Published by the HERB RESEARCH FOUNDATION and THE AMERICAN HERBAL PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION No. 15 I Winter 1988

IN THIS ISSUE Major Herb Conference in Thailand

Market Report 2 by Rob McCaleb, HRF President

Legal and Over 1000 Attend the First Princess Chulabhorn Science Regulatory 3 Congress International Congress on Natural Products

Rob's Research In December 1987, I attended perhaps the largest natural products conference ever - Reviews 4 held. The Princess Congress-I was held in Bangkok, Thailand, December 10-13. Attendance was estimated at around 1,000 persons, with over half from Thailand. The speakers included a dazzling array of professionals, among them some of the Calendar 6 best-known names in the fields covered. In all, there were 247 lectures and 114 poster presentations divided into five sessions: Conferences 7 Sessions A&B: Ethnopharmacology, Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology and Utilization of Natural Products Session C: Spectroscopic Techniques and Structure Elucidation Media Watch 12 Sessions D&E: Synthesis and Biosynthesis of Natural Products Also included were presentations by two Nobel Laureates, and a keynote Herb Blurbs 13 address by the conference organizer, Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhom. The youngest of three daughters of His Majesty The King of Thai­ land, Princess Chulabhom holds a PhD. in Natural Products Chemistry from Book Reviews 14 Mahidol University. Her doctoral studies were on the analysis of components of Zingiber cassumunar, a Thai species of ginger with the local name Plai. Her Potpourri 17 presentation at the Congress was a dramatic slide show about the people and the natural beauty of Thailand. On Dec. 5, HM The King celebrated his 60th birthday, Letters 18 and the presentation also honored his life and the many projects the Royal Family has undertaken to improve the quality of life for all Thais. One focus of these projects has been the application of science and technology to the utilization of Classifieds 19 natural products. It is easy to see why the Thais are so loyal to their Royal Family.

Access 20 Continued on page 8 GINKGO: Ancient herb in modern laboratory Fruit and leaf of the ancient Ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) have been used in Chinese traditional medicine. Now Dr. Elias J. Corey, professor of chemis­ try at Harvard, has successfully synthesized a ginko-leaf extract. It's possible that the resulting ginkgolide B may lead to a "new class" of medi­ cines, says a recent article in the New York Times. See "Media", page 12. MARKET REPORT by Jim Adelson, Treasurer, AHPA President, Aphrodisia Products, New York

Number 15 Winter 1988

Publisher/Co-editor - Mark Blumenthal Co-editor/fechnical Editor - Rob McCaleb Managing Editor -Barbara Johnston Botanicals: Botanical markets Less expensive Pink Rose Petals are Assistant Editor - Bobbi Close Office Manager - Mary Adams remain challenging and unsettled. This becoming more prevalent in the market Circulation/Advertising -Margaret Wright spring importers and wholesalers have Offers of Star Tilia are slowing and Contributing Editors stopped asking about price and fo­ price is advancing. The Orient has James A.Duke, Ph.D. cussed their attention on availability. been offering small quantities of whole Steven Foster Meager harvests and collections, Rosebuds that cannot keep up with Loren D. Jsraelsen, Esq. coupled with strong demands from demand. Lavender, backed by a good large buyers, have left little for the crop, seems stable and available. ©Herb News 1988. HerbalGram is smaller buyer. Even imports that are Spices: End of the year difficul­ published quarterly by Herb News, P.O. available are suffering from the low ties in the Black Pepper market have Box 12006, Austin. Texas 78711. 512/ value of the U.S. dollar. eased. Prices are returning to more 331-4244. Subscription rates are $18.00 European Chickweed and Red normal levels. Clove prices steadied. per year; $33.00 for 2 years; $45.00 for 3 years. Foreign subscriptions, please add Clover remain virtually unavailable. Fundamental changes in price seem $10.00 per year. HerbalGram is sent to all . Spanish Orange Peel offers are being unlikely. Spot stocks of Star Anise AHPA and HRF members at no additional received at historically high levels as seem adequate and prices are not cost. users scramble for new sources. expected to change. Cassia (Cinna­ Early offerings of Egyptian mon) shipments have arrived and new Herb Research Foundation Chamomile were high, but now seem offers show little price relief. Early Advisory Board to be easing off slightly with more coverage of next fall's needs are certainty of good new crop. Calendula indicated at this time. Dr. Glertn Appelt prices seem to be backing off also as Domestics: Inventories of Professor of Pharmacology the hot weather approaches. . domestic herbs and roots are low. This Dr. John A. Buetler Flowers: Few flowers for is the time to plan for next year's usage Natural Products Chemist potpourri manufacturers remain so that enough crude material will be Dr. Robert A. Bye, Jr. available in the market Small quanti­ collected. Without long-term commit­ Professor of Ethnobotany ties of Blue Malvia are still available at ments, collectors seem unwilling to Dr. Subhuti Dharmananda attractive prices from Europe. Cal­ speculate on harvest Early contracts Director, Institute for citrippae is almost unavailable, as are will best assure supply. A small Traditional Medicine Dr. James A. Duke Cornflowers and Bouganvilla. amount of Chickweed is reportedly Plant Taxonomist Importers continue to search the world bemg harvested in the Pacific North­ Dr. Richard I. Ford looking for new and unique items for west this spring. It is still too early to Professor of Ethnobotany pOtpourri. determine availability for other Dr. Harriet Kuhnlein The demand for potpourri ingredi­ domestic herbs. 0 Professor of Nutrition ents continues to boom, stressing even Dr. Walter Lewis the good crops. Red Roses are sold out Professor of Biology until spring crop with arrivals barely Dr. Albert Leung available at ever-increasing prices. Pharmacognosist Dr. Ara Der Marderosian Professor of Pharmacognosy Dr. C. Dwayne Ogzewalla Professor of Pharmacognosy Dr. James Ruth Professor of Medical Chemistry Dr. E. John Staba Professor of Pharmacognosy Dr. Varro E. Tyler Professor of Pharmacognosy Dr. Phil Weber Medical Doctor

Page 2- HerbaiGram No. 15 -Winter 1988 LEGAL AND REGULATORY ------

Export Control of Ladyslipper Canada Bans Comfrey Leaf

In May of 1977, the U.S. and 90 other countries became In the fall of 1987, the Canadian Health Protection Branch bound to a treaty known as the Convention on International moved to ban the sale of certain types of Comfrey leaf Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. (Symphytum officinale and related species). The Canadians Certain procedures and restrictions were spelled out concern­ have previously banned the sale of all comfrey root several ing the import and export of wild plants and animals consid­ years ago. The action follows considerable concern about ered endangered. The authority for the enforcement of this comfrey because of the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids convention is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Dept. of (PAs), a class of generally toxic alkaloids that are known to Interior), Office of Management Authority (OMA). In cause liver disease and reproductive damage when taken in February of 1988, the OMA issued a bulletin in which certain quantities for protracted periods of time. procedures of the Convention and all applicable sections of the U.S. Endangered Species Act were referred to as authority to The Canadian ban does not affect the status of all comfrey leaf control exports of Ladyslipper Root (Cypripedium spp.), an products. Only those products that contain a variety of herb used traditionally for its sedative properties. comfrey known as "Russian Comfrey" are being banned; the "Common Comfrey" variety is reportedly not being affected Accgrding to the bulletin, "It has come to our attention that as it contains considerably lower levels of pAs. U.S. dealers are shipping ladyslipper roots overseas for use in foodstuffs or for medicinal purposes. Ladyslippers ... are Comfrey leaf and root are still sold in the U.S., although one orchids and, therefore, are protected under the Convention. major U.S. manufacturer has recently removed comfrey root All exports of ladyslippers, or parts of ladyslippers, must be from some of its herbal formulas and has discontinued the sale accompanied by and export permit issued by OMA." Such of comfrey root capsules altogether. export permits are presumably granted only in situations wherein the actual location and method of harvesting have Herb industry members have been aware for many years that been verified by an OMA agent, and where such harvesting there does exist a potential problem with the PAs in comfrey. techniques fall within the guidelines established by OMA to Eight years ago, several leading herb tea and herb distributing assure continued growth of the species. The use of ladyslipper companies voluntarily assisted the U.S. Food and Drug root, once very common among American herbalists in the Administration in obtaining samples of various types of 19th century, has dwindled to almost nothing due to lack of comfrey leaf and root from different sources in order to allow availability and high prices. the FDA to test for allcaloid levels. No policy decisions regarding toxicity or regulatory actions have resulted since the tests were made. 0

HerbaiGram No. 15- Winter 1988- Page 3 ROB'S RESEARCH REVIEWS by Rob McCaleb, HRF President

Each quarter, HerbaiGram Co-Editor Rob McCaleb reads over a dozen scientific and technical journals dealing with botany, pharmacognosy, ethnobotany, phytochemistry, nutrition, and related fields. Such journals include Economic Botany, Journal of Natural Products, International Journal of Crude Drug Research, and Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. "Research Reviews" contains glimpses of studies that might be of interest ot our readers.

Study Shows Yohimbine Non-herbs in the news: Bupleurum news Effective in Treating Impotence HerbalGram regularly reports on herbs Dr. T. Tani, et al., of the Research which lower blood lipids, cholesterol, Instititute for Oriental Medicine, etc. Of course, fish oils, oat bran, A recent study has found that yohim­ Osaka, Japan, report on the distribution canola (rapeseed) oil and other things of saikosaponins in Bupleurum bine, an alkaloid from African have this effect too. The latest of these falcatu.m.root. Bupleurum as Herbal­ Yohimbe bark (Paustynstalia yohimbe), was effective in restoring erectile func­ is rice bran oil. This oil is seen as ripe Gram readers know, is a very popular tion in cases of psychogenic impotence for use (heh heh) as an edible oil. Chinese remedy included in many (i.e. impotence that is not physical in There is a small problem. It fails to Chinese combinations. (Journal of meet the specifications of the Central origin, but derives from a psychological Chromatography (1986, 360 (2). pp condition). The study was Committee for Food Standards, India, 407 -16) disclosed that the rootlets of B. conducted by a group of researchers for edible oils because it contains 4.1% falcatum contained the highest level of unsaponifiable (non-oil) matter, con­ saikosaponins- possibly indicating that (K. Reid et. al.) at the Department of Psychology, Psychiatry, Urology and taining large amounts of plant sterols. the rootlets are the site of biosynthesis Pharmacy at Kingston General Hospital Research by R.D. Sharma et al. (Indian of these saponins. It has already been in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Of the J. Medical Research, 85, 3/87, pp 278- reported that the level of ginseng 81) has now shown that the unsaponifi­ saponins is also highest in the rootlets, 48 patients that took part in the 10 week placebo-controlled, double-blind able matter is itself effective in lower­ and this may be generally true for study, 46% reported a positive re­ ing total serum cholesterol and the two saponins. Meanwhile, Dr. L. Zhang, of sponse. The patients took three 6mg undesireable classes of cholesterol the Shanghi Medical University, capsules of yohimbine per day. (LDL and VLDL) without altering the reports (Shanghi Yikedaxue Xuebau, HDL cholesterol (the good kind). This 1986, 13 (1), pp 20-3) on the effects of The study concluded that "Although effect may be due entirely to the plant B. kunmingense polysaccharides on the questions about the action of yohim­ sterols, present in rice bran oil at 42%. proliferative response of mouse spleen bine in the body and how it improves Further, a three generation study cells to mitogens. At at dose of 100 ani­ potency remain to be answered, the showed no deleterious effect on microliters per milliliter, the polysac­ Also Indian J. Med. drug is a safe treatment for psychogenic mals. reported in charide was effective in promoting impotence and no less effective than Res. (V.85, 2/87, pp 184-87) was a proliferation of mouse splenocytes in current treatment options. Until other beneficial effect of legumes in diabetes vitro. At this concentration it also in­ pharmacological substances have been patients. J.B. Dilawari et al. found that creased the response of the splenocytes tested in controlled trials, yohimbine three types of legumes had a very sig­ to various other mitogens including should be considered among the first nificant effect on lowering blood sugar pokeweed mitogen. The results suggest treatment options for psychogenically when compared to the consumption of that Bupleurum polysaccharides might other high-carbohydrate foods like impotent patients." (Ihe Lancet, Aug. be developed as an immunomodulator. 22, 87, p. 421-423. wheat, rice and glucose. The reduction showed a direct relation with the dietary fiber content of each food.

