| Volume 1 of the ‘British herbal compendium’ was published
in 1992 and, at the time, was widely acclaimed as a resource for anyone
interested in the scientific aspects of herbal medicines. It covered
84 of the most important herbal medicines used in the UK (which were
the same as many of those used in the rest of Europe) and set a high
standard for clarity, accuracy of information and comprehensive referencing.
Volume 2 covers an additional 80 plants and some of these, which were
deemed less important in 1992, have now become some of our most important
medicinal herbal products. For example, saw palmetto, agnus castus, ginkgo,
horse chestnut, artichoke leaf, calendula flower and St John’s
Wort are all new to volume 2 and this is also a measure of the progress
and interest in herbal medicines in the years since 1992.
These additions
make the compendium of greater relevance to other parts of the world
as well as the UK. Volume 2 continues with a similar format but certain
sections have been expanded and more prominence has been given to pharmacological
evidence, which has increased dramatically over recent years.
Each monograph begins with botanical data, synonyms and definition, and
then covers in detail the known constituents of the herb, with each individual
constituent being referenced to show when and how it was discovered.
A useful inclusion (which I have not seen in any other book of this type)
is the quality control information and references to assay methods, which
is an important issue for registering a product under the new European
Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive, where quality and safety
are paramount and must be demonstrated.
The pharmacology is comprehensively and clearly outlined and there is
a useful section at the beginning explaining the basic pathogenesis of
a condition. In vitro studies are differentiated from in
vivo studies
and from pharmacological studies in humans. Clinical studies are also
classified as to whether they are controlled or open studies and for
which particular indication, and they are discussed in a way that makes
evaluating the evidence as easy as possible.
The section on therapeutics summarises this information and gives recommendations
for indications, contraindications and interactions with drugs where
known. Safety is discussed in a separate section and is again well referenced.
The regulatory status as a medicine is given for the UK, France and Germany
and as a food for the US and Council of Europe. Regulatory guidelines
from other European countries, such as the Commission E monographs from
Germany are indicated.
The book contains most of the information known — or required for
most purposes — but overall it is the clarity and ease of navigation
which makes this book stand out from other books on herbal medicines.
Elizabeth M. Williamson
(professor of pharmacy and director of practice at
the School of Pharmacy, Reading University) |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal