGRAM 33 • 29 For example, there is overwhelming as seen from the belief system of any one par­ scientific evidence of the efficacy of garlic ticular tradition is limited. Thus, from the (Allium sativum) in lowering LDL cholesterol cloisters of a Western medical school, the and other cardiovascular risk factors, despite view of reality may be as limited and limit­ FDA policy which makes it impossible for ing as that from a shaman's hut in West Af­ garlic marketers to convey such benefits on rica. All perspectives have value in any product labels or marketing materials. world-wide approach to health for all. Con­ All involved should come from a place cepts and perspectives can be limited/filtered of respect, positively sharing information and by intellectual constructs and biases. theory, not being defensive or combative. It WHO also calls for the provision of must be acknowledged that, regardless of valid factual data. This often-heard plea for the realities in FDA thinking, there is an valid factual data can sound as if there are no experience and perception by the herbal valid data out there. Anyone familiar with community of inequality, injustice, and overt the literature knows this is just not the case. harassment. There is a wealth of pharmacological studies Language often blocks communication and a solid body of clinical trials already and shared endeavor in medicine. Apparent Chelone or Balmony , Chelone glabra done, however few such studies flow from vocabulary and jargon disparities may mask © 1995 Steven Foster. Balmony, indigenous U.S. institutions. This might raise the ques­ fundamental agreements of ideas and ap­ to North America, is included in the British tion of why there is such a minimal acknowl­ proach. On the other hand, lack of clarity Herbal Pharmacopoeia. edgment of the published data on medicinal obscures important differences in both guid- plants. Despite compilation of thousands of ing principles and technique. Open- scientific studies like the Napralert computer mindedness and tolerance should be characteristics common to all database at the University of Illinois or the Medline database at the involved in health care, whether as practitioners, researchers, or National Library of Medicine, there appears to be some informa­ patients. Medical modalities that tion filter that inhibits the rec- have their foundations outside ognition of the studies that exist the bio-medical model should not in the literature. be ignored or di scounted simply For example, consider the because they exemplify a differ­ ...phytotherapy Medline database, a cornucopia ent belief system, but respected of valid phytotherapeutic data. as an enrichment of possibilities As of July 1993 there were and not a challenge to the status has nothing to fear 27,280 citations that related to quo. Proof in terms of the scien­ medicinal plants, 7,020 papers tific method is an expression of from the strutiny on studies concerning medicinal one particular world view-a plants and humans, 891 review very useful and powerful one. papers concerning medicinal By suggesting that our culture of good tlinital studies. plants, 564 review papers on hu­ might look to other world views man and medicinal plant studies, in their own terms is not meant and 456 reports of clinical trials to imply the di scarding of the with medicinal plants. scientifc method but allowing the possibility that there may be some­ When compared with orthodox medicine these figures are low thing to be learned from these other paradigms. and it is not unusual for critics to cite this comparative dearth of The 30th assembly of the World Health Organization (World studies as evidence that there is no value to the modality. A short­ Health Assembly) adopted a resolution urging interested govern­ sighted attitude that is the epitome of bad science! On the other hand, ments to give "Adequate importance to the utilization of their tradi­ the overreaction of people rejecting modern medicine who would tional systems of medicine, with appropriate regulations as suited claim that "natural means" can cure anything is equally short-sighted for their national health systems ."(WHO Technical Report). They and potentially dangerous. The intellectual arrogance and bigotry of recognized that many traditions have value, and that any world view the "true believer," both herbal and pharmacological, is lamentable.

Atopic Eczema Treatment with Chinese Herbs- Clinical Study

Table 1: Change in Clinical Score of Erythema Table 2: Change in Clinical Score of Surface Damage Placebo Active Placebo Active Baseline 110.0 120.0 Baseline 108.0 121.8 Treatment 97.5 48.2 Treatment 100.0 48.0 %Change 6.1 51.0 %Change 6.2 63.1

30 • HERBALGRAM 33 Phytotherapists are asked by the FDA pita! fo r Sick Children in London. They have and others for the evidence, but various agen­ conducted double-blind studies on the use of cies give only limited grants for the research, herbal medi cine in the treatment of atopic ec­ e.g., National Institutes of Health Office of zema in both children and adults (Sheehan Alternative Medicine-a situation that might & Atherton, 1992; Sheehan, et at. 1992). be described as a phyto-catch 22! The researchers became aware that a The potential exists for a major contri­ number of children with intransigent atopic bution by phytotherapy in national health care eczema were being treated by a local practi­ once it is seen as a complementary modality ti oner of Traditional Chinese Medicine and not an alternative. The benefits that (TCM) with 80% of such pati ents deri ving might flow from this contribution are medi­ substanti al benefit. Although atopic eczema cal, economic, environmental, and even social. is mild in most cases, there is a substantial It is time for a reassessment of more minority in whom the di sease is severe and than insurance methods as part of health-care associated with extreme pruritus. To pical reform. Modern medicine has more than emoll ients and corticosteroids rarely provide proved itself in the treatment of many pa­ adequate benefit in widespread or intense thologies, especially infections and emergen­ Fringetree, Chionanthus virgtntcus cases. The use of corticosteroids in children cies. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said © 1995 Steven Foster. Fringetree, also is associated with a ri sk of adverse effects as for chronic degenerative conditions. Num­ indigenous to North America, is another a result of systemic absorption including in- bers of cases of auto-immune conditions and of the 232 monographs included in the cancers continue to ri se throughout the West­ British Herbal Pharmacopoeia . The researchers designed a double­ ern world. Of course this is not through lack blind tri al while still acknowledgi ng that a of trying, with health care professionals and medical researchers traditional herbalist would prescribe taking into account individual doing first-rate work. It is perhaps due to a fundamental problem variability. A standardized formulation was used despite their aware­ with the paradigm being used. ness that this method would dif- Surely it is not too much to pro- fer from the normal practi ce of pose a competent well-financed TCM. Thus the herbs were be­ assess ment of phytotherapeutic ing tested, not the therapeutic possibilities. Consider this quote Mueh of value will be principles ofTCM. A standard­ from a German review of the ized prescription, appropriate clinical applications of hawthorn fo r a "typical" patient with thi s (Crataegus): found if phytotherapy type of eczema, wa provided "The fact that the effecti ve­ by a TCM practitioner experi ­ ness of numerous phyto-prepara­ is illuminated enced in the treatment of skin tions has been demonstrated to the di sease in children. It has been satisfaction of traditional [i.e., said that a key di fference be­ conventional-Ed.] medicine has by eri~ieal evaluation. tween holi sti c and redu cti oni st led to increasing interest in phy­ approaches to healing is that totherapy. This also applies to holism looks for unique di ffer­ Crataegus, the effects of which ences between i ndi vid uals have been demonstrated in numerous pharmacological studies. while the allopath will identify similariti es. These effects, produced mainly by the flavonoids, indicate a simul­ At no point in the paper do the authors name the herbali sts taneous cardiotropic and vasodilatory action, as confirmed clini­ involved. This might simply be that they did not want to be named, cally in controlled double-blind studies. This means that Crataegus but it might be another example of the in visibility of people who do can be employed for cardiological indications for which Digitalis is not have the "ri ght" degrees. Remember in Withering's paper (With­ not indicated (Blesken 1992)." ering, 1937) describing his "di scovery" of Digitalis, he fa ils to name the woman he observed using Foxglove for dropsy. CHINESE HERBAL TREATMENT OF ECZEMA: AN I would refer the reader to the published findings fo r specif­ EXAMPLE OF HERBAL VALIDATION ics of experimental protocols and the detail ed results during pia- As an example of valid clinical trials, consider the dermato­ logical studies conducted by Dr. Sheehan and coll eagues at the Has- Continued on next page

Table 3 -Active medication Table 4 - Placebo formula Ledbouriella divaricata Potentilla chinensis Anebia clematidis Rehmannia glutinosa Humulus lupulus Hordeum distichon Paeonia lactiflora Lophatherum gracile Salvia spp . Thymus vulgaris Paeonia suffricticosa Akebia trifoliata Rosmarinus officina/is Mentha piperita Dictamnus dasycarpus Tribulus terrestris Glycyrrh iza uralensis Eugenia oil Glycyrrhiza uralensis Viola spp. Baker's bran Sucrose

H ERBALGRAM 33 • 31 cebo treatment as shown in Tables 1 and 2. the flaws in this! Patients were selected who had a more or less uniform pre­ At each visit, the skin was assessed using a simple scoring sentation of atopic eczema which had proved resistant to conven­ system. For each of 20 roughly equal zones, a score of 0-3 was tional therapy and which was considered severe enough to warrant given for the maximum severity within that zone of erythema and a trial of a novel systemic treatment. Such concerns are understand­ surface damage. Also, for each of these clinical features an esti­ able in the context of potentially dangerous experimental drug pro­ mate was made of the percentage area within each zone affected by tocols, but overly cautious when perceived from the perspective of that particular feature; an area score of 1 was given where the area the phytotherapist. affected was less than 33 %, 2 where the area was 34- 66%, and 3 The study involved 47 children with a mean age of 8.7, where the area was greater than 67%. The severity score of 0-3 was ranging from 1.5 to 18.1 years, of whom 27 were male and 20 then mulitplied by the respective area score to provide an adjusted female. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial, score for that zone. The resulting zone scores were then added to patients received active treatment and placebo in random order, provide a total body score, up to a maximum of 180, for each of the each for eight successive weeks with an intervening four-week wash­ two clinical features. out period, and were assessed at four-weekly intervals throughout Thirty-seven patients completed the five-month study. The the five-month period. median clinical scores for erythema and for surface damage for sub­ The active medication consisted of the Chinese herbs, listed jects undergoing treatment in either order are shown in Tables 1 and 2. in Table 3 but no details were given as to proportions . Analysis of the results showed a 51% improvement in The constituents of the active treatment were acquired from erythema and 63.1 % in surface damage when using the active medi­ China. Thin-layer chromatography was done on each batch of each cation. The authors of the study reach a clear and relevant conclu­ constituent. A batch was rejected when it differed substantially from sion for their detailed analysis of the results briefly described here. the reference material. "This study verifies the therapeutic effect of an extract pre­ The placebo was formulated of herbs they considered to be pared from plant materials according to traditional Chinese prin­ medically inert( see table 4). This is not the place to analyze in depth ciples in a group of children with severe atopic eczema." This is noteworthy both because severe atopic eczema is exceptionally difficult to treat and because effective new agents which lack serious short- or medium-term toxic­ ity have not been identified since topical corticosteroids were introduced some 40 years ago. This trial was undertaken in children with a particularly severe form of atopic eczema. There is, however, no reason to believe that this treatment ap­ proach would not be at least equally ef­ fective in other commoner types of atopic eczema. This quote from their discussion means that the Chinese herbalist selected the herbs for them, but in TCM there would not be a general formula-it would be individualized for the patient based upon traditional five-element theory diagnostic criteria. Acknowledging that the pharmaco­ logical basis for the beneficial effect of this treatment in atopic eczema is not known, the authors address the need they perceive for the mechanisms involved to be identi­ fied pharmacologically. The phytothera­ pist, whether TCM or Western in orienta­ tion, would probably not take this stance, suggesting that other insights are being of­ fered. The important point here is that cli­ nicians took the step of clinically testing traditional methods without those meth­ ods having been distorted by the "need" for chemistry. The results of their taking such risks, for this is a risk within the You've been fooling around with alternative medicines, haven't you? medical world, speak for themselves. Drawing by Gahan Wilson ©1994 The New Yorker Magazine, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Continued on page 50

32 • HERBALGRAM 33 Texas Pharmacy Foundation GREEN ADVENTURES by Penny King and Barbara Johnston

On October The days were full, with a morning rainforest walk at 6 22, 1994, partici­ a.m., three-hour morning classroom lectures, a bountifully health­ pants in the ecot­ ful lunch of fresh vegetables and local fish, and a further class our/workshop session in the afternoon, followed by guided walks through the "Pharmacy from rainforest to visit a local shaman, herb gardens, the aguadiente the Rainforest," left (rum) factory-a medicinal must. Evenings were filled with buf­ Miami for Peru. fet dinners, again featuring local foods, in the Explorama dining Under the direction hall, and slide presentations by Dr. Rosita Arvigo of Ix Chel pre­ of three sponsoring serve in Belize and Mark Blumenthal of ABC. organizations Following a stay at Explorama, participants spent a day at [American Botani­ the Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research cal Council (ABC), (ACEER) where, in addition to workshops, the highlight was an Texas Pharmacy early-morning walk on the unique and spectacular quarter-mile Foundation (TPF) canopy walkway 12 stories above the jungle floor. Picture a stroll and International high in the tree tops with copious numbers of epiphytes and bro- Expeditions (IE)], meliads within this group was to hand's reach, butter­ take part in a series flies not visible from of classes set in the the lower levels, li­ most spectacular anas cascading from Edgard Vascones, Explorama ethnobotanical classroom in the moss-laden branches guide, leading a tour of the ribereiio garden. world-the Ama­ of century-old trees, Photo by Penny King . zon rain forest. The and the view over the workshop present- rolling greenery as ers included some the sun struck the of the most distinguished leaders in the fields of pharamacognosy, multi-colored foli ­ botany, biology, and ethnobotany. age-an experience One hundred-ten people, representing a variety of ages and never to be forgotten occupations, trekking through the jungle in Peru laden with back­ by anyone who trod packs, water bottles, cameras, and a thirst for sights of strange the length and plat­ but familiar plants, made up the expedition. forms of this remark­ Thirty-seven pharmacists were able to receive up to a year's able structure. worth of continuing education credits for their participation in Explornapo what can only be described as a "once-in-a-lifetime event." It Camp, a lodge on the was a rare privilege to walk through the rainforest with scien­ Napo River-an tists of the stature of Dr. James A. Duke, Dr. Varro Tyler, Dr. Amazon tributary­ Walter Lewis, Dr. Memory Elvin-Lewis, Dr. Hardy Eshbaugh, offered yet another Local shaman, Don Antonio Montero, and Dr. Mark Plotkin. Upon arrival at the base camp at Explorama group of classes discusses medicinal properties of certain Lodge on the Amazon River two-and-a-half hours downriver by in ornithology botanicals. Photo by Susan Sauer. boat from Iquitos, the main group of adventurers divided into combined with a Camera: Olympus IS-1 . smaller units of 12-15, allowing establishment of lasting friend­ bird-spotting walk, Film : Kodacolor 400. ships and "jungle bonding," as one traveler expressed it. ethnography of the indigenous popula- tion, and late-night canoe cruises on the river (with cayman and monkey watching) highlights. Sleeping on a palm floor on a mattress covered with opaque mosquito netting while listening to a tropical rain squall and viewing the spectacular lightning Preceding page: Ra inforest foliage. Photo by Mark Blumenthal. display may not seem like a luxury, but it was an experience few This page Background: Morning in the ACEER canopy. Photo by will soon forget. Jeremy Kuhn. Camera: Minolta Maxxum 7xi. Film : Ektachrome.

34 • HERBALGRAM 33 The groups reunited for the final evening which was spent back at the base camp for a farewell buffet and evening program. Friendships and contacts made during this exciting and enlight­ ening trip will remain long after the initial memories have faded. We returned home with an enriched appreciation of the impor­ tance of preserving the phytomedicinal treasures of the rainforest. Dr. Walter Lewis explained the Global Gridmap, a hand­ held battery-powered sensor device as small as a Walkman. This high-tech unit, connecting with a minimum of four Earth-orbiting satel­ lites, pinpoints an exact position on the globe. Ethnobotanists are now using this technology in the rai n forest and other areas to record a spe­ cific location and altitude for plants discovered. Position­ ing of Explorama Lodge per satellite GPS: South 3 de­ Mark Plotkin relaxes with a favorite book grees, 26 minutes after leading a hike to the shaman's 479 seconds (or 26' clearing. Photo by Mark Blumenthal. 28.8"); West 72 de- grees 50 minutes 970' seconds (or 50' 58.2"); altitude 116 meters above sea level. Above: Blossoms along a trail near the Explorama This educational opportunity came about as a result of a Lodge. Photo by Jeremy Kuhn . Camera: Minolta survey taken the Texas Pharmacy Foundation of 500 of its mem­ Maxxum 7xi. Film: Ektachrome 100. bers, which showed that 74 percent of the pharmacists were in­ Below: The Explorama lodge in the Amazon Basin . terested in more information on herbal medi­ © 1994 Photo by Alison Wright. cine. As a result of this survey, ABC and TPF, have joined to develop a series of Pharmacy Continuing Education courses in phytomedicine, of which the Peruvian Amazon trip is a part. In a series of ensuing conversations be­ tween Wayne Ewen, Senior Director of Continu­ ing Education ofTPF and Mark Blumenthal, Ex­ ecutive Director of the American Botanical Council (ABC), the concept of a cooperative trip to the Peruvian rain forest was born. The theme and focus of the expedition, available to pharmacists and laypersons alike, was "Phar­ macy from the Rainforest," exploration of the medicinal plants native to the area which are or could be used in modern health care. 0 PLA NT DRl!J6 S, HEALING HERBS, AND PHYTOMEDICINALS PRESENTED AT THE PHARMACY FROM THE RAINFOREST CO N FERENCE, EXPLORAMA LO DGE, N EAR IQUITOS, PERU, OCTOBER 23, 1994.* by Varro E. Tyler Lilly Distinguished Professor of Pharmacognosy School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences, Purdue University

Whenever I contemplate the present state of research and uti­ tarium of vast scope, and most of the drugs came from plants. lization of natural drugs and their derived products, I think of those Over the years, scientists have speculated as to just why it is immortal opening lines in Charles Dickens' novel A Tale of Two that plants produce such a wide variety of secondary chemical con­ Cities: stituents that are of no obvious use to them but that are so signifi­ cant to humans. In considering the answer to this question, one It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, must be especially careful to avoid teleological thought because, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, lacking any vestige of a central nervous system, plants cannot be it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, endowed with purpose. However, the Cherokee Indians were not it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, bothered by teleology when they opined that one of the objectives it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair. of plants was to cure the various diseases inflicted on humans by animals in retaliation for the hunting and killing of various animal These comments thoroughly and accurately portray the situa­ species by people. tion in the United States today regarding healing herbs and When I was a graduate student, we were taught that second­ phytomedicinals as well as pure chemical entities isolated from drug ary plant constituents were basically the result of metabolic errors plants. To understand why this contradictory condition prevails, and were a kind of waste product that simply accumulated in the we need to review briefly the history of drug research. organism which had no excretory mechanism. In recent times, sci­ entists have tended to believe that these constituents confer survival HISTORY OF DRUG RESEARCH value on the plant through their unpalatability or toxicity. Such The empirical search for agents to cure disease probably be­ compounds would be analogous to physical structures, such as gan with the earliest stirrings of thought and reason in the brains of thorns, in preventing, or at least deterring, consumption of the plant humanoid creatures-the forerunners by animals. of Homo sapiens. It centered on the Dr. Varro Tyler presenting his workshop, I have often pondered this theory plant kingdom because of the wide­ "Pharmacology & Therapeutic Application of Plant after watching a slug consume with spread abundance of numerous spe­ Drugs ." Photo by Pen ny King. impunity a deadly amanita mushroom cies, some of which, having been tried [Amanita phalloides (Fr.) Seer.], with for food, were rejected, probably for its lethal (to humans) peptide toxins, reasons of unpalatability, but were and must confess that I am not totally found nevertheless to exert interest­ convinced it is correct. At least it does ing physiological effects on those who not tell the whole story. Time does not consumed them. Coffee beans permit their detailed consideration here; (Coffea spp.) and tea leaves [Camel­ but at least six theories, each of them lia sinensis (L.) 0. Kuntze] produced reasonable to some degree, have been stimulation; opium poppy latex proposed to account for the existence (Papaver somniferum L.) caused a of various secondary plant constituents. dulling of pain sensations; cinchona Probably there is some truth in each of bark (Cinchona spp.) cured intermit­ them. Certainly, no single theory pro­ tent fever; ergot [ Claviceps purpurea vides the total explanation encompass­ (Fr.) Tul.] resulted in abortion; deadly ing all of them. Besides, what is im­ nightshade (Atropa belladonna L.), in portant" here is the fact that many such proper dose, stopped intestinal compounds do possess interesting spasms; digitalis (Digitalis purpurea physiological activities in animals that L.) cured dropsy (cardiac edema); and render them useful as drugs. on and on. Gradually, human beings Some of the tales relating to the developed a medicinal armamen- discovery of these plant medicines are

36 • HERBALGRAM 33 fascinating, and on hearing a few of them, it is easy to see why The next logical tep was the actual isolation and purification of the some of us decided to devote our professional lives to pharmacog­ active principles, a very complicated process with the equipment nosy or medical botany. then available. Because of their chemical and physical propertie , Humankind has always found it difficult to face reality, and which made them easy to purify, alkaloids were the fust type of plants have long provided a variety of temporary escape mecha­ principles studied, beginning with the isolation of morphine by the nisms ranging from alcohol to opium. Even the naked aboriginals German pharmaci t Serturner in 1806. Other types of compound of Australia had their pituri, a scopolamine-containing species of had to wait well into the twentieth century until the development of Dubosia that was chewed to increase endurance so necessary in a various types of chromatography and electrophoresis made it pos­ vast land deficient in both food and water. Also, the Chukchee and sible to separate them from accompanying active constituents as Koryaks of the Siberian wastes and the Kamchatka Peninsula found well as inactive plant material. a beautiful mushroom, the fly agaric [Amanita muscaria (Fr.) Hook.], Isolation and utilization of pure chemical constituents had that they consumed as an intoxicant. Because the active principle several advantages. Doses of potent compounds could be adminis­ was concentrated in the urine, the poor tribesmen who could not tered with great precision. Also, unde irable constituents, such as afford the mushroom collected the urine of those more fortunate astringent tannins, could be eliminated, rendering the consumption individuals who could and then drank it to obtain the same effect. of tannin-rich drugs, such as cinchona bark, much more pleasant. According to Greek legend, the Christmas rose, black helle­ But problems also arose. Some plant materials contain a large num­ bore (Helleborus niger L.), was popularized as a medicine after ber of active principles-Dpium is a good example-and purifica­ Melampus, a physician in the Greek district of Argos, cured King tion may eliminate certain useful ones. Besides, in some cases, the Proetus' daughters of madness by administering it, or a related spe­ isolation and purification of specific constituents is simply not nec­ cies, to them. • essary. It would be a waste of time and money to purify such herbal Aconite (Aconitum napellus L.) fust gained notoriety as an remedies as peppermint, peppermint oil (Mentha x piperita L.), or arrow poison in ancient China and was subsequently used as such in cascara (Rhamnus purshiana DC.). In some cases; the identity of India and even in Europe (Gaul). American Indians dipped their the active principle(s) remains unknown. Valerian is an example. I harpoon tips in an extract of aconite before whaling expeditions. view this as a ad commentary on the priori tie established by twen­ To be perfectly truthful, no one reillly knows how or when tieth-century scienti ts. cinchona (Cinchona spp.) bark was discovered to be a useful treat­ ment for intermittent fever (malaria). The story I like best is the THE NEED FOR PHYTOMEDICINALS fevered native drinking from a pool of stagnant water into which a So, it appears that within the realm of medicine there remains cinchona tree had fallen. On the other hand, a few authorities believe a legitimate need for various dosage forms of plant drugs in addi­ malaria did not even exist in the Western Hemisphere until after tion to the pure chemical principles isolated from them. These range 1492. I believe they are wrong, but you may believe what you wish. from teas (technically, infusions) prepared from the coarsely com­ Podophyllum (Podophyllum peltatum L.), or mayapple, was minuted (pulverized) vegetable material to hydroalcoholic tinctures employed by the American Indians as an emetic, a cathartic, and an or fluid extracts in which 10 rn1 normally represents 1 to 10 g of escharotic. The latter property is now most valued, podophyllum starting material. Variations exist of each of these so-called galeni­ resin being employed externally in the treatment of venereal warts cals-named for the second-century Greek physician Galen who and similar papillomas. originated some of them. Extracts of potent drugs are often standard­ The reputations of some medicinal plants have changed mark­ ized by chemical or biological means to assure uniform potency. edly over the years. Originally known as wild nard some 2,000 Another popular dosage form is prepared simply by encapsu­ years ago, the herb now called valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) lating finely powdered herbs. Alternatively, compressed tablets con­ serves as an excellent example. Today, we view it as a malodorous taining them may be produced. Modifications here include enteric root with tranquilizing or sedative properties. In the sixteenth cen­ coating to ensure the release of active con tituents in the duodenum tury, its odor was thought to be very pleasing, and it was highly rather than the stomach. This is of considerable importance with valued as a flavor for food . Further, it was employed then as a acid-labile active constituents such as alliinase, the allicin-releas­ stimulant, not as a depressant. ing enzyme in garlic (Allium sativum L.). In modern parlance, these These kinds of stories of empirical drug discovery are just a infusions, galenicals, and encapsulated or tableted herbs are all sampling, but the examples given are sufficient to explain the pro­ known a phytomedicinals. cess. The important thing to remember is that, by means of super­ stition, folklore, and, most of all, simple testing, humans were able to determine the physiological action of a large number of plant Continued on page 44 species, and many of them were used for medicinal purposes. Then, in the nineteenth century, came the realization that it would be desirable, in many cases, to concentrate and more or less standardize the activity in these crude vegetable materials. The fluid extract was born, prepared by macerating and extracting (percolat­ ing) the drug with a (usually) hydroalcoholic solvent or menstruum. Background: Rai nforest foliage. Ph oto by Mark Blumenthal