Page 4 HerbaiGram No. 15 Winter 1988 --- --

Tea tannins reduce cholesterol Feverfew for physicians

It has been known for at least ten years that consumption of Here's a simply astonishing article in Postgraduate Medicine , tea lowers cholesterol level in the blood, while the consump­ V.82, #1, July 1987, pp 197-8. This issue ofPGM focused on tion of coffee increases it - both compared to water. Since migraine, and this brief article was entitled "Herbal Therapy tannins are known to inhibit absorption of protein, iron, and for Migraine". The author, Dr. S. Diamond M.D., did not possibly other nutrients, I have long suspected that the tannins present the results of new experimentation, but rather re­ in tea were responsible for this cholesterol-lowering effect viewed the results of past research on Feverfew (T anacetum Researchers K. Muramatsu, M. Fukuyo, andY. Hara report parthenium) for the prevention and treatment of migraine. (Journal of Nutrition Science and Vitaminology, V.32, pp 613- The author frrst discloses that in one survey, 70% of 270 mi­ 22, 1986) on the effect of green tea catechins on plasma graine sufferers reported a positive effect from the consump­ cholesterol level in cholesterol-fed rats. There has been con­ tion of Fever-few leaves. The author criticizes the study as siderable controversy over the years about the toxicity of being a "uncontrolled, retrospective study". He then describes tannins and high tannin foods, and at least one researcher has a pilot study conducted at the City of London Migraine Clinic, talqm on a personal vendetta against high-tannin foods. in which 17 patients who were already taking Feverfew were However, in recent years, some of the beneficial effects of divided into two groups. In half the group, the Feverfew was tannins have become apparent, including a capillary strength­ replaced with a placebo, and in this, the placebo group, there ening activity, antioxidant properties, antimutagenic, and an­ was a significant increase in the frequency and severity of tihepatotoxic effects. Tannins are also thought to aid the body headaches, nausea, vomiting, and other "untoward effects". in retaining Vitamin C and alleviate the toxicity of heavy The group continuing to ingest Feverfew reported no change. metals. The authors reporting on that study considered the findings as In 1982 Fukuo et al found that humans who habitually drink evidence of an effectiveness of Feverfew. However, amaz­ tea with a high-cholesterol diet (3 egg yolks per meal) had ingly, Dr. Diamond believes rather that "the effects seen in blood cholesterol levels within the normal rangs. The current patients given a placebo may be due to withdrawal, in which research involved rodents fed on a lard-cholesterol diet. One­ case the results cannot serve as evidence of therapeutic percent tannins in the diet reduced the levels of plasma action." The author describes a "post-Feverfew syndrome" cholesterol without any noticable effect on the growth of the which is manifested by headaches, joint and muscle pain, animals. The authors conclude: "Our results suggest that cat­ anxiety and insomnia. While we too believe that more echins (tannins) in green tea exert a hypocholesterolemic research should be conducted on Feverfew, I believe Dr. effect and therefore have a protective effect against the Diamond does his patients and readers a disservice by casually atherosclerotic process. Lowered plasma cholesterol was also dismissing the positive results of migraine sufferers who have observed when a 0.5% of crude catechins supplemented the tried Feverfew. 0 lard-cholesterol diet" While the toxicity of "massive oral doses" of tannins cannot be overlooked, it would appear that consumption of moderate amounts of tannin has a beneficial effect on blood chemistry, which may protect Americans from the leading cause of death - heart disease. ''The mechanism by which dietary tea catechins result in lowered plasma choles­ terol levels is not clear. It may be assumed that the enhanced excretion of cholesterol - the lower absorption of cholesterol by tea catechins - is primarily responsible for this phenome­ non. The other possible mechanism of tea catechin action may be increased excretion of bile acids and alteration of en­ dogenus cholesterol metabolism. Experiments are in progress to elucidate the mechanism of action."

HerbaiGram No. 15- Winter 1988- Page 5 CALENDAR

April7, 1988-AHPA General Meeting- 10:00 am, Hyatt May 28- June 5, 1988- Chicago International Festival of Hotel, Anaheim, California. $15.00 for AHPA members. Flowers and Gardens, Navy Pier. Focus on realities of urban Additional fee for guests. Contact Kathy Hathaway, AHPA gardening in the '80s. Outdoor garden promenade includes Executive Secretary for details: 6660 Cardale, Lakewood, CA herb gardens, international gardens, "Art in Flower" creations, 90713. (213) 920-9916. and Marketplace, (exhibitors invited). Projected attendance 100,000. Contact: Cynthia Quick, Managing Director, The April9-17, 1988-Springtlme in the Desert- A South­ Lakeside Group, 600 N. McClurg Court, Chicago, IL 60611 . wesern Herbal Field Trip, with regional herbalist Feather Jones 3121787-6858. and herbalist Michael Moore, author of Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West. Twenty to thirty hours of field instruction, June 3-4, 1988-Sixth International Congress on Medici­ camping, hot springs, and geology in Gila National Forest, nal Plants, Angers, W. France.- Contact: Professor J. Brune­ Chiricahua Mtns., and BoyceThompson Southwestern Arbore­ ton, U.E.R. des Sciences Medicates et Pharmacaeutiques, tum in Arizona. $115 per person. Couples and earlybird Unversite D'Angers, Section Pharmacie, 16, Boulevard discounts. Contact: Wishgarden Herbs, P.O. Box 1304, Daviers, 49000 Angers, W. France. Boulder, CO 80306. (303) 665-9508. June 17-July 2, 1988. Herbal Medicine Delegation to China April 23/24, 1988 - Ninth Annual Conference and Trade -Visit University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Show of the Hydroponic Society of America, a significant Pharmacology in Beijing, herb growing areas in Szechuan and useful compendium of horticu~ural information for the Province, and Chinese traditional medicine practicioners in hydroponic grower. Presentations address Chinese hydropon­ Shanghai. Led by Dr. Paul Lee and herbalist Christopher ics, commercial hydro-systems, environmental effects, aero­ Hobbs. Sponsored by People to People Citizen Ambassador hydroponics, root diseases, marketing, equipment-and­ Program, Dwight D. Eisenhower Bldg., Spokane, WA 99202, controls, optimizing production, and a panel discussion on (509) 534-0430. growing substrates. Full day of onsite tours of hydro-farms in the area prior to conference; pre-registration a must. Location: June 19-22, 1988-- HERBS 88: The International Herb San Francisco Clarion Hotel, 401 E. Milbrae Ave., Milbrae, CA Growers and Marketers Assn (IHGMA) Conference and 94030. For information, contact: Scott Karney, HSA, Box Trade Show. Co-Sponsored by the Burden Research Planta­ 6067, Concord, Ca 94524. 415/682-4193. tion, Louisiana State Univ. Bellemont Hotel, Baton Rouge, LA. For program details and for Trade Show exhibit info contact: April 29-May 1, 1988. Homeopathy: Medicine for the 21st Maureen Buehrle, IHGMA, P.O. Box 281 , Silver Springs, PA Century- A Beginning and Advanced Homeopathy 17575. (717) 684-9756. (See "Conferences", this issue.) Conference sponsored by the National Center for Homeopa­ thy & the California State Homeopathic Medical Society. June 24-26,1988- Third Annual Women's Herbalist Dunfey San Mateo Hotel, San Mateo, CA. Contact: National Conference. Trillium Farm, Oregon. Workshops for all skill Center for Homeopathy, 1500 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite levels held in a wilderness sanctuary. Meals and childcare 41, Wash. DC, 20005. (202) 223-6182. . . . provided. Bring your own tents and camping gear. Contact: Women's Herbalist Conference, P.O. Box 1510, Jacksonville, April 23 - May 12, 1988- A Journey to the Source of OR 97530. 503/342: 6369. Herbal Wisdom (Greece)- Travel with Juliette de Bairacli Levy, Rosemary Gladstar, Christopher Hobbs and Svevo June 26-29,1988--Second International Congress on Brooks wh ile learning herbology, hydrotherapy, and natural Traditional Medicines. Sponsored by the World Health health practices in one of the most healthful climates in the Organization, Organization of American States, Peruvian world. For more information, write or call the California School Ministry of Public Hea~h. Peruvian College of Physicians, of Herbal Studies, P.O. Box 39, Forestville, CA 95436. 707/ UNICEF, and other organizations. Lima, Peru. Contact: 887-7457. Administrative Secretariat, II International Congress of Tradi­ tional Medicines, Congresos Master, Division of Master Travel May-Nov 1988--The Spirit and Essence of Herbs. A seven S.A. •. P.O. Box 3891, Lima 100-Peru. month apprenticeship program with Rosemary Gladstar. One weekend per month at the farm of Pol Hermes near Bridgeport, June 26-30, 1988--Piant Nitrogen Metabolism. An Interna­ ME. Contact: Pol Hermes, RFD3, Hollis Rd ., Biddeford, ME tional Symposium sponsored by the Phytochemical Society of 04005. North America. l:Jniversity of Iowa, Iowa City. Contact: Dr. J.E. Poulton, Dept. of Botany, Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City , Iowa 52242. (319) 335-1322.

