ditions Io AB('s Herbal Educotion Cotulog

HEAII]IG WIH PI,A]ITS

il THE ANENI(Ail A]IDtEx!(Al{wtsTby l4orgorilo (oy. I 996.

Descdplions of I 00 plonls

induding botunicol ond

common plont nomes,

hi$0ry, conlemporcry uses, o

desaiplion of how the plont is

prepored ond odministered,

ond brief phytochemkol doto.

Sofuover. 315 pp. Slt.qS.#8229

itoTE$ilotoGY tl{AGRI(UruNT A]IDTORTSTRY 37:ftDlcltaAt AltDAnotAil( P]AlilS rX

td. by Y. P S. Boioi. I 996.

Survey of the rerent lileroture

on di$ribufion, impononce,

convenlionol propogolion,

mioopropogotion, lissue culture

studies ond lhe in rlroproduclion of importunt

compounds in vodous species

. #8230

ADYIN$ EffTOS OT

HEREAI DRUGS YOL 3by De Smet, (eller, llonsel, ond

Chondler. I 997. Eighteen

comprehensive monogmpk obout

specific medicinol he6s ond plont

conslituenh imprlunt fol fieirprominent ploce in phytothempy

(e.9., tlalariono spp.), dinicol

erpedolions obout fi eropeulic

sop.), ond recent roncem obout o

GlllGER: (0ttOtl SPIGA]ID WOTIDER DRUG

by Poul Schulick. 1996.

Comprehensive review supported

by hundreds of scientifir

references thot links lhe doims of

fre oncient herbols to the

exlensive findings of internolionol

srienlifk reseorch. Softcover.

165 pp. 59.95. #8233

tDIBtE Al{DtEDtclltAt PlAlils 0rTHt GRIAT LAIfiSxtctoilby lhomm Noegele. I996.

Describes ovfl I 50 plonts

commonly found in fie Greot

lokm oreo, induding

dehiled drowings,

preporotion techniques,

reloted medicol uses, edible

quolifies, chemicol

breokdown, poisonous

HINBS TON HTALIH

AilD Ht !.!ltcby l(olhi(evilh. 1996. Herhl

formulos for mony heolth problens

ormnged by bodily systemq

instruclions on how to moke

prepomlions, discusion of specific

hefis fol woment men's, ond

childrent heolttr lsues, he6ol first

oid, cuulions ond considemfiont

oromolfierupy, skin ond hok core,

ond cooking with he6s. Hodcover. 374 pp. 527.95. #8235G.9., latcriu m clnmoedrys) .

95. #8231

ospects, ond commerciol volue, il ony. Also feotures over 70

lobles, oqonized by oilment, thot list fte plonb known to cure

specific symptoms. Sofuover. 423 pp. SI 8.95. #8234

IHtTUSHRq'NculTtuffonhy Poul Stumets ond J. S.

Chilhn. 1983. Deluihd gmilh

requiremenh fu I 5 mushroom

species, sledle culture ond

mushroom spown prryrulion

techniques, procdures for slruin

selection ond dwelopment,

pmclicol preporulion methods for

compoct ond bulk substrotes,

mushroom lile cyde ond genetiq ldentificotion of fte mojor

compelitor molds, polhogens ond pesls. ond guldelines for tlm

constuclion of mushroom gmwing rooms. Softcover. 41 3 pp.

529.95.#8237

GTOWIIGGOUNffiIAilDNOKIIAI.tusltRmilsby Poul Stomets. 1993.

Dehiled grofih poromolu$

for 25 mushroom speles,

mycologirol londscoping,

sbhdfirefiprodmlbntechniqrcs for home ond

commerciol cuhivolitm,

pemocuhure wilh mush-

rooms, trouble*hooling guide, loborotory ond gowing room

consfuclion, ond mushroom recipes. Softconer. 552 pp.

