biblio

Home Information on Herbs - For Consumers - For Health Professionals - For Growers Herbal FAQs Annotated Bibliography Links	North Carolina Consortium on Natural Medicines
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Reference	Advantages	Disadvantages
Jellin J.M., Gregory P.J., Batz F. and Hitchens K. (2004): Pharmacist's Letter/ Prescriber's Letter Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Stockton, CA, Therapeutic Research Faculty. Available at http://www.naturaldatabase.com Offers evidence-based information on most herbs and dietary supplements prepared from a scientific perspective.	Regularly updated information on clinical trials and drug interactions Available by subscription and through AHEC Patient information sheet available for each supplement Can search by illness category for useful supplements Provides links to abstracts on PubMed New features on site improve user-friendliness	May not be readily accessible to non-subscribers ($96/yr.) Does not include perspective of herbalists/ experts in phytomedicine.
Natural Standard, The Authority on Integrative Medicine http://www.naturalstandard.com/
Brinker F. (1998): Herb contraindications and drug interactions. Sandy, Oregon, Eclectic Medical Publications http://www.eclecticherb.com/emp/ The definitive text on herb-drug interactions. Written by a naturopath.	Lists contraindications and drug interactions for most herbs on the market. Gives specific contraindications for disease states. Differentiates between theoretical contraindications/interactions and those observed.	Evaluation of clinical trials is less critical than other sources Several herbs of significance to market in NC are missing
Blumenthal, Mark et al., eds (2003) The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs. Austin, TX, American Botanical Council The American Botanical Council’s latest evidence-based herbal reference book, targeting mainstream health professionals.	Includes patient information sheets Includes tables evaluating clinical trials CME available	Evaluation of clinical trials is less critical than other sources Several herbs of significance to market in NC are missing
The Dukehealth.org website has an excellent set of herb monographs for the general public http://www.dukehealth.org/ HealthLibrary/DrugsAndHerbs/Herbs	Easy to follow Without charge Reviewed by pharmacologists and a noted herbalist	Many herbs not updated with new information since 2002
ConsmerLab.com, LLC www.consumerlab.com Offers results of its independent testing of dietary supplement products, including herbs	Best source of information on particular products Also has Natural Products Encyclopedia	Requires subscription, but price is modest ($24/yr.)
Professional Curriculum on Herbs and Dietary Supplements http://northwestahec.wfubmc.edu/learn/herbs/index.asp This innovative, online (email and web-based) continuing Education activity addresses the growing demand for professional education about herbs and dietary supplements (H/DS).