Page 6 -HerbaiGram No. 15 - Winter 1988 CONFERENCES

July 17-20, 1988- Third Annual National Herb Growing & Herbs '88, the 3rd Annual Conference/Trade show of Marketing Conference. Hyatt Regency, Louisville, KY. co­ the International Herb Growers and Marketers sponsored by Purdue University and the University of Ken­ Association (IHGMA) will be held in Baton Rouge, June tucky. Contact Laura Clavio or Dr. Jim Simon, Horticultural 19-22, and will feature a Louisiana Chefs Cook-off in con­ Bldg., Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907. 317/494- junction with the American Culinary Federation. Noted 1328. (See "Conferences", this issue.) Southern chefs will compete in cooking and serving up their July 17 - 21, 1988-American Society of Phamacognosy best Cajun/Creole dishes to an appreciative audience, sophisti­ joint meeting with Japan Society of Pharmacognosy. cated in the ways of herb uses. The Cook-off is only one "International Research Congress on Natural Products". event from an exiting list of educational seminars and events Theme - "New Directions and Methods in Natural Products for herb growers and marketers who serve the booming herb Research." Contact: Joy B. Reighard, Ph.D., Editor, Temple market in the U.S. and abroad. An attendance of over 800 University School of Pharmacy, 3307 N. Broad St., Philadel­ herb enthusiasts is anticipated. phia, PA 19140 U.S.A. The HERBS '88 conference is designed to help not only new July 29-31, 1988. International Congress of Chinese cottage industries which are emerging in response to the Medicine- University of San Francisco. Contact: Alan Ziajka, exploding demand for herbs and herb products, but also larger PhD, Asst. VP for Academic Affairs, Univ. San Francisco, lgnatian Heights, San Francisco, CA 94117. herb growers, producers, and marketers. Three days of conference sessions will include the latest herb market trends c AuglJst 14-18, 1988--New Perspectives on the Origins of such as aromatherapy, herbal body care, fresh cut herbs. New World Cultivated Plants, the Annual Meeting of the Herbalists will speak about the latest information on herbal Society for Economic Botany in conjuction with the American medicine. Institute for Biological Sciences. Univ. California, Davis. Contact: Chris Ireland, Dept. of Medicinal Chemistry, 308 Sessions on alternative cash crops such as shiitake mush­ Skaggs Hall, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112. rooms, fresh flowers , plug production, and perennials are 8011581-8305. Persons in Japan or nearby countries should included. Leaders in the herb field will talk on organic herb contact Dr. Yojei Hashimoto, President, Japan Society of growing in both the greenhouse and on large acreage. Experts Pharmacognosy, Kobe women's College of Pharmacy 4-19-1, will give workshops on the making of potpourri and perfume. Motoyamakita-Machi, Higashinada-Ku, Kobe 658, Japan. Other sessions will cover herb growing, processing and (Please note date change from last Herba/Gram calendar listing!) packaging, marketing and distribution. Conferees can learn about the market for botanicals. Sound business management September 16-18, 1988 -7th Annual Breitenbush Herbal sessions are also scheduled. Retreat. Contact the California School of Herbal Studies. Box 39, Forestville, CA 95436. 707/887-7457. An IHGMA Herb Bookstore- with autographing sessions by noted herb authors - will be part of a large Trade Show that September 22-25, 19~5th International Symposium on includes the latest herb products in addition to the newest in Apiculture- Portoroz, Yugoslavia. Contact: Kompas Yugosla­ equipment for the grower, the producer, and the marketer. via, Congress Dept. 61000 Ljubljana, Prazakova 4, Yugosla­ Side trips to New Orleans, to several Baton Rouge plantations, via. and to the large Tabasco factory on Avery Island are optional treats planned for conferees. October 23-26, 1988 - "New Crops: A National Symposium" sponsored by Purdue University and the Ameri­ can Society for Horticultural Science. Indianapolis. Contact: HERBS '88 is sponsored jointly by the IHGMA and the Dr., James E. Simon (317/494-1328) or Dr. Jules Janick, Burden Research Plantation Agriculture Center, Louisiana Horticulture Department, Purdue University. 0 State University. For more information on HERBS '88 Conference and Trade Show, contact Maureen Buehrle, Executive Director, IHGMA, P.O. Box 281, Silver Spring, PA 17575. Phone 717/684-9756. 0

HerbaiGram No. 15 - Winter 1988- Page 7 1 I .! PRINCESS CONFERENCE ! from page 1 i

It is impossible to adequately summarize the Princess One of the most interesting findings in Dr. Wagner's I Congress, and is difficult even to present highlights. I will study is that several compounds showed an immunosuppres­ ! attempt to focus on plants of particular interest to Herbal Gram sant activity at normal doses, but an immunostimulant activity readers. at extremely low doses. He also noted a reversal of malig­ Dr. H. Wagner (Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Uni­ nancy in some cases with extremely small dosing. It's versity of Munich) is probably the best known researcher on interesting to speculate how this might support the use of plants with immunomodulating activity. His presentation homeopathy which relies on extreme dilution of active clarified a contradiction which had long bothered me compounds. Dr. Wagner kindly offered a copy of his article to concerning Echinacea. The consensus among those knowl­ HRF, and this will be available to members. edgeable about this popular immunostimulant was that the Dr. B.N. Dhawan updated the conference on the Central activity was principally due to polysaccharides. While this Drug Research Institute (CDRI) in Lucknow, India. The work may have been the case with extracts injected into animals, of this institute was mentioned in the special report in Herbal polysaccharides are broken down during digestion, which Gram 13. The purpose of CDRI' s project is to evaluate plants would render oral administration inactive, except perhaps for used in traditional medicine, to develop the promising ones minor amounts that could be absorbed through the oral and discard toxic ones. The Institute has tested nearly 3,000 mucosa (in the case of liquid extracts). plants and over 27% of them have shown activity. At least half have no prior data from traditional systems of medicine. The Institute uses, almost exclusively, a 50% ethanol (grain alcohol) extract and uses a very broad pharmacological screen (95-100 tests) for each plant. While most plants are tested using animal models, in a few cases where suitable animal "Echinacea purpurea was the most models were not available, clinical studies were undertaken active species." after a safety evaluation. If activity could be confirmed, chemical investigations followed. One compound studied which has been the subject of several reports in HerbalGram is forskolin (Coleonol). This remarkable compound from the plant Coleus forskolii lowers The destruction of the polysaccharides would make blood pressure without affecting heart rate. capsules and tablets worthless. According to Dr. Wagner, the polysaccharides are now considered minor aspects in Echinacea activity. In recent testing, a chloroform extract showed the highest activity. The compounds most responsible may be isobutylamides and polyines. Also, E. purpurea was " ... garlic is a remarkably well­ the most active species. Wagner also explained the types of immunomodulating activity and seven methods for evaluating researched plant, and perhaps one such effects. The immunostimulatory effects can be specific of the most astonishing medicinal (enhancing reaction to specific antigens) or nonspecific plants on earth." (generally stimulating immune function), with the latter category possibly serving to counteract every form of immune suppression. Since "immunostimulant" is not a term found in older lit­ erature, it is difficult to fmd leads to this type of activity. Be­ It has been shown effective in oral dosage and is more cause of this, references to antibacterial and antiviral agents effective in hypertensive animals than normal ones. Another were evaluated as well as those which may have been used for encouraging result for the naturalists among us, is that the fever or other illnesses generally related to bacterial or viral lipid lowering compound gugulipid from Commiphora mukul infection. The methods employed in testing these plants showed no improvement from a highly purified extract include in vitro phagocytosis, in vivo carbon clearance test, in compared to a crude extract. vitro T-lymphocyte transformation, and four others. Dr. Anticancer effects of garlic were reported by Dr. Michael Wagner elaborated on some of the compounds and plants J. Wargovich of the University of Texas. The compound other than Echinacea which have been found active, including diallyl sulfide (DAS) is a naturally-occurring component of Acanthopanax - or Eleutherococcus, Chamomile, Comfrey, garlic. This compound is responsible partly for the odor and Aristolochia, and the compound vincristine from the Madagas­ flavor of garlic, and along with some other volatile sulfur car Periwinkle. compounds, is cmisidered to be responsible for other activities of garlic as well. In the current study, results showed that

Page 8- HerbaiGram No. 15 -Winter 1988 DAS could reduce by 75%0he ineidence of cancer induced by Medical Sciences (W Ngamwat et al.). Standardized dosages the chemical dimethylhydrazine; showed a marked inhibition in pill form (compressed tablets) are now available packaged of tumor induction by nitrosamines; completely inhibited the in foil packets. The sensibility of the Thai approach to appearance of chemicany-induced esophageal cancer in medicine is admirable. They always seem to focus on the ap­ rodents; and also is a potent anticarcinogen toward mono­ propriate utilization of available treatments and they tolerate alkylating intestinal carcinogens. The current hypothesis is alternative medical systems. that DAS prevents tumors by modifying the metabolism of carcinogens by the liver. As Herba/Gram readers are aware, garlic is a remarkably well-researched plant, and perhaps one of the most astonishing medicinal plants on earth. More good garlic news carne from S.N. Anand et al. also " One of the most interesting from CDRI, working along with the Thailand Institute of findings . . . is that several com­ Scientific and Technological Research. Using standardized pounds showed an immunosup­ experimental models to assess lipid-lowering activity, they pressant activity at normal doses, reported positive results for spray-dried garlic. There has been but an immunostimulant activity at much controversy in the US about the effectiveness of dried garlic preparations. In this study, the garlic effectively extremely low doses." lowered cholesterol and triglycerides in normal and hyperlipi­ demic rats, the ratio of HDL-cholesterol (the good kind) was improved, and lipid deposition in the arteries of rabbits was reduced by 30-40%. A common first aid treatment used by Thai Traditional Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) was the subject of two Doctors is the application of Clinicanthus nutans for the papers. The first, presented by Dr. T. de Silva (U. of Sri Jaye­ tre~tment of insect bites and rash. This plant was studied by wardenepura, Sri Lanka), concerned immunomodulating scientists at Mahidol University and the Ministry of Public activity. Most of the activity was found to be in the polysac­ Health. AnN-butanol extract of the plant was found to be charide fraction. The other study concerned the effect of C. comparable in potency to several clinically-used antiinflam­ asiatica on healing of chronic ulcers. This plant in fresh form matory drugs including aspirin and the prescription drugs has been widely-used for treating wounds and ulcers. In this phenylbutazone and indomethacin. Because of the instability experiment, 17 of 22 patients were completely healed, and the of the extract, it is recommended that fresh leaves be used for other five much improved. Treatment consisted of 1% C. a topical use. asiatica extract (glycoside fraction). Further research is Scientists at Chiang Mai University (A. C. Apisariyakul et necessary. al.) evaluated crude extracts of 40 Thai medicinal plants for Another "natural product" useful for ulcer treatment is pharmacological effects. They found potential natural white sugar, according to Dr. K. Bhanganada et al. (Faculty of replacements for standard pharmaceutical drugs in these Medicine, Siriraj Hospital). Honey is already used as a categories: 1) skeletal muscle relaxants (relaxed diaphragm dressing for chronic ulcers, and a saturated sucrose syrup was and gastrocnemius muscle)- Dioscorea spp. (wild yarn), tested because pure honey is not always available. Both work Derris sp., Thunbergia lauriflora, Datura mete/, Cestrum by coupling high osmolarity (drawing fluid out of cells by nocturnwn and Erythrina; 2) antidiarrheals (relaxed isolated osmotic pressure) with low tissue irritation. All wounds rat ileum) - Caesalpinia sappan, Datura mete/, Eugenia showed improvement, with 12 of 21 being healed completely caryophyllata, Gastrochilus panduratus, Piper rostratum, P. and five others ready for grafting. One advantage of the longum, P betle, Psidiwn guajava and Curcuma longa therapy was that the syrup destroyed all bacteria within one (turmeric); 3) laxatives (increased ileum motility) -Aloe vera, week, except for two Pseudomonas aerugenosa infections A/pinia siamensis, Bridella siamensis, Cassia acutifolia, which were eliminated in the second week. Micromelum munutum,Rheum officinale (rhubarb), Termi­ Aloe vera gel was the subject of another paper on wound nalia chebula, Croton tiglium and Coriandrum sativum treatment This study, (also by K. Bhanganada et al.), (coriander); 4) antiasthmatics (relaxed tracheal smooth compared the healing effects of aloe gel with Povidone Iodine muscle)- Cinnamomwn cassia, Datura mete/, Myristica in 60 patients with similar wounds. The aloe gel proved better fragrans (nutmeg) and Zanthoxylon bunrunga. than the iodine in promoting wound healing. Surprisingly, Many other papers explored Thai medicinal plants (as one there were no significant differences in bacterial flora in the might expect), including one evaluating over 100 plants for wounds of both groups (the iodine might have been expected antitumor effects (P. Picha et al. National Cancer Institute, to at least reduce bacterial counts significantly). Bangkok). Another discussed the development and improve­ ment of eight traditional remedies by the Department of Continued on next page

HerbaiGram No. 15 - Winter 1988- Page 9 Princess conference Continued from previous page