HERBALGRAM 33 • 37 A RIBERENO'S MEDICINAL GARDEN

Text by Kathy McKeon. Photos by Ian Hunter

One sultry mid-afternoon, (CRC Press: Boca Raton, 1994). It was an extremely useful re­ the motorized launch carried us source for the tour (and a valuable reference book for this article). across the Rio Napo and upstream [This book is available from ABC Bookstore-Ed.] to the river island, Yanamono. Chil­ Our first stop was riverside at a tree botanically identified as dren waved from the edge of its Campomanesia lineatifolia, known to the riberefios as "palillo." Me- high banks. Barefoot, simply cloth­ ed, their skinny brown legs were streaked grey with the ubiquitous mud of the river. They were the children of riberefios-"river people"-and had grown up on the banks of this Amazon tributary. They had come down to see what curious visitors had arrived, while we had come to explore some­ thing even more curious-the medicine chest in their garden. The riberefios who inhabit the banks of the Amazon's water­ ways are mestizos, a people of mixed blood ancestry, commonly Spanish and Indian. They are not jungle natives, but are home­ steaders who have chosen to settle beside the river. Living without electricity or plumbing in a fairly remote area, they nevertheless have a few amenities such as kerosene lamps, hunting rifles, and occasionally an outboard motor. Fishing and subsistence farming are the primary means oflive­ lihood, and the river is the main mode of transportation. Because the nearest medical doctor can be eight hours or more away by canoe, native plants are an important source of medicines in riberefio settlements. Particularly useful species are grown in dicinally, an infusion of the wood chips from this species is used for small gardens next to the house. Although their knowledge of local the treatment of hemoptysis, the spitting of blood from the lungs. medicinal flora is not as extensive as that of the forest -dwelling In­ Palillo is also considered to have antiemetic properties and is used dians, the riberefios are conversant with species useful in treating for skin infections. Beyond its medicinal value, this tree provides common ailments. berries for food and wood for lumber. We climbed the nearly vertical bank on steps dug deep into its Making our way toward the main garden, we gained a close hardened side, the water being low now in early spring. The area of view of the house. Typical of a riberefio home, the structure had a our visit had been flooded six months earlier, and a number of the thatched palm roof, was open on three sides and built on stilts to medicinal plants had been washed away. Despite this loss, we found accommodate the seasonal flooding of the Napo. The floorboards a remarkable collection in the garden. of the mai n platform were made out of planks slatted from the trunk Our guide was Edgard Vascones, a riberefio himself, who had of the palm tree Iriartea deltoidea. Once affixed to the platform gone to the university in Iquitos. He introduced us to the owner and structure, the planks are springy to walk on, but extraordinarily re­ his family, and explained that we had come all the way from North silient and durable. America to see his garden. Without betraying the slightest hint that In the principal garden, Rosita immediately identified two this was odd, the riberefio welcomed us, deferring to his wife as the plants used medicinally in Belize, Piper peltatum and Kalanchoe expert on the plants they used as medicine. We were accompanied pinnata. by a few of our own experts. Piper peltatum is called "Santa Maria" by the riberefios. A Included among our number were USDA ethnobotanist Dr. lowlying species with heart-shaped glossy foliage, this plant has James Duke, Dr. Rosita Arvigo, whose particular expertise is the both household and medicinal uses. The leaves not only provide medicinal flora of Belize, and Dr. Varro Tyler, professor of tablecloths and food wrapping material, but are also rubbed on the pharmacognosy at Purdue University. All three are distinguished body to repel ticks and applied directly to swollen sores. A leaf leaders in their fields, and the opportunity to spend time with them decoction having emetic and diuretic properties is used to treat in­ in the field made our visit truly exciting. flammation and fever. In Belize, Piper peltatum is used to treat Dr. Duke came equipped with a copy of his Amazonian Eth­ hardness and congestion in the breasts of nursing mothers. nobotanical Dictionary, which he co-authored with Rodolfo Vasquez

38 • HERBALGRAM 33 Familiar to many Americans as an ornamental, and commonly indicine-N-oxide. Another member of the same genus which grows called the "air plant," Kalanchoe pinnata is something of a panacea in the Mediterranean, Heliotropium hirsutissimum, has been ana­ to the riberefios. In Belize, it is called "everlife" and is also widely lyzed for similar alkaloids. valued. This plant has dark green leaves that are distinctively scal­ Manioc, the staple of the riberefio diet, and other edible plants loped and trimmed in red. An infusion of the crushed leaves is used were found in the second garden. Among them was Amaranthus to treat fever, intestinal upsets, and heartburn. The leaves are also spinosus. This common grain, which is high in iron, is frequently mashed and poulticed for headaches. One unusual formulation is served in soup and the riberefios know that it is good for anemia. to mix a few drops of the leaf juice with mother's milk for treating Other medicinal uses are as a whole plant laxative and as a decoc­ earache. Scientifically, we know that the leaves contain malic, cit­ tion for fevers and swellings. ric and isocitric acids, rutin, quercetin, and bryophilline, which is We found several plants that we had sampled in the meals at active against gram positive bacteria. our two lodges across the river. Fresh lemongrass (Cymbopogon Moving on through the garden we encountered the Amazo­ citratus) was served as a tea at the ACEER, and it was delicious. nian version of stinging nettle (Urera spp. in Amazonia), familiarly The tea is used medicinally for stomachache, indigestion, fever, flu, known to the riberefios as "Ishanga colorado." It is a member of the and headaches. One native tribe actually considers the decoction to Urticaceae, as is the North American species Urtica dioica. De­ be a contraceptive. Two close relatives of lemongrass (C. nardus scribed as a counterirritant by Jim Duke, the stinging hairs on the and C. winterianus) are the sources of citronella oil. This versatile leaves are used to relieve rheumatic and arthritic pain. Numerous essence is used, among other things, to flavor carbonated beverages other uses of this plant include treatment for chills, fever, malaria, and in making insect-repellent candles. and as a diuretic. It is also used, we were informed, as an aid in The juice of the fruit of cocona (Solanum sessiliflorum) was disciplining children! on the breakfast buffet at Explorama. It is not only a refreshing As we turned to explore the garden on the opposite side of drink, but also an antiemetic administered after scorpion stings to the house, Dr. Duke stooped to pull up a "weed" for examination. prevent vomiting. This happened to be one he frequently mentions in his lectures as a As we left the garden, the equatorial sun could be seen hang­ potential "cancer-preventive"-purslane (Portulaca oleracea). It ing low, upriver. The silt load of the Napo, which normally colors is an excellent source of the antioxidants vitamin E and beta caro­ the tributary an opaque reddish brown, was now obscured by the tene. The riberefios crush the plant and use it for stings, swelling, late afternoon glare. A woman seated on the broad, open-air porch and fever. pulled large, exotic-looking fish of several species from bright or­ ange basins and carefully cleaned them. We moved toward our host, shook hands, and took our leave one by one. The brief visit impressed one with the self-reliance of these people, and their connection to the plants, the land and the river. To be able to pluck a few fresh leaves of plant material to wrap food or prepare an infusion for a child's fever are still necessary skills here in this tropical wilderness. And what an array of plants are avail­ able! One day we may glean an important pharmaceutical from a plant that was here all along, in the garden of a barefoot ribereiio. 0

Another surprise between the gardens was Heliotropium indicum, one of the most fascinating and notable plants of our visit. A member of the Borage family, its light purple flower spikes are constantly swarmed by orange and black butterflies. The flowers contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are converted into pheromones by the males of this butterfly species. There are numerous folk medicinal uses of the plant as well, including treatment of every­ thing from asthma to warts. Folklorically known as a remedy for Background : Palillo, Campomanesia lineati fol ia cancer, it has been shown to contain the antitumor compound,

HERBALG RAM 33 • 39

ON THE AMAZONIAN TRAIL OF USEFUL PLANl\S Text and Photos by Jay Hutchinson

"What magnificent veg­ bark is used as a remedy for colds, fever, diarrhea, and orchitis. etation!" wrote Alexander von Like some trees in Amazonia whose bark, leaves, or fruit are used Humboldt, the great plant ge­ medicinally, its wood-richly colored and mahogany-like-is also ographer who was one of the in high demand in the timber trade. first to study Latin America's This is the dilemma brought home by ACEER's Useful Plant profuse flora in detail. "We Trail: of the 35,000 to 80,000 species of higher plants estimated to have been running around like grow in Amazonia, only a tiny fraction have been investigated for a pair of fools; for the first their medicinal or chemical potential. Yet destruction of the forest three days we weren't able to proceeds rapidly in Amazonia-for timber, for firewood, for edible concentrate on anything ... " he tree products such as palm hearts, for farms and ranches-before wrote to a friend from South we even know what plants it harbors and their possible uses. America in 1799. For a ~ eek we walked the trail every day, collecting and pho­ I could understand von tographing leaves from about 45 tagged and identified plants and Humboldt's excitement about trees. Though these are only a small portion** of the plants used by the tropical rain forest. I was local Indians and the riberefios-the people of mixed Indian and deep in the Amazon forest at European blood who li ve along the rivers-the trail gives a visitor a the Amazonian Center for En­ representative sample and shows how plants enter into every facet Don Antonio Montero, shaman, vironmental Education and of Amazonian life. is skilled at climbing without Research (ACEER), which ad­ Vines or lianas are commonplace in the Amazonian forest. injuring the tree. ministers the Amazonian Bio­ Curarea toxicofera, a vine with a contorted, flat stem, is one of sev­ sphere Reserve, a 250,000- erallabeled vines on the trail yielding curare, a common dart poi­ acre tract near the N apo River, son , which is the source of d-tubocurarine, a pre-surgical muscle a tributary of the Amazon, about 75 miles from lquitos, Peru. relaxant. Close by on the trail grows the means for delivering curare I had just attended a week's workshop on medicinal Amazo­ to the hunted aniinal. This is lnayuga, a small palm (Sheelea insignis), nian plants taught by USDA ethnobotanist Dr. James Duke, for phy­ whose broomstick-size woody stems can be split into darts. The sicians, botanists, and others (HerbalGram, Number 31, pp. 32-33). local Yagua Indians sharpen them by scraping them with a jawbone Then, working with Shaman Don Antonio Montero, native of piranha teeth, and then dipping them in curare and drying them curandero, or healer, and expert tree climber, I went into the rain­ for the next hunt. forest to collect and photograph the plants and trees on ACEER's A number of trees on the trail have latex-like sap that often unique "Useful Plant Trail" to illustrate a brochure for future visitors.* indicates medicinal properties. I tasted the pleasantly sweet latex Possibly the only self-guiding trail in Amazonia, the Useful of leche caspi, or "milk tree," Couma macrocarpa, used to counter Plant Trail makes a 2-kilometer (1 114-mile) loop through some of an amoebic diarrhea and extract botfly larvae from the skin. Its the most diverse rainforest in the world, home to about 300 differ­ tasty fruits are very popular in nearby Iquitos and its rubber-like ent species of woody plants per hectare (2.5 acres). The trail had latex was formerly used in gum manufacture and is still exported as been laid out by Dr. James Duke, botanist Rodolfo Vasquez, Teresa gutta percha for golf balls. Another tree, this one with orange latex, Wood and Paul Donahue of ACEER, and my co-worker, Don Anto­ in the St. John's Wort family, Vismia angusta, is used locally to treat nio, whose broad ethnobotanical knowledge began back in his child­ ringworm fungi and herpes of the lips by the Tikuna Indians of Co­ hood, starting at 13 when he worked two years as a rubber tapper. lombia. The plants and trees were tagged and numbered along the rustic On a hilly part of the trail stands yet another mahogany rela­ trail; some of the trees were over 100 feet tall with spreading root tive, called Andiroba, Carapa guianensis, a tree that has both excel­ buttresses 6 or 8 feet across to challenge the climber. To get a spray lent cabinet wood and a bark that is used to combat fever, worms, of leaves to photograph, Antonio used rock-climbing gear and tech­ sores, and dermatitis. Andiroba fruits also yield an oil that, in Bra­ niques learned at ACEER that left no wounds on the bark. Some­ zil, is ingested for coughs. times enveloped in a cloud of stingless, but aggravating, sweat bees, Not far from the Andiroba is one of the trees from a large he would pull on a headnet and continue working his way up, step­ tropical family, Bignoniaceae (represented in temperate North ping in nylon loops, sliding foot by foot up the trunk. After he America by the Catalpa tree) being depleted near lqujtos by reached a branch, down would parachute a sprig of leaves for me. overcollecting for medicinal use. This is Tahuari, or Tabebuia incana, One beautiful compound leaf reeked of garlic as I photo­ one of the many species ofTabebuia sold in the U.S. for cancer and graphed it in the tropical sun. This was Cedrela odorata L. Meliaceae yeast infections under such names as Jpe roxo, Lapacho, and Pau of the mahogany family, locally called cedro colorado, whose bitter d'arco (bow tree). The compound it contains, lapacbol, was stud-

42 • HERBALGRAM 33 ied by the National Cancer Institute in the 1960s and found to be dicinal plant active against tumors in the lab but toxic in human trials due to the course I had a high doses necessary for effectiveness. chance to taste In the same family as Tabebuia and also threatened by over­ these grubs, fried in collection is Clava huasco or the clove-scented "clove-vine." Con­ their own plentiful taining the chemical eugenol and useful for relieving toothache, it fat and lightly grows over the trail and can be identified by its opposite, compound salted. The verdict leaves, forming the "cross" of the Crossvine family, or Bignoniaceae. was: a lot like fried There is also a cross in the cross section of the stem. egg white! As I walked the leaf-littered rainforest trail, I often noticed an The last day, oval seed with a red "aril," or seed coat, on the ground. Don Anto­ after we had com­ Don Antonio Montero, Rodolfo Vasquez, nio pointed out that these are the seeds from a member of the nut­ pleted the climbing and Dr. James Duke examining Canagre, meg family, Virola pavonis, locally called cumala blanca, a tree and photography, I Costus scaber. whose genus is one of the main sources of hallucinogens in South walked the whole America. The active alkaloid, tryptamine, is contained in the tree's trail with Antonio. I tape-recorded his in-depth comments (which inner bark, which is dried, toasted, powdered, and taken as snuff. took half a day) about the uses of all45 plants and trees. When I Some of the most beautiful leaves on the trail belong to a very considered that five or six times this many species are sometimes useful Himatanthus sucuuba, known locally as Bellaco caspi. This found on a single hectare of this Amazonian forest, I gained some is another tree with white latex that is plastered onto tumors, her­ real per pective on the magnitude of the problem. nias, and slow-healing wounds. It is also used for worms and to ot only do we need to learn much more about the thousands suffocate subdermal botfly larvae. Tea made from the bark is used of plants yet to be investigated, both from people close to the forest for coughs and fevers. like Antonio as well a cientist , but Amazonian countries some­ Palms are very common in Amazonia and provide a cornuco­ how need to stem the whole ale forest destruction and elimination pia of building materials and foods. The thatched houses on stilts of of certain tree pecie while still meeting economic needs of the the riberefios, so commonly seen along the rivers, are often built ribereiio population. Ways to do this might include development of with flexible floors made from the slatted trunks of two palms that agro-fore try plantation and creation of "extractive reserves." grow along the trail on "stilt" roots, cashapona (Soc rate a exorrhiza) Fortunately, visitors to the Useful Plant Trail at non-profit and huacrapona (lriartea deltoidea). Roofs are thatched with irapay, ACEER will not only learn much about biological diversity of thi a palm that grows just head-high and is easy to harvest with a ma­ extraordinary region, but will also help finance research about this chete. You can see this same beautifully woven thatch on the roofs rainforest ecosystem and also about ways to provide environmental of the river boats that bring ecotourists to ACEER and the and economic benefits to the local inhabitants of the Amazon Bio­ ExplorNapo lodge. sphere Re erve. 0 Ten or more kinds of plants may go into construction of an Amazonian house. Many, like ExplorNapo lodge near ACEER, are Jay Hutchinson is a professional forester and natural science built entirely without nails, and are tied together with the bark of writer, recently retired from the U. S. Forest Service's North Central atadijo, or the dangling aerial roots of huambe or itininga, two of Forest Experiment Station, St. Paul, Minnesota. Having studied and traveled in Puerto Rico and Costa Rica before working at A CEER in the the 275 kinds of Philodendron in Amazonia, both of which can be Peruvian Amazon, Mr. Hutchinson has a particular interest in photog­ seen on the trail. raphy, tropical botany, and ethnobotany. As we completed our week's work, Antonio and I came to one of Amazonia's most useful palms, huasai (Euterpe precatoria), near the trail's end. Its edible heart, called chonta, is a favorite in sal­ ads, but, unfortunately, comprises only five percent of the felled tree. ''This palm is being exterminated in practically the whole rain­ TRAIL VIDEOS AND BOOKLETS forest," Don Antonio said. "In Iquitos there is a factory that oper­ ates night and day canning chonta palm hearts for export. They *Copie of the four-color Useful Plant Trail Guide (Item haul these palms down all the Amazon tributaries just to feed this #408) and a video (Item #801) of the trail will be published and factory. But, in a few years, they'll probably have to close it as they produced by ABC. Call: 800/373-7105 or write to ABC, P. 0 . run out of huasai." Box 201660, Austin, TX 78720-1660, or FAX 512/331-1 924. Refreshing beverages are made from fruits of several Amazo­ ** The most complete compilation is the Amazonian Eth­ nian palms, and huasai is no exception. A tea is also brewed from nobotanical Dictionary, by James A. Duke and Rodolfo Vasquez, the roots and used for treating painful menstruation and venereal CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, soon to be available from ABC diseases. And, like several of the palms, the rotting trunk serves as Books, Item #B071. See page 47. a nursery for two-inch-long palm grubs called suri (Rhynchophorus palmarum), that are eaten by the ribereiios and regularly sold in the Iquitos market. Along with other curious types in Jim Duke's me- Background: Palmae-lnayuga, Scheelea insignis.

HERBALGRAM 33 • 43 KEYNOTE ADDRESS continued from page 37

PROBLEMS WITH PHYTOMEDICINALS be evaluated independently, the cost of obtaining the necessary proof IN THE UNITED STATES is obviously prohibitive. This is particularly true in the case of popu­ How many plant drugs are there which may be used safely lar folk medicines with a long history of use for which patent pro­ and effectively as phytomedicinals? In Germany, where Commis­ tection and resulting market exclusivity is, at best, problematic. This sion E of the German Federal Health Agency has been studying does not allow research costs to be recovered, so the necessary re­ plant drugs since 1978, about 200 different ones are now recom­ search is not carried out. mended out of a total of about 300 that have been examined. How­ The regulatory situation just described has caused natural ever, in that country, phytomedicinals are frequently prescribed by drugs to fall into a state in the United States that is characterized by physicians who learn their virtues in the standard medical educa­ the lines in my opening quotation. It is the best of times because tion programs. In the United States, this information is not included consumers display an enormous interest in herbal medicine. It is in medical curriculums, so most phytomedicinals are self-selected the worst of times because that interest is not shared by pharmaceu­ tical companies, physicians, or the government. It is the spring of hope because consumers usually prevail here; it is the winter of de­ spair because that has not yet happened. With respect to self-se­ lected phytomedicinals, the season of darkness presently prevails. It is too early to tell how the recently passed Dietary Supple­ ment Health and Education Act of 1994 will affect the present situ­ ation. Although it permits the marketing of herbs, per se, with lit­ erature-derived information, it does not permit drug claims for them. Moreover, phytomedicinals as well as combination products are excluded from the Act's provisions. A commission on labeling is to be established with a report due in two years. Also, the Office of Dietary Supplements will be established in the National Institutes of Health with a $5 million budget. Finally, the government must now assume the burden of proof that an herb is unsafe. One certain effect of the legislation is increased funding for the legal profession.

NEW CHEMICAL ENTITIES FROM PLANTS The situation is not greatly improved when one considers plants as sources of specific chemical entities used as approved drugs. Although no survey has been conducted for more than a quarter century, analysis of 1.05 billion prescriptions in 1967 showed that about 25 % were for drugs containing higher plant principles. The largest single category (9.94% of all prescriptions) consisted of vari­ ous hormones, not isolated from plant material per se but prepared Shaman Don Antonio Montero perfoms a healing on the ailing by semisynthesis from plant-derived precursors. The so-called birth Marcus laux, N .D. Photo by Melinda Bridges. Camera: Ricoh Automatic. Film : Color print. control pills are prominent examples. Similar situations existed for the analgesics, which included mostly chemical modifications or imitations of the opium poppy alkaloids morphine and codeine. The by the patient. Because it would be utter folly to self-diagnose and point is that relatively few unmodified higher plant constituents were self-treat a cardiac ailment, such as angina, some of the European widely used in medicine in 1967, and the situation has changed little preparations, in this case hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), cannot be rec­ in the interim. ommended in the United States. Consequently, the number of useful During the last 35 years or so, only three entirely new chemi­ phytomedicinals in this country at present is probably closer to 125. cal compounds that have attained approved-drug status have been I have purposely not used the term OTC drugs to describe isolated from higher plants. All are antineoplastic agents. The fust these preparations because in the United States most of these rem­ was vinblastine, isolated by Noble et al. from Catharanthus roseus edies are not legally classified as drugs. Instead, herbs and G. Don in 1958, and the second was vincristine (leurocristine), iso­ phytomedicinals are technically dietary supplements. In a few cases, lated by Svoboda from the same plant in 1961. The third, taxol, was they are food additives; but in all cases, they are foods, not drugs. first obtained by Wall and colleagues from Taxus brevifolia Nutt. in The reasons for this are both economic and political. The kind of 1971, but some 20 years were to pass before FDA gave approval of effort required here to prove a chemical entity safe and effective as its use in the treatment of ovarian cancer. These very limited suc­ a drug is extremely expensive. A figure of $350 million is now cesses belie the intensive search efforts made during the period when commonly quoted. Because the FDA views phytomedicinals as the programs of the National Cancer Institute alone screened about being composed of scores of chemical entities and requires each to 40,000 species for antitumor activity. Nevertheless, studies by eth-

44 • HERBALGRAM 33 nobotanists and others continue apace in many remote areas of the world in an effort to identify exotic plants with little-known physi­ ological activities that may yield patentable constituents or models. A considerable number of these efforts are sponsored by ma­ jor pharmaceutical companies both in the United States and abroad. Exploration is currently proceeding in Brazil, Costa Rica, China, Mexico, and even Samoa, to name just a few areas. Some promis­ ing leads have already been reported in both the scientific and the popular press.

PLANT-DRUG HUNTERS The modern-day plant-drug hunters are following in illustri­ ous footsteps. During his 14 years of exploration on the northwest Amazon and in the Andes (1849-1863), Richard Spruce developed a particular interest in various indigenous narcotics and stimulants, Dr. James A Duke and Rodolpho Vasquez with their new book including coca (Erythroxylum spp.) and guarana (Paullinia cupana at Exploromo. Photo by Libby Harvey of Petaluma, CA. H.B.K.), and also in the cinchona tree. Another Englishman, Charles Camero: Minolto X-700. Film: Fuji 400. Ledger, was responsible for smuggling viable seeds of the true calisaya tree (Cinchona calisaya Wedd.) out ofBoliviain 1865. The irony of this feat is that when the seeds were offered for sale to the relaxant. Some 40 years later, in 1898, Boehm isolated the active government of British India, purchase was declined. Dutch authori­ principle tubocurarine from a sample of unknown botanic origin. ties were more perceptive, and,by 1874, more than two million Much later, in the mid-twentieth century; King isolated tubocurarine high-grade cinchona trees were being cultivated in Java, much to from curare prepared from a known species, Chondodendron the financial advantage of citizens of the Netherlands. tomentosum Ruiz and Pav., and confirmed the structure as a quater­ The greatest of the American pharmacist plant-drug explor­ nary ammonium compound. Both tubocurarine chloride and a more ers was Henry Hurd Rusby, dean and professor of materia medica at potent methyl analogue, metocurine iodide, are official in the USP the Columbia University College of Pharmacy. Rusby carried out and are commonly employed as nondeplorizing muscle relaxants. extensive explorations in the jungles of South America between the Such agents tend not to induce random contraction (fibrillation) of 1880's and 1920's. He was initially commissioned by Parke, Davis the muscle fiber and are quite selective for nonrespiratory muscle. and Company in 1885, primarily to obtain a large supply of coca It is instructive to compare curare of the South American na­ leaves in Bolivia and to ship it back to the United States. He did tives with the arrow poison employed by the inhabitants of tropical collect some 20,000 lbs. of leaf, but it could not be shipped as a Africa. Since such poisons were once widely used in both areas, it result of a revolution in Colombia, so Parke, Davis wired him to is on ly natural to assume that they would be prepared from similar return home. He did so, but went the long way around by crossing plants with similar active constituents. This is not the case. African the Andes and going down the Amazon to the State of Para on the poisons are basically made from species of Strophanthus, usually S. east coast of Brazil. Needless to say, Rushy's experiences during kombe, Oliver or S. hispidus DC. These plants rely on the presence this 1885-1887 period were numerous. They are related in exciting of cardiac glycosides similar to those found in digitalis for their detail in his book Jungle Memories, published in 1933. deadly effects, which are initially cardiac arrhythmia followed by During this expedition, Rusby collected 45,000 plant speci­ standstill. This is a very different mechanism than that of curare mens, many of which were new to science. Only one, however, poisoning, which kills by paralyzing the respiratory muscles. proved to be a commercially useful phytomedicinal. It was cocillana, It was mentioned earlier that the arrow poison used in ancient the bark of Guarea rusbyii (Britton) Rusby, a nauseant-expectorant China and in India wa neither curare nor strophanthus, but aconite. that was once a popular ingredient in cough syrups. Although it Although its toxic constituents are alkaloids, not glycosides, the received official recognition in The National Formulary from 1916 effects produced are more reminiscent of those induced by to 1926, its medicinal use has now been discontinued. The poten­ strophanthus than by curare. The heart first becomes arrhythmic tial toxicity and precision dosage required of cocillana and other nauseant-expectorants has greatly restricted their use in modern medical practice. Continued on next page

A LESSON FROM ARROW POISONS Various arrow poisons prepared by several South American Indian tribes and known as curare were first brought to Europe by Background: Two children from the local village. Photo by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1595; however, it was not unti11856 that Claude Marcus loux, N.D. of Beverly Hills, CA. Camero: Ricoh . Bernard described curare's physiologic activity as a skeletal muscle Film : Color print.

