| |
Americans Gamble on Herbs as Medicine
- by Jane Brody, New York Times
Scores of products sold in the United States are listed by European and
American authorities as ineffective, unsafe or both, and manufacturing
standards to assure high quality have been proposed but are not yet in
force. Countless consumers are wasting their money on useless products
or jeopardizing their health on hazardous ones.
Review, Critique, and Guidelines for the Use of Herbs and Homeopathy
- The Nurse Practitioner
The number of Americans that use alternative therapies, including herbal
products, is increasing by overwhelming proportions. Hundreds of herbal
products and homeopathic remedies are available to the consumer, but most of
these have not been proved safe or effective. Consumers are now turning to their
health care provider for guidance concerning the quality, proper use, adverse
effects, and precautions associated with these products. Health care providers
must develop a thorough understanding of the available literature concerning
herbal products and homeopathy to provide patients with truthful, unbiased
information regarding the potential risks and benefits of each herbal product.
This article addresses the distinct difference between herbalism and homeopathy,
the importance of standardization, and general use precautions concerning herbal
products.
Herbals - Current Scientific Perspectives
IFIC - The purpose of the International Food Information Council Foundation is
to provide sound, scientific information on food safety and nutrition to
journalists, health professionals, educators, government officials and
consumers.
Herbal remedies gain in acceptance:
Doctors's top concern is drug interaction
Improving Public Understanding:
Guidelines For Communicating Emerging Science on Nutrition, Food Safety, and Health.
The Harvard School of Public Health and the International Food Information Council
Foundation (IFIC) convened an advisory group of leading experts. Following the initial
meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, a series of eight roundtables was held around the country
involving more than 60 other nutrition researchers, food scientists, journal editors,
university press officers, broadcast and print reporters, consumer groups, and food
industry executives.
|