This conference coincided with the end of the World One test (MB30) involved 10 day dosing, then determined the Health Organization's 10 year search for fertility regulating number of pregnant animals, implantation sites, number of agents. Dr. P.D. Griffm (WHO, Geneva) discussed the overall normal fetuses and number of corpori lutea. program, officially the WHO Special Programme of Research Another assay (MB70) tested for estrogenic effects on Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction. ovariectomized rats. Rats are very sensitive to estrogenic The primary goals of the program were to research and effects, so such effects could not be considered There was a develop a greater variety of safe, effective fertility regulating danger of developing a rodent antifertility agent unless methods suitable for use in a diversity of cultures; to promote peculiarities of rodent reproduction were carefully heeded. Of research on infertility; to strengthen family planning research the 400, around 10% were found active. Half of those were and resources in developing countries. The project was estab­ dropped for being estrogenic, toxic or mutagenic. Some lished for 10 years in 1976, then extended for two more years, looked promising only until body weight was considered. A and will conclude this year with a fmal report monograph. compound toxic enough to cause serious weight loss could The University of Illinois NAPRALERT database was an prevent a successful pregnancy, but starving the mother is cer­ important part of this project, as there were over 5,000 plants tainly not an appropriate birth control strategy. There are still reported to affect reproduction. Dr. N.R. Farnsworth reported 10-20 plants under investigation, and these hold the current on the evaluation of the list of 5,000 plants with 69 types of hope for the future of this research. There was no discussion effects, 11 of which were considered useful. The computer of the most promising plants, since WHO's monograph will be analysis of the list included "priority designation codes" based released later this year. Interestingly enough, the one antifer­ on various factors. Ethnomedical use (used once per month, tility plant discussed (by Dr. H.H.S. Fong, University of used after missed menses, post coital, unknown, etc.) can be Illinois) was Larrea tridentata (chaparral or creosote bush), an indication of the type of activity present Geographical use which is reportedly used in Mexico to prevent pregnancy. could also affect consideration of a plant, since those used by The Princess's plant, Zingiber cassumunar, continues to diverse cultures have a higher probability of being active. The be researched. R. Koysooko et al. reported that there is a database itself is without question the world's largest collec­ fraction (uncharacterized, called Compound D) which is active tion of data on plants affecting mammalian reproduction. as a bronchodilator for asthma treatment. The whole plant, Based upon the quality of data available, the type(s) of however, is hepatotoxic (a liver toxin) in rats. Lest we forget, research already undertaken on each plant and other factors, there are times when certain fractions or purified actives really around 400 plants were chosen for further study. are better than the whole plant or crude extract. Plai oil, the volatile oil of this plant, was verified as having antiinflamma­ tory activity, and was negative on the Ames test for mutagen­ icity (S Wasuwat, Thailand Institute of Scientific and Techno­ logical Research.) There was so much more, some of which •• One focus of these projects has will be covered in HerbalGram when the papers are published in fmal form. been the application of science and For now though, I'll end with this: Dr. C. DeLaude et al. technology to the utilization of (U. de Liege, Belgium) presented a study of an African natural products." legume root called Munkoyo, which is used to produce an African beer by the same name. Homebrewers will find this an interesting oddity, since the brew uses unmalted cereal grains. The starches in barley, wheat and rice used for beer brewing are generally converted to sugars by malting (sprout­ Any research involving such a massive number of subjects is ing). The Zambesians use the root of Eminia holubii which prone to problems. In this case, different plants may have contains starch-converting enzymes called amylases to convert different antifertility actions (spermicidal, anti-implantation, the grain starches to sugars, which then ferment to produce the abortifacient, etc), may be active in females and/or males, brew. The plant genus exactly coincides with the Zambesian utilized in various ways, etc. Assays were needed for each region, and the amylases were found by electrophoregrarns to potential effect. Add to this complexity, the fact that the be "slightly superior to those of the malt" 0 plants were evaluated by seven WHO centers in six countries, with potential differences in repeatability, and the magnitude of the obstacles becomes obvious. Another problem- always a problem unless you're into weapons research-was funding. The research used standardized assays using rodents, standard feed and housing conditions and consistent quality control procedures to validate results. All testing used oral dosage.

Page 10- HerbalGram No. 15 -Winter 1988 FATHER NATURE'S FARMACY: The Carrot Family ©James Duke, Herbal Vineyard, Fulton, MD 20759 ----._ A. ( J J ( J t ) _) _) l- _) ~- _) l'------JJ J l'------JJ l~-----.JJ

Bergapten (10 sd) Anethole 200-54,000 Camphor 10 Alloimperatorin* 1 Borneol (1 n) Apigenin Carvooe(100) Bergapten* 400-3,100 p-Cymene (490 sd) Caffeic Acid p-Cymene (20) Heraclenin• (100-8,000) Furfural Carvone EO (6,000-10,000) Mannesin• (400-3,300) Imperatorin (50 sd) Chlorogenic Acid Furfural (20) Marmesinin* (100-1,450 Limonene Choline Impcratorin (12 fr) Oxypeucedanin* (3 ,000) Linalool (1 rt) Creosol limonene (80) Oxypeucedanin hydrate (-100) 5-MOP Estragole Linalool (30) Pabulenol* (-100) 8-MOP Eugenol 5-MOP (methoxypsoralcn) 6 Saxalin* (-100) Myrcene Furfural (30,000 fr) Phthalides (4,200-7,000) Total Psoralens• Osthole Hydroquinone alpha-Pinene (200) (15,000-20,000) alpha-Pinene (400- 1,50 sd) Limonene (25-459 fr) alpha-Terpinene (10) Xanthotoxin (2,300-10,000) alpha-Terpinene (4 n) Linalool (50 fr) alpha-Terpineol Terpinen-4-ol (1 n) Mannitol Umbelliferone ED 1 mg/kg 3x daily X~thotoxin (2-sd) Myristicin alpha-Pinene *These are psoralcns or furo­ Scopoletin coumarins, most of which Stigmasterol HD=30mg/kg have phototox.ic, bactericide, HD-30 mg/kg** alpha-Terpineol viricide, and antileukemic activity. HD = 10-40 mg/kg ED= reponed dose .) j J

Some Active Ingredients In the Carrot Family Author's Notes

Anethole (LD50 2,090 orally in Eugenol (LD50 2,130 mg/kg orally Psoralens (total): photoactive So-called HD's (Historical rats): Carminative in guinea pigs): analgesic, Scopoletin: anti-asthmatic Dosage) are included for compara­ Apigenin: Antihistaminic anesthetic, antiseptic, fungicide, Stigmasterol: estrogenic, sedative tive and historical information only, Bergapten: Antihistaminic, anti­ larvicide alpha-Terpincne: insect repellant mostly derived from Hager's inflammatory, antipsoriac, Furfural (LD50 127 mg/kg orally in alpha-Terpineol: antiseptic Handbook or the 25th Dispensatory. antileukodermic, antispasmodic rats): antiseptic, fungicide, Terpinin-4-ol (LD50 4,300 mg/kg More often than not, especially with Borneol (LDLo* 2,000 orally in insecticide orally in rats): antiallergenic, the tea-type herbs (sage, rosemary, rabbits): emetic Heraclenin: anti-inflammatory antiasthmatic,antiseptic,antitus or thyme), daily dosage was given Caffeic Acid: Antitumor, chole­ Hydroquinone (LD50 370 mg/kg sive, bactericide, expectorant, as ca 1 gram or 1,000 mg., with no retic, hepatotropic orally in rats): antiseptic fungicide, larvicide reference to body weight I have Camphor (LDLo 900 mg/kg intra­ Imperatorin (LDLo 600 mg/kg Xanthotoxin (8-MOP) (LD50 est ca consistently assumed that such a peritoneally in rats): analgesic, parenterally in mice): anticonvul 500 mg/kg orally in rats): dose was intended for a 50 kg anesthetic, antiseptic, antipruritic, sant, anti -inflammatory antileu antihistaminic, antileukodermic, subject, and translated the dosage carminative, deliriant, ecbolic, kodermic antipsoriac, antiseptic, bacteri accordingly to 20 mg/kg or 20 emetic, rubefacient, stimulant limooene (LDLo 4,600 mg/kg cide, fungicide, insecticide, milligrams per kilogram of body Carvooe (LDLo 1,640 mg/kg orally orally in rats): dermatitogenic viricide (only in UV radiation). wieght (I weigh II 0 kilograms in rats): carminative, eNS­ Linalool (LD50 2,790 mg/kg orally right now, meaning my dosage, stimulant, insecticide in rats): anticonvulsant, anti­ ED I mg/kg 3 times a day were I foolish enough to self­ Chlorogenic Acid: Choleretic septic, spasmolytic (assuming that Hager's Handbook diagnose and self -medicate, would Choline (LDSO 400 mg/kg Mannitol: anti-inflammatory standard man weighs 50 kg.) be 20 x 110 or 2.200 mg, ca. 1/10 intraperitoneally in rats): hista Myrcene: bactericide ounce.) minic, hypotensive, lipotropic Myristicin (LDLo 570 mg/kg orally Creosol: Expectorant in cats): diuretic, hallucinogen, p-Cymcne (LD50 4,750 mg/kg insecticide *LDLo = Lowest dose proven lethal **1/HD assumes that 1,500 mg orally in mice: fungicide, insecti Phthalides: diuretics, sedatives in experimental animals. - J.A.D. fuge alpha-Pinene (LDLo 3,000 mg/kg dose applies to 50 kg man, i.e., 30 Estragole (LD50 1,820 mg/kg orally orally in humans): allclochemic, mg/kg body weight in rats): carcinogenic expectorant

HerbaiGram No. 15 - Winter 1988- Page 11 . I I MEDIA WATCH

Ginkgo Makes Big News His work on ginkgo was recently FDA Magazine Looks at The fruit and leaf of the ancient reported in the Journal of the American Herbs -Again. Ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) has been Chemical Society. The article quotes other scientists used in Chinese traditional medicine In 1987 FDA Consumer ran an article who are involved with medicinal plant primarily for asthmatic, bronchial, a~d titled "Can Herbs Really Heal?" by research as saying that the synthesis of pulmonary conditions. Recently, Roger W. Miller, director of the FDA's ginkgolide B might lead to a "new ginkgo leaf extracts have been em­ Communication Staff. In attempting to class" of medicines. Several pharma­ ployed by American herbalists as a answer this question, it seems that Mr. ceutical firms are reportedly interested means to stimulate cerebral circulation Miller takes a circuitous approach. He in testing the compound for use in and thereby improve mental functions.' begins by citing the herbal lore of the medicine. The chemistry of ginkgo has been cavepeople, as described by Jean M. According to the article, "British analyzed, the flavonoids in the leaf Auel's Clan of the Cave Bear. Miller researchers have reported positive being considered responsible for writes " ...medicine practiced by the results with ginkgolide treating people ginkgo's biological activity. ("Meta­ cave man has been carried down with asthma and allergic inflamma­ bolic janitors" as one researcher has through the years and into societies as tions." Animal studies indicate termed them.) Ginkgo has been the modem as ours. Such folk medicine possible use in regulating blood subject of intense research in Europe, leaves a lot of people believing that pressure and combatting rejection of and an entire scientific conference was there remain simple herbal cures for transplanted organs. held in New York in 1985 on this herb many health problems. But such is not (Editor's note: A synthetic drug is alone. Ginkgo extracts are used the case. Much herbal medicine lore patentable for 17 years, thereby extensively in Asia and on the conti­ has since proved unfounded. And allowing the pharmaceutical company nent of Europe; annual sales are some of the herbs are dangerous-..." the ability to recoup potentially hefty estimated at $500 million per year. Miller continues by citing various profit on the R&D investment and FDA However, ginkgo is not approved for examples of how herbal products required tests for new drug status. In drug use in the U.S. or Britain. ~arketed with claims are actually drugs the natural or "crude drug" form, Now comes an article in the New m the eye of the FDA. He also gives a there is no patentability, and anyone York Times (March 1, 1988, "Ancient fairly good explanation of the recent could potentially obtain the benefits of Tree Yields Secrets of Potent Healing (July 86) Compliance Policy Guide­ an herb like ginkgo merely from Substance'') in which writer John lines adopted by FDA which super­ ingesting the powdered leaf or an Noble Wilford discusses the recent ceded the infamous list of 27 unsafe extract. Such widespread availability research taking place at Harvard where herbs. of an herb in a natural form is not a group of scientists have successfully In what has become typical of conducive to economic incentives, synthesized one of the ginkgo fla­ articles by writers who express a hence the need for synthetics in order vonoids, Ginkolide B. It is believed cynicism about herbs, Miller's article to guaranty a return on the research that the laboratory synthesis of this tends to emphasize the toxicity issue and testing investment required for compound, and the other flavonoids of that surrounds some poisonous plants. FDA drug approval, which now costs ginkgo that will surely follow, will lead The cases cited in this article are hen­ about $120 million!-MB) to pharmaceutical testing of ginkgo­ bane (Hyoscyamus niger) from the based drugs. Cave Bear story, and Bloodroot The man of the hour is Dr. Elias J. (Sanguinaria canadensis), whose Corey, professor of chemistry at alkaloid sanguinarine is being used in a Harvard who successfully synthesized toothpaste and mouthwash product the ginkgo compound. Corey has a long marketed for anti-plaque properties, list of chemical achievements to his even though application for drug status credit: having "directed the synthesis of has not been made. Ironically, neither more than 80 complex molecules, including the family of hormone-like chemicals known as prostaglandins." Continued on page 21