HERBALGRAM 33 • 45 and then ceases to beat. Drug-plant hunters must not assume that Suggested Readings different plants used for the same purpose have similar constituents or physiological mechanisms of action. Each species must be care­ 1. Raison d'etre of Secondary Plant Constituents D. H. Williams, M. J. Stone, P. R. Houck, and S. K. Rahman: "Why Are Secondary fully studied as an individual entity. MedatoHtes (Natural Products) Biosynthesized?" Jourlllll of Natural Products 52: 11 89-1208 (1989).

DRUG DISCOVERY IN THE FUTURE 2. Plant Drug Discovery The future of drug discovery does not lie in the search for F. A. Flilclci ger and D. Hanbu ry: Phartl!llcographia: A History of Drugs, Macmillan and new traditional drugs in the rainforest, the screening of their ex­ Co., London, 1879, 803 pp. M.L. Duran-Reynals: Th e Fever Bark Tree, Doubleday & Company, Inc., Garden City, tracts for various physiological activities, and the isolation of ac­ New York, 1946, 2 7 5 pp. tive chemical constituents or prototypes that can be made effective J. Jaramillo-Arango: The Conquest of Mala ria, William Heinemann, London, 1950, 125 pp. by semisynthesis. The future also does not lie in the random screen­ M. B. Kreig: Green Medicine, Rand McNally & Company, Chicago, 1964, 462 pp. ing of newly synthesized organic chemicals in the hope that one J. U. Lloyd: Origin and History ofAll the Pharmacopeia/ Vegetable Drugs, Chemicals and Preparations, Caxton Press, Cincinnati , 192 1, 449 pp. will cure cancer or prevent the rejection of a transplanted liver. No, N. Taylor: Plant Drugs That Changed the World, Dodd, Mead & Company, New York, the future lies, as molecular biologists are prone to remind us, in 1965, 275 pp. V. E. Tyler: "Medicinal Plant Research: 1953- 1987," Planta Medica 1988: 95-100 (1988). the identity of the nature of receptor sites on or within cells in the V. E. Tyler: "Natural Products and Medicine," Herba/Gram No. 28:40-45 (1993). brain or in other organs or tissues and the customized synthesis of agents that will occupy those sites to promote some desirable effect 3. Herbal Regulation in the United States and Europe V. E. Tyler: Herbs of Chaice: Th e Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals, Pharmaceutical or to prevent an undesirable one. Products Press, Binghamton, New York, 1994, 209 pp. However, contrary to that oft-repeated phrase, "The future is Y. E. Tyler: "Phytomedicines in Western Europe: Potential Impact on Herbal Medicine in the United States," in Human Medicinal Agents from Plants, A.D. Kinghorn and M.F. now," in drug discovery at least, the future is not yet here. It will Balandrin, eds., ACS Symposium Series 534, American Chemical Society, Washing­ come, but it will come slowly and in pieces, not all at once. So, ton, D.C., 1993, pp. 25-37. Reprinted in Herba/Gram No. 30: 24-30,67-68 (1994). until the day when genetic engineering developments can be made 4. Plant Drug Hunters on the Amazon with sufficient ease to permit the marketing of its products at af­ R. Spruce: Notes of a Botanist on the Amazon & Andes, Vol s. I and 2, Johnson Reprint fordable costs, or the day when all those receptor sites are known Corporation, New York, 1970, 518 and 542 pp. H. H. Rusby: Jungle Memories, Whittlesey House, New York, 1933, 388 pp. and appropriately fitting drugs can be synthesized with ease, we must rely on the classic empirical methods for the discovery of new 5. The Future of Phytomedicinals Y. E. Tyler: "Plant Drugs in the Twenty-first Century," Economic Botany 40: 279-288 drugs. Certainly the plant kingdom is a tried and true source. If we ( 1986). Reprinted in Herba!Gram No. 11 : 6- ll (1987) and as Classic Botanical Re­ are able to curb the naturally rapacious nature of an ever-expanding print No. 207. human population, perhaps a considerable number of those useful 6. Plant Preservation species may be examined scientifically and clinically before being J. M. Riddle, J. W. Estes, and J. C. Russell: "Ever Since Eve . .. Birth Control in the trampled, burned, or plowed into extinction. There are certain to be An cient World," Archaeology 41(2) : 30-35 (1994). some good, new drugs out there remaining to be discovered, but to Professor Tyler 's Keynote Address is available on video and audio find them has become a race against time. tape from ABC. Order item #809. PLANT PRESERVATION- A NECESSITY AND AN OBLIGATION PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS John Riddle tells us that one of the first drug plants to be Congratulations to our "Pharmacy From the Rainforest" Photo rendered extinct in the ancient world was silphium, a birth-control Contest. Voted tops in their respective categories, these agent highly valued by the ancient Romans. Its employment as a pictures are featured on pages 40-4 1 . contraceptive was so widespread that this difficult-to-cultivate plant Background: Like the sun rising on the Amazon, let this be a no longer existed in the Mediterranean area, or anywhere else, after time when we can explore yet preserve the beauty and the third century A.D. This paradox serves as an important lesson resources that surround us . Photo by Jill Thompson, Sarasota, to all who seek to improve the destiny of human beings by making FL. Camera: Olympus 15-10. Film : Kodak Gold 400. use of materials from the kingdom of the plants. Top left: Local color: flora of the Peruvian Rainforest, In advancing our own cause, we must be ever mindful not to Guzmania spp. Photo by Susan Sauer of Washington, D.C. destroy that which helps us to advance. Plants have been faithful Camera: Olympus IS-1 . Film : Kodacolor 400. servants to humans from the beginning of time. Isn't it about time Bottom right: Yagua Indian. Photo by Melinda Bridges of for us to express our thanks by helping plants to continue to occupy Studio City, CA. Camera: Canon Sure Shot. Film : Color print. their rightful place in the world-a world in which botanicals ex­ HerbaiGram would like to thank all the trip participants that isted long before Homo sapiens? took the time to enter the contest. Many entries can be seen If we don't, humanity will be the big loser! 0 throughout this special supplement. Camera and film used are cited with photo entries. Other rainforest photos shown were taken by ABC staff and were not eligible for the contest. Background: Rainforest foliage. Photo by Mark Blumenthal

46 • HERBALGRAM 33 AMERICAN THE ABC BOOK STORE PRESENTS: BoTfoNCAL COJNCIL

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RAINFOREST REMEDIES: THE HEALING FOREST AMAZONIAN ONE HUNDRED HEALING by Richard E. Schultes ond Robert ETHNOBOTANICAL HERBS OF BELIZE F. Roffouf. 1990. Field research DICTIONARY by Rosita Arvigo ond Michael spanning o ho~-

VINE OF THE SOUL­ A FIELD GUIDE TO THE HERBS OF CHOICE MEDICINE ME~, THEIR FAMILIES AND GENERA by Vorro Tyler. 1994.1f PLANTS AND RITuALS IN OF WOODY PLANTS OF physicians, pharmacists, ond THE COLOMBIAN NORTHWEST SOUTH other health professionals hove AMAZONIA been waiting for odefinitive by Richard E. Schultes ond Robert F. AMERICA by Alwyn H. Gentry. 1993. The reference work on herbs they con Roffouf. 1992. Accurate scientific doto trust, this is it. Destined to distilled from o long series of scientific practical fie ld experience of the late Dr. Gentry incorporated into o become one of the most papers by Schultes ond his students. authoritative references ovoiloble. An integration of ethnobotony, guide dealing with the diverse flora IIU,E;---=;._~of the region. Common ond scientific Hardcover, 209 pp. $24.95. chemistry, ond photography. B/W #8079. photos, Softcover, 282 pp. $22.95. nome indices. B/W illus., Softcover, #B050. 895 pp. $39.95. #B044.

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HERBALGRAM 33 • 47 Take an Ethnobotanical Tour of one Rainforest, or three! Registered Pharmacists ca n ea rn Continuing Education credits for participation. 1 99 5 Expeditions: Belize: Reef, Rainforest & Ruins: May 20-28 Visit Mayan temples of Tikal, study their botanical medicines, and attend workshops by Rosita Arvigo, Gregory Shropshire, and James A. Duke. Expedition Highlights: Interact with local professionals-healthcare professionals and traditional healers from the surrounding area-at the International Professional Exchange & Reception hosted by Rosita Arvigo in Belize City. Participate in an Ethnobotanical Field Collection for NCI screening to be submitted to the New York Botanical Garden as part of ongoing research into plant-based cancer drugs. Explore the cultural tapestry of this land through Field Expeditions that include the Ponti Maya Medicine Trail at lx Chel Tropical Plant Research Centre, Tikal and Xunantunich Maya ruins and ceremonial sites , Succotz Village Center for Mayan Culture Preservation & Women's Development, Midwifery Center, Smithsonian Marine Biology Insti­ tute on Carrie Bow Caye, Glovers Reef, Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Presence, Garifisna Village, and Belize Zoo and Education Center.

Costa Rican Rainforest: August 5-13 Workshops in Tortuguero National Park and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Explore this "showplace" for conservation in the trop­ Ethnobotanical Expedition to the Peruvian ics via Field Expeditions that include Amazon Rainforest: October 21-28: Tortuguero National Park Green Turtle Re­ Expedition Highlights: search Station, Po6s Volcano National Park, Explore the dynamics of the Rainforest Canopy by ascend­ Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and the ing over 115 feet on the 1/ 4-mile Canopy Walk­ INBio (Institute Nacional de Biodiversidad) way, the only one of its kind in the Western Hemi­ Botanical Field Research Station . sphere. Participate in Field Expeditions that include the Medicinal Herb Market in lquitos, the Amazon Clinic of Dr. Linnea Sm ith , the ACEER Medicinal Plant Trail, the jungle Sponsored by the ceremonial site of local medicine man/Shaman American Botanical Council, Ayahuascero Antonio Montero Pisco, and meeting with members of the local Yagua Indian Tribe . The Texas Pharmacy Foundation, Experience the primary rainforest at the ACEER (Amazon Cen­ International Expeditions, Inc., and ter for Environmental Education and Research), a ACEER Foundation l1J recently established center located on 250,000 acres of primary rainforest and described by Mis­ For more information contact souri Botanical Garden researchers as one of the Penny King most botanically diverse habitats on Earth . American Botanical Council Discover new areas of knowledge related to topics of gen­ P.O. Box 201660 eral interest and dealing with the rainforest ecosys­ Austin, TX 78720 -1660 tem , with workshops and field excursions conducted by leading naturalists and expert local guides. Ph : 512/331-8868 FAX 512/331-1924

48 • H ERBALGRAM 33 Paradise Lost by James A. Duke (Could be sung to the tune of John Prine's Paradise)

I praise you, John Prine and I hope you won't mind If I screw up your song to help the forest along. Even while I am singing, the axeman is swinging, Choppin' down all that green to plant corn, rice, and bean.

Daddy won't you take me to the Primary Forest, cr By the Amazon River where Paradise lies? I'm sorry, my son, but the forest is gone! I'll show you some slides, that'll have to suffice.

_If you'll not name me there's something I'll mention And so folks won't blame me, I'll quote Peter Jenson. There may be stronger reasons but I can't think of any, Above: Dr. James A Duke. Photo by Penny King . We're losing the forest "because we're too many." Below: ACEER canopy walkway. Photo by Barbara Johnston .

Hope you like to rehearse a song written for us; Hope you enjoy the verse but don't mean the chorus. Of all things the dearest, we're losin' the forest. You can bring some help to Rain Forest Peru. Please spare that tree, 'cause it might help spare thee. It's all up to you, don't let the chorus come true. Jaborandi, papain, curare, quinidine; The forest's the best for your medicine chest. O Momma, won't you take me to the Primary Forest, + On the Amazon River where Paradise lies? I'm sorry, my daughter, but I don't think I oug ht'er. With new diseases emerging we've got to be urging, We've waited too long, now the forest is gone. Please save those trees, they might cure new disease. For tomorrow's germ "thugs" may resist our old drugs.

Oh axeman unkind you are blowing my mind! Conservation insures us tomorrow's new cures. Camu-camu and brazilnut, they can help fill your gut. Never thought ecotours could be one of the curers; But year after year, once the forest is clear, Taking "green" bucks from gringoes, getting mud on their toes. You'll have less and less food and you'll run out of wood. Million acres of Peru, it's a'callin' to you. You can help to preserve with the "green" they deserve.

That's why I like to go to the camp they call "Napa" Hoping some of my pleas kinda' help save the trees. I'd rather you'd find me sunnin' with the tree huggers Than back in D. C. a'runnin' from muggers!

There's one melodrama that sets me to raving, All this forest Explorama is gain' to be saving. If the ecotours thrive, Indian cultures survive And the children will strive to keep tradition alive.

With thousands of species burned or turned into feces, Sawdust and cow feeds and things nobody needs. I hope you will heed us- the forest can feed us. You'd best spare that tree, 'cause that tree could be we!

HERBALGRAM 33 • 49 CHALLENGES FACING HERBALISM Continued from page 32

These papers are not about a herbal miracle cure for the herb tored by the USDA in its annual review of the spice and essential industry to hype, but simply a confirmation of the efficacy of oil trade (USDA FTEA-1-92 and USDA FTEA 2-92). phytotherapy in treating atopic eczema. It shows that phytotherapy The majority of pharmaceutical products are manufactured has nothing to fear from the scru- from raw materials generated by tiny of good clinical studies. the petrochemical industry. It The evidence the FDA de­ has proved impossible to get re­ mands is being found from within Phytotherapists must lose liable statistics about how much the scientific community. Why oil is used by the multinational will it not listen? drug companies. The reference The herb industry plays a what might be described library of the Pharmaceutical profound role in both public and Manufacturers Association was 11 11 governmental knowledge and as­ unable to supply such figures as a ghetto mentality1 sumptions about herbal medicine. from its data base. However, it It must recognize its responsibil­ is self-evident that the modern ity as a major force and act ethi­ a sense of inferiority pharmaceutical industry is cally, but with what responsibili­ founded upon a non-renewable ties, and to whom? Whether ap­ resource. Such petrochemical propriate or not, the industry is developed from years dependence raises immediate the public's primary source of concerns when depletion of oil information through its advertis­ of cultural disdain reserves is considered. One ing and packaging; it drives the study, which the author de­ market place, creating or sup­ scribed as optimistic, estimates pressing demand for herbs; it is and active suppression exhaustion of planet-wide petro­ solely responsible for the avail­ leum reserves by 2060 at cur- ability of herbs. rent rates of consumption In light of this I would propose that the trade organizations, (Ashworth, 1991). Domestic petroleum reserves will be exhausted or even individual companies, should finance educational programs by 2020 if consumption rates remain the same and imports of oil for the public and for workers in both the manufacturing and retail carry on at 80% of needs (Kerr, 1989). sectors of the industry. These programs would be about medicinal Before stocks are exhausted it can be assumed that market plants and the art and practice of herbal medicine-not about spe­ forces and governmental actions will take place so some form of cific product lines. Additionally, the industry could fund research rationing will be imposed. This will initially take the form of sharply that assesses the validity of the claims made by herbalists. Ideally rising prices and, without developing the economics of this in de­ this should be reaserch directly relevant to the practice of tail, it is evident that this may lead to de facto economic rationing of phytotherapy rather than investigation of phytochemistry. pharmaceuticals. The poor and elderly are already experiencing In much of the debate over the Rio Bio-Diversity treaty, more this. Given time the "middle class" may also be unable to afford specific ideas well as general issues surrounding deforestation, medi­ petrochemical-based medications. cine has become an important player. The loss of potentially im­ Judicious utilization of herbal medicine will help ameliorate portant medical plants has been posited as a reason for stopping the the trauma caused by the health care crisis. Medicinal plants will destruction. As environmentalists demand protection for endangered not replace the materia medica of modern medicine but will aug­ rain forests, using concerns about lost medicinals as one rationale, ment it in those areas where herbal medicine has its strengths. why are the medicinals of North America so often ignored? Patents Thus consumer demand for products made from increasingly and research economics, among other issues, play a large role here. scarce petroleum can be reduced. This will benefit the consumer by American medicinal plants are used extensively in Europe, reducing costs and will have the deeper benefit of reducing the eco­ reflecting the respect given internationally to the U.S . herbal tradi­ logical impact of the petrochemical industry. Of course, this may tion, including a number of herbs that have been slipped into the also impact the profits of the pharmaceutical industry. Conspiracy category of heirloom plants in this country. Of the 232 monographs theorists may see this as a possible contributing factor in the inten­ in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 73 are plants indigenous to sity of the FDA's response to herbal products, although I have no North America. These are not the European plants that have be­ direct evidence to confirm or deny this paranoia. come naturalized and used throughout North America, but species such as Balmony (Chelone glabra) and fringe-tree bark (Chionanthus glabra). They are exported to Britain in what must be reasonably large quantities. However, I have been unable to find reliable sta­ tistics on the export of medicinal herbs other than the few moni- Continued on page 61

50 • HERBALGRAM 33 CONFERENCE REPORT

SYMPOSIUM ON BOTANICALS: A ROLE IN U.S. HEALTH CARE?

By Steven Foster

A symposium titled "Botanicals: A that there may not be a role for botanicals in rations will be of good quality?" followed Role in U.S. Health Care?" was an event of U.S. health care as there is in the rest of the by "How do regulations affect the market­ historic proportions, held December 14- 16, industrialized world. With little publicity, place and impact the cost of health care?'' 1994, at the Ornni Shoreham Hotel in Wash­ the event still attracted more than 300 par­ Opening comments were presented by ington, D.C. The symposium was an out­ ticipants, including several dozen FDA offi­ Dr. Devra Lee Davis, a senior advisor to the growth of a meeting held in May which cials. In the space of this preliminary re­ Assistant Secretary of Health and Human brought together industry representatives, port, we can only touch upon some of the Services, who gave a generally upbeat re­ National Institutes of Health (NIH) officials, highlights of the conference. An expanded view of the importance of botanicals in medi­ and FDA officials in an effort to open dis­ report will appear in a future issue of cine and suggested that we were at the be­ cussions on finding common ground in vari­ HerbalGram. Also, at a later date, the Ameri­ ginning of a new stage when perhaps a way ous issues related to botanicals and their role can Botanical Council will make available could be found to integrate botanicals into a and regulation in the United States. symposium proceedings, audio and video rational regulatory and research framework The present symposium was spon- tapes of the entire symposium, and a video that would give herbs their rightful place in the health care system . .------., The first section of the conference, "What are botanicals and how are they currently used?" was chaired by Dr. Professor Tyler chided the FDA lor its Norman Farnsworth of the Program for Collaborative Research in the Pharmaceu­ tical Sciences at the University of Illinois, past intransigent attitude toward Chicago. His remarks provided a mix of the serious tone of the subject matter at botanical products in any form­ hand, at the same time, convincing par­ ticipants not to take themselves too seri­ ously. an attitude which has left the Dr. Varro Tyler, Lilly Distinguished Professor of Pharmacognosy of Purdue a state University, presented the first discussion U.S. in where herbs have of this session, as well as the keynote in­ troduction to the event. He focused on his long sat in a regulatory gray zone. belief that herbal products sold for health purposes should be represented as drugs, and that a rational regulatory framework should be developed for allowing herbal sored by the Office of Alternative Medicines as funding becomes available for production products to be sold and labeled for what they (OAM) of NIH, in cooperation with the Food costs. are. He advocated the adoption of the Ger­ and Drug Administration (FDA). The pur­ The symposium included individual man Commission E monograph system, pose was to define and address key issues brief presentations, followed by open panel which he noted was the best scientific and related to the use and regulation of botani­ discussions, usually with a dozen or more regulatory framework in the world, to pro­ cal medicine in the United States. As such, experts in various topics of specific interest. vide a rational basis for the regulation of it brought together members of the herbal On the first day panel one explored the topic, herbs. Professor Tyler chided the FDA for community, FDA representatives, and "What are botanicals and how are they cur­ its past intransigent attitude toward botani­ academia to explore diverse topics of mu­ rently used?" Day two brought the second cal products in any form-an attitude which tual interest such as an assessment of cur­ and third panels which presented views on has left the U.S. in a state where herbs have rent use of botanicals, safety and efficacy, "How could we know that botanicals work?" long sat in a regulatory gray zone. Tyler's and quality control, as well as economic and and "How could we know that these prod­ presentation set the tone for the entire sym­ regulatory issues. ucts are safe?" The third and final day of posium. Given the question mark in the the conference treated issues relating to Symposium's title, a presupposition is made "How could we ensure that botanical prepa- Continued on next page

HERBALGRAM 33 • 51 CONFERENCE REPORT

At times discussions between panels Willmar Schwabe GmbH and Co. , all gave Robert Pineo who spoke on the OTC drug with opposing views were heated, yet cor­ excellent presentations on the scientific, model. He implied that if the agency (FDA) dial. Answers to questions such as how regulatory, and economic state of the Euro­ is unable to develop regulatory flexibility that would the FDA view garlic products in a drug pean phytomedicine market. Mr. Eaves pre­ accommodates herbs, the only way to cor­ context brought rather disturbing responses sented new statistical data, based on recent rect the situation in a manner acceptable to from Robert Temple, M.D. , Office of Drug surveys, which revealed that the size of the the needs of U.S. consumers is to turn to the Evaluation and Research, Center for Drug European phytomedicine market, as indi­ legislative branch of government. His com­ Evaluation and Research at FDA, who ex­ cated in publications of the past several years, ments were particularly poignant consider­ plained that the agency would like to treat a has been grossly underestimated due to sam­ ing that he is co-author of a petition by the single herb extract as a combination prod­ pling errors. While the size of the European European-American Phytomedicine Coali­ uct, suggesting that each ingredient in a market had previously been placed at $2.7 tion (EAPC) which was submitted in July single plant would have to be evaluated for to $2.9 billion, Mr. Eaves presented evidence 1992 requesting "old drug" status for Euro­ safety and efficacy in relation to the health for a much larger European market, topping pean phytomedicines under the ore review claim, a policy position that would, of course, $6 billion U.S., with $3 billion in retail sales rather than requiring them to be approved as keep all herbal products out of the drug cat­ in Germany alone. A common thread of ex­ costly new drugs. To date (2 112 years since egory. perience which prevailed among European submission) FDA has still not responded to Various presenters, including Barbara presenters was puzzlement with the U.S. this petition! Steinhoff, B undesfach verband der regulatory system, which, despite the pas­ After hearing the presentations and Arzneimittel-Herseller, Bonn, Germany [the sage of the Dietary Supplement and Educa­ views expressed by all parties and the great German equivalent of the Non-prescription tion Act of 1994, still has no rational regula­ diversity of views at this historic event, I be­ Drug Manufacturers Association], Hubertus tory framework for including botanical medi­ lieve that the next forum for these issues Cranz, Executive Director of the European cines in health care. should indeed be before the legislative Proprietary Medicine Manufacturer's Asso­ Perhaps the most salient remarks of the branch of government, i.e,. Congress. 0 ciation, Brussels, and Melville Eaves, Dr. entire symposium came from drug lawyer

DRUG DISCOVERY AND COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES IN MEDICINAL PLANTS

By Steven Foster "Drug Discovery & Commercial Op­ which increases chances of approval, mar­ 1958 to 1980, NCI was able to screen about portunities in Medicinal Plants," a confer­ ketability, patent protection and, ultimately, 35,000 plant species. With new methods that ence co-chaired by Michael Hurley, Presi­ profit. Therefore, pharmaceutical companies are much faster, far more accurate, and more dent, National Institutes for Health Commu­ look to plants as sources of single new novel economical, that many species can be tested nications, Inc., and Dr. Maurice Iwu, Visit­ compounds for drug development. This was in a year. ing Senior Research Associate, Walter Reed largely the focus of the conference. Brevity Biotechnology advances such as im­ Army Institute of Research, was held Sep­ will limit us to major points at the event as proved cell-culture methods have developed, tember 19-20, 1994, at the Ritz Carlton Ho­ viewed by this author. allowing compounds or plant extracts to be tel in Arlington, Virginia. Approximately Many presentations highlighted major tested against human cancer cells in the labo­ 200 attended the two-day event, which fea­ scientific breakthroughs which occurred in ratory. Twenty years ago, screening was con­ tured 40 presentations on a wide range of the 1980s, including enhanced methods of ducted only on laboratory animals with lim­ topics related to the business and science of chemical analysis and separation, and the ited types of cancer cells, often producing medicinal plants. development of automated laboratory tech­ false-positive results. In recent years, successful anticancer nology, allowing for staggering increases in Size of test samples has also de­ drugs such as taxol, introduced directly or chemists' ability to assess new compounds. creased. In plant drug discovery, several indirectly through the efforts of the National Prior to these technological advances, a good pounds of plant material were once neces­ Cancer Institute's (NCI) plant screening pro­ chemist could isolate and screen about 100 sary for initial experimentation. Now only gram, have heightened interest in medicinal compounds a year. Today, organizations a few grams are needed. Therefore, modern plant research. New drug development in such as NCI or pharmaceutical companies sampling methods also have a negligible ef­ the U. S. focuses on single isolated chemi­ can screen tens of thousands, rather than fect on the environment. Using micro cal components, preferably produced by syn­ hundreds of plant extracts a year. For ex­ amounts of plant material, rather than thetic or semi-synthetic routes, a process ample, using existing technologies from pounds, a single laboratory can evaluate

52 • HERBALGRAM 33 CONFERENCE REPORT Today, thousands of compounds per week in doz­ involved with the early development of Sha­ ens of biological test models. man Pharmaceuticals. Why? According to Dramatic advances in molecular and organizations suth Silby, not because of the technology they cellular biology allow for enhanced ap­ possessed or the ability of their chemists. proaches to new drug development, specifi­ The reason he expressed for Calvert Fund's cally the possibility of targeting large num­ as NCI or interest was the fact that Shaman's CEO had bers of compounds to attach to cell receptor the ability to keep raising money, and they sites in a highly specific manner. This in­ pharmateutital were sold on the company's management and creases the ability to target a compound to a its relationship to its investors. Silby also specific function or biological activity. • noted failures in hi s more cautious than up­ With the development of these new tompan1es tan beat assessment of investment opportunities technologies and enhancement of existing in medicinal plant ventures. For example, methods, pharmaceutical companies are screen of one company came forward with a good again turning to the world of flowering plants tens technology, but did not know the markets for after a hiatus in interest of nearly 30 years. the technology. In closing, Silby explained A session, "Beyond the Romance of thousands, rather that investors in the drug discovery process Plants, Deciding to Invest in Medicinal Plant are most interested in investing in genetic­ Programs," began with a presentation by Paul based drug development, primarily due to a A. Armond, Senior Project Analyst, Research than hundreds of shortened lead time from discovery to new and Development Operations, Pfizer Central drug development. The bottom line, he ex­ Research. Eight years ago Pfizer introduced plant extracts plained, was that Wall Street was generally rapid methods of plant screening. Before that disappointed in drug stocks and biotechnol­ they were able to screen 100 compounds a ogy. New product breakthroughs will be re­ week. Now they have the capacity to screen a year. quired to stimulate Wall Street investors. 2,000 compounds per week, moving from "Hope is a great falsifier-let good 5,000 a year to 100,000 per year. The abil­ judgment keep her in check," was the mes­ ity to screen increased so dramatically that "Why, then, develop higher-plant­ sage of Gustav Christensen, Partner, Com­ medicinal chemists, developing new com­ based discovery programs, and why now?", monwealth Bioventures, Inc., also speaking pounds from computer models, did not offer he asked. Reasons include: 1) increased on investment strategies. From an investor's the diversity needed for the new screening chemical sophistication, 2) a premium on perspective, he noted, "Moving from gut system (which has the ability to test 300-400 novel pharmacophores, naturally occurring feeling to good business sense is what they analogs from a single compound). This was compounds that already have a biological look for. " He outlined criteria for early in- unheard of even ten years ago. Pfizer needed function in plants, therefore a more biologi­ more compound diversity, so they turned cally relevant chemistry to humans, 3) the from medicinal chemists to higher plants as immense chemical diversity of plants; and Continued on next page a source of chemical diversity. The reason 4) targeted selection of activ­ they are turning to flowering plants is the ity through ethnomedicine, chemical diversity such botanicals offer for zoopharmacology (observing screening purposes. Pfizer recently awarded animals' selection of plants), a contract to the Institute for Economic plus plant physiology, and Botany, New York Botanical Garden, to col­ di sease resistance, which also lect North American plant species to run provides clues to chemical through the screening system. activity. Several speakers, such as Malcolm Dr. Morville wins the Morville, President & CEO of Phytera, Inc., prize for the quote of the con­ a biotech firm focusing on cell culture dis­ ference: "If you put a million covery and genetic manipulation for new medicinal (synthesis) chemists compounds, mixed business with science. to work for a million years, you He gave an interesting talk on investment in will not have the chemical medicinal plants. Morville noted that hi s­ diversity that flowering tory is compelling, but the cost/benefits con­ plants offer." sideration sometimes negates this. He noted Wayne Silby, Founder of alternatives available are: medicinal chem­ the Calvert Fund, a six billion istry, computer design of molecules, combi­ dollar investment group, spoke Reception at U.S . Botanical Gardens. ©1994 Steven Foster. national chemistries, and faster natural prod­ on in vestment strategies in me­ ucts programs than higher plants, such as dicinal plant research and de­ bacteria and fungi. velopment. Calvert Fund was

H ERBALGRAM 33 • 53 CONFERENCE REPORT

terest in a venture, which included a differ­ ... modern "Europe: Phytomedicines Market Growth and entiated (unique) technology, multiple prod­ Investment Opportunities." The presentation uct technology (the ability to produce more included up-to-date statistical data on the size, than one product), definable milestones, abil­ sampling methods extent, and growth of the European market, ity to finance, short-term revenue opportuni­ and reasons why multinational pharmaceuti­ ties, and the bottom line-do you like the cal firms are buying European phytomedicine start-up company founders and can they do also have a companies. the job? Other informative discussions focused Presentations by Robert J. Pineo, for­ negligible on the Biodiversity Treaty and patent issues, merly head of the OTC Drug Review at FDA managing botanical resources, cooperating in the 1990s and now an attorney specializ­ with developing countries in Europe, Africa, ing in drug law, and Mark Blumenthal, Ex­ effett on the Asia, and Latin America, and designing in­ ecutive Director of the American Botanical ternational agreements to the benefit of all Council, highlighted the potential of medici­ environment. parties. nal plants in the OTC drug area, and, in par­ The conference was a unique mix of ticular, using the German Commission E science and business. No matter what the monograph system as a precedent for devel­ technology, financial resources, and informa­ oping a new regulatory framework for tion available, a common thread to success phytomedicines in the U.S. Dr. Jorg in drug discovery and commercial develop­ Grunwald, Medical-Scientific Director of ment clearly emerged-that intangible Lichtwer Pharma GmbH, Germany, spoke on "people factor." 0

THE fiFTH INTERNATIONAL MYCOLOGICAL CONGRESS

by Kenneth Jones, Director, Armana Research Gibsons, B.C., Canada

One of the largest world gatherings of iting fungus. The zaragozic acids are being presented at the congress, too. A lichen mycologists took place in Vancouver, B.C., studied as potential agents for the treatment (Gyrophora esculenta) which grows upon at the University of British Columbia, August of hypercholesterolemia (Huang, 1994). rocks high in the mountains of China, Korea, 14-21 , 1994. "Mycostock 94" it wasn't, but Huang explained that alkylcitrates, a and Japan, has been collected as a culinary a great time was had by a111,600 who arrived group of fungal compounds derived from for­ delicacy and medicinal item for centuries. from every part of the world. A handful of est green mold (Trichoderma viride), and This lichen is commonly known as rock key papers were presented on pharmacologi­ some zaragozic acids potently inhibit an en­ mushroom or iwatake (Japan) and is currently cal research with fungi and each one offered zyme system known as FPTase (farnesyl-pro­ the subject of antibiotic studies by Min Tae­ important insights to the medical knowledge tein transferase). This enzyme is now the tar­ Jin and Bae Kang-Gyu of Dongguk Univer­ of this other-world of plants. get of cancer researchers worldwide because sity in Seoul, Korea. Noting that others be­ The potential of new fungal byproducts it initiates a transformation of a gene which fore them had found cholesterol-lowering and for developing cholesterol-lowering and an­ then leads to tumor formation. The goal of antitumor activities from the lichen, the team ticancer agents was the subject of a ple­ the Merck group is to find agents that block reported the purification of antibiotic com­ nary session by L. Huang and colleagues of farnesylation by FPTase. Two inhibitors have pounds after an ethanolic extract had shown Merck Research Laboratories of Rahway, already been found in the fungus Chaetomella activity against five kinds of pathogenic fungi. New Jersey and Merck, Sharpe and Dohme acutiseta in the form of chaetomellic acids A It can only be hoped that their discoveries may of Spain. Huang discussed the finding of and B. The Merck researchers concluded that lead to new kinds of antibiotics to replace zaragozic acids as inhibitors of squalene syn­ the fruitful results of their search for inhibi­ those to which pathogens are now showing thetase, an enzyme that synthesizes sterols in tors of FPTase and squalene synthetase in the resistance. the body. These acids were found in three world of fungi indicate that many such in­ The caterpillar fungus ( Cordyceps different species of rnicrofungi: Amauroascus hibitors are made by fungi of diverse kinds sinensis) was the subject of many private dis­ niger, a soil-inhabiting species; (Tae-Jin & Kang-Gyu, 1994). cussions at the congress. A recent review by Leptodontidium elatius, a mold-type fungus; Because a large portion of lichens con­ D.N. Pegler of the Herbarium at the Royal and Sporormiella intermedia, a dung-inhab- sist of fungal cells, these types of plants were Botanic Gardens in Kew, England-also one

54 • HERBALGRAM 33 CONFERENCE REPORT

of the keynote delegates at the con­ fessor Teow explained that the tests gress-undoubtedly contributed to the were made to obtain a preliminary de­ interest. Pegler had mentioned that, termination of the possible therapeu­ attributing their success to a special tic role of the extract for future clini­ diet containing caterpillar fungus, cal and laboratory research. He con­ China's Olympic runners recently ducted these tests in four types of pa­ managed to set new world records in tients: those with diabetes mellitus, several distance events. The 10,000 hepatitis B, recurrent nasopharyngeal meter event was reportedly reduced by carcinoma, and acute myeloid leuke­ 42 seconds. mia. In the diabetes patients, blood Pegler explained that the fungus glucose levels were lowered. Within takes its common name from the fact 12 weeks of taking reishi, the hepati­ that it grows as a parasite on bat moth tis B patients showed significantly re- (Hepialus amoricanus) and other in­ Shiitake mushrooms, Lentinula spp. duced levels of SGPT and SGOT, as sect larvae. After the mycelium has Photo by Ira Kennedy well as seroconversion of the hepati­ completely digested the innards of the tis B virus from a positive antigen insect, what remains is the outermost 'mum­ water extract of reishi by the oral route. Yang reading before the test to a negative one dur­ mified' form of the larval body, with a blade­ explained that after pretreatment with vari­ ing and after. In the myeloid leukemia pa­ like fungal growth protruding from its head. ous dosages of the fungus for seven days, dif­ tients, reishi preceded, accompanied, and fol­ Pegler mentioned that its main uses in tradi­ ferent groups of mice were subjected to low lowed radiation and chemotherapy. Teow re­ tional Chinese medicine are as a strengthen­ oxygen and to continuous swimming tests. In ported that stable blood counts were found ing tonic in convalescing patients, and in both experiments, mice that had received the following three cycles of chemotherapy coughs, back pains, knee pains, and tubercu­ extract significantly outperformed the control (Teow, 1994 ). Eight months later at the time losis (Pegler, 1994). mice (Yang and Wang, 1994). I was im­ of the congress, these patients were still alive A poster on this ancient tonic was pre­ pressed with the fact that in these tests even and well (Teow, 1994). Similar treatment at­ sented by Naoki Takemoto of the Meiji Milk relatively low dosages-roughly equivalent tended the carcinoma patients and, again, Products Co. and colleagues from the Meiji to 6-9 gm/day used in traditional Chinese Teow found that the addition of the reishi Institute of Health Science, the Tokyo Medi­ medicine-produced statistically significant extract made a significant difference. cal and Dental University, and the Sanming results (Yang, 1994). Full details of the reports presented at Mycological Institute ofFujian, China. These The unexpected findings from an anti­ the congress will be published at a later date institutions have a long history of research in HIV study with reishi were reported by B.K. as the Proceedings of the Fifth International the field of medicinal fungi and had collabo­ Kim and colleagues from the College of Phar­ Mycological Congress. 0 rated in studying the mycelia of caterpillar macy of Seoul National University, Seoul, fungus to discern activities on aortic and bron­ Korea. In isolated human helper T-cells in­ References chial tissue from rats. The hot water extract fected with HIV, various fractions from wa­ Huang, L. et a/., " New Fungal Metabolites as Potential Antihypercholesterolemic and Anticancer Agents," in of the mycelia caused a significant relaxation ter and ethanolic extracts of the fruit body Abstracts of the Fifth International Mycological Con­ of bronchial tissue and of aortic tissue showed antiviral activity. The ability of the gress, August 14-21 , 1994, Vancouver, B.C., p. 95 . Kim, B. K. et a/., "Anti-HIV Activities of Ganoderma (Takemoto, 1994 ). From a conversation with virus to multiply was also hampered. Essen­ lucidum," Abstracts, p. 109. one ofthe presenters, Akinobu Tsunoo, M.D., tially, parts of reishi separated by solvents had -Open plenary discussion at the Fifth lnt' l. Myco­ Ph.D., of Meiji Mi lk Products, I learned that inhibited HIV infectivity. In such an assay, logical Congress, August 16, 1994. Pegler, D. N. eta/. , "The Chinese 'Caterpillar Fungus,"' The they are hoping to isolate a constituent with most researchers would have anticipated a Mycologist ( 1994); 8 (Part 1): 3-5. potential application in upper respiratory tract high molecular weight polysaccharide frac­ Tae-Jin, M. and Kang-Gyu, B., "The Structure of Antibiotics in Gyrophora escu/enta," Abstracts of the Fifth Interna­ problems such as bronchitis. This applica­ tion to be the active one, but Kim reported tional Mycological Congress, Au gust 14-2 1, 1994, tion has long been made of caterpillar fungus that the low molecular weight fraction showed Vancouver, B.C., p. 142. Takemoto, N. eta/., "Pharmacological Studies on Cordyceps in Chinese medicine (Tsunoo, 1994). a strong degree of HIV inhibition. Several sinensis fro m China," Abstracts of the Fifth International Several groups of researchers gathered yet-to-be elucidated components were estab­ Mycological Congress, August 14-21 , 1994, Vancouver, B.C., p. 15 8. to present papers on activity studies with the lished as the constituents responsible (Kim, Teow, S. S. "The Therapeutic Value of Ganoderma lucidum," reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum). The 1994), and work is proceeding to determine Abstra cts of the Fifth International Mycological Con­ event was covered by China's national TV their identities (Kim, 1994). gress, August 14-2 1, 1994, Vancouver, B.C., p. 219. - Personal communicati on. August 16, 1994. news and a number of distinguished authori­ With the goal of medicinal plant re­ Tsunoo, A .. M.D., Ph .D., Personal communication. August ties on medicinal and food mushrooms at­ search ultimately aimed at the betterment of 18, 1994. Yang, Q. Y. and Wang, M. M., "The Experiment on tended. The room was packed to capacity world health, it was refreshing to hear about Ganoderma lucidum Extract and its Power of Anti-fa­ with an overflow listening in from the hall. some clinical results with reishi. Professor ti gue Against th e Lack of Ox ygen," Abstracts ofthe Fifth In ternational Mycological Congress, August 14-21. From Shanghai Teachers University, S.S. Teow of the MARA Institute of Tech­ 1994. Vancouver, B.C., p. 249. Professors Q.Y. Yang and M.M. Wang pre­ nology in Malaysia presented his findings - Personal communicati on. August 16, 1994. sented findings from anti-fatigue experiments from clinical assays with a commercial reishi with mice which were administered a hot extract (unavailable in North America). Pro-

HERBALGRAM 33 • 55 Whether it's the economics of herbs and CLASSIC pharmaceuticals, medicinal plants in the BOTANICAL rain forests, or their place in modern therapy, you'll find it all in ABC's REPRINTS Classic Botanical Reprints. American Botanical Council Volume II Volume I #215 ·What is Herbal Medicine? $3 by R. F. Weiss. Reprinted from Herbal Medicine by R. F. Weiss, M.D., #20 1 • Traditional Medicines: The Indian Scenario $1 1988. By permission of Beaconsfield Publishers, Ltd., Beaconsfield, by S. B.Goel. Reprinted with permission from the International England. Available from ABC, from the publishers or from Medicina Traditional Medicine Newsletter, Vol. 3, Issue 2, Spring 1989. 4 pages. Biologica, 2037 N.E. Flanders St., Portland, OR 97232. #202 • Introduction: Folk Lore and Folk Medicines $2 $55 plus $3 shipping. 12 pages. by John Scarborough, editor. 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Workshop Proceedings OTA-BP-F-23 (Springfield, VA: No.4, Winter 1984. Rev. July 1989. 4 pages. Notional Technical Information Service, September 1983). 20 pages. #205 • The Economic Significance of Herbs $2 #218 • Ginseng Research: The Root of the Issue S1 by Portia Meares. Reprinted from HerbaiGram No. 13, Summer by Mark Blumenthal. Reprinted with permission of Herbs! . 1987. Rev. July 1989. 8 pages. March/ April1987. 4 pages. #206 • Ethnobotany: Historical Diversity and Synthesis $5 #219 • The Need for Cooperation Between by Richard I. Ford. Reprinted from The Nature and Status of Modern and Traditional Medicine $3 Ethnobotany, Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan, by Ara Der Marderosion . Reprinted with permission of the author. 1984. 20 pages. HerbaiGram No. 24. 12 pages. #207 • Plant Drugs in the 21st Century $3 #220 • Medicinal Plants and Primary Health Care: by Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D. Reprinted from Economic Botany An Agenda for Action $3 40(3), 1986, pp. 279-288. 12 pages. by 0. Akerele. Fitoterapia 59(5):355-63. Reprinted with permission from Fitoterapia. 12 pages. #208 • Tropical Rain Forests: Potential Sources of New Drugs? $4 by D. D. Soejarto and N. R. Farnsworth. 1989. Reprinted with #221 ·Plant Pharmacy $2 permission from Perspedives in Biology and Medicine by J. U. Lloyd. American Journal of Pharmacy, April1922, 32(2): 244-256. 16 pages. pp. 1-7. Reprinted with permission from the American Journal of Pharmacy. 8 pages. #209 • The Present and Future of Pharmacognosy $2 by N. R. Farnsworth. Reprinted with permission from the American #222 • Medicine and Drugs in Colonial America $3 Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 43: 239-243 (1979). 8 pages. by Ara Der Marderosian and Mukund S. Yelvigi. American Journal of Pharmacy, July-August1976, pp. 113-120. Reprinted with #210 ·A New Look at Botanical Medicine $2 permission from the American Journal of Pharmacy. 12 pages. by Andrew Weil. Reprinted with permission from Whole Earth Review, No. 64, Fall1989. 8 pages. #223 • Debunking the Ginseng Abuse Syndrome $3 by Mark Blumenthal. Whole Foods, March 1991 . Reprinted with #211 - Higher Plants: The Sleeping Giants of Drug Development $2 permission from Whole Foods. 8 pages. by N. R. Farnsworth and R. Morris. Reprinted with permission from the American Journal of Pharmacy. Vol. 147, No.2, Morch/April #224 - Ginkgos and People:A Thousand Years of Interaction · $4 1976, pp. 46-52. 8 pages. by Peter DeiTredici. Arnoldia, 51(2):2-15, 1991. Reprinted with permission from the author. 16 pages. #212 - Medicinal Plants in Therapy $5 by N. R. Farnsworth, 0. Akerele, A. S. Bingel, D. D. Soejarto, and #225 • The Duke of Herbs $3 Z. G. Guo. Reprinted with permission from Bulletin of the World by Richard Leviton. East West, Sept./Oct. 1991, pp. 66-76. Health Organization 63(6):965-981 (1985). 20 pages. Reprinted with permission from East West. 8 pages. #213 - Conservation, Ethnobotany, and the Search for New Jungle #226 ·Classic Botanical Reprints· Vol. II Only $29 Medicines: Pharmacognosy Comes of Age ••• Again $2 Complete set of above articles in by Mark J. Plotkin, Ph.D. Reprinted with permission from black binder. $34.50 value! Save $5.50. Pharmacotherapy, Vol. 8, No.5, 1988. pp. 257-262. 8 pages. Reprints #215 -225. Add $2 US/Canada, $15 foreign for postage & handling. #214 ·Classic Botanical Reprints· Vol. I Only $29 Complete set of above articles in block binder. $37.50 value! Save $8.50. See pages 78 and 79 to order. Reprints #20 1 - 213. FAX your order: S12/331-1924. Add $2 US/Canada, $15 foreign for postage & handling. Credit card orders call toll-free: 800/373-71 OS

56 • H ERBALGRAM 33 MARKET REPORT

CHINESE DUMP GARLIC IN THE U.S.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is­ market prices for fresh U. S. garli c have re­ pound of garlic in California is $0.40 to sued a final determination on October 26, covered. $0.60. (United States International Trade 1994, allowing the U.S. Customs Service A spokesperson for the Fresh Garlic Commission, Office of Public Affairs, OPA to require Chinese importers of fresh garlic Producers Association (FGPA) explained 94-104 and press releases from Georgetown to post a bond or cash deposit equal to that "Chinese imports skyrocketed from 3 Communication Services for the Fresh Gar­ 376.6% of the invoice value of the imported million pounds in 1991 , to 7.2 million lic Producers Association; July 8, 1994, and product. This action is a result of unfairly pounds in 1992, to more than 54 million October 26, 1994.) 0 priced garlic imports from the People's pounds in 1993." In 1993 China sold fresh Repubic of China (PRC) which threatened garlic in the U.S. for $0.06 per pound while the U.S . fresh garlic industry. Since the pre­ the average production cost in China was HERB CHECKLIST liminary tariff went into effect July 11 , 1994, $0.27 per pound. The cost to grow one AND CROSS­ REFERENCE SUPPLEMENT AND HERB Herbs SALES INCREASE of Commerce According to a survey of health food margin of error. However, considering that stores conducted by Vitamin Retailer maga­ there are an estimated total of about I 0,000 zine, a trade journal in the supplement in­ health food stores in the U.S. (including dustry, sales for supplements rose an aver­ some 2,000 General Nutrition Center stores), age 11 % in sales as an entire category in the stores that responded to the survey con­ Published by the 1994. The survey was based on responses stitute only about two percent of the total. American Herbal Products Association by 200 stores that filled out survey forms in Therefore, the following data on herbs taken the magazine's September and October 1994 from the survey cannot be considered repre­ issues. Results were reported in the Decem­ sentative of the entire health food industry. ber issue and reportedly reflect sales trends HerbalGram offers this information in this This publication of the American Herbal Products Association includes a checklist of for the stores in the prior 12-month period. context. 0 over 550 species of primary plant names of The magazine says that the survey has a 7% herbs in commerce in the United States with over 1, 800 cross-referenced names. Common Supplement Category Comparisons names, as well as outdated Latin names, are currently used in the commercial herb market. "Herbs of Commerce" is not only a useful key % Store sales No . Lines Expansion Plans •• for accurate identification but a viable industry standard which will help reduce such confusion Vitamins/Minerals 49% 11 31 % in the future. "Herbs of Commerce" is a must for wholesalers, retailers , and consumers, as well Herbs• 26% 5 37% as health professionals, researchers, and Sports Nutrition••• 10% 6 17% regulators. Homeopathy 7% 30% 4 Edited by botanist Steven Foster with the assistance of the Specialty Supplements 8% n/a n/a following Scien@c Advisory Panel: Dr. Dennis Awang (Bureau of Drug Research, Natural Products Division, Health and WeHare Canada), Dr. Shin Ying Hu (Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University, retired), Dr. John Kartesz (North Carolina Botanical • "Herbs" includes herb supplements and medicinal teas. Garden, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Dr. Arthur •• Expansion plans refers to store comments that managers intended to increase the selec­ 0 . Tucker (Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Delaware State College), and Dr. Varro E. Tyler (School of tion of medicinal herbs within the corning year. Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences, Purdue University). ••• A number of sports nutrition products are sold for purposes of increasing energy and to increase muscle size and/or strength and may also include herbal ingredients. Supplements averaged 65% of total store sales; conventional food and all other prod­ Item #403. See page 78 $3 9so for other products ucts were 35 %. and order form. Single ingredient herb sales constituted 55 % of total herb sales while 45 % were combi­ nation products consisting of multiple herbal ingredients.

