Continuing its tradition as one of the world’s leading nonprofit education and research organizations on matters of herbal health, the American Botanical Council (ABC) has published its latest in-depth, science-based reference work, The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs. A comprehensive study of 29 of the most commonly used herbs and their relevance to modern medicine, The Guide provides a multi-dimensional, accurate, and thorough look at the current state of scientific research on these major medicinal herbs.

Mark Blumenthal, principal author and founder and Executive Director of ABC, said, "Consumers and healthcare professionals need to understand the latest science-based information on these herbs, such as indications, contraindications, and dosages. The patient information sheets will be especially valuable to consumers who want easy access to the latest research about the herbs they use."

The Guide offers scientific research on the following popular herbs: ephedra, kava kava, St. John’s wort, American ginseng, Asian ginseng, bilberry, black cohosh, cat’s claw, cayenne, chamomile, chaste tree, cranberry, echinacea, eleuthero, evening primrose oil, feverfew, flax, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, goldenseal, green tea, hawthorn, horse chestnut, licorice, milk thistle, peppermint, saw palmetto, and valerian.

Each herb chapter features a comprehensive monograph, a clinical overview for quick reference to key issues regarding safe therapeutic use, and a simplified information sheet for consumers that includes descriptions, uses, cautionary information, adverse effects, interactions, and dosages. Each in-depth monograph includes an overview, description, clinical uses, dosages and administration, actions, contraindications, side effects, herb-drug interactions, safety ratings, regulatory status, and a detailed table that reviews the clinical studies conducted to date and brand names of products used in the clinical studies (a first for a work of this kind). A separate chapter covers proprietary herbal products that have undergone clinical studies.

The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs is available for $49.95 plus shipping and handling directly from ABC, or from ABC’s exclusive worldwide trade distributor, Thieme New York, 800/782-3488 or 212/760-0888, Fax 212/947-1112, <www.thieme.com>.

Healthcare professionals may earn continuing education credit by reading the book and completing a post-test. Physicians, physician assistants, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and naturopathic physicians should contact ABC or visit ABC’s website <www.herbalgram.org> for information about earning credit for this module.

By offering the underlying science necessary to understand the safe and effective use of herbal medicine, ABC has delivered an important resource for consumers, their healthcare providers, and researchers.