Page 12 HerbaiGram No. 15 Winter 1988 HERB BLURBS

Herbal Wood Preservative? Lomatium: This was observed by several doctors Herbal Virucide? and shortly thereafter, several manufac­ turing plants were established to make The guayule plant (Parthenium As a number of herbalists in the remedies from Lomatium, although the argentatum) is a desert plant that Northwest already have known for a herb fell into disuse shortly after the produces a latex-like substance that is while, there may be a local indigenous epidemic subsided. used as a commercial source of rubber. plant growing in the Pacific Northwest­ Exact chemical analysis of Now scientists have found another em forests that may be just the ticket Lomatium is still unavailable, but some application for guayule: as a protector for flu and possibly other viral infec­ tests report the presence of an essential for wood piers, pilings and other tions. According to an article in the oil, gums, resins, glycosides (coumar­ marine or earth wood structures. The May/June 87 issue of Complementary ins and saponins), carbohydrates resin from guayule was studied by John Medicine by Ed Alstat, N.D., R.Ph., protein, fatty acids, and ascorbic 'acid. D. Bultman, a chemist at the Naval extracts of the root of Lomatium It is believed that the furocoumarins Research Laboratory in Washington, cfissectum have been successfully used and pyranocoumarins in Lomatium and was found to successfully protect m cases of flu and are now being contribute to its antimicrobial activity. wood in marine and terrestrial expo­ considered as a promising new remedy The high ascorbic acid content (one sures for a 24 month period, while for EBV, Epstein-Barr Virus, according study showed 22.8%!) may be a factor untreated wood did not survive. to Dr. Alstat who presented his prelimi­ in ~~ supposed immune-stimulating (In;dustry Week, June 1, 1987) nary research findings at an EBV activity an wound-healing properties of Conference in Austin, Texas in the Fall the herb. The large carbohydrate level of 1986. suggests the presence of immune­ Lomatium is the largest genus of •••••••••••••••••••• stimulating polysaccharides, says the family Umbelliferae, the parsley AI stat. and carrot family, with about 75 to 80 Some clinicians report cases of species in the genus. The plant is full-body rashes associated with use of generally found from British Columbia Licorice Retards Lomatium. Alstat believes this may be and Alberta, south to Southern Califor­ Tooth Decay due to the presence of a large amount nia, Nevada, New Mexico and Colo­ of resin in the herb. Attempts are rado. It grows from sea level up to Researchers at Hebrew University in currently underway to produce Loma­ about 8000 feet in the Rocky Moun­ Jerusalem have been studying tiu~ extracts without the rash-causing tains. More than half of the species of glycyrrhizin, the natural component of resm, as the rash was so severe in some Lomatium are found in the high licorice root (Glycyrrhiza spp.) which cases as to counteract the beneficial . plateaus of Eastern Oregon and is at least 50 times as sweet as table effects of the herb. Washington and Idaho. sugar (sucrose). It is already well­ Alstat is hopeful that clinical, Lomatium was an important established that sucrose is a leading chemical and biological studies can be medicinal plant of the Native Ameri­ cause in dental caries (cavities) as carried out to verify whether the plant cans of the Northwest, being used for micro-organisms in the mouth convert can ~ used to "inhibit bacteria, fungi internal viral and bacterial infections, the sucrose into a sticky substance that and vrruses, to stimulate immune especially those of the respiratory and enables harmful bacteria to adhere to system function and to decreaseinflam­ urinary tracts and eyes. A decoction the teeth. According to the research, mation", including theconditions for (tea made from boiling the root) was glycyrrhizin suppresses the enzyme that which it was employed by Native made for internal use, or sometimes the helps to produce the sticky substance Americans. In addition, he is hopeful herb was smoked and inhaled for while having no effect on the beneficial that it will show promise in areas such coughs, colds, hay fever, bronchitis, oral bacteria (Innovation, an Israeli as AIDS, chronic EBV, Herpes simplex asthma, influenza, pneumonia, and tu­ publication. April87, p.8 as reported in I and II, and systemic candida berculosis. Lomatium was widely used Industry Week, June 1, 87.) albicans. 0 by Native Americans in the Southwest during the great flu pandemic of 1917.

HerbaiGram No. 15 - Winter 1988- Page 13 1 BOOK REVIEWS

King's American Dispensatory­ there are botanical and biochemical distributor or manufacturer, you owe it Felter, H.W., MD. and Lloyd, J.U., descriptions (according to the state-of­ to yourself to invest (yes, it is a good PhD. II Vols. Eclectic Institute, 11231 the-art back then) of individual plants investment; after all, knowledge is SE Marlcet, Portland, OR 97216.2172 with references of allied species and an power!) in a set of King's before it's pp. +index. $125. (Also available interesting section on the medical too late. You might never have this from Herb Phann, P.O. Box 116, history of the individual herbs. opportunity again as it is doubtful that Williams, OR 97544.) Actually, this book is kind of a anyone will take the time and capital not-so-well-kept secret: many of my required to make another reprint­ This rich reference has come to my aid most knowledgeable herbalist friends Reviewed by Mark Blumenthal with many times as I have looked into the actually use King's as one of their most input from "Herbal" Ed Smith. 1200 monographs on herbal medicines authoritative reference tools, as it is favored by the Eclectic Physicians of chock full of information that is hard to the late 1800s. The Eclectics were a fmd anywhere else. Even though much school of physicians that thrived in the of the data is dated (it is about 90 years U.S. from the 1850s to the early 1900s. old by now!), the information is •••••••••••••••••••• At the height of their popularity, there nevertheless still valuable, especially were reportedly 20,000 licensed the information on some of the native Eclectic physicians practicing medicine American botanicals. There are The Wise Women Herbal for the in the United States. Two of the extensive monographs on Goldenseal Childbearing Year- Weed, Susan leading proponents of this movement and Echinacea, for example. S. Ash Tree Publishing, P.O. Box 64, were John Uri Lloyd and Harvey It was the famous John Uri Lloyd, Woodstock, NY 12498. 1985. 171 pps. Wickes Felter, MD. It was these two the co-author of this set, who is cred­ Softcover. $6.95 men who published and revised the ited with having introduced Echinacea With the increased interest in the use of work of Dr. John King, one of the first into medical use in the late 1800s. herbs for regulating menstrual cycles, men to introduce native American (Lloyd is still considered by pharma­ for facilitating pregnancy, for lactation, botanicals into American medicine in a cognosists and pharmacy professors as etc. this book is not only timely but rational and scientific manner. the Father of American Pharmacog­ also very instructive. The author is a King's Dispensatory is by far the nosy. The journal he established, New York area herbalist who special­ most complete text ever compiled on Lloydia, is still the official publication izes in workshops on the uses of herbs American medicinal plants and herbal of the American Society of Pharmacog­ for women. This book reflects years of pharmacy. In its 2100 plus pages, the nosy, under the new title of Journal of the author's personal experience and medicinal properties and clinical Natural Products.) So much for the study and expresses her sense of caring administration of hundreds of medici­ authoritative aspect of this incredible and responsibility in the rational use of nal plants and other natural medicinal set. The real news is this: this volume herbs. The book is specific about substances are covered in detail. There is nearing the status of an endangered dosage and formula preparation; for are also hundreds of detailed botanical species! The publisher informs me that example, it offers a very cautious formulas along with definitive com­ of the 500 or so sets that were reprinted approach to the subject of herbal pounding and dispensing techniques in in 1983, less than 200 remain. It seems emmenogogues and combinations botanical pharmacy. These include highly unlikely that it will be reprinted traditionally used to bring on "late" methods for preparing tinctures, solid after current supplies are exhausted. So menstruation. Overall, a good source of extracts, fluid extracts, oinunents, if you consider yourself a serious information and advice on what is syrups, etc. made according to U.S. student of medicinal herbs, or are a generally considered a very sensitive Pharmacopia, National Formulary and health care practitioner or pharmacist area of herbalism. - MB other official standards. Additionally, with an interest in botanical medicine, a librarian, or in the herb business as a