Source: McSweeney, D. Supplement sales on the rise in '94. Vitamin Retailer, Dec. 1994:22-25. Call 800/373-71 OS or FAX 5121331-1924

HERBALGRA M 33 • 5 7 Our llaclc issues # 28 aren't old issues••• # 23 BACK PACK 1 #17 - Summer 88. (24 pp.) Sarsaparilla, A Literature Review; Hops/ #1- Summer 83. (4 pp.) Eucalyptus Repels Fleas, Stones Koalas; FDA OTC Metabolization of Toxins; Herbal Roach Killer; Epazote Popular; Herbal Tick Re­ Panel Reviews Menstrual & Aphrodisiac Herbs; Tabasco Toxicity?; Garlic Odor Re­ pellent?; Chinese Herb Products Regulated; Plant Invaders; Interview with Professor pels Deer; and more. H. Wagner; Herbal Cancer Remedies; Antibiotic Arsenal; Antiviral Alkaloids/ AIDS #2 - Fall/Winter 83-84. (8 pp.) Appeals Court Overrules FDA on Food Safety; Virus; Neurological Disease/Plant Seeds; lndoles; Sedative Peanut Leaves; Cardiac Beware of Bay Leaves; Tiny Tree, Cancer Cure?; Comfrey Tea Recall; and more. Benefits trienchi Ginseng; Antitumor Effects/Sophora; Anti-aging Formula; Chi­ #3 - Spring 84. (8 pp.) Flowers and Dinosaurs Demise?; Citrus Peels for Kitty nese Arthritis Treatment; Kava in Two Newspapers; Gin Ads I Herbal Ingredients; Litter; Antibacterial Sassafras; WHO Studies Anti-fertility Plants; Chinese Herbal High Flying Wild Flowers; Traditional Medicine of China; and more. Drugs; Feverfew Migraines; Ginseng as Cash Crop; and more. #4- November 84. (12 pp.) Medicinal Effects of Eggplant Leaves; Ayurvedic BACK PACK 2 Medicine for Sciatica & Arthritis; Coffee and Iron Absorption; Synthetic Garlic; Le­ #18/19 Double issue - Fali1988/Winter 1989. (48 pp.) How Did Van Gogh?; thal Chocolate Chips; Alternative Approaches to Gout; and more. Can Wintergreen Light Up Your Smile?; Flax Facts; Tobacco Headed Down Prim­ #5 - Spring 85. (12 pp.) Onions & Hypoglycemic Compound; Fenugreek Re­ rose Path in Canada; Chaparral: One of Oldest Plants on Earth; Did You Read Your duces Insulin Need?; Black Walnut Repels Fleas; Psyllium Allergy; Soothing Cha­ Morning Kenaf?; Epazote: An Herbal Cure for the Greenhouse Effect?; Pepped-Up momile; Yohimbine for Sexual Therapy; Parsley Reviewed; Eleuthero & the Liver; Potency in Herbs; Mate Production Rises in Argentina; "Marijuana, Cranberries: and more. Gaining Respect"; African Herbal Medicine; Herbs "Big Business" in China; The #6 - Summer 85. (12 pp.) Desert Plants for Future Foods?; Hispanic Folk Hoxsey Film; Synthetic Silver Bullet vs. Herbal Shotgun Shell; Benefits of Garlic; Medicines; Ginger for Motion Sickness; Ipecac Abuse; Toxic Clove Cigarettes; New New Clinical Test/Garlic; AIDS News: St. John's Wort/Retrovirus; Feverfew Head­ Herbal Sweetener; Chilies and Ulcers; Milk Thistle Extracts; Ginseng for Liver Dam­ ache Research; Polysaccharide Against HfV; Spirulinain the News; Guar Gum/Heart; age; and more. Cranberry Juice/Urinary Infections; Huperzia: Hype or Hope?; Huperzia: The China/ #7 - Fall 85. (12 pp.) Scullcap Substitution; Therapeutic Ginkgo Trees; Gin­ Pittsburgh Connection; St. J ohn's Wort: A Review; Flora of China Translation Be­ seng & Potency; Dahlia as New Sweetener; Herbal Cures for Heroin & Opium; Jo­ comes International Effort; and more. joba vs. IRS; Aromatherapy for Stress; Bloodroot in Oral Hygiene; and more. #20 - Spring 1989. (52 pp.) Scientists Develop Anti-cancer Tobacco; Cactus #8 -Winter 86. (12 pp.) Call for Government Sponsored Natural Drug Re­ Lowers Blood Glucose Levels; Spicy Food/Stomach Distress; "Secrets of the Rain search, by Dr. Jim Duke; Ginseng & Ageing; Chinese Herbs Treat Altitude Sickness; Forest"; Plant Medicine Importance Stressed by CSU Professor; Garlic May Reduce Sweet Wormwood for Malaria; Feverfew for Arthritis?; Coca Leaf Tea; and more. Bad Cholesterol; Update/Regulations for Herbal Formulas Sold in Canada; Revision #9 - Spring 86. (12 pp.) Canadian Expert Panel/Herb Use; Herbal Biblio- of Endangered Species Act; Special Report: Compound Q (Trichosanthes kirilowii) graphic Service; Methods in Phytochemistry; Valerian's Value; Feverfew Fever; Juicy New Hope in the AIDS-relief Search?; New Strategy Against AIDS: Castor Bean Jaborandi; and more. Complex; NCI Upgrades Natural Products Research; Holy Basil! More #10-Summer/Fall 86. (16 pp.) Major FDA Policy Shift on Herbs; Chernobyl/ lmmunostimulants!; Antitumor Properties of Chiarella; Garlic Fights Candida/Can­ Herb Supply & Prices; Garlic Studied for Obesity & Meningitis; Guar Gum/ Diabe­ cer; Feverfew: A Literature Review; Modern Rediscovery of Feverfew; and more. tes ; Tumor Inhibitor in Licorice; Anti-cancer Effect/Mistletoe and Turmeric; and more. #21 - Fall 1989. (52 pp.) In Memoriam: Nathan Podhurst; Goldenseal Mask­ #11 - Winter 87. (16 pp.) Plant Drugs in the 21st Century; Biologists Race to ing of Drug Tests; AHPA & HRF Herb Safety Review Program; Pineapple/Rapid Save Tropical Rain Forests; Natural Blood Thinners; Chinese Antitumor Plants; Herbal Healing; Mangoes/Herpes?; Banana Peel vs. Poison Ivy; Biotech Essential Oils; Aus­ Gout Remedy/Severe Cirrhosis; Banana Peel/Plantar's Warts; and more. tralian Beer Nut; Ginseng/Chinese Herbs Coverage; Native Wild Foods Business; #12 - Spring 87. (16 pp.) Ayurveda; Thai Medicinal Plants; Herbal Dream Yerba Buena; Podophyllotoxin Complexity; Bupleurum Research Update; Pharma­ Inducer; Mexican Vanilla Revisited; Eleuthero and Soviet Athletes; and more. cology of Lemongrass; Astragalus/Killer Cell Activity; Coltsfoot in Death of Infant; #13 - Summer 87. (16 pp.) Economic Significance of Herbs; Court Ruling/ Guava Leaf; Mistletoe & NK Cells; OTC/FDA; Valerian: A Literature Review; Evening Primrose Oil; Court/ FDA DALS; Ginseng/Anti-aging; lrnmune-enhancing/Gin­ Conservation/Research Programs;and more. seng; Anti-ulcer/Germander; Saikosaponin!Kidney Disease;and more. #22 - (52 pp.) Black Pearls Lose Their Luster; The Lloyd Library; Spicy Eyes: #14 - Fall 87. (16 pp.) Anti-diabetic Effect/Ginseng; Chaparral/Mosquito Lon­ Yellow Root for Pinkeye?; Bovine Aromatherapy; Rats! Wormwood in the Paper; gevity; Mood-elevating Bananas; Herbal Data Bases; and more. Sesame Flowerstrreatrnent of Warts; Onions/Red Wine: Cancer Diet?; Juglone Kills #15 - Winter 88. (24 pp.) Herb Conference/Thailand; Export control! Algae ... and Fish;A New Look at Botanical Medicine; Science Notes Medicinal Plant Ladyslipper; Canada Bans Comfrey Leaf; Tea Tannins/Cholesterol; Feverfew for Research; New York Times Slant on Herbs; Texas Aloe Vera Crop Devastated; Search Physicians; Licorice Retards Tooth Decay; Lomatium- Herbal Vuicide?;Neem Extract for Soma; Motherwort!Heart; Ginkgo for Brain Damage?; Natural Oral Contracep­ - Natural Pesticide; Digitalis Depressing?; EP /Use of Herbicide Alachlor; and more. tives; Herbal Extract/Fracture Healing; Tannins as Free Radical Scavengers; Eclipta #16 - Spring 88. (24 pp.) FDA Rules on GRAS Substances; Fresh Ginger Alba Research; "Traditional Herbal Medicines" in Current Drug Category; Haw­ Juice in Treatment of Kitchen Burns; King Tut and the Spice of Afterlife; Interview­ thorn: A Literature Review; Natural Products On-line Data Base; Plowman Fund Dr.l. I. Brekhman; Rain Forest Update; Valerian Effectiveness; Fungal Studies; More for South American ..Research; The Pores Have It; Age Has Nothing to Do With It; Polysaccharides; Recent Research on Ginseng; Heart Peppers; Yew Continues to Shoo, Bossy!; and more. Amaze; Licorice O.D. Prevention; Ginseng in Perspective; Poisonous Plants Update; Medicinal Plant Conservation Project; and more. HERBALGRAM BackPacks complete your library of information on herbal issues, books, research, conferences, laws, and related topics. See page 79 for ordering information. # Order toll-free 800/373-7105 or FAX 512/331-1924 # 27 # 22

# 24 # 30 # 29 until you've read tltem. #23- (52 pp.) Proving It; Danish Herbal China; Researchers Abuzz over Plant Freedom Bill Would Protect Herbs; The Artemis Project; Conservation ad Tropicl Repellent; Floral Featherbedding; Basil Oil Protects Seeds From Fungus; Golan Gin­ Medicinal Plant Research; Grant Received for Plant-based AIDS and Cancer Rem­ seng?; Garlic Research Smells Good; Focus on Chinese Medicinals; Chinese Herbs edies; Echinacea Species Proposed for Endangered Species Listing; Pharmaceutical for Eczema; Herbal Burn Therapy; UN Medicinal Plant Stamps; Spice Imports In­ Companies Look at Plants; International Journal ofPharmacognosy ; In Memoriam, crease; New Imrnunostimulants from Japanese Ginseng; Nature's Medicine for Adele Dawson, Otto Richter; John Uri Lloyd and the Lost Narcotic Plants of the Memory Loss; Germander Tea Diet?; Japanese AIDS Research; Phellodendron Bark Shawnee: Fact or Fiction?; and more. Shows Multiple Anti-ulcer Activities; Chinese Medicine for Brain Oxygenation; Ori­ #28 - (72 pp.) New Flavorless Rosemary Antioxidant; Grain in Mint Condition; ental Alcohol Antidote; Herb Protectors Against Radiation; Botanical Peace Corps; Herbs in King Tut's Tomb; Canvassing Names; From the Arabian Peninsula to the GLQ223TM Update; CITES Committee Protects Indian Medicinals; Shedding New Amazonian Basin; Ginseng Takes Root in Wall Street Journal; Reports on Regula­ Light on Snake Oil; Special Feature: Chinese Medicinals by Albert Leung, Ph.D.; tory Dilemma; Salute to Schultes; Summary of WHO Guidelines for the Assessment FDA Declares 258 OTC lngTedients Ineffective; FDA Reclassifies OTC Prostate of Herbal Medicines; Guidelines for the Assessment of Herbal Medicines; Harvard's Products to Rx Status; FDA Collecting Information on Herb Products to Assess Incredible Glass Flowers; Ethnic Foods Popularity Warms U.S. Spice Sales; Mental Safety; The Farnsworth Symposium; Rhubarb '90 Conference; and more. Function & Gotu Kola; Testing Feverfew's Potency; Cure for Hepatitis B ?; Moringa #24 - (54 pp.) Broccoli Battles Breast Cancer; Re Cilantro; Garlic for Soil Bark; The Pharmacology of Extinction; European/American Phytomedicines Group Acidification?; Of Mice and Maple; Almond Oil Lowers Blood Cholesterol; Marsh­ Moves to Expand FDA OTC Drug Policy/ Widespread Support Prompts NLEA Mora­ mallows; Onions and Asthma; Agave Gas?; Fungal Faux Pas in Larousse Lexicon; torium; Herb Industry and FDA Issue Chaparral Warning; Natural Products and Medi­ Desert Plants for Diabetes; Garlic in Wall Street Joumal; Where Have All the Chest­ cine; The Botanical Alternative; and more. nuts Gone?; The Healing Forest; Soupreme Court Says: Tomato Is no Fruit; The #29- (72 pp.) The Roots of Paper; Hot Peppers are for the Birds; Monumental Hunt for Accurate ID of Poisonous Plants and Fungi; Antidiabetic FenugTeek; Herbal Herbicide; Fiery Iceman; Echinacea Highlighted as Cold and Flu Remedy; Apotik Treatments for Diabetes; NIH Hypericin Trial Set; Antiviral Effect of Mango Leaves; Hidup, Indonesia's Living Apothecary; FDA and Herb Industry Dispute Continues; Spirulina Reduces Kidney Damage; Nettles vs. Hay Fever; Astragalus and Viral Heart Antioxidant, Antitumor, and Cardiovascular Actions of Garlic; Ginger and Atractylodes Disease; Samoan Medicinal Plants Prove Active; Ginkgo for the Heart; FDA/OTC as an Anti-inflammatory; Clinical Proof for Echinacea; Adaptogen Research; The Diet Drug Ingredients; Special Features: Harvesting Medicinals in the Wild and Whole is Better ... ; Latest on Ginkgo; Antistress Astragalus;The Cardamom/Coffee Folklore and Folk Medicines;The Need for Cooperation Between Modern and Tra­ Connection; Botanical Jewelry; Feverfew Fever; Special Supplement: Relative Safety ditional Medicine:Australian Flower Fossi l; Oldest Fossil Fungus; Ancient Magno­ of Herbal Medicines: Food Safety Evaluation; Surgeon's Son Puts Faith in Herbalist; lia Leaves; Temple of Healing Goddess; China's "Living Fossil" Dogwood; Nature's Plants, Drugs & Pioneers; National Herbalists Association of Australia; First World Reforestation; House Plants Filter Indoor Air Pollutants; Natural Products Confer­ Congress on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants for Human Welfare; and more. ence in Germany; European Harmony in Phytotherapy Conference; and more. #30-Tribute to AI Gentry; Post-partum Pot?; ... and Pass the Plant Wax; AIHP #25 -(56 pp.) Are Oils Essential?; Union Onions; Diabetics, Check Your Buns; Award; NYBG!Pftzer Quest for U.S. Plant Medicines; Grant to Morris Aboretum for Chemicals from Plants; Soy Lecithin and Cirrhosis; Plants vs. Grain Borers; Mosquitos Medicinal Trees Exhibit; Anti-cancer Effects of Herbs; The Latest in Garlic Research; Beware; Slugfest; The Good, The Bad, and the Worst (Media coverage of herbs); Tanzanian Traditional Medicines; Medicinal Use of Black Pepper; Argentenian Anti­ How Flowers Changed the World and May Change It Again; Treat a MigTaine Gin­ microbials; New Natural Insecticide; Analysis of FDA's Proposed Preconditions for gerly?; Anti-inflammatory Reishi; Health Benefits of Bitter Melon; Ginseng and Health Claims as Applied to Garlic Dietary Supplements; German Evaluation of Herbal "Decarcinogenesis"; More Than Ginsenosides; Astragalus for the Liver; Fish Oil Medicines; Medicinal Plant Stamps of Yugoslavia; Phytomedicines in Western Eu­ Substitute; Bad News for Decaf Coffee Drinkers; Commercial Developments; Com­ rope; Literature Review: Echinacea; Medicinal Plants and Phytomedicines within frey Update; Designer Foods; Meals That Heal; An Anti-cancer Menu for a Busy the European Community; Herbs and the Commodities Market; 1992 U.S. Trade in Day; AHPA Botanical Ingredient Review Proposal; The Rotting of America; Santa Essential Oils; Phytomedicine: and more. Maria Feverfews: Not the Feverfew of Commerce; Ginkgo and the Nobel Prize in #31-Herbs Top Growth Category in Supermarkets and Drug Stores!; America Chemistry; Varro Tyler Elected President of AIHP; Canada Shuts Down Natural Votes for Pepper!; Yew York ; Ethnobotany and Samoan Healers; Study of Attitudes Products Division; Weed Begs a Second Look; and more. on Garlic Taste and Health Benefits; Wbat is a "Natural" Medicine?; Horse Chestnut #26 - (64 pp.) Four Herbs Make Big Drinks; Cayenne and Cluster Headache; Reduces Pain of Hematoma; GLA Proven Effective. for Rheumatoid Arthritis; Resur­ Tequila Sunrise: Cactus Goes Batty; A Rose Is not Always a Rose; Open Sesame; gence of Kampo Medicine in Japan; Anti-alcohol Effects of Kudzu; Phyllanthus/ Gin and Tonic: Herbal Origins; Time for "Lost Tribes, Lost Knowledge;" Time for Hepatitis B Update; Flavonoids in the News; The Botanical World in Replica; Tbe Designer Foods; Cookie Recipe Recalled by Gourmet; Duke of Herbs in the News; Story of Field Museum's Astonishing Collection of Plant Models; Asia's Sacred Chinese Herbs for Eczema, part 2; Alternative Medicine and "Wonder Cures?"; Herbal Groves; Amla, Traditional Food and Medicine; An1azing Amazon Medicines; Mexi­ Cure for Greenhouse Effect?; The Everlasting Mistl.etoe; AHPA Petitions FDA for can-American Herbal Remedies: an Evaluation; Tibetan Medical Paintings; Profile Approval of Stevia Leaf Sweetener; NLEA Update; Cranberry Juice Affects Urinary of a Traditional Healer; Oku Arnpofo; A Gathering of Flowers: the Flodlegium of Tract Infections; New Evidence for Ayurvedic Anti-diabetic Plant; Aloe Wards off Jean Andrews; lst International Conference on Mushroom Biology: Herbs and the the Rays; Spirulina Looks Good for Fruitarians; Echinacea Prevents Systemic Can­ Commodities Market; U.S. Spice Trade; In Memoriam: Howard Scott Gentry, Charles dida and Listeria; Impressive Anti-Emetic effect of Ginger; More Anti-cancer Evi­ T. Stevens, Wade Boyle; and more. dence for Garlic; Anti-ulcer Effect of Garlic; More Benefits of FenugTeek; Healing #32 - Milkweed; Neem Fungicide; Laurels; Aloe Vera/Mouth Ulcers; Spirulina; Art of Richard Solomon; Traditional Chinese Medicines; Center for Technological Kampo Medicines; Juniper Berries/Diabetes; Pepper Compound/Liver Development of Natural Products; In Memoriam-Jonathan Hartwell, Hong-Yen Hsu, Protection;CranberryfUrinary infections; Limonene; Plant Patents; Dietary Supple­ Maria Treben, Karl Landes, Rudolph Weiss; IHGMA Awards; Tea Tree Oil Therapy ment Health and Education Act of 1994; N. American Herbal Regulation; Canadian for Acne; Capsicum; WHO Symposium on Plants and Health for All; Government Advisory Committee on Herbs; insect Bites!Lycium Leaf; Review-"lntroduction to Stops Legitimate Medical Use of Marijuana; FDA Ban on OTC Weight Loss Ingredients; Herbal Pharmacology"; Natural Dyes; Ginkgo Leaf poem; Commercial Herb Pro­ Botanical Ingredient Review: Pros and Cons; and more. duction; Poisoning by Gordolobo; Urine Tests for Drug Use; Passionflowers; Soci­ #27 - (64 pp.) Passion-pop Pop; Lily of Valley Flowers Not Edible; Pepper ety for Economic Botany Conference Report; In Memoriam: Victor Cordovi and Facts; Patented Pepper; Peppery Shampoo; Sisal Surgery; Focus on Rainforest Rem­ Gordon Svoboda; and more. edies; Global Politics Affect Herb Markets;Tbe First Herbal from the Americas; U. S. Herb Industry Proposes Self Regulation; Hot Cbilis Getting Hotter!; Latin Ameri­ can Antimicrobials; Anitvirals Too; Anticancer Effects of Garlic-More Proof; Fi­ nally, Something Good About Tobacco; Four 0' clocks for Wound Treatment; Health MARKET REPORT

HERBS AND THE COMMODITIES MARKET

by Peter Landes SPICES The big news in spices this quarter is simply isn't any Oregano in Mexico or panies in Eastern Europe trying to supply the the virtual disappearance from the market of whether farmers-who are often cagey in American market that every second person Mexican Oregano, combined, of course, terms of currency fluctuations and infla­ in some of these countries must fancy him­ with a tripling or quadrupling of the price of tion-are holding back, waiting as long as self a botanical supplier. Some of the quali­ any available material. It is not clear if there possible for the peso to settle and inflation ti es seen from these new companies are truly to die down somewhat before selling their abysmal and once again caution must be ad­ Oregano holdings. As in many countries vised to buyers. Due to a combination of An ABC exclusive around the world, holding commodities in poor growing seasons and incompetence Mexico is often far better than holding a rap­ there are shortages of many, many European idly depreciating currency. Of course, herbs, roots, and flowers. The Farnsworth Oregano is an herb, which, once cut, will lose There is great interest in South Ameri­ quality fairly rapidly, so all stocks must be can botanicals this year and reliable suppli­ marketed in the current crop year. This will ers in this area are few-delays in shipping Symposium be interesting. and poor quality abound. Muira Puama, Other spice news is sparse. White and Pau D' Arco and Cat's Claw are available PROGRESS ON TERRESTRIAL AND Black Pepper continue their upward price at good prices from tested sources. Chinese MARINE NATURAL PRODUCTS spiral and Nutmeg and Mace have not and Thai Hibiscus are somewhat more ex­ OF MEDICINAL budged from their recent pricey highs. Egyp­ pensive this year. Rosehips are almost un­ AND BIOLOGICAL INTEREST tian herbs like Basil and Marjoram remain available and preliminary news from Chile Proceedings of a Symposium cheap and plentiful despite dire warnings indicates new crop prices will be even higher held on the Occasion of the 60th birthday of Professor Norm an R. Farn sworth from Egyptian shippers that acreage has been than the ending prices for current crop ma­ cut back. Thrkish Laurel and Oregano­ terial. Mints remain reasonable. Chinese Ed itors John M. Pezzuto not entirely substitutable for Mexican, by the Garlic is very cheap, but, once again, know A. Douglas Kinghorn Harry H. S. Fong way-have peaked and even backed off their your supplier-quality varies greatly. Pre­ Geoffrey A. Cordell highs slightly. Cassia is firm but the con­ liminary prices on new crop Chamomile and suming season is almost over and prices will Calendula are somewhat (10-20 percent) probably moderate until autumn. All in all, hi gher than last year. the weak U.S., dollar is the big force in spice The potpourri season has come and we prices and further upward movement can be have made it through with barely adequate expected generally across the board this quarter. supplies. Those interested in these items would be well advised to contract early to In March 1990, a medicinal plant symposium, "Progress on Terrestrial and Marine Natural BOTANICALS assure supply. 0 Products of Medicinal and Biological Interest," Supply of botanicals remains spotty was held in honor of the 60th birthday of Profes­ and confusing. There are so many new com- sor Norman R. Farnsworth. The one hundred eighty-one-page paperback contains: • 19 scientific papers • 10 abstracts • 11 abstracts of poster presentations STUDY TARGETS WORLD EXTRACT MARKET Subjects include: • Bioactive Plants of the Northwest Amazon Herbal extracts are used in a variety of industries, including the herbal medici­ • Traditional Medicine and Medicinal Plants of Burma nal industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the cosmetic industry, and the nutrition • Understanding Methods in Chinese and dietetic industry. Preliminary research by McAlpine, Thorpe & Warrier, Ltd., Herbal Preparations London, an international management consultancy group in the field of herbal medi­ • Medical Ethnobotany of South America cine, shows that approximately 70 percent of extracts are supplied by the Third World • The Organization and Function of NAPRALERT and Southern countries, while the demand is largely in the markets of Europe and • Phy1ochemicals with Potential Use in North America. Dootal Pwdoot$ MTW has announced a new study, "The World Herbal Extract Market," which will provide detailed analyses of demand, supply, and trends in the world herbal I II extract market. Sources of supply will be examined worldwide while the demand for herbal extracts will be studied for the markets of Europe and North America. For 2 information contact The Herbal Medical Database, Ltd., MTW, 50 Penywern Road, - L-Utt mn,J/J-/105 London SW5 9SX, UK. Telephone: 071-370 2255/6. FAX 071-370 5157. or FAX 512/331-1924

