Books [was] Urtica and Serenoa

[Guest guest]

wrote:

>I'll agree about PDR for Herbal Medicines. It is limited, but more

>balanced than Commission E and wider ranging.

On the other hand, a book which gives the worst possible interpretation of

any scientific data concerning herbs is Fetrow, C.W. and Avila, J.R.

'Professional's Handbook of Complementary and Alternative Medicines',

Springhouse, Pennsylvania:Springhouse, 1999.

A truly dreadful book.

For example, opening it at random, under Betony it gives

Dosage: Betony is mostly taken as an infusion or as a tea [is there a

difference?]

Adverse reactions:

GI irritation (related to tannins)

Liver damage (related to tannins)

[oops, better stop drinking tea then!]

Analysis: Despite various claims, available evidence does not support use

of this agent for any therapeutic application.

References: One reference, from 1974, given.

Similar in format to Newall et al (and written by two pharmacists) but much

worse.

Worth buying on a " know your enemy " basis (£19.99 in Blackwell's).

> McDermott

>kah41@...

, have you changed your e-mail address without permission?!

Cheers

Graham White B.Sc. (Herb. Med.), MNIMH.

Medical Herbalist

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