Perhaps the most complete presentation on Western herbs available to date, this carefully prepared book contains the findings of an expert committee of physicians, pharmacists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, and laypersons, who set out, with the authority of the German government, to compile and evaluate the safety and efficacy of phytomedicines. Their sources of data included clinical trials, field studies, single case collections, scientific literature from standard reference works, and expertise of medical associations.

Each monograph is ordered by common Western name, and includes Latin name, composition, uses, contraindications, side effects, interactions with other drugs, dosage, mode of administration, and biomedically defined actions. Approved and unapproved herbs are listed in separate sections. Unapproved herbs are defined as those for which inconclusive or unsubstantiated scientific evidence was available, or those evincing excessively dangerous or unacceptable levels of potential or documented risk.

The therapeutic indexes compile each herb’s uses and indications, contraindications, side effects, pharmacological actions, interactions with conventional drugs, and duration of administration. The work includes a chemical glossary and index, cross-reference indexes by English common name, botanical name, and pharmacopeial name, a general glossary of terms, and a complete general index.