60 • HERB ALGRA M 33 Stone was born in Shanghai, China in PHYTOTHERAPIST July 1933- an only child of an American Continued from page 50 mother and an English father who worked for the civil authorities. Anticipating the Seven years ago, when I first arrived coming troubles, his mother took him to in the U.S ., I was perplexed by the degree the U.S . and settled in San Diego. His fa­ of di sdain and official di sapproval of herbal ther was interned in a camp in Japan and medicine. I was told by academia and phy­ was not reunited with hi s family until the sici ans thi s was because phytotherapy was close of the war. nonsense and didn't work. Now it has Stone's education began in the San turned into the regulatory agencies protect­ Diego area with primary and secondary ing a "vulnerable" public from "danger­ schooling. He went on to earn a B.A. in ously powerful" herbs. It might be worth Botany from Pomona College and a Ph.D. asking what changed? Being berated about from the University of Hawaii in 1960. He quackery only works for so long. Let him served as research assistant in the Depart­ who is without charlatans .. .. 0 ment of Botany at the U.S. National Mu­ seum of Natural History at the Smithso­ References Ashworth, W. 199 1. The Encyclopedia of Environmental nian from 1960-61. He moved to the Col­ Studies, Facts on File, New York . Ben Stone- 1933 - 1994 lege (now University) of Guam as Profes­ Blesken, R.: "Crataegus in cardi ology." Fortschr Med ( 1992 May 30) 110( 15):290-2. sor of Biology, 1961-65. At this time he Bode, H. H. "Dwarfism fo ll owing long-te rm topical cor­ Dr. Benjamin Stone, well-known wrote the Flora of Guam. Wishing to mas­ ticosteroid therapy." Journal of the American Medi­ ter the flora of Micronesia, he accepted a cal Association.l980: 244: 8 13-1 4. expert on the flora of Southeast Asia, died Kerr, R. A. , 1989 Oi l and Gas Estimates Plummet, Science on March 19, 1994, in Manila. position at the University of Malaya in 241. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He served there Resolution WHA 30.449: Handbook of Resolutions and Dr. Stone was the world's leading Dec isions of the World Health Assembly and the Ex­ expert on the Pandanaceae (Screwpine until1984 when he returned to the U.S . to ecutive Board. Volu me II. 1973- 1984. 26th to 37th take the Chairmanship of the Department World Health Assembl ies, 5 1st to 74th sessions of the family), Rutaceae (Citrus family), and the Executive Board. Myrsinaceae (Myrsine family). Interested of Botany of the Philadelphia Academy of Sheehan, M. P. and D. J. Atherton. "A controll ed trial of in the floristics and biogeography of the Natural Sciences, a position he held until traditional Chinese medicinal plants in widespread 1990 when he joined the Flora of the non-exudative atopic eczema." British Journal of Southeast Asian, Australasian, and Pacific Dermatology (1992); 126: 179- 184. regions, his career included development Phillipines Project as the Principal Inves­ Sheehan, M. P. et a/. "Efficacy of Traditional Chinese tigator for the Phillipine Plant Inventory. herbal therapy in adult atopi c dermatitis. " Lancet of herbaria and botanical libraries, aca­ (1992); 340: 13-1 7. demic training for aspiring plant taxono­ Dr. Stone was the author or editor of U.S. Spice Trade & U.S. Essential Trade, USDA Circul ar 300 articles and books, and his reputation series. FTEA 1-92. mists, and involvement with tropical for­ U.S. Essential Trade , US DA Circul ar series, FTEA 2-92. est conservation. as a pandan worker was unsurpassed. As a WHO Technical Report: 622 ( 1978). "The promoti on and Inspiring, open-minded, possessing result of his interest, encouragement, and development of traditional medicine." Withering, W. An Account of the Foxglove and Some of its a considerable ability to relate to friends voluminous correspondence, scores of stu­ Medicin al Uses : with Practical Remarks on Dropsy and students with humanity, humor, and dents entered the study of botany. He made and Other Diseases. C.G.J. & J. Robinson. London, 1785. Reprinted in Med Class., 1937, 2, 305-443. enthusiasm, Dr. Stone was more than just significant collections (numbering more a great botanist; he was also a jazz flutist, than 18,000), including type specimens in The Lloyd Library and Museum is almost every area of Micronesia and Aus­ music aficionado, photographer, water col­ Looking for Friends orist, model plane enthusiast, raconteur, tralia as well as East Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, and many states of the Th is premier collection of medicinal plant and teacher, mentor, and devoted family man. natural product information has been located in U.S. His inspiring scholarship and untir­ Cincinnati, Ohio for over one hundred years. ing dedication contributed greatly to the Dr. Stone recently wrote, " ... we can Now over 200,000 volumes strong , the library Botanical Research Institute of Texas potentially identify trends that are no doubt is hoping to initiate a "Friends of the Lloyd (BRIT) and the Philippine National occurring in many of the earth's tropical Library" group. Possible benefits are currently Museum's success in completing the first regions, such as irreversible soil changes, in the planning stages (e .g ., a quarterly newsletter w ith book reviews of recent part of the Philippine Plant Inventory and loss of forest-dependent species, and more violent cyclical changes in temperature and acquisitions and other noteworthy the beginning of the second part. Dr. S. H. announcements, a speaker's series, and more.) Sohmer, his longtime friend, collaborator humidity ... knowledge of these trends will We need to know who our potential friends are. on the Flora of the Phillipines Project aid in efforts to conserve our remaining glo­ If you would be interested in such an (FPP), and Director of BRIT, said, "I have bal biodiversity and to link data on habitat organization, please call : destruction more closely to that on species never met anyone who had less interest in Mike Flannery, Library Director BJ material possessions and trappings, or who losses of fauna and flora."- (51 3) 721 -3707 had as high a degree of scientific knowl­ or write: edge, moral integrity, and intellectual cu­ Lloyd Library and Museum riosity." 917 Plum Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

HERBALGRA M 33 • 61 CLASSIC EXCLUSIVELY BOTANICAL REPRINTS FROM ABC! American Botanical Council Volume III

1#227 - Natural Products and Medidne: An Overview, $2 #233 - Tales from the Heahng Forest $3 by Yarra E. Tyler -Presented at the symposium, '1ropical Forest Medi- by John Simon. Reprinted by permission from World, Journal of the cal Resources and the Conservation of Biodiversity," sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association, Vol. VI, No. 3, May/June 1992, Rainforest Alliance 's Periwinkle Project and the New York Botanical Gar­ pp. 17-25. 12pages. den's Institute of Economic Botany, Rockefeller University, New York City, #234 - WHO Guidehnes for the Assessment of Herbal Medidnes $3 January 24-25, 1992. 8 pages. Reprinted in Herbo/Gram #28. by 0. Akerele, M.D. Reprinted by permission from Fitoteropia, Vol. LXII , #228 - Natural Products and the Potential Role of the No. 2, 1992, pp. 99-11 0. 12 pages. Pharmaceutical Industry in Tropical Forest Conservation $3 #23S - The Materia Medica of Christopher Columbus $4 C. Findeisen, Sarah Laird, Ed. -AReport Prepared by the Rainforest by George Griffenhagen. Reprinted by permission of Pharmacy in History. Alliance. 12 pages. 1992. 16 pages. #229 - Ethnobotany and the Identification of Therapeutic #236- Medidnal Ornamentals $1 Agents From the Rainforest, $4 by Steven Foster. Reprinted by permission from Fine Gardening, by M. J. Bolick. Reproduced by permission of the Ciba Foundation, September/October 1988. 4 pages. from D. J. Chadwick and J. Marsh, eds., 1990. Bioadive Compounds from Plants. Chichester & NewYork , John Wiley & Sons (Ciba 1237 - World Aspects of Phytotherapy $2 Foundation Symposium 154 ). 12 pages. by Barbara Steinhoff. Reprinted by permission of European Phytotelegrom, No. 4, July 1992, pp. 5-9. 4 pages. 1#230 - Medidnal Plant Production: Breaking into the Marketplace $2 by Steven Foster. Reprinted with permission from IHGMA Newsletter, 1#238 - Materia Medica Americana: An Historical Review $3 September 1992. 8 pages. by John Uri Uoyd. 1900. Reprinted by permission of American Druggist and Pharmaceutical Record. 8 pages. $ #231 - Ancient and Medieval Chemotherapy for Cancer $3 by John Riddle. Reprinted by permission from ISIS, 76:319/330. #239· Classic Botanical Reprints· Vol. 3 Only 29 1985. 16 pages. Complete set of above articles in black binder. #232 - Oral Contraceptives in Ancient and Medieval Medidnes $3 $37.50 value! Save $8.501 by John Riddle. Reprinted by permission of American Scientist, Reprints #227 - 238 Journal of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society. Add $2 US/Canada, $15 foreign for postage &handling . May/ June 1992. 12 pages.

See pages 78-79 to order. For credit card orders call toll-free: 800/373-7105. FAX your order: 512/331-1924. - .2 !P L\KE 1"o TA\.K To '(ov A&O\JI1l-\E E ECHINACEA W~'< "(ou\'6 ~EEN DR~SSING ,\T WOf«, .2 .l\tl.. \T t>OESN1 RE~LLY &E:f\1 AN A LITERATURE R EVIEW E')(EC.UTNE Of ~ "~~UL lEA CoMrAWf BY CHRISTOPHER HOBBS PUBLISHED IN HERBALGRAM No.30 Referenced in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 A16-page review including four-color representations of all nine species. Over 200 references. Tables of Chemistry and Pharmacology available separately. Credit card orders, caii800/373·710S or FAX, 512/331·1924 Item #405-A $5 .00. 16-page review Item #405-B $5.00. Chem istry & Pharmacology tables See a e 79 for order form

62 o HERBALGRAM 33 BOOK REVIEWS

Norman Grainger Bisset (Ed.)

· ~khtJ Herbal Drugs when the herb industry in the U.S. is focus­ rier for many of the English speaking world." and Phytopharmaceuticals ing increased attention on quality control is­ The book contains 181 monographs on sues and good manufacturing practices herbs or herb parts. For example, there is A handbooll for practice on a scientific basis (GMPs), this book provides many of the an­ one monograph for hawthorn leaves and swers to questions that some herb compa­ flowers and another for hawthorn fruits. nies have yet to ask. Further, German chamomile (Matricaria The English edition was translated and recutita) has its own monograph, while Ro- edited by the late Pro­ fessor Norman Grainger Bisset, for­ merly of King's Col­ lege London, Univer­ sity of London and Chelsea Department of Pharmacy. Accord­ ing to German author Wicht! writing in the Herbal Drugs and Phytopharma­ book, Prof. Bisset was ceuticals: A handbook for prac­ "much more than a tice on a scientific basis, by Max mere translator ... He Wicht/. Translated and edited by adapted the text for the Norman Grainger Bisset. 7994 . CRC United Kingdom and Press, Boca Raton, FL. Hardcover. the USA and also in- 566pp. $ 779. 95. ISBN #0-8496-7 792- corporated recent 9. Available from ABC Books, Item work up to about 1992 into this English edi­ man chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) has #B080. tion." Unfortunately, he died just about a a separate entry. This is fitting as they are Once in a while a major event occurs year before the book was finally published. different herbs, with different characteristics in the herbal book field that is so significant The book contains a foreword by Prof. and uses. Unfortunately, some authors and that all those serious about herbs and me­ J. David Phillipson, respected Professor of publications confound the two herbs. Each dicinal plants should stop and take notice. Pharmacognosy at the University of London. entry contains color photos of the crude herb The publication of the first English version Phillipson writes that, despite the fact that material as it would appear in an herbal tea of Dr. Rudolf F. Weiss's Herbal Medicine, pharmacists and physicians are increasingly company or other herb manufacturer prior for many years the leading manual on besieged by questions about the actions of to being processed. Pictures of different- phytotherapy in Germany, was such an event herbs from consum- in 1988. Now comes the long-awaited En­ ers, and despite the glish publication of Dr. Max Wichtl's im­ fact that there is such ~~ ------, l~c.nnc: -_::______----. pressive volume Herbal Drugs and a wealth of scientific Phytopharmaceuticals: A handbook for information on this practice on a scientific basis. This book, subject, "it might be known in Germany under the title thought that it should Teedrogen, has been one of the leading ref­ be a relatively simple erence texts in Germany on various techni­ matter to locate the cal aspects of many popular herbs and answers to such ques­ phytomedicines since it was first published tions as to which herb in 1984. The English edition is destined to should be used for a become one of the major reference books on particular illness, what herbs for many years to come. doses are needed and For this reason, in my opinion, every can we rely on the au­ manufacturer and distributor of herbs should thentication and qual­ obtain a copy of this major reference. There ity of medicinal herbs. is so much information here and it is pre­ It is not always easy to obtain these answers Continued on next page sented in such an authoritative manner that quickly but there is one book, Teedrogen, no one who derives his or her income from which does give clear answers to such ques­ the manufacture or sale of herbal products tions. Sadly it has been available only in a should be without its benefits. In a time German edition so that there has been a bar-

HERBALGRAM 33 • 63 BOOK REVIEWS

shaped leaves, root or bark pieces, seeds, the longest period he ever lived continuously fruits, powder, and so on are found in each with a specific tribe was the month he stayed monograph. In all there are 434 color pho­ among the Kofan in the spring of 1942. His tos, 312 black-and-white illustrations, and contributions were enormous, but the nature 311 chemical structures shown. of hi s commitment to the rubber program The types of information on each herb kept him on the move and prevented the sort include: Plant source, synonyms, physical of longitudinal studies anthropologists con­ description, geographic origin, chemical sider essential. Only by staying with a people constituents, indications for therapeutic use, for many months and observing the ebb and side effects, preparation of the tea, additional flow of their lives can one hope to attain a information on more advanced forms of deep understanding of their healing arts. phytomedicines that are made from the par­ Rosita Arvigo, an herbalist and doc­ ticular herb, botanical characteristics for au­ tor of naprapathy, made such a commitment thentication, quantitative standards accord­ when she and her family returned to Belize ing to various pharmacopoeias and standard in 1983 to establish a practice as natural heal­ references, adulteration information (to ers in the small town of San Ignacio. From check for), storage instructions, and refer­ the forests nearby they carved a homestead, ences. Indices showing a list of medical in­ Sastun: My Apprenticeship by and settled in to stay. They named their farm dications help to cross reference the herbs Ros ita Arvigo as told to Nadine Epstein. Ix Chel, after the Mayan goddess of heal­ by actions. 1994. Ha rper Collins, San Francisco, ing. A year later, fate brought Rosita to the The author notes that, by including all CA. Hardcover. 190 pp. $22. ISBN #0- door of a famous local curandero, Don Elijio this information, he and his colleagues were 006-250259-7. Available from ABC Panti , a man of 87. Slowly over the ensu­ trying to create a reference that was as up­ Books, Item #B087. ing months they became friends. For a year to-date as possible. "In listing indications The destruction of the tropical rain for­ Don Elijio observed this astonishing woman we paid particular attention to clearly dis­ ests, and the resultant loss of biodiversity, who moved easily through the forest, under­ tinguishing between medically substantiated has emerged as perhaps the most significant stood the voices of plants, and was not afraid use and purely empirical,folk medicinal use. environmental issue of our times. Each year of work. Finally he inquired what she Drugs whose efficacy is unsubstantiated are an area of forest the size of the state of Indi­ wanted. To be taken on as his student, Arvigo clearly identified as such in this book with­ ana is laid waste. In pursuit of effective con­ replied, promising only "to work hard and out passing a final, negative judgment on servation strategies, biologists have over the learn well." Thus begins one of the most them." In reference to pharmacological stud­ last decade increasingly emphasized the eco­ astonishing relationships in the recent his­ ies on single isolated plant ingredients: "Of nomic potential of these tropical ecosystems tory of ethnobotany. "Little by little, step course, the efficacy of one single constitu­ as repositories of natural products, includ­ by step, day by day," the profound knowl­ ent cannot automatically be equated with the ing rubber, oils, fibers, foods and, above all, edge of this remarkable man, one of the last effectiveness of an herbal tea against a spe­ plant medicines. Ethnobotany, the study of surviving healers of his generation, flowed cific human illness." the relationships between people and plants, into the imagination of this equally remark­ This book includes information from has emerged as a science of hope, a vehicle able young woman from Chicago. the German Commission E as well as the re­ by which the forests may be protected and Sastun is their story, as told to the cent German pharmacopoeias. The informa­ the ancient knowledge of traditional cultures writer Nadine Epstein. It is described as an tion is therefore of value to physicians, phar­ celebrated and preserved for all time. What apprenticeship, but it is much more. It is the macists, naturopaths, herbalists and other was once an obscure academic di scipline has story, as Michael Balick notes, "of an ex­ health professionals, as well as manufactur­ evolved into a dynamic field of exploration traordinary relationship between two people ers, researchers, and anyone who wants reli­ for a vast cadre of students working with in­ from different cultures who find a common able information on herbs. - MB digenous peoples in all parts of the world. language in their love of traditional healing Too frequently, however, ethnobota­ and plants of the rainforest." Over the course nists find themselves constrained by time and of years Rosita learns to recognize and use the rigors of a scientific paradigm which, in hundreds of medicinal plants. Expanding her the name of objectivity, precludes all in­ own knowledge of the healing arts, she be­ stincts for myth, magic, and mysticism, the comes a healer and, if somewhat reluctantly, very forces that mediate much of traditional takes on patients. Through Don Elijio's healing. Richard Evans Schultes, former Di­ teachings she reaches beyond the material rector of the Harvard Botanical Museum and world, acquiring her own divining stone, or the father of modem ethnobotany, spent 13 sastun, and eventually learning the esoteric years engaged in rubber exploration in the practices inherited from the ancient Maya. Northwest Amazon. During his travels he In time, she herself becomes a H'men, "one documented over 2,000 medicinal plants, yet who knows," one who has mastered the ritual

64 • HERBALGRAM 33 BOOK REVIEWS

practices that lie at the heart of Don Elijio ucts of thi s remarkable collaborati on (See Panti 's medical repertoire. HerbalGram #21, p. 69). An essential com­ In the meantime, she and her family panion volume to Sastun, it is a straightfor­ endure tremendous hardships. A fire envel­ ward compilation of a hundred of the more ops her home, destroying months of work important medicinal plants that have been and investment. Other fires, on a far larger identified by the work at Ix Chel. Both of scale, ri se out of the dry season , threatening these books are highly recommended for and consuming thousands of acres of rain­ those interested not onl y in ethnobotany, but forest. Like an obsidian wind, evangelical in the greater struggle to preserve the tropi­ mi ssionaries arrive and for a moment under­ cal rainforests of the world . It is fai r to say mine the local network of belief and confi­ that the work at Ix Chel-ten years now and dence that has sustained Don Elijio as a counting-is unprecedented . I can think of healer. In the end, the patients return, em­ no other ethnobotani cal project which brings barrassed by their folly. together in such a manner traditional heal­ There has been in recent years a slew ers and the most rigorous proponents of bo­ of books built around the theme of a West­ tanical science. Their dialogue, mediated by ern traveler seeking knowledge from a tra­ an exceptional woman who finds herself in­ ditional healer. The word "apprenticeship" creasingly comfo rtable in both worlds, has Although it is sti ll too soon to assess has been used in so many titles and subtitles already given ri se to significant scientific dis­ the effectiveness of thi s global hunt for new that it has lost all meaning. What di stin­ coveries and a host of innovative projects. drugs, Earthly Goods is an invaluable gui shes Sastun is the fact that Rosita Arvigo Of these the crowning jewel is a 6,000-acre chronicle of the quest, and essenti al reading is no mail order mys tic, and her story is true. medicinal plant rese rve, signed into law by for those anxious to understand the current In April , 1987, three years after she began Deputy Prime Minister Florecio Marin in status of medicinal pl ant exploration in the her work with Don Elijio, she sent a letter to June 1993. The first of its kind in the wo rld, tropics. Picking up where Margaret Kreig Michael Balick, founder and now director the Terra Nova Medicinal Plant Reserve will left off 30 years ago in Green Medicine, of the Institute of Economic Botany at the preserve in perpetuity the rainforest plants Joyce reviews the contributions that plants New York Botanical Garden. One of the upon which Don Elijio based hi s healing have made to our pharmacopoeia. He also foremost tropical botani sts in the country, practice. As for his teachings, they are held introduces the players in the drama of drug Balick had just received a five-year contract in trust in the dreams and knowledge of discovery, traci ng a lineage of sc ientific in­ from the National Cancer Institute to collect Rosita Arvigo, who even tod ay is passing quiry fro m Di oscorides to Alexander vo n plants for testing in the CI AIDS and can­ them on to the chi ldren of Belize.-Wade Humboldt and beyond to the incomparable cer screen s. Within a month Balick was in Davis Richard Spruce. At the end of thi s legacy is Belize, and Arvigo had found both a new Ri chard Evans Schultes, former director of friend and colleague, as well as a label-eth­ the Botani cal Museum at Harvard , whom nobotany-to place on the work she had been Joyce quite properly credits as the fat her of doing for so many years. modern ethnobotany. Balick recruited Rosita and her hus­ If Schultes heads up the comm unity band Greg Shropshire to hire local assistants of ethnobotanists, Harvard's E.O. Wilson is and begin a length y inventory of the many the dean of a different group of biological hundreds of pl ants employed by Don Elijio. ex plorers, those who seek to identify phar­ Then, expanding the network to include 15 macologicall y active compounds not by con­ other traditional healers, they focused on sal­ sulting indigenous peoples, but by follow­ vaging the medicinal plants from sections of Earthly Goods: Medicine Hunting in ing the clues of nature. These researchers forest destined for clearing. Bulk specimens the Rainforest by Christopher Joyce. seek plants whi ch are taxonomicall y affili­ were sent to New York for analysis. Living 1994. Little Brown/ Time Warner Books, NY. ated wi th species that have yielded drugs in material was planted when possible at the 228pp. $22.95. ISBN #0316-4744-08-8. the past. They collect organi sms suc h as farm at Ix Chel. As the work expanded, the Available from ABC Books, Item# B088. fungi and in sects known to be of chemical team founded the Ix Chel Tropical Research The rain forest as nat ure's pharmacy interest. They spend a lot of time simply Foundation, a nonprofit organization con­ has become the mantra of schoolchildren and gathering soi ls from around the world and ceived with the idea of bringing together vis­ a favorite fund-raisi ng slogan fo r a host of assaying the microorganisms found wi thin. iting botanists and curanderos. It was thi s conservation groups. Based on the promise Such an approach allowed Merck & Com­ initiative more than any other that fulfilled of these forests, new pharmaceutical com­ pany to discover Mevacor (generi c name, Arvigo's dream of creating a bridge between pani es have been capitali zed , and govern­ Lovastatin), a drug which lowers cholesterol. science and the traditional healing arts. ment and corporate funds made avail able in The book, Rainforest Remedies, 100 a manner unimagi nable to field bi ologists Healing Herbs of Blize, is one of the prod- just a few years ago. Continued on next page

HERBALGRAM 33 • 65 BOOK REVIEWS

Derived from a soil fungus, it earned Merck may question the extent to which this spe­ $735 million in sales in 1990. cies proves the legitimacy of the ethnobo­ The major practical proponent of this tanical approach to drug discovery. Like school of exploration is Dan Janzen, the vi­ quinine, blood of the dragon stared investi­ sionary and irascible ecologist who orches­ gators in the face. Joyce notes that Shaman, trated the pioneering deal between Costa after only two years, already has three com­ Rica's National Institute of Biodiversity pounds extracted from this plant in develop­ (INBio) and Merck. At a time when the ment as drugs. But the jury is still out on all pharmaceutical giant was spending more of them. than $1 billion a year on research, INBio Elsewhere Joyce is more cautious and received $1 million in advance to collect a critical. To those in the conservation move­ thousand or more species of plants, insects, ment who make irresponsible claims of im­ and soil samples. Was the controversial deal minent cures for AIDS and cancer, and who worth it? As an executive of a rival com­ predict great streams of money flowing into pany tells Joyce, Merck "wrung a good $10 indigenous communities, he warns of a back­ million worth of good press out of a mere lash of disappointment. According to most $1 million gamble." natural products experts, the chances of find­ Amazonian Ethnobotanical Dictio­ If there is a flaw in this fine book, it is ing a compound for a specific disease are at nary by James A Duke and Rodo lfo the author's occasional failure to follow up best one in I 0,000. If one is found, the Vasquez Martinez. 1994. CRC Press, on information that challenges the book's chances that it will prove safe and effective Boca Raton, FL. Softcover, Plastic cov­ central premise. Joyce, for example, her­ are one in I 0. ered, 215pp. 2 37 line drawings. alds the work of Richard Spruce without Then there is the obvious issue of se­ $34.95. ISBN #0-8493-3664-3. Avail­ noting the most curious anomaly of his ex­ curing market share. To transform a drug able from ABC Books, item #B071. plorations. In six years on the Rio Negro in into a commercial product takes on the av­ We have waited for a long time for this the heart of the Amazon, Spruce, a keen eth­ erage 10 years and $350 million. Once the kind of listing of the natively employed nographic observer, saw almost no evidence development costs are discounted, and as­ plants of Amazonia. Here it is! And it will of Indians using medicinal plants. We also suming that the product nets annually $10 certainly be a most useful compendium for learn that Schultes has collected over 2,000 million, a royalty rate of 3% would yield every botanist, ethnobotanist, and anthro­ medicinal plants, but we are not told that not approximately $30,000 a year. Clearly, pologist who is working or intends to work one has yielded a new drug or even a com­ Joyce concludes, indigenous societies are not in this most wonderful part of the world­ pound that has entered clinical trials. Bob going to be getting rich; even assuming one now under the threat, especially in the great Raffauf, a natural products chemist and co­ can figure out where to direct their royalties expanse of Brazil, of floristic extinction. author with Schultes of The Healing Forest, from new drugs. This dictionary is unexpectedly com­ is passed over in a page. Yet it was Raffauf Still the search is worth it. As Michael plete. It is only natural that the authors have who, working for Smith, Kline & French be­ Balick, Director of the Institute of Economic missed some of the locally important spe­ tween 1950 and 1965, assayed tens of thou­ Botany at the New York Botanical Garden, cies: e.g., the several very important medici­ sands of plants from around the world, in­ notes, "Finding one drug from the rainforest nal Philodendra of the northwest Amazon, cluding hundreds of Schultes' collections. that will save lives would be worth more than the fruit tree ucuqui, the several species of In 15 years of research only 10 useful com­ all the lectures by famous people and all the Sourougea, the cultivated fruit tree pounds were found. Not one became a drug. rock concerts. If you can just hold up one Malouetia witotorum, and the conjunctivitis His was a sobering experience which left plant. My mission in life is to find such a treatment Cayaponia ophthalmica. For a him convinced that rain forests ought to be plant. "This, indeed, is the central theme of preliminary and unique effort, its inclusive saved for their inherent value. It would have Earthly Goods. It is not a book about indig­ coverage is so excellent that it can take its been useful to hear more from him. [This enous peoples. Indeed for a book that cel­ place with that most useful volume: Uphof's study was never published- Ed.] ebrates ethnobotany the native voice is sur­ Dictionary of Economic Plants, ed. 2 ( 1968). It would also have been interesting to prisingly mute. We learn almost nothing The main part of the book enumerates have had more critical discussion about SP- about what the native peoples think and feel several thousand species, alphabetically ar­ 303, the compound upon which the fortunes about their plants. Rather it is a timely ac­ ranged by scientific names, with their fami­ of Shaman Pharmaceuticals may rise or fall. count of the efforts of Western scientists to lies, common and indigenous names when­ SP-303's source is an extremely common tap the natural world for plant drugs that will ever possible, and brief remarks on their uses medicinal plant of the Northwest Amazon hopefully benefit all humankind.-Wade amongst the aborigines. This most valuable known as the blood of the dragon. Used by Davis presentation is followed by 16 pages dedi­ dozens of indigenous societies, it has topped cated to identification by botanical names of the list of plants worthy of pharmacological common and Indian names of the genera of investigation for years. While it is laudable the plants discussed, providing in this way a that Shaman is finally doing the work, one

66 • HERBALGRAM 33 BOOK REVIEWS

kind of generic index to the contents. Fol­ relied on unreliable secondary literature lowing this index is a medicinal index of dis­ which does not provide a reasonable evalu­ eases and symptoms in 13 pages. The final ation of the published scientific account. A index lists 46 major references. The book is case in point is the commentary on published in a format which will easily al­ Schizandra on page 65, which cites a 1988 low it to be taken into the field in tropical Lawrence Review monograph on the subject. excursions. If primary literature had been relied upon, The book is graciously dedicated in or a review by a source that could read the memory of the late outstanding tropical bota­ language in which the original literature had nist, Dr. Alwyn Gentry of the Missouri Bo­ been published, completely different conclu­ tanical Garden. Dr. Gentry died in an air­ sions may have been drawn. However, this plane accident in Ecuador in 1993 whilst in is a minor exception to an otherwise excep­ the botanical studies to which he had dedi­ tional book. cated hi s whole life.- Richard Evans There is not one practitioner, pharma­ Schultes. (Printed with permission of Elsevier cist, herbalist, or anyone elses interested in view of the current and historical regulatory Science B. Y., Amsterdam, the Netherlands.) the phytomedicine realm who will not ben­ developments in the United States that have efit from pulling this book from the shelves led to the current situation where herbs sit in for a balanced assessment of the best use, regulatory purgatory. Tyler writes, " ... the dose, and possible side effects of the most herbal regulatory situation in the United commonly used and most thoroughly docu­ States is a very fluid one, and the outcome is mented herbs. Herbs of Choice catapults still unknown." Those wishing to understand herbal medicine from folklore into main­ the regulatory system will find "The Herbal Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic stream medicine. Regulatory Dilemma" one of the best over­ Uses of Phytomedicinals, by Varro E. Yarra Tyler's Herbs of Choice does views of the subject, which includes real so­ Tyler, Ph .D., Sc.D. 1994. Pharmaceutical have the potential to significantly impact the Product Press, an imprint of The Haworth lutions that could easily be implemented, debate on health care reform in the United Press, Inc . Hardcover. 209pp. $24.95. and, if this ever happens, could catapult States. In the minds of the curious practitio­ ISBN# 1-56024-894-7. Available from ABC therapeutic use of phytomedicinals into their ner, with little training in botanical topics, Books . Item #B079. rightful role in U.S. health care. Dr. Tyler has raised herbal medicine from Dr. Varro Tyler, Lilly Distinguished While the polemics of the introductory the ashes of pseudoscience to its rightful sta­ Professor of Pharmacognosy at Purdue Uni­ chapters set the stage for a new way of uti­ tus as an integral part of modern medicine.­ versity, is best known to the herb public as lizing and regulating herbs in the U.S. , the Steven Foster the author of The Honest Herbal, now in its bulk ofthe book is a practical guide to "what third edition, which takes a conservative ap­ works," intended primarily for health care proach to the uses of herbs primarily found practitioners with little or no training in the in the health and natural food realm. Some, use of botanicals. Chapters 4 through 12 are after reading this book, have erroneously arranged by therapeutic indications, allow­ gained the impression that Dr. Tyler is not ing easy access to data on individual disease an advocate of the use of herbs in a proper conditions or health needs. Tyler reviews therapeutic context. Nothing seems further the use of specific botanicals in particular from the truth after reading Herbs of Choice. categories of disease, body systems, or con­ A Synonymized Checklist of the Dr. Tyler, through his latest work, ditions. Following a general and brief de­ Vascular Flora of the United States, Herbs of Choice, clearly advocates the use scription of the pathophysiology of the con­ Canada, and Greenland (Second of herbs which have been well researched, dition or disease are individual monographs Edition), Vol. 1, Checklist; Vol. 2, for which safety is reasonably established, on phytomedicinals the author feels are the Thesaurus, by John T. Kartesz. 1994. and for which efficacy is accepted in a clini­ most useful for those diseases or syndromes Timber Press, Inc., Portland, OR. Hardcover. cal setting, notably in Germany. He ap­ based on current world usage supported by Vol. 1, Checklist, 688 pp. ; Vol. 2, Thesaurus 816pp. $149.95 (not sold separately). proaches the subject from the standpoint that the scientific literature. ISBN #0-88192-204-8. Available from herbs are drugs and have a place in modern The practitioner attempting to discover ABC Books, Item # B 100. health care, no matter how they are classi­ why a patient is interested in using a par­ The long-awaited second edition of fied in the regulatory milieu. ticular treatment will find the necessary Kartesz's Synonymized Checklist is finally The opening chapter, "Basic Prin­ background material to help make informed available. The first edition, by John Kartesz ciples," explores definitions, differences be­ choices, both for the practitioner and patient. and his sister, Rosemarie Kartesz, published tween herbs and other drugs, herb quality, The material presented generally rep­ in 1980 by the University of North Carolina paraherbalism, rational herbalism, and herbal resents scientific consensus and the most up­ dosage forms. Chapter 2, "The Herbal Regu­ to-date information and assessment of the latory Dilemma," presents an excellent over- herb. However, in rare cases, the author has Continued on next page

HERBALGRAM 33 • 67 BOOK REVIEWS

Press, has served as a primary reference for know the numbers, kinds, and names of both glossary of herbal, medical, pharmacologi­ understanding nomenclature of the North native and non-native plant species of North cal and pharmacy terms; 3) a guide to com­ America flora. The current edition includes America. This exceptional tool provides the puter databases for the herbalist; and 4), the nearly 20,000 new entries, including cur­ most current and comprehensive summary bulk of the book, Medline citations for com­ rently accepted names and synonyms, cov­ of accepted plant names and their synonyms monly used medicinal herbs. ering a total of 290 families, 3,164 genera, back to 1900. Whether you are an amateur The first chapter provides a general 21 ,757 species, 937 hybrids, and 8,872 in­ or professional botanist, this work is an es­ overview of Western herbal medicine or fraspecific taxa. The geographical area sential resource. -Steven Foster phytotherapy in a social and political con­ treated includes the continental United text. Hoffmann answers the question, "What States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin role can herbal medicine play in modern so­ Islands, Canada, and Greenland. ciety?" The second chapter details ways to This monumental database is a pro­ access information, how information is duction of the Biota of North America Pro­ handled in the orthodox medical community, gram at the University of North Carolina, and the relationship of that information to Chapel Hill, which initiated the present the herbal practitioner or others needing ac­ The project in 1973. In addition to checking hun­ InfOrmation cess to up-to-date information on herbs. In dreds of regional manuals, state floras, spe­ SourceboQk of the book's third chapter, the author provides cies checklists, botanical journals, mono­ HERBAL a guide to information services,including graphs, and revisions, the author has exam­ MEDICINE explanations of the Dewey Decimal System ined 1.2 million herbarium specimens in or­ and Library of Congress Classification Sys­ der to help establish accuracy and synonymy tem , newspaper and periodical indexes, in­ for the work . Like the first edition, Volume formation available from industry and gov­ I is arranged alphabetically by family, ge­ ernment, antiquarian book dealer services, nus, species, and subspecific taxa within the bibliographies on a variety of pertinent top­ Pteridophyta, Gymnospermae, and ics, and a list of peer review journals, news­ Angiospermae. Following the accepted letters, and relevant organizations. name is a list of synonyms associated with Chapter 4 is the main menu item for the species. Lists of excluded taxa and the book, the "On-line Herbalist," and how anomalous names are also included in the databases useful to those interested in me­ first volume. Author citations, the majority The Information Sourcebook of dicinal uses of herbs can be accessed and best of which have been painstakingly checked Herbal Medicine, Edited by David utilized. In particular, Hoffmann provides a against original literature sources, are in­ Hoffmann. 1994. The Crossing Press , comprehensive introduction to using cluded for each taxon from the genus level Freedom, CA. Hardcover. 308pp. $40. Medline, the database of the National Library to infraspecific designations. ISBN 0-89594-671-8. Available from ABC of Medicine, to access herbal information. Volume 2 of the second edition is a Books. Item #B077. Chapter 5, "Glossary and Other Useful In­ quick-reference thesaurus containing all Medical herbalist David Hoffmann has formation," includes a list of herb names and names from the checklist from the genus produced a unique and comprehensive plant taxonomy, kinds of names, binomial level downward in an alphabetical list. Ac­ source book, serving as a guide to informa­ meanings, and herbs listed by scientific and cepted names appear in Roman type and tion on Western herbal medicine. It provides English common names, which could have stand alone. Synonyms are in italic, followed a window into the vast array of information been greatly improved by judicious editing by the currently accepted name. This is an resources available on herbs as legitimate, of spelling errors, which in the end defeat the excellent tool for finding the currently ac­ well-established, well-researched, safe and purpose of providing accurate information. cepted name quickly and painlessly. effective therapeutic agents. Hoffmann's Finally, "Examples of Citations from The scope of this work is beyond the book is offered as an aid for those who wish the MEDLINE Database" are included for capabilities and years of a lifetime of any to gain access to the many information re­ 55 different herbs, a primary feature of the one individual. Therefore, once the initial sources available on medicinal uses of herbs, book. draft list was produced, the author submit­ including on-line services. The book has in­ It is refreshing to see a book which ted various sections to hundreds of special­ formation resources relevant to the therapeu­ provides the basic tools necessary for access­ ists in distinct taxonomic groups for review tic practice of herbal medicine in the wWest. ing credible information on herbs. David and critical comment. Those individuals are It does not include information on Ayurveda, Hoffmann has provided an extremely useful acknowledged by name and institution in the Traditional Chinese Medicine, or other non­ book which is a timely resource for fulfill­ first volume. Western sources. ment of opportunities offered by the Dietary The second edition of A Synonymized The Information Sourcebook of Herbal Supplement and Education Act of 1994.­ Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United Medicine is divided into four major sections, Steven Foster States, Canada, and Greenland is an including 1) a detailed bibliography of extrodinary reference for anyone needing to herbalism and herbal pharmacology; 2) a

68 • HERBALGRAM 33 BOOK REVIEWS

noted by the author in the text. However, the heading for the table of "unsafe herbs" (which includes St. John 's Wort, Hypericum perforatum, a major error on FDA's part) does not indicate the revocation of the list, thereby causing potential confusion among some readers. Five chapters cover anthranoid deriva­ tives (e.g. laxative anthraquinones in aloe, cassia, cascara and buckthorn, and rhubarb). Additional chapters discus burdock, borage, blue cohosh, Eupatorium species, juniper, chaparral, pokeroot, mayapple, scullcap, dandelion, and bilberry, among others. As is plainly evident in the selections, many of these herbs do not generally produce adverse (UK) and numerous other positions and reactions in normal use. The chapter on Si­ consultancies. The book was written by 44 botanical experts who contributed various Adverse EHects of Herbal Drugs Vol. berian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) 2 by P.A.G.M. DeSmet, K. Keller, R. Hansel, curiously omits mention of adulteration by chapters and sections. R.F. Chandler (eds.). 7993. Springer-Verlag, Periploca, the so-called Chinese silk vine. This work contains entries on over 300 Berlin and New York . Softcover. 348pp. However, to the credit of the editors, a final plant families, with over 200 families being $79. ISBN 0-387-55800-4. Available from chapter, "Notes Added in Proof," attempts illustrated with beautiful and botanically ac­ ABC Books, Item #B049. to update each chapter to include relatively curate full-color paintings. Each family en­ This is the second in a series of re­ recent publ ished material that may not have try contains information on distribution, views of adverse effects of various herbs and been included. Here DeSmet does mention characteristic diagnostic features , botanical related issues. The first volume, published Periploca substitution for Eleuthero, as classification, and economic uses of many in 1992, sold out almost immediately and is pointed out by Dennis Awang in the letters important species in the family. A quick­ currently out of print. This book, like the section of the Journal ofth e American Medi­ reference panel shows the number of genera first, is not meant to focus unduly on the cal Association. and species in the fami ly, plus distribution adverse safety issues regarding herbal use; This book is important for all those in­ and economically important species. World the editors acknowledge (in the first volume) terested in herbal research, for health care maps accompany each entry to indicate dis­ the potential and actual role of herbs in health practitioners using herbs in clinical settings, tribution, for added clarity. care, saying that it is "not our intention to and for those manufacturing and marketing The book also contains an extensive place botanical remedies indiscriminately in herbal products. Hopefully, the publishers botanical glossary, pictures of all types of an unfavorable light," but instead to show have printed more of the second volume than leaf forms, information on plant and flower the potential adverse consequences of im­ the first one so this vital information is more structure, ecology, and s and classification proper or sometimes even normal use. widely available.-MB of the Angiosperms, the flowering plants. This second volume contains an ex­ The publication of this book is all the tensive first chapter by primary editor De more necessary in light of the continued deci­ Smet, of the Drug Information Center at the mation of plant species and native habitats. Royal Dutch Association for the Advance­ As Prof. Heywood writes in the first chap­ ment of Pharmacy, titled "Legislatory Out­ Flowering Plants of the World by ter, "Despite two centuries of scientific study look on the Safety of Herbal Remedies," Vernon H. Heywood. 7 993. Oxford of plant classification, we are still largely ig­ which is worth the price of the book in it­ University Press, NY. Hardcover. 335pp. norant about detailed taxonomy and biology self, at least to anyone in the U.S. who is $45. IS BN #0-19-52 7037-9. Available of the majority of flowering plants. More­ interested in the regulatory status of herbs from ABC Books, Item #B089. over, the situation has now become highly internationally. The 90-page chapter deals This is an updated version of the pre­ critical because the tropical countries which with the statutory and regulatory status of vious edition published in 1978 which be­ house the rich floras are now under great several hundred herbs in Germany accord­ came the standard botany text on flowering pressure." ing to Commission E, as well as France, Bel­ plants. This revision is destined to hold that This book will no doubt increase gium, and Sweden. Unfortunately, in the sec­ position. The editor is a widely respected anyone's appreciation and understanding of tion explaining the status of herbs in the U.S. taxonomic botanist, recently retired as Chief flowering plants as well as the relationships the author unnecessarily includes the infa­ Scientist of Plant Conservation of the World of various plant families to each other. As a mous list of 27 "Unsafe Herbs" published Conservation Union and as director of Bo­ reviewer in Nature wrote, "This book is more by FDA in 1977, even though the list and a tanical Gardens Conservation International. than a textbook of taxonomy, it is a publica­ companion list of "Herbs of Undefined He has served as former chair of the botany tion which will stimulate an interest in plants Safety" were rendered obsolete in 1986, as department of the University of Reading within any who opens its covers."- MB

HERBALGRAM 33 ° 69 LETTERS

TAKE CARE WHEN SELFMEDICATING ers. We are publishing his letter as an ex­ odd numbers of herbs for males and even Your publication, HerbalCram, is top ample ofhow some people self-medicate with for females is interesting and esoteric. We quality. I am not a professional, just curi­ herbs-even in situations where the person know ofno rational basis for employing odd/ ous. However, when I developed purple is not adequately trained, and in situations even amounts of herbs to effect gender dif­ blotches on my face after foolishl y sitting where serious disease may be a factor. In ferences. This notion is reminiscent of some under a lamp which had bulbs in it designed the "information vacuum " that currently ex­ of the conventional wisdom and myths cited for stimulating plant growth, and I developed ists due to lack ofproper regulatory policies by Professor Varro Tyler as "para­ the smell of cancer along with the blotches, for assessing the safety and efficacy ofherbs herbalism. " In this case, we concur with I knew I had to try to help myself. and thereby allowing for responsible label­ Professor Tyler.-MB So I read a few books on herbal rem­ ing of products, situations like this persons edies. From this effort I concocted an herbal will continue to occur. mixture which I drank for a while and greatly In publishing this letter the editors first helped myself. The mixture is as follows: want to point out that Herbal Gram is not pro­ From bottles of 100% pure cold pressed "bio­ moting nor endorsing the uneducated use of chelated" [quotes ours - Ed.] liquid extract herbs for cancer and other potentially life­ of yellow dock root, pennyroyal herb, peri­ threatening diseases. TIME WELL SPENT winkle herb, and red clover tops, plus fresh Second, it appears that the writer has I never realized the extent that herbs herb extract of chaparral mixed together in self-diagnosed the "smell ofcancer" and his have had throughout history and the role that a ratio of the minimum dosage for each as they are playing in modern medicine and given on their bottle, I made warm tea. healing practices today. Articles in your pub­ I varied the strength according to how lication point out that conserving and main­ I happened to feel , in other words, as to how taining the world's rain forests and catalog­ my symptoms were affecting me. ing the flora and fauna in our world could The blotches disappeared and the one day save the lives of millions. If there smell left, although they both started to re­ is any way that I could be helpful, I would turn eventuall y. When they did, I drank some be glad to offer my services, as the goals of more of the tea. Then they [symptoms] went your work should really be the goals of all away again. of us who inhabit this world. I used an odd number of remedies­ I very much enjoyed the many articles five-because I am masculine. If I were written and published in the HerbalCram feminine I would have used an even num­ and I hope, that as you are able to, you will ber. I did experiment by using seven rem­ in the future remember me and on occasion edies, adding ginseng and meadow sweet (for send me other materials that you feel may grouchiness). help me to increase my knowledge and un­ I wonder if Essiac herbal mixture derstanding of herbs and their uses, espe­ wouldn't work more predictably. The Tur­ ciall y in the areas of cultivation, harvesting, key rhubarb sounds interesting to me. and selling of herbs. I have no idea where I agree with Sam Biser when he writes Chicory, Cichorium intybus L. one can purchase seeds, particularly those in his material that herbs need to be used kinds that are not native or generally found much stronger for very seriously ill patients. in this temperate zone. I am also interested Of course this would be under the direction in the kinds of herbs one could expect to find of a competent professional. "blotches" and has not sought professional growing in my locale and how they are pro­ I believe the mixture [I made] plus an diagnosis for his condition. When potentially cessed for the retail market, the ideal time added herb for the even number requirement serious health conditions arise or are sus­ for gathering them, and how one markets for feminine patients, would be very helpful pected, HerbalGram encourages consumers them. for some cancer patients at the least. to obtain proper medical opinion(s). Then, Since being in a reformatory, I have a I think the purple blotches are called with the benefit of a clearer understanding lot of time to read, study, and improve my something like "pechechia" [petechiae- Ed.] of his/her condition, a consumer can more chances for being an asset to the commu­ but I cannot find the word in my dictionary, properly choose whether to employ conven­ nity. I believe I can best do that by taking so obviously I don't know how to spell it tional or "unconventional" therapies, either advantage of this time and applying it to correctly. with the aid of a professional or via self­ learning and turning my life around. Name withheld by request medication. Kenneth L. Jensen Another reason for publishing this let­ Anamosa, Iowa Editor's response- We appreciate this ter is to expose certain myths about herbs letter from one of our readers who is intent that may be held by some members of the on sharing his herbal experience with oth- lay public. In this case reference to using

70 • H ERBALG RAM 33 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 Boord.

Association of Natural Medicine Pharmacists, conferences. Bimonthl y, personal subscription/ compatibles and Macintosh. $34.95 postpaid a nonprofit clearinghouse for factual information $49, plus $ 10 p&h; institutional rate $79 plus (plus $1.50 sales tax forMA). Contact LRS Inc. , on natural medicines. ANMP membership $ 10 p&h. Contact Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 1651 456 Locustfield Rd., East Falmouth, MA 02536. includes quarterly clips and reviews of research, Third Ave., NYC, NY 10128. 1/800/654-3237. clinical studies, and popular media coverage; and Fax 212/289-4697. Aromatherapy Association of North America CE's on related topics, events calendars, book (AANA) is being establi shed to act as a focus for reviews, and recommended reading li sts. Free Amruth, a quarterly publication initiated by the the professional development of aromatherapy. Info-Packet with basic information on natural Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Five levels of membership presently exist. medicines and health topics. Membership $35 I Tradition (FRLHT) to help save India's medical Contact AANA, 329 W. 89th St., Apt. 2, New yr. Contact Connie Grauds, ANMP, 8369 Champs heritage. Focus areas are traditional medicine and York, NY 10024. de Elysees, Forestville, CA 95436, 707/887-1351. primary health care; computerized multidisciplinary databases on medicinal plants. journal of Nutraceuticals, Functional and Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, $ 160/institutions; $40/individual s. Contact Medical Foods from Haworth Press, Inc., is a new a peer-reviewed medical journal from a medical FRHLT. 50, HSH Layout, 2nd Stage, 3rd Main, professional quarterly. Scholarly forum for the publisher providing factual information Anandnagar, Bangalore 560-024, India. Ph. publication of responsible research and dialog on concerning the use of alternative, complementary (080)333-6909. the many product, business, and policy issues that and cross-cultural therapies in preventing and surround the explosion of technology allowing for treating disease, healing illness and promoting "Growing Herbs" and "Medicinal Herbs" - the development of so-called "superfoods." health. One year (6 issues), $48. Contact software "hypermedia" programs for IBM-PC Prospective authors should request a "Guidelines Alternative Therapies, PO Box 627, Holmes, PA compatibles with Windows 3.1 or higher and 3.5" for Authors." Contact The Haworth Press, Inc., 19043-9650, 800/899-1712. high-density disk drive. $55 for one, $85 for two, 10 Alice St., Binghamton, NY 13904. postpaid. Contact Elderflower Farm, 501 Alternative and Complementary Therapies , a Callahan Rd ., Rosebury, OR 97470, 800/672- 1994-95 Herbal Green Pages , 4th editi on, is close publication aimed at following the latest trends 7706. to 5,000 herb-related businesses (retail and in holistic health with emphasis on practice and wholesale), publications and associations. implementation. Featuring innovative programs "Herbal Browser" software information on more Contact Maureen Rogers, Herbal Connection, P.O. and leading personalities along with regular than 200 herbs, including preparation, uses, and Box 245 , Silver Spring, PA 17575, 7 17/393-3295. columns on treatment developments, published recipes. Cross-referencing is extensive, with over studies, educational materials, and upcoming I ,600 keywords. Available for IBM-PC

CALENDAR

March 30 - April 1: Alternative Medicine: the American Institute of Chinese Medicine, topics. Contact Wise Woman Herbals, 1721 SE 1mplicationsfor Clinical Practice. The objective California and the Traditional Medicine 1Oth, Portland, OR 972 14. 503/239-4292. of this course is to provide clinicians with Committee of the China Cultural Research sufficient information to responsibly advise Institute, Beijing, China. Emphasis on creating a May 27-29: Clinical Applications of Botanical patients who use or seek alternative therapies. unified system of traditional medicine to benefit Medicine. Sponsored by 1995 Gaia Herb Sponsored by Harvard Medical School, Dept. of the health of human beings around the world. Symposium. The program will delve into clinical Continuing Education and the Dept. of Medicine, Contact the American Institute of Chinese uses of botanicals and case hi stories. Teachers Beth Israel Hospital. Seventeen credit hours in Medicine, 4444 Geary Blvd. #306, San Francisco, include Mary Bove, N.D., Bill Mitchell, N.D., Category I of the Physician's Recognition Award CA 94118. 415/379-9911. Fax 4151758-7166. Michael Murray, N.D., Tori Hudson, N.D., David of the AMA. Tuition fee/$450. Contact: Lori Hoffmann, Cascade Anderson Geller, and Bill Gershaw, Professional Meeting Planners, 444B May 22-25: The First International Congress Caradonna. Herb walks and celebrations also Broadway, #218, Saugus, MA 01906. 617/324- on Alternative and Complementary Medicine, included. Contact Gaia Symposium, PO Box 57, 2202. Crystal City, VA. Organized by Th e Journal of Swans Island, ME 04685. 207/526-4479. 800/ Alternative and Complementary Medicine. The 252-0688. May 4-20: Athens to Istanbul. Travel with a aim is to bridge the gap between current small group of like-minded gypsies in Greece and " mainstream" medicine and alternati ve and June 9-11: First International EXPO of World Turkey studying herbal medicine, crafts, and complementary therapies, and bring alternative Traditional Medicine, Technology & Cultural village life. Contact Traditional Tours, PO Box medicine into continuity with the great healing Interchange. Sponsored by the Alliance of 564, Creswell, OR 97426. 503/895-2957 or 800/ traditions of the world. Contact BioConferences World's Traditional Medicine (AWTM). Focus 639-2693. International, 30 I /652-3072. Fax 301/652-4951. is on unique products and natural healing methods from different parts of the world that are May 19-21: Second Conference on World May 27-29: Pacific NW Herbal Symposium. Traditional Medicine and Presentation of Grand Featured speaker Susan Weed with 13 other Prizes for the Best Achievements. Sponsored by herbalists and physicians presenting a variety of Continued on next page

HERBALGRAM 33 • 71 CALENDAR CONT'D

affordable and easy to use, while safe and August 27-30: International Symposium on September 29-0ct.l: Green Nations Gathering. effective. Distinguished scholars from China will Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Sponsored by Earth health ceremony, herbal emporium, present their research and offer practical the Working Group on Culture of Medicinal and purification lodges, and workshops at the experience in traditional medicine. Contact Aromatic Plants in ISHS Section Medicinal and Phoenicia Pathwork Center by leading herbalists AWTM, I 080B Saratoga-Sunnyvale Rd., San Aromatic Plants. Campus Center, University of such as David Hoffman, Susan Weed, Rosemary Jose, CA 95129, 408/257-3768, Fax 408/257- Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. Contact Dr. Lyle Gladstar, Amanda McQuade Crawford, Ryan 3825. E. Craker, Dept. of Plant & Soil Sciences, Drum, Doug Elliott, David Winston, James A. University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA Duke, Christopher Hobbs, and Deb Soule. June 19-30: An International Training Program 01003, 413/545-2347, Fax 413/545-1242. Contact Pam Montgomery, P.O. Box 266HG, in New Crops: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Milton, NY 12547, 914/795-5238. Sponsored by Center for New Crops & Plant September 26-29: East- West Perspectives on Products, Department of Horticulture, Purdue Functional Foods. Organized by International October 28-30: Clinical Applications of University and the Program for Collaborative Life Sciences Institute, Southeast Asia and Botanical Medicine. Sponsored by 1995 Gaia Research in the Pharmaceutical Sciences, College Singapore Institute of Food Science and Herb Symposium. The program will delve into of Pharmacy, University of Illinois. Focus is on Technology. The conference will discuss and clinical uses of botanicals and case histories. germplasm collection and preservation, plant evaluate the scientific basis for the claimed Teachers include Mary Bove, N.D., Bill Mitchell, production, biochemistry, processing, quality efficacy of functional foods ; provide a forum for N.D., Michael Murray, N.D., Tori Hudson, N.D., control, and marketing. Program is designed for the recognition of business and technological David Hoffmann, Cascade Anderson Geller, and agricultural scientists and officers, extension opportunities; establish a regional network to Bill Caradonna. Herb walks and celebrations also specialists and agents, new crop researchers, review and disseminate current scientific included. Contact Gaia Symposium, PO Box 57, industry representatives, governmental officers, information; and identify areas of interest for Swans Island, ME 04685. 207/526-4479. 800/ graduate students, and private producers. Contact future development. Contact Conference 252-0688. Tom Robertson, Attn: International Training Secretariat, I Newton Road, Goldhill Plaza Program in Aromatic & Medicinal Plants, Podium, Block #03-25, Singapore 1130, Republic Continuing Education, Purdue University, 1586 of Singapore. Ph. 65-255-8023. Fax 65-255- Stewart Center, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1586. 8067. 317/494-7220. Fax 317/494-0567.