Page 14- HerbaJGram No . 15 -Winter 1988 book in this field. Heyn's book is the nutritional components without that Ayurvedic Medicine: The Gentle nevertheless worthy of the investment, important variable, water. Conceived Strength of Indian Healing.- as there is still a scarcity of accurate over a decade ago by Duke, this book 1987, Thorson's Publishing_Q~~up, information on Ayurvedic herbs finally enables us to replace qualitative Rochester, VT. 176pp paperbouiict, ­ available in the West- MB nutritional statements about herbs and $9.95. other edibles with quantitative state­ ments. Here is another title on what is a Too often, our herbals note that an growing area of interest in Traditional •••••••••••••••••••• herb is high or low in a given nutrient. Natural Healing Methods. This small Without quantitative data, we don't book is a translation from the German know what is meant by high or low. I edition written in 1983. The author, a Handbook of Proximate Analysis don 't think we should call anything pharmacist, is no doubt familiar with Tables of Higher Plants. -Duke, high if it is average or lower. Duke and the Hindu culture from which the J.A. and Atchley, A.A. 1986. CRC Atchley's Handbook gives us some Ayurvedic tradition derives, and many Press, Inc., Boca Raton, FL $82.00 hard data for comparison. of the plants used in this ancient Nutritionists, health food devotees, healing system. The book respectfully Jim Duke is at it again. The prolific herbalists, foragers, even medical deals with the subject matter, explain­ botanical author of the CRC Handbook doctors, should find this an invaluable ing the basis and rationale of of Medicinal Plants, Medicinal Plants reference work. - MB Ayurveda's energetics; how Ayurveda of the Bible, Medicinal Plants of China views the various aspects or contitu­ (2 vol.), etc., all reviewed in previous •••••••••••••••••••• tional body types (air, fire, water), HerbalGrams, and a contributing editor tastes (sweet,sour, bitter, pungent, etc.), to HerbalGram ("Father Nature's and hot and cold, and so on. There is Farmacy" -this issue), has co-authored A Practical Guide to Edible & even a chapter ("Parallels in the West") a book of hard data on the nutritional Useful Plants. - Tull, Delena. Texas on Galen, the Second Century Greek­ contents of herbs and spices. Monthly Press, P.O. Box 1569, Austin, Roman Herbalist/Physician to the court Eighty-two dollars is a little steep TX 78767. 1987. 518 pp. color photos of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Galen's for this valuable 389-page reference and line illustrations. Hardcover. philosophy and system of the book. With only five pages of intro­ $23.95. "humors"was derived from Ayurveda ductory material, the book contains and was the dominant medical philoso­ three long tables. Table 1 gives base­ The small pocketbook format of this phy in Europe for almost 1500 years! line data on the major groups of book is deceptive, for it is loaded with As far as herbs go, this book edibles, citing five to ten major tons of information! It's amazing how includes mention of many plants in the examples of each of 1) aerial vege­ much has been squeezed between the chapters describing the six tastes: tables, 2) leafy vegetables, 3) wild covers. The author is a botanist and sweet, sour, salty,pungent, bitter, and greens, 4) shoots, 5) fruits, 6) under­ teacher in the Central Texas area and, astringent However, it is not an ground vegetables, 7) root crops, 8) as such, most of the plants covered are "herbal"in the sense that the informa­ cereals, 9) pulses, and 10) nuts. native to Texas, and the surrounding tion on each herb is not listed alpha­ Averages for these are tabulated on an states. But given the large geographical betically per herb. The serious herb "As-Purchased Basis" (APB) and and ecological diversity of Texas and student will fmd it adequate in explana­ "Zero-Moisture Basis" (ZMB). its neighbors, this would naturally tions of both energetics and pharmacol­ Remember that leafy vegetables and include literally thousands of plant ogy of plants. The book does have an fruits may contain 90% or more water species, and many hundreds of them extensive bibliography, index of as purchased, while cereals and nuts are are included in this volume. diseases and conditions, index of often less than 10% water. Converting The book is organized by botanical English common names for plants, and to ZMB enables more equitable families. Each edible or useful plant is even a Sanskrit glossary, but there is no comparisons. discussed with its botanical description index of Latin botanical names. A Table 2 contains 7,446 entries, as and folklore usage, with warnings of glaring and unfortunate oversight! reported, tabulating where available, toxicity when appropriate. Also Although this book is valuable and an the plant part, calories, water, protein, included are color plates, recipes, admirable attempt to contribute to the fat, total carbohydrate, fiber, ash, cal­ natural dye and fiber plants, tea and growing interest in the fascinating cium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potas­ spice plants, mushrooms and toxic system of Ayurveda, for a more sium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, as­ plants. The author is to be com­ complete treatment of the herbal corbic acid, beta-carotene, and source. mended for such a comprehensive aspects of Ayurveda, readers are Table 3 contains 7,342 entries piece of work. - MB encouraged to refer to Frawley and ZMB, with some redundancy between Lad's The Yoga of Herbs (reviewed in Tables 2 and 3. Tables 1 and 3 are HerbalGram # 10, p14), still the best unique in that they allow comparison of Continued on next page

HerbaiGram No. 15 Winter 1988 Page 15 Principles of Holistic Skin Ther­ (15 or so are discussed) and an expla­ herb garden like the ones you've seen apy with Herbal Essences­ nation of their properties and uses. in the herb books, like the ones you've Gumbel, Dietrich, Ph.D. Heidelberg, With so much interest in aromatherapy seen in the pictures of the old monas­ Germany: Karl F. Haug Publishers, and essential oils these days, many teries in Europe, or the one at the 1986; dist. in U.S. by Medicina students and practitioners will find this National Herb Garden at the National Biologica, 4830 N.E. 32d Ave., book to be an interesting, if not Arboretum in Washington, D.C.-if Portland, OR 97211. 237 pp. with unusual, contribution to the subject you've ever wanted to have an herb illustrations. Softcover. $18.00. -MB garden planted in the "classical" herb garden design, then this is the book This book is quite unique in that it you've been wanting. This book was represents Dr. GUmbel's own view of •••••••••••••••••••• sponsored by the Herb Society of the body and how its organs and America, which also conceived of and systems interact within the framework was the driving force behind the of a new, "holistic" paradigm of Herb Garden Design. University creation of the National Herb Garden. physiology. This new physiology Press of New England- Swanson, This book covers the entire spectrum of includes the awareness of psyche and Faith H. and Rady, Virginia B. herb garden design, complete with an consciousness and how they impact 3 Lebanon St. Hanover, New Hamp­ introductory chapter especially for the biological processes. GUmbel's thesis shire 03755, 1984. 155 pp. with illus­ novice. Smokehouse herbs, Biblical appears to be a blend of Eastern trations. Softcover $15.95; hardcover herbs, g~dens from Shakers, planta­ mysticism and cosmology, modem $30.00. tions, and country doctors-they physics, and neo-classical herbology haven't missed a thing! The authors and physiology. Although this book has been out for were even considerate enough to The volume is divided into three almost four years, we just recently include common name and botanical parts: first, anatomy and physiology came across a copy, and we wanted to name indexes. Profusely illustrated. according to Dr. Gumbel; second, his share the news of its existence with our -MB 0 herbal essence therapy; and third, the readers as spring planting approaches. various "essences", i.e. essential oils If you've ever wanted to plant an

RECOMMENDED BOOKS ON NATIVE AMERICAN MEDICINAL PLANTS

With the recently renewed interest in American Native Medicinal Plants, we'd like to furnish our readers with this list of books for further reference. These titles provide an excellent selection of some of the best literature on the subject of indigenous medicinal plants of North America. - Compiled by Mark Blumenthal

Handbook of Northeastern Indian Edible Wild Plants of the Praire Medicinal Plants of the Mountain Medicinal Plants- Duke, James A. Kindscher, Kelly. 276 pps. 1987. The West -Moore, Michael. 200 pps. 212 pp. 1986. Quarterman Publica­ Prairie Co., Rt 2, Box 394A, Law­ 1979. Museum ofNew Mexico Press, tions, P.O. Box 156, Lincoln, MA rence, KS 64044. P.O. Box 2087. Santa Fe., NM 87503, 01773. Guide to the Medicinal Plants of Medicinal Uses of Plants by Echinacea Exalted!: The Botany, Appalachia -Krochmal, Arnold, et. Indian Tribes of Nevada- Train, Culture, History, and Medicinal Uses a/ 291 pps. 1971. USDA Forest Percy, et al. 138 pps. 1983. Quarter­ of Purple Coneflowers-Foster, Service Agricultural handbook #400. man Publications, 5 South Union St., Steven. 31 pps. 1984. Ozark Benefi­ U.S. Government Printing Office. Lawrence, MA 01843. cial Plant Project, New Life Farm, Box A Guide to the Medicinal Plants American Indian Medicine - 129, Drury, MO 65638. of the United States- Krochmal, Vogel, Virgil. 584 pps. 1970. Univer­ Uses of Plants by the Indians of Arnold & Connie. 259 pps. 1973. sity of Oklahoma Press, Norman, OK. the Missouri River Region - Quadrangle/NY Times Books. American Medicinal Plants - Gilmore, Melvin R. (1919) 154 pps. Medicinal Plants of Native Millspaugh, Charles F. 806 pps. 1974. 1977. University of Nebraska Press. America, 2 Vols.- Moerman, Daniel E. Dover Publications, 180 Varick St., Indian Herbology of North 912 pps. 1986. Technical Report No. New York, NY 10014. (Ed. note: A America - Hutchens, Alma R. 382 19. Museum of Anthropology, classic work with good information, pps. 1973. MERCO, 620 Wyandotte University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI however, the Physiological actions section East, Windsor, 14, Ontario, Canada. 48109. refers to the extremes of homeopathic provings, NOT the generally observed phar­ macological effects of the herb in itself as normally used in herbal therapy.-MB)O

Page 16- HerbaiGram No. 15 -Winter 1988 POTPOURRI

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Neem Extract: fully registered Margosan-0 for non­ Search for Anti-Cancer Natural Pesticide food uses and for greenhouse and home Plants Funded by NCI An extract of the seeds of the use. Full approval for use around food New York Botanical Garden Neem tree (Azadirachta indica) has be­ crops may be as little as a year away. botanists recently completed their come an EPA approved natural bio­ A major benefit of Neem is its low expedition in Peru and Ecuador in control agent through the efforts of mammalian toxicity. This useful pro­ search of anti-cancer plants. In a five­ perty is not commonly found, and only Roger Larson, President and founder of year program conducted in conjunction one major product in active use fits in Vikwood BotanicaJs in Sheboygan, with the National Cancer Institute, the Wise., and his associates at the USDA. this category - pyrethrin. N eem is a Garden will supply NCI with 1,500 This brings to fruition a nine-year potential competitor in the market. plant samples annually from South and enterprise in which Larson championed To highlight the value ofNeem, Central American and Caribbean a process that began with publicizing the following footnote is of interest. A tropical rain forests. A dozen national the documented efficacy of Neem. recent study from the College of Trop­ botanical institutions in Latin America ical Agriculture at the University of Larson's background is in the and the Caribbean are cooperating in importation of exotic woods such as Hawaii has generated a data base con­ the effort Most collections are being ebony and mahogany. It was through taining summaries of about 1500 pesti­ made of trees and woody vines in his!Javels that he learned ofNeem, a cidal plants. In this study it is uncom­ undisturbed high forests. Great care is member of the mahogany family . He mon to fmd a plant with more than a taken in the collecting and drying relates his first encounter with the pro­ dozen listings for pest-specific control process, for excess heat, mold or perties of the tree in a courtyard in properties. A few had as many as 33. insufficient drying can destroy active Nagpur, India He noticed that there Neem has 112 control properties. compounds. (The New York Botanical The commercialization of Neem as were no insects in the air that evening. Garden Member's Newsletter, Vol. 20, He questioned his host, who informed a new and needed addition to pest con­ No. 3, Fall 1987) him that a breeze, coming through two trol technology is a welcome arrival. It trees sixty feet away, was responsible. stands as an admirable model of an Soon after, Larson began the im­ individual effort to develop a useful •• • •••••••• • • • ••• • • • portation and extraction of seed. His plant. It also serves as an inspiration to formulation is called Margosan-0 and others trying to do similar things. As contains 3000 ppm of the active ingre­ of this report, a major chemical com­ dient Azadrichtin. About twenty-five pany has entered into an agreement to develop a product with Larson. Digitalis Depressing? other components believed to be of Whenever many medical doctors secondary importance have also been The role of the USDA and other workers was instrumental. Dr. Martin are confronted with the question of isolated, and some are considered syn­ whether medicinal herbs are effective, ergists. However, the main active Jacobsen of the USDA in Beltsville is head of what Larson called the ''Neem the answer that invariably arises is the ingredient has been demonstrated to be example of the heart drug digitalis. Azadirachtin. Team," which includes about half-a­ dozen other scientists. They performed The glycoside from the toxic leaves of The name Margosan is derived the Foxglove plant (Digitalis pur­ from the ·Portuguese word for the Neem many of the studies that highlighted the value of this plant and were particularly purea), digitalis has been used in med­ trees growing in the Portuguese-Indian icine for years as a drug for patients colony of Goa and is only one of the involved in showing Neem to be a potential control agent for leaf-miner. with symptoms of heart failure. Not 64-or-so names for the tree, a testimony Given current control problems with sold in the herb market, foxglove is of a long history of use traceable for known to be toxic due to the presence 4000 years in Ayurvedic medicine. conventional methods, there will probably be a major application of of the cardiac glycosides. Now new Seed is available from several sources research indicates that the drug digitalis in Africa as well as India. This is for­ Neem to this specific problem. -by Steve Koenigsberg, Ph.D. may be linked to severe depression. A tunate since the Indian government has halted all exports for seed or products. Vikwood Botanica1s has success- Continued on next page

