HERB - Medical Botany/Sites/Magazines

[Keith E. Brandt, M.D.]

Scripsit Christianna
>Ok, here is a site you should check out.  It is a series of classes by
>Jim Duke, well known in the field of Herbal Treatments.  These are very
>comprehensive classes. The one I just downloaded was the Herbalist's Desk
>Reference.  There are other topics there I haven't even gone into,
>including  Amazonian, Aryvedic, African, Arabic, Biblical, Dangerous
>Herbs, etc.  I think this gentleman has already done much of the research
>we have been talking about compiling.  
>
>		Christianna
>
>http://www.inform.umd.edu/EdRes/Colleges/LFSC/life_sciences/.plant_biology/
MEDICAL_BOTANY/index.html
>
>>James A. ("Jim") Duke                    Phone 301-498-1175
>>Botanical Consultant                       Fax 301-498-5738
>>Herbal Vineyard, Inc.                      URL for Father Nature's
>Farmacy
>>8210 Murphy Rd                            
>http://www.ars-grin.gov/~ngrlsb/
>>Fulton MD 20759        E-mail: jimduke at cpcug.org
>>

I ran across this reference in 'Herbs for Health' magazine, May/June 1998
issue. I just picked it up yesterday. Haven't had a chance to check out the
site yet. The article also referenced the Herb Research Foundation at
www.herbs.org. 
I've read most of this magazine already, and found it to be quite
informative. I also picked up the 'HerbalGram', which also is a gold-mine
of information. This issue also has a couple of historical articles:
"Herbalist's Charter" discussing a Tudor document of 114 herbal medicinal
recipes, some of which possibly devised by King Henry VIII. There is a
series of paintings excerpted from "Great Moments in Pharmacy: A history of
Pharmacy in Pictures". The pictures included are herbal-related. The
centerfold is the Herbal Education Catalog "featuring hard-to-find books,
exclusive publications, HERBALGRAM back issues, botanical booklets, and
more!". A book listed there I'd love to get my hands on is the German
Commission E Monographs. These are the guidelines used by German physicians
to prescribe herbal medicines. Only $189. Perhaps I'll check interlibrary
loan! The other historical article is "The Role of Botanical Medicine in
100 Years of American Naturopathy". Not period, but interesting, none the
less. 
The other magazine I picked up is "Natural Remedies". I can't say I'm
terribly impressed. More of a popular press approach than the other two. I
have to worry a bit about their advice. For example, in a short piece about
substituting herbal remedies for prescription drugs they recommend that for
a bacterial infection with amoxicillin prescribed, substitute Echinacea
purpurea "Pros: Inhibits viruses such as influenza and herpes...." Not
something you'd be treating with Amoxicillin! Golden seal may be a better
choice as it has some anti-strep activity. They do have a fairly good
article on drug-herb interactions (at least at a quick scan). 
Speaking of interactions, I'm going to try to dig up the "Prescriber's
Letter 1997 4:1". It apparently has information on herb-drug interactions.


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