CLASSIFIED

A listing in this classified section does not constitute any endorsement or approval by HerbaiGram, 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 Wright, P.O. Box 201660, Austin, TX 78720. 512/331-8868. FAX 512/331-1924.

BOOKS AND TAPES with leading herbalists and naturopathic physicians. Gaia Symposium, P. 0. Box 57, Northeast School of Botanical Medicine - Chinese Herbal Medicine - Professionally Swans Island ME 04685. Please call 1/800/ Four-month program emphasizing clinical made video tapes for convenient at-home study 252-0688 for information. skills, botanical identification, materia medica, of Chinese herbs. First three tapes (total time: medicine preparation, wildcrafting. Classes 200 minutes) just $45, including shipping. In­ Green Terrestial offers herbal and earth include field trips and student clinic. ?Song, P. stitute for Traditional Medicine, 2017 S. E. awareness workshops, quality herbal products, 0. Box 6626, Ithaca, NY 14851 . Hawthorne, Portland, OR 97214. New tapes and apprenticeships in an atmosphere of co­ available each month. creative partnering with the Earth. Pam Wild Rose College of Natural Healing - Montgomery, P. 0. Box 266, Milton, NY established 1975, offering classroom and 12547. 914/795-5238. correspondence courses in Herbology, Pharmacognosy, Nutrition, Wholistic Health, CORRESPONDENCE COURSES Natural Healing Home Study-Australasian Biology, Physiology, Iridology and many other AND SEMINARS College of Herbal Studies offers dynamic, fields. Programs for Master Herbalist (two written, audio & video course materials. years), Wholistic Health Therapist (three years), 1995 Gaia Herb Symposium - "Clinical Diploma & Certificate curriculum. Free Clinical Herbalist (three years), Practical Applications of Botanical Medicine," May 27- Prospectus. 800/48-STUDY. Herbalist (8 months), Counseling (one and three 29, 1995, Tyngsboro, Massachusetts. Topics years). Send $3 for detailed calendar, #302, will include: Botanical Treatment for Uterine New England Center for Aromatherapy - 1220 Kensington Rd. NW, Calgary Alberta, Fibroids; Herbal Pharmacognosy; Herbs for Holistic aromatherapy certification program by CANADA T2N 3P5; 403/270-0936. Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia; and more. correspondence. Free brochure. 60 Myrtle St., Special Feature: Forum on Women's Health #1, Boston, MA 02114. 617/720-4585. continued on next page

72 • HERBALGRAM 33 CLASSIFIED CONT'D

PUBLICATIONS $3 . $18/yr. Free brochure. Stone Acre Press, to the latest projects in habitat and native plant 84 Carpenter Rd., Apt. 78711-1, New Hartford, conservation. The green revolution begins in American Herb Association Quarterly CT 06057. our own backyard. Wildflower is published by Newsletter- $20/yr. AHA, P.O. Box 1673, the Canadian Wildflower Society, 90 Wolfrey Nevada City, CA 95959. The Herb Quarterly -When the world wearies Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4K I K8 . and ceases to satisfy, there's always The Herb Tel: 416/466-6428. Subscriptions and Australian Journal of Medical Herbalism - Quarterly, a beautiful magazine dedicated to membership are $25/1 yr. , $45/2 yrs. Sample quarterly publication of the National Herbalists all things herbal-gardening, medicinals, crafts, copy $5. Association of Australia (founded in 1920). folklore, alternative uses of herbs, and more. Deals with all aspects of Medical Herbalism, Rates: Sample issue $5; introductory OTHER including latest medicinal plant research subscription (5 issues) $19.95. P. 0. Box 689, findings. Regular features include Australian San Anselmo, CA 94979. 1/800/37 1-HERB. Certified Organic Herb Plants - Vigorous, medicinal plants, conferences, conference high quality, 2 I /4" pots. North American, reports, book reviews, rare books, case study International Journal of Aromatherapy - European, Chinese medicinals; culinary, dye and medicinal plant review. Aus/$40 plus A us/ Edited by aromatherapy author Robert plants. Send for catalog. Shortgrass, 6870 $15 if required by airmail. National Herbalists Tisserand. Articles and information on uses of WCR5 Erie, CO. 80516. Association of Australia, P. 0. Box 65, essential oils in well-being. Designed for Kingsgrove, NSW, 2208, Australia. practitioners, teachers, suppliers, writers, etc. Comprehensive Herbal Software- Use the $22/yr. Aromatherapy Publications, 3 Shirely "state of the art" tool fo r herbal information. The Bu$iness of Herbs - Comprehensive St., E. Sussex, BN3 3WJ England. GLOBALHERB is the world's largest library reporting, business news, marketing hints, of herbal information for your personal sources, and resources. Subscription $20/yr. Medical Herbalism - Subtitled "A Clinical computer. GLOBALHERB contains I ,000 Brochure/SASE from Northwind Farm, Rt. 2, Newsletter for the Herbal Practitioner." Edited herbs, herbal formulas, and nutrients. Instant Box 246(G), Shevlin, MN 56676. by Paul Bergner. $24/yr, $42/2 yrs. Canada: cross-referencing by condition, property, body $29/yr. Overseas: $39/yr. Sample/$4. Medical system, and/or constituent. Available for IBM Foster's Botanical and Herb Reviews - Herbalism, P. 0 . Box 33080, Portland, OR and Macintosh. Smaller programs also Information resources, book reviews, new 97233. available. Contact Steve Blake, 408/335-90 II . periodicals, etc. Quarterly. $10/yr from Steven 5831 Hi ghway 9, Felton, CA 95018 USA . So Foster, P.O. Box I 06, Eureka Springs, AR Nature's Field -Contemporary journal of simple, it's advanced. 72632. 501/253-7309. FAX 501/253-7442. herbs and natural healing. Free sample. 1/800/ 41-NATUR. Qualified Lab Manager/Herbalist needed for HerbalGram - Quarterly journal published by reputable herb extract company, computer the American Botanical Council and the Herb Washington Insight - a quarterly newsletter experience desired, salary and benefits. Research Foundation. $25/yr., $45/2 yrs, $60/ designed to keep natural products scientists Contact: Shari Hindman, 655 S. 44th St. , 3 yrs. P.O. Box 201660, Austin, TX 78720. abreast of funding opportunities and other Boulder, CO 80306. 303/442-22 15. See page 75 . important happenings in Washington, D.C., including interviews with Congressmen, Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical The Herb Growing and Marketing Network­ Senators, or other government officials, that Studies comprehensive, balbnced herbal An information service for herb businesses and may affect them and their institution. In curriculum of academic and earth-centered serious hobbyists. Includes The Herbal addition to the newsletter, subscribers receive studies. Certification programs adn advanced Connection, a 36-page bimonthly trade journal, Funding Alert, which provides pre-advertised slinical internship avilable. Call (303 )422-686 1 The Herbal Green Pages, annual resource guide information on funding opportunities, and or write for brochure, P. 0. Box 19254, Boulder, with over 5,000 listings, free classified Compound Alert, listing of compounds of co 80308-2254. advertising for subscribers, and more. Entire interest to the National Cancer Institute which package $60/yr. (Hi gher outside North need research to insure adequate supplies­ America) Sample newsletter, $4. The Herbal another opportunity for research grants. Annual Connection, P. 0. Box 245, Silver Spring, PA subscription, U.S.: personal/$40; institutional/ 17575; 717/393-3295. MC!Yisa accepted. $85. Foreign: personal/$50; institutional/$95. Movil'1g? Contact: Washington Insight, 11000 Waycroft The Herbalist - quarterly newsletter of the Way, North Bethesda, MD 20852. 301/881- American Herbalists Guild, dedicated to 6720; Fax 301/984-7372. Q..,,. mail p e >'mit does Vlot a llow <.'Wa>'d t-le.-baiCi.-am. .:Jf yo<.< dues: professional (peer-reviewed) $50; Wildflower- North America's only popular move o>' c h aV\ge yo<.<>' maili"'9 ad­ associate $35; student $35. 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HERBALGRAM 33 • 73 Our baclc issues aren't olcl issue until you've read

H ERBALGRAM BackPacks complete · your library of information on herbal issues, books, research, conferences, laws, and related topics. Get the Books referenced by Congress See pages 20-21 for text with references from the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) ~~~~~ HERBAL MEDICINE HUMAN MEDICINAL by Rudolf Fritz AGENTS FROM PLANTS Weiss, M.D. Edited by A. Douglas 1985. The now classic text used by MDs in Kinghorn and ~~~~~ Germany. An indispensable modern text in Manuel F. Balandrin medical herbalism. Many herbs are illustrated. 1993. Papers presented at "Human Medicinal Plant drugs are arranged by clinical diagnoses Agents from Plants" symposium, Son Francisco, re lating to particular systems. Softcover, 362 pp . April1992 . Most extensive and up-to-dote $55 . Available from ABC Books, #B006 information on o wide variety of topics in the area of medicinal herbs. Hardcover, 356 pp. $89 .95 Available from ABC Books, #B020 Credit card orders call: 800/373-7105 or FAX: 512/331-1924 See page 79 for order form. 74 • H ERBA LG RAM 33 ~~~~~'k.l THE COMPLETE POTTER'S NEW CYCLOPAEDIA MEDICINAL HERBAL OF BOTANICAL DRUGS AND by Penelope Ody, foreword by PREPARATIONS Mark Blumenthal. 1993. Over 1988. The newest edition of o book 120 color photos of oil ports of first published in 1907. Includes o new the plant that con be used chemical constituents section for each medicinally. Each entry details plant, on updated "use" section, ond the plant's chemical constituents, regulatory status in Great Britain. actions, therapeutic opplicotions, Sohcover, 362 pp. $29.95 #BOll ond safety precautions. ' Hardcover,122 pp. ~~~~ $29.95 #8039

THE INFORMATION HERBS OF CHOICE HERBAL MEDICINE SOURCEBOOK OF by Vorro Tyler. 1994. If physicians, by Rudo~ Fritz Weiss, M.D. HERBAL MEDICINE pharmacists ond other health 1985. The now classictext used by David Hoffmann. 1994. A professional hove been waiting for o by MDs in Germany. An comprehensive guide to information definitive reference work on herbs, indispensable modern text in on western herbal medicine, they con trust tho! this is it. Destined medical herbolism. Many he rbs providing resources on oil topics to become one of the most ore illustrated. Plant drugs ore including on-line ond dotobose authorita tive references ovoiloble arranged by clinical diagnoses sources. Hardcover, well into the 21st century. relating to particular systems. 308 pp. $40. #B077 Hardcover, 209 pp. $24.95 #B079 Sohcover, 362 pp. $55. #B006

THE HONEST HERBAL Jl1 e by Vorro E. Tyler. 1993. Third edition. Chapters on the general rational ond FOOD PHYTOCHEMICALS FOOD PHYTOCHEMICALS HONEST irrational use of herbs ond the FOR CANCER FOR CANCER complex lows ond regulations HERBAL f.rtit i ao dPrYeeWglel• ltHoDblliosl"' PREVENTION, VOL I Teas , Spio s, aod Hubs PREVENTION, VOL II pertaining to their sole in the U.S. by Huang, Osowo, Ho, Rosen. by Huang, Osowo, Ho, Rosen. A Sensible Guide to Covers over 100 commonly used The Use of Herbs and 1994. Describes phytochemicols 1994. Examines the health Related Remedies herbs 8. provides indispensable in fruits ond vegetables ond their effects of phytochemicols in botanical information, traditional folk effects on health. Chapters on beverages, spices, ond Oriental uses, 8. discussions of safety ond VARRO E.TYLER , PhD isolation, purification, ond herbs. Chapters on the therapeutic effectiveness. Includes o identification of phytochemicols in suppression of active oxygen .... H table of essential facts ond is ....lN ...... J• .tlll"lb'"'", (W. ... h,t.MitllitO-H ..... cw."' ...... t • • _ foods . Hardcover, 427 pp...... UIII.....,T. bMI species by natural antioxidants. referenced extensively throughout. fG .,....._SoriooM6 $99.95 #B075 IICI.,...._ ...... 41 Hardcover, 367 pp. Sohcover, 375 pp. $15.95 #BOOS $89.95 #B076

THAI MEDICINAL PLANTS RECOMMENDED FOR PLANTS AND PEOPLE OF THE GOLDEN PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM TRIANGLE-£THNOBOTANY OF THE HILL TR IBES Edited by N.R. Farnsworth ond N. Bunyoprophotsoro. 1992. OF NORTHERN THAILAND Botanical information, chemical constituents, by Edward F. Anderson . 1993. Astudy of over 1,000 plant pharmacological activities ond clinical trials of medicinal species used by six major tribes of the remote hills of plants compiled, collected, ond assessed by the Medicinal northern Thailand. Products from the forest such os fibers, Plant Information Center of Thail and. Color photos, dyes ond medicines. Detailed appendix, illustrations, ond 200 Hardcover, 402pp. $89. #B021 color plates. Hordcover, 279 pp. $69.95 #B043 CREDIT CARD HOLDERS CALL TOLL FREE: 800/373-7105 OR FAX: 512/331-1924 These books are some of the best available on their respective topics. Some are hard-to-find, others are published abroad where shipping and handling run your costs up dramatically. cientific Work DICTIONARY OF PLANTS ADVERSE EFFECTS OF BIOACTIVE VOLATILE CONTAINING SECONDARY HERBAL DRUGS, VOL. 2 COMPOUNDS FROM METABOLITES Ed by P. A. G. M. De Smet, K. Keller, PLANTS by JohnS. Glasby. 1991. Lists R. Homsel, R. F. Chandler. 1992. by Roy Teronishi, Ron G. Buttery, those plants that hove been The second in oseries from on and Hiroshi Sugisowo (eds.). examined fo r the presence of international group of researchers. 1993. Acollection of papers chemical compounds in olphobe~col The editors report side effects of presented ot 203rd No~onol order of genera. Compounds ore herbs in a responsible scien~fic Mee~ng of the American Chemical given according to their various manner. Review of herbs' legal Society in Son Francisco, April w..... ___;_:;::__ _ __. types, such as alkaloids, terpenoids, status in many countries. Softcover, 1992. Hardcover, 309 pp. and coumorins. Hardcover, 488 pp. 275 pp. $79. #B049 $79.95 #8019 $220.#B072

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HERBS, SPICES & MEDICINAL PLANTS: RECENT ADVANCES IN BOTANY, HORTICULTURE, AND PHARMACOLOGY ECONOMIC AND MEDICINAL PLANT RESEARCH VOLS. 2-S Ed. by Lyle E. Croker and James E. Simon . 1991 . The series serves os on Ed . by Hildebert Wagner, Hiroshi Hikino ond Norman Farnsworth . 1988. authoritative reference for developments in botany, horticulture, and This series identifies areas of research in natural plant products that ore of pharmacology. Each volume is fully indexed. All hardcover. Reviews include: immediate or projected importance from opractical point of view and reviews cri~cal • Vol. 1: An lntroduc~on to the Scien~fic Literature on Herbs, Spices, them in a concise and manner. Hardcover. and Medicinal Plants. 368 pp. #B060. • Vol. 2: Potential Fertility-regulating Agents from Plants; Recent Developments in the Chemistry of Plant-derived An~cancer Agents. 201 • Vol. 2: The Alkaloids of the Popover Section Ozytono Bernh. pp. $80. #BOSS 270 pp. #B061. • Vol. 3: Plant Compounds as Sources and Models of Insect Control Agents. 150 pp. $80. #B056 Individuals Institutions • Vol. 3: Plant Flavonoid Effects of Mammalian Cell Systems. • Vol. 4: Medicinal Plants in Trodi~onol Medicine; additional chapters on traditional medicine in Set of four 232 pp. #B062 . Chino, Ghana, Indio, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Samoa, and Thailand. 17 4 pp. $83. #B057 $96 $144 • Vol. 4: Phytogeographic and Botonicol Considerations of Medicinal • Vol 5: Plants and Other Organisms as o Source of Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Per Vol. Plants in Eastern Asia and Eastern North America. 272 pp. #B063. Drugs; 400 pp. $120. #B058. $30 $45 • Complete set, #B064 • Com lete set, 5345. #B08l. CREDIT CARD HOLDERS CALL TOLL FREE: 800/373-7105 OR FAX: 512/331-1924 Save time and money while supporting the American Botanical Council in its efforts to inform and educate the general public about the importance of herbs. r=====:;-L-IV-ING_L_IQU-EU-RS---,---,-ABC ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH $ wVtp b k ,;&:,_,lflJI.P- , 1 1~~~~~~:fu~~f~;motion QUARTERMAN PUBLICATIONS ~r ~~~~ ~ on the culture, use, ond James A Duke folklore of plo nts in The American Botanical Council has entered into an agreement with Quarterman Publicaffons to vorious he rbol drinks. market andd istribute four significant medicinal plant publicaffons. This agreement furthers our Line drowing illustrations. goal to continue to disseminate factual, accurate, and professional knowledge on the historical Softcover, 110 pp. S15. role and current potential of plants in medicine. Illustrated by • Peggy K. Duke #BOlO

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THE AMERICAN MATERIA MEDICA The American by Finley Ellingwood, M.D. 1994. First published in 1919, the definitive text of its time, this book utilized Materia Medica, oformat !hot is on excellent oid to the busy AMERICAN Therapeutics and practitioner. 8otonical therapeutic agents ore discussed WILDFLOWER FLORILEGIUM Pharmacognosy and compared in groups under headings !hot clossi~ by Jeon Andrews. 1992. Andrews' botonicol ort ond occurote informative text them by their action. In addition, five fold-out charts combine aesthetics ond science to produce ogathering of flowers (o provide a quick and in-depth comparative glance of the florilegium). The plonts ore portrayed in o woy that reveals those characteristics most commonly used herbs for fever, heart, digestive, of importance to o taxonomist os well os oppeoling to those involved in the by Finley Ellingwood, M.D. liver and female reproductive organ problems. oris. Color reprod uctions of original ort work. Hardcover, Hardcover, 564 pp. $82. #8084 125 pp. $50. #8033 CREDIT CARD HOLDERS CALL TOLL FREE: 800/373-7105 OR FAX: 512/331-1924 Herbal Information You Can Trust ...

TA LES FROM Bot•ical Native HERBAIGRAM THE HEALING FOREST The Journal of the AM EI CAN BOTANICAL COUNCI L and ~ h e HERB RESEA RCH I'OUNDATION by John Simon Booklet

Reprinted by permi~sion from World, Jowrnal o/the Ur~itorion Ufli•·trsolistlossoeiation, Vol. VI. No, ), May/June 1992. pp. 17-25 Series Cumulative Index Issues 1 lh rou~h u by Steven Foster ( 1983·1991)

he eight-page book­ lets in this series Cla.uic Boranica/ Reprint Numbu 213 T have beautiful color reproductions of each plant pro­ viding concise, authoritative and Classics accurate information on major c.ulative medicinal plants. ~II &Ill 0 # 301 Echinacea Index 0 # 302 Siberian Ginseng A complete set of all Classics 0 # 303 Asian Ginseng HerbalGramissues 1-24(1983 published by ABC. 0 # 304 Ginkgo -1991) are alphabetically in­ 0 # 305 Milk Thistle dexed in a user-friendly way Only 0 # 306 Peppermint by subject, volume, and page; 0 # 307 Chamomiles by Latin binomial, common $ssoo Item #240 0 # 308 American Ginseng names and topic; by author and 0 # 309 Goldenseal reference. 0 # 310 Feverfew Twelve designer cards (2 of each) 0 # 311 Garlic featuring color photograph and Each individual volume 0 # 312 Valerian brief description of traditional use by botanist Steven Foster. Only Individually priced at $1. Item #401 All 12 for only: 0 #601 Purple coneflower 0 #602 Narrow-leaved Echinacea $2900 $995 0 #603 American Ginseng Item #300 0 #604 Goldenseal 0 #605 Passionflower For complete listing of Classics Vol. I The 0 #606 American Mayapple and II, see pages 50 and 51. For Vol. ill see page 56. 0 #607 Bloodroot 0 #608 Pink Lady's Slipper Fnsworth AMERICAN G INSENG 0 #609 Saw Palmetto Panax quinquefolius 0 #610 Witch Hazel SJIIIPOsiuln 0 #611 Evening Primrose 0 #612 Butterfly Weed "Progress on Terrestrial and Marine Natural Products of Medicinal and EAPC Petition Set 1- 601, 602, 604, 606, 607, 608. Biological Interest," in honor of $9.95. Item #600-A the 60th birthday of Professor The complete text of the Euro­ Set 2- 603 , 605, 609, 610, 611 , 612. Norman R. Farnsworth. The 181- pean-American Phytomedicines $9.95. Item #600-B page published proceedings include Coalition Petition to the USFDA. 19 scientific papers, 10 abstracts, The petition requests inclusion of and 11 abstracts on posters presented. European OTC Phytomedicines Steven Foster Both sets only (herbal medicines) to the OTC 5 Drug Review. Boranical Series No. 308 $1990 Item#402 Item #600-C

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Credit Card Holders Call Toll-free 800/373-7105 or FAX your order 512/331 -1924

78 • HERBALGRAM 33 From The American Botanical Connell HE~BALGAAM BackPacks HerbalGram back issues complete Looking for reliable facts on your library of information on herbal medicinal plants? If o, you should issues, books, research, conferences, be reading HerbalGram, the laws, and related topics. authoritative publication that The BackPacks are a complete separates scientific thought from set of HerbalGrams from our first wishful thinking; a publication that issue(Summer 1983) and includes an knows the difference between valid eight-year Cumulative Index. traditions and superficial trends. Volume I, HerbaiGram NEW ITEM Rates for U.S. mailing addresses: issues #1-17 (1983-1988) 4 Issues 8 Issues 121ssues $82.50 value $5950 only only only Item#SSO-A $2500 $4500 $6000 Volume II, HerbaiGram (10% discount!) (20% discount!) issues #18/19-32 (1989-present) Item #501 #502 #503 $97.50 value on your $7500 Canadian rates Item #SSO-B bookshelf in these handy '---=---=-----' Item #504: $30 #505 : $55 #506:$75 cases. One FREE! only Foreign rates slipcase holds $goo ltem#507: $35 #508:$65 #509:$90 Cumulative Index with one Volume Each every BackPack order! of BackPack. Prices include postage. Item#SSO C Add "R" after item number for renewal subscriptions. ORDER FORM Books • PublitatioiJs • HerbaiGram QTY Item(s) # Description Price Total CREDIT CARD HOLDERS CALL TOLL FREE: 800/373-7105 24 HRS/DAY FAX THIS FORM: 512/331-1924 Payment: 0 I enclose my check or money order (U .S. funds onl y, must be draw n on a U.S. bank) 0 Visa 0 MCard Expiration date ______

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Shipping and Handling (circle one) TOTAL Sale Total UPS Ground 2nd Day Canada UPS 2nd Day $1 0-15 3.50 9.00 8.00 40.00 31 -60 5.00 10.50 12.00 48.00 OVERSEAS: 61-100 6.50 12.50 16.50 57.00 PLEASE 101-200 8.00 18.50 20.00 71.50 CALL FOR 201-300 9.50 22.50 22.00 79. 50 SHIPPING 301 -400 11.00 30.50 26.50 93 .00 RATES Make checks payabl e to the American Botanical Council , Please call for sh ipping/hand li ng cha rges for amounts over $400.00 and foreign. P. 0. Box 201 660, Austin, TX 78720-1 660. Phone 512/33 1-8868. NO UPS DELIVERY TO P.O. BOXES February 1995 price li st. Prices subject to change. HG.33 Credit Card Holders Call Toll-free 800/373-7105 or FAX your order 512/331-1924

H ERBALG RAM 33 • 79