HerbaiGram No. 15 - Winter 1988- Page 17 study at New York Univetsity Medical Flora of North America: Flora of North America Newsletter", Center involving 172 heart attack trying to catalog all the available from Missouri Botanical patients indicates that digitalis may plants of North America Garden, P.O. Box 299, StLouis, MO cause such symptoms of depression as 63166. (314) 577- 5180. 0 loss of appetite and inability to sleep. If you're looking for something to The study was a bit narrow in its range, do in your spare time, how about taking with only 18 or the 172 participants a decade off to catalog all of the plants using digitalis. The rest used beta of North America, that is all 17,000 blockers and other heart medications. species! That's precisely what some After 3 months, 11 of the 18 patients botanists have set out to do at the taking digitalis showed the symptoms Missouri Botanical Gardens, along with of depression mentioned above, while about two dozen leading US and none of the 86 patients on beta blockers Canadian botanists. According to LETTERS showed any similar signs. According project director Nancy Morin, who is to Dr. William Slater of the medical the curator of the Herbarium at the center, "There is speculation that the Missouri Botanical Garden, the project drug influences the same neurochemi­ will take ten to fifteen years to com­ cals involved in depression such as plete and will fill 11 volumes of serotonin, dopamine, and norepineph­ information, which will also be used to Many thanks for your rine." There already is published prepare an elaborate on- line data base letter-of January 10 with the research on the effects of digitalis on on computer. latest issue of Herbal Gram. brain neurochemicals. This study took Morin estimates that the project You and Rob do such a fine into consideration the tendency of some will cost about $500,000 per year for job with this publication that I patients to exhibit some natural feelings 12 to 15 years! So far, very little always look forward to the of depression that usually follow a funding has been available for this issues which are read from heart attack. (Insight, Feb 1, 88 p.58) mammoth undertaking, although cover to cover. project directors have applied to the Best wishes and thanks National Science Foundation twice for again for all your effort wjth •••••••••••••••••••• support grants, without success. Herbal Gram. Nevertheless, the botanists are donating Walter H. Lewis their time to produce the frrst volume, EPA Permits Use of Herbi­ Professor which will deal largely with ferns and Department of Biology cide Alachlor conifers, with the hope that more Washington Univesity in The nation's most widely applied interest and financial support will be St. Louis herbicide, alachlor, has benefits to generated after the first volume is farmers and food production that out­ completed. weigh its risks to human health, said a The "Bible" for botanists of North spokesperson for the Environmental America is Gray's Manual ofBotany, Protection Agency on December 15, which was written almost 150 years 1987. Although the herbicide is under ago and updated in 1950. The Soviet Have not received notice a 3 year review, Canada has banned the Union and Europe have inventoried to renew my subscription, but chemical and Massachusetts, after their own flora, and both China and it must be time! My check is discovering well water contamination, Australia currently have started enclosed for 2 more years. has called for a halt to its use. surveys. Botanists believe that a new I enjoy your publication Environmentalists have criticized inventory of our own flora is essential. immensely, and have also EPA for failing to recognize the threat The project has received support from found the presentation given posed by the herbicide to human health the American Association of Plant by your staff members at the sinceits detection in rural drinking Taxonomists, the Canadian Botanical Herb Growing and Marketing water supplies. EPA says that levels of Association, and the Nature Conser­ conferences extremely the alachlor found in surface waters vancy, as well as numerous well-known interesting. poses a cancer risk to only one in every botanists. They feel it is necessary to Marcia Carmichael million people exposed. Holding that be able to seek well-researched Sunshine Flowers insufficient studies of groundwater information about a particular plant by Waukesha, Wise . 0 contamination were available, the EPA looking in one authoritative reference. has ordered Monsanto Chemical Co., Such information would include type of the sole producer of alachlor, to submit plant, habitat, characteristics, relation a nationwide monitoring study in 1989. with other plants, and much more. The (Alternative Agriculture News, Jan 88.) project publishes a newsletter, " The

Page 18- HerbaiGram No. 15 -Winter 1988 CLASSIFIEDS

- HerbaiGram accepts advertising for informational and educational seNices and products; charts, posters, newsletters, organizations, books, tapes, seminars, correspondence courses, data bases, and videos. We do not publish ads for firms or products that are of a medicinal, culinary, or horticultural nature.

II EDUCATIONAL II II NEWSLETTERS II II BOOKS II

Discover Homeopathic Medicine! Foster's Business of Herbs Kings American Dispensatory­ We provide the most comprehen­ Bulletin: Growing, marketing, Reprint of the classic 1898 2- sive services of homeopathic research tips. Published quarterly. volume set by John Uri Lloyd and books, tapes, and general informa­ $8.00 per year from Steven Foster, H.W. Felter. Twelve-hundred tion. SASE to Homeopathic Educa­ P.O. Box 32, Berryville, AR 72616. monographs, over 2300 pages. A tional Service, 2124 Kittredge #1, definite must for every serious stu­ Berkeley, CA 94704. dent of herbs! Limited quantities American Herb Association available. $125.00 for both vol­ Quarterly Newsletter- $20.00 umes plus $4.00 shipping. Eclectic The Science and Art of Herbol· per year. AHA, P.O. Box 353, Institute, 11231 S.E. Market, ogy Correspondence Course Rescue, CA. 95672. 916/626- Portland, OR 97216. watten by Rosemary Gladstar. 5046. Comprehensive 10-lesson course. Lessons are between 35-60 pages. Echinacea Exalted! and Herbal Teaches practical, hands-on Mind Tuning! That's what you'll be Bounty: the Gentle Art of Herb experience. Lessons are person­ doing when you "tune in" with HER­ Cultivation, both by Steven Foster. ally answered by Rosemary Glad­ BAL VIEWS. Jeanne Rose­ Echinacea Exalted! is $4.05 plus star, herbalist, teacher and founder Herbalism Past and Future; Kurt $1.25 shipping; Herbal Bounty is of California School of Herbal Stud­ Schnaubelt, Ph.D.- Essential Oils; $11.95 plus $1 .25 shipping. From ies. Cost $300. For sample lesson, Lloyd Library - Repository for Steven Foster, P.O. Box 32, send $20.00 to Rosemary Gladstar, Botanical Research; M.B. Panos, Berryville, AR 72616. Box 401, East Barre, VT 05649. M.D. - Homeopathy. "We're working to bring ideas and answers together!" Send $5.00 for each Principles of Holistic Skin Ther­ Study Chinese Herbs at Your interview to HERBAL VIEWS, 1920 apy with Herbal Essences by Home of Office- Read Your Apple, St. Paris, OH 43072. Dietrich Gumbel, Ph .D. The fasci­ Nature, Your Health; Chinese nating analogies between the Herbology Professional Training human and plant organism and Program; and Practitioners' Guide their practical and spiritual implica­ for a comprehensive look at Chi­ ORGANIZATIONS tions for an effective skin and nese Herbal Medicine. Author II II beauty therapy. Translated from Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D. is an German. 237 pages, illustrated. Advisory Board member of the Herb $18.00 ppd. Medicina Biologica, Support Herbal Research! Join Research Foundation, contributing 4830 N.E. 32nd Ave. Portland, OR the Herb Research Foundation and editor to Bestways magazine, and 97211. get a one-year subscription to Her­ instructor of Chinese Herbology at baiGram. Only $25.00 for individual the European University of Tradi­ memberships. Tax deductible. HerbaiGram classified rates: tional Chinese Medicine. Write to Send check to Herb Research $1.25 per word; $35.00 minimum. Institute for Traditional Medicine, Foundation, P.O. Box 2602, Dept. Deadline for next Issue, May 30, 2442 S.E. Sherman, Portland, OR H15, Longmont, CO 80501. 1988. Contact Margaret Wright, 97214 for descriptions, price list P.O. Box 12006, Austin, TX and order form. 78711. 512/331-4244.

HerbaiGram No. 15- Winter 1988- Page 19 ACCESS

The Science & Art of Herbology- Society of Ethnobotanists Newsletter - A ten lesson correspondence course prepared Publication to promote communication among by Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, founder of the Califor­ pharmacists, botanists, anthropologists, phytochemists, nia School of Herbal Studies. Sample lesson available etc. From SEBS. Central Institute of Medicinal and for $20. Full course is $300. Send to Science & Art of Aromatic Plants, Lucknow-226 016, U.P., India. Herbology, Box 401 , East Barre, VT 05649. Flora of North America - The newsletter of the Flora of North America The Herbal Seeker Newsletter - project (see "Potpourri" section, this issue). Contact: A new publication from Laura Clavio, Co­ Convening Editor, Missouri Botanical Garden, P.O. Box ordinator of the Purdue Herb Conferences. Covers many 299, St. Louis, MO 63166. (314) 577-5180. aspects of herb horticulture, marketing, and research. $10.00 6x per year. P.O. Box 299, Battle Ground, IN 47920. Herbs Hungarlca - Journal of the Hungarian Research Institute for Medicinal Plants. Published in English 3 times yearly, A History of Herbs - with many articles by non-Hungarian scientists. Sub­ Fascinating 18 page booklet by herbalist/author scription is $30.00 US per year. Also available is sup­ Jeanne Rose. Chronology of herbs from 3000BC to plemental "Newsletter of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants" Present, showing publication of major herbals, schools for $20.00 US. Send to Kultura, Hungarian Foreign of medicine, etc. $5.00 from Jeanne Rose, 219 Carl St., Trading Co. , P.O. Box 149, H-1389 Budapest, Hungary. San Francisco, CA 941 17. Dheerghayu International - Annals of the National Academy of Indian Medicine· Journal with articles on Ayurvedic pharmacology A publication on the use of ayurvedic drugs. and pharmacy and other aspects of Indian medicinal Quarterly, $25.00 US per year from Dept. of plants. From Institute of Indian Medicine, 36, Kothrud, Kayachikitsa, Institute of Medical Sciences, Benares Prune 411 029 (India). Hindu Univ., Varanasi, (I ndia) 221 005.

Herb, Spice, and Medicinal Plant Publications from Purdue University ~ ...... :. . . ··~ -~.-' :· . - .

1) Proceedings of the First National Herb Growing and Marketing Conference- J.E. Simon & Lois Grant, Eds. 333p., Purdue Univ. Agric. Exp. Sta. Bulletin #518, $15.00 + 3.00 domestic postage; 5.00 foreign surface postage.

2) Proceedings of the Second National Herb Growing and Marketing Conference- J.E. Simon & Lois Grant, Eds. Purdue Univ. Agric. Exp Sta. Bulletin# 530, $20.00 + 3.00 domestic postage; 5.00 foreign surface postage. Order from Office of Publications. So. Campus Courts-D. Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN 47907. Checks payable to Purdue Univ.

Page 20 - HerbaiGram No. 15 - Winter 1988 CONFERENCES MEDIA from page 7 from page 12 INDUSTRY ------. NEWS Third National Herb Growing and of these two plants are found in the Marketing Conference & Trade general herb market in consumer Show to be held In July products! Miller seems to acknowledge New trends in specialty crops and a bloodroot's potential benefit as an anti­ look at herbs and spices from around plaque agent, even though its tradi­ AHPA Establishes OTC the world will be among the many pres­ tional use for rheumatism by Native Committee entations. Both lectures and informal Americans is now discarded. He also round-table discussions and workshops refers to the case of Periwinkle (Vinca The American Herbal Products are scheduled. Special hands-on rosea) as a "it-doesn't-work-for-this- Association (ARPA) has established workshops this year include: Creating but-it-may-work-for-th at approac h." an Over-the-Counter (OTC) Review a Commercial Bulk Potpourri; Fresh Although traditional folk medicine uses Committee, according to committee Herbal Christmas Wreaths; and of periwinkle for diabetes does not chairman Paul Larsen, CEO of Miniature Topiary Herb Trees. stand up to 20th century studies, Nature's Herbs. The purpose of the A commercial Trade Show will periwinkle alkaloids are commonly committee is to review various herbs be held in the Commonwealth Conven­ used as chemotherapy agents in that members of ARPA think should tion Center, featuring seed companies, treatment of some cancers. be included in one of the various OTC agricultural equipment and supplies, So back to the question posed in Drug Monographs. These mono­ packaging supplies, botanicals and the title of Miller's article, "Can Herbs graphs are used by the FDA to list books, among other. This year's Trade Really Heal?", it seems that the author those materials that are approved for Show will also feature a special demon­ has answered his own query, albeit over-the-counter drug products, and to stration on fresh cut herb packaging somewhat obliquely: the answer is correspond to the status of certain herbs that are already listed in existing and display. Also an Expert's Table "Yes!" where specialists will be available to monographs. conference attendees to discuss herbs The OTC Review Process is a and herbal products, and to analyze •••••••••••••••••••• lengthy procedure in which FDA­ plant damage or to identify weeds, appointed experts in various fields of pests, or cultivars. pharmacology review the existing data Field tours will be held on Herba/Gram Publisher on on a particular drug, or in this case, an herb. Mter the process is completed, Sunday, July 17th, to several locations NY Radio both in and around Louisville that are the FDA publishes a Monograph, HerbalGram Publisher and Co­ of interest of herb growers. Included which can be quite lengthy, on each Editor Mark Blumenthal has been are a trip to the Floyds Knobs area of area of OTC drug categories. Such appearing weekly on the Gary Null Indiana, a famous intensive fresh categories include cough syrups, cold show, each Sunday night on W ABC­ market production area; a visit to the remedies, analgesics, sleeping aids, AM in New York City. Typically, Ralph Pickerel Ginseng Farm in etc. Blumenthal will give a short report Hodgenville, Kentucky with a stop at Presumably, the ARPA OTC (five to six minutes) on one particular Bardstown and the Berhneim Forest; committee will eventually gather herb each night. These reports have and a trip to the Theinemen Green­ information on particular herbs that been a regular item on Null's show houses, the Rose Arboretum, and the recognized authorities have deemed to since last September. So far the herbs Bill Doan Mint Farm- all in Louisville. be both safe and effective for the discussed have included echinacea, On Monday night, July 18th, confer­ condition or category for which they goldenseal, boneset, ginger, sage, ence attendees can dine and dance are being proposed. HerbalGram will ephedra, chaparral, American ginseng, aboard the Bonne Belle as they cruise keep readers informed on the progress feverfew, valerian, mistletoe, and hops. along the Ohio riverfront or attend a of this important new development 0 Null is a very popular personality and night of harness racing at the Louisville his show is heard throughout the East Downs Race Track. Coast. The show features speakers and For more information on the issues involved with various aspects of conference, write to: Dr. James E. health, diet, nutrition, and natural Simon, Department of Horticulture, lifestyle. Null has been a consumer Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN health advocate for years and has 47907. Phone 317/494-1328. 0 written several nutrition related books

HerbaiGram No. 15 Winter 1988 Page 21 HerbaiGram "BackPacks" A collection of all HerbaiGram back issues 141ssues In all ... while they last ... only $55.00 for a $82.50 value- Save over 33%!

Issues include ongoing Market Report, Rob's Research Reviews (glimpses of studies published in over a dozen scientific and technical journals), Access, Book Reviews, Calendar, Legal and Regulatory, Herb Blurbs and Potpourri departments.

#1- Summer 83. (4 pps) Contains: Eucalyptus Repels Fleas, Stones Gum for Diabetes; Tumor Inhibitor in licorice; Anti-<:ancer Effect of Mistletoe Koalas; Garlic Odor Repels Deer, and more. and & Turmeric; Seventh North American Ginseng Conference; Pharmaceuti­ #2- Fall/Winter 83-84. (8 pps) Contains: Appeals Court Overrules cal Company Checks Chinese Herbs; and more. Special Report: Overview of FDA on Food Safety; FDA Magazine Pans Herbs; Beware of Bay Leaves; Spice Marketing. Comfrey Tea Recall; and more. #11- Winter 87. (16 pps) Contains: Plant Drugs in the 21st Century by #3- Spring 84. (8 pps) Contains: Celestial Sells to Kraft; Flowers & Professor Varro E. Tyler; Biologists Race to Save Tropical Rain Forests; Dinosaur Demise?; WHO Studies Anti-fertility Plants; Feverfew For Herbalife Drops Dong Quai & Kava; Natural Blood Thinners; Chinese Migraines; Ginseng as Cash Crop; and more. Antitumor Plants; Tea, Tannins, Tooth Decay; Herbal Gout Remedy for #4- November 84. (VoL 1, 14). (12 pps) Contains: Rebuttal to FDA Severe Cirrbosis; Banana Peel for Plantar' s Warts; $2.68 Million for Plant Article; Medicinal Effects of Eggplant Leaves; Ayurvedic Medicine for Cancer Cures; Botanical Gardens to Grow Chinese Herbs; Chinese Herb Sciatica & Arthritis; Lethal Chocolate Chips; and more. Improves Oxygen Delivery; and more. #5- Spring 85. (Vol. 2, !11). (12 pps) Contains: FDA sues GNC; #12- Spring 87. (16 pps) Con~s: Ayurveda, the Traditional Herbal Herbalife v.s. FDA; Herb Traders Beware; Onions & Hypoglycemic Com­ Medicine of India; Father Nature's Farmacy; Yarrow; Legal Update; Industry pound; Psyllium Allergy; Yohimbine for Sexual Therapy; Parsley Reviewed; Standards; Thai Medicinal Plants; Herbal Dream Inducer; Ritual Mate The Sciences of Herbs; Eleuthero & the liver; and more. Drinking; Eleuthero and Soviet Athletes; Ginseng Growing Grows; and more. #6-Summer 85. (VoL 2, 12). (12 pps) Contains: Desert Plants for #13- Summer 87. (16 pps) Contains: The Economic Significance of Future Foods?; Hispanic Folk Medicines; Ipecac Abuse; Toxic Clove Herbs; Swedish Court Ruling in Evening Primrose Oil; Court Nixes FDA Cigareues; New Herbal Sweetener, Chilies & Ulcers; Milk Thistle Extracts; DAI..S; Society for Economic Botany Symposium on the Investigation of Folk Ginseng For Liver damage; and more. Medicine; Anti-inflammatory Rutin; Ginseng Anti-aging Effect; Anti-diabetic #7- Fall 85. (VoL 2,!13). (12 pps) Contains: Fund for Herb Safety Hops; Mugwort Bugs Insects; Immune-enhancing Effects of Ginseng; Anti­ Review; Therapeutic Gingko Trees; Ginseng & Potency; Dahlia as New Ulcer Activity of Germander; Laurel Harvesting; Saikosaponin For Kidney Sweetener; Herbal Cures for Heroin & Opium; American Ginseng Harvest; Disease; Chinese Herbs Going American; Mexican Herbs Thrive in Texas; Aromatherapy for Stress; Bloodroot in Oral Hygiene; and more. Native Plant Survey Being Conducted; Mesquite Pods: Future Food?; Possible #8- Winter 86. (Vol. 2. 14). (12 pps) Contains: Ginseng & Ageing; Cancer Cure: Yew Can Be Barking Up the Right Tree!; and more. Chinese Herbs Treat Altitude Sickness; Sweet Wormwood for Malaria; #14- Fall 87. (16 pps) Contains: Celestial Seasonings Sold to lipton. Feverfew for Arthritis?; Coca Leaf Tea; and more. Inc; Ethnobotany of Saudi Arabia; Visionary Sage; Anti-diabetic Effect of 19-Spring 86. (Vol. 3, 11). (12 pps) Contains: Canadian Expert Panel American Ginseng; More Gems from P1anta; As Predicted: More Anti­ Makes Herb Use Recommendations; Herbal Bibliographic Service; Methods in malarials; NOVA Airs "Hidden Power of Plants"; Herbs in Medical Self-Care; Phytochemistry; Valerian's Value; Feverfew Fever; Faulty Herbal "Scare" Botanist Duke Proftled in Washington Post; Chaparral and Mosquito Articles; and more. L=gevity; "Cayenne" Obsolete; Mood-elevating Bananas; Special Report on #10- Summer/Fall 86. (Vol. 3, #2). (16 pps) Contains: Major FDA Herb Data Bases; Ethnobiology Update; U.S. Secretary of Education Policy Shift on Herbs; FDA Hints at Traditional Foods Category; Chemobyl Recognizes Accrediting Agency for Naturopathic Education; Winds Scar Kew Limits Supplies, Raises Prices; Garlic Studied for Obesity & Meningitis; Guar Gardens; and more.

r------1Please send me the following back issues of HerbaiGram. (#1 - #6) $5.00 each (#7- 14) $7.50 each

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Page 22 - HerbaiGram No. 15 - Winter 1988 HERB RESEARCH FOUNDATION

--·--· - PURPOSE HRF ADVISORY BOARD The Herb Research Fmmdation is a non-profit research and educational organiza­ Dr. Glenn Appelt tion dedicated to raising funds for research, and providing reliable research data to mem­ Professor of Pharmacology bers, the public, and the press. We believe there is a great potential for encouraging and Dr. John A. Buetler directing research on common botanicals, and increasing the quality of information Natural Products Chemist available on herbs as medicines, foods, and cosmetics. Dr. Robert A. Bye, Jr. Professor of Ethnobotany HERBALGRAM Dr. Subhuti Dharmananda Director, Institute for Members receive HerbaiGram., the official publication of the Herb Research Foun­ Traditional Medicine dation. HerbalGram presents reviews of research from the world's technical press, Dr. James A. Duke follows legal events involving herbal products, and reports on media coverage of herbs. Plant Taxonomist Members can access in-depth information on herbs through low-cost HRF literature searches. Dr. Richard I. Ford Professor of Ethnobotany STRUCTURE Dr. Harriet Kuhnlein The Herb Research Foundation is an independent non-profit organization supported Professor of Nutrition by grants and member-ships, governed by an independent Board of Directors, and guided Dr. Walter Lewis by an advisory board that includes some of the leading plant researchers and educators Professor of Biology in the world. Dr. Albert Leung Pharmacognosist OBJECTIVES Dr. Ara Der Marderosian • To encourage and support research on herbal folk medicines, herbal teas, and Professor of Pharmacognosy other herbal products. Dr. C. Dwayne Ogzewalla • To publish and disseminate accurate research information to other researchers and Professor of Pharmacognosy the public. Dr. James Ruth -> • To provide a forum for discourse and cooperation between herbalists, physicians, Professor of Medical Chemistry health food advocates, and scientists. Dr. E. John Staba • To serve as a reliable soruce of information on medicinal plants and herbal Professor of Pharmacognosy products for the public and the press. Dr. Varro E. Tyler • To form a liason between the American herbal movement, and the world-wide Professor of Pharmacognosy scientific community. Dr. Phil Weber Medical Doctor

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HerbaiGram No. 15 - Wi nter 1988-Page 23 -HERBS- GETTING BACK TO THE ISSUES "HERBALGRAM Biologists Race to Save Tropical Rain Forests

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