539.95. #8238

(n( HAltDEoo[0fttDtclltAlf[ts0n0ilffHrnAIl(51PHYTfiHITICA1S IIIDBrotocr(Alrqn mtsby Stedren BeckstmrnStembeq

ond Jsnes A. Duke. I 996. More

lfion 5fi) rcferems on 10,839

chemicob from 251 osrys of 205

unique loxo, comM witir 3,324

b{ologkol oclivities, ond 256

recommended doily ollowonces ond

lethol doses. A voluoHe resource for ossesing fre potentiol

medicinol volue of o pfliculor spedes. Hodcover. 458 pp.

sr 29.95. #8239

[M3S TON YOUN HEA1TH

by Steven to$er. I 996. Designed

os o quick reference guide to fie50 mmt commonly used herbs

ovoiloble in the U.S. os dietory

supplements. Proflles indude

common ond bohnicol nome, bdef

history of trcditionol uses, summory

of crcdible scienfific repoils, bdef

desaiplions of rondilions ond

I symptoms the hed fieoh, foms in

lfie U.S., octions, dosoge, roulions or

photogmph. Softcover. 1 21 pp.

THE (OTPI,ETT

II,lUSTNATED

lrousilc HtRtAtby Dovid Hoffmonn. 1996. (overs

feotmentof o wide mnge of

comploints ond diseoses, goilrering

herbs ond preporing remedies,

olphobeticol herbol feoturing more

thon 200 lreils, ond over 300 fullcolor piclures. Softcover. 256 pp.

sl 8.9s. #8236

TDIIU WlD PI,AI{[S:tilotlflAffntoflrU[D GUIDE

by lhomos Hios ond Peter

0rykemon. I 990. ComprdremivB,

precise, ond filled wih dmwings,

rnop, ond neorly 400pholognpk, this is o superior

guide lo ideilifying, horuesling,

ond preporing over 2ffi heolthful

plonr from the wild. Sofuover.

286 pp. S14.95. #8240

(redit tord holders order toll freo E00/3I3-7105 orfox 51 2/331.1924i lw 6leslim oll 51 2/331 -U6&

WID PIA]ITS OT IHE

PUTI1O PNOYilCT

byWillirm l)unmire ond 6oil

lieney. 1995. A chmnicle of

plont uses hot enompses oll

of tlre truditionol tenilory of the

nineleen modem pueilm of I'low

[4exlco, centedng in ltre mkldle

Rio Gmnde Volhy. Daumenls lhe

prehlslodc, histolit, ond

conlempmry uses of 300

speries of souttrwestem flom.

Sofuover 289 m.522.50.#8241

P1AIII AIIGIOIDS:A GUIDI IO IHEITDts(ovtlYAlrDDtsnLunilh Robert Roftouf. 1996. Posilive

ond negolive results obtoined in

tte screenirB for olkoloi& of more

ilnn 20,000 plont qecies

(opproximohly 400 genem of

phnts fund primoily in zones

hneolh 15e N hftlhrde) ins 40

DOWNNIAIPnocssrxc 0rilAIUnAlPTODIKISAPnA(n(lrmlDuxrrtd. By filichoel Venoll. I 996.

&rkls BssorJBB ond industriol

rvutes tfimugh ltre ptentiol

pltfolbof natumlpdua

lsohtion; presenls stuteof{Mtedmiques ond obsnuliom;rovers lh lfine moin slugm of

noluml produd pfficolion,

nomely release, opturq ond prificofion; co,res pmleim ond

ssmndory moluboliB; +eciol mention of tlp Good

ilonufoctudng hottice quirenrenls; povides pmctiml guidonce

on sohq procedures ond pmes scoh imtrumenlulion.

llodcover. 354 pp. 584.95. #8243

ATOTAIHTRAPY:SCE]II AIID PIIYCIE

by Petaond lfule Domion. 1995.

Wittr o lhorough exposilion of fieoncient proclice of ommolics in

Chino, lndio, Pesio, ond tgypt ond

o modem xleilific understunding

of the pslchology of scent, ond

bosd on reseorch, clinicol studies,

ond fie outhon' pmfosionol

experiencq lhb hnk b o gu'rle to

mo$edng fie use of essenliol oih.

PASSToX rrotvt$by John Vondedonk. I 996.

2nd edilion. Ihe most

comprehemive ond beoutifully

illustmtd gulde h lhb

specluculol genu evel

publl$ed. Documonls ovd I 50

species, induding imprlontchongc h fie loxononry,

secliom on oilliwlinn ond

lrybddizolion, on identifooltn

kry, more thon 100 leof dmwinp, ond I 20 cohr photogrqh.

Hodcover.224 pp. S40. #8249lncludes prcfiles for 44 esenliol oih ond gecific instructiom for

seoling blen&. Sofiro,er 244 pp. Sl 6.95. #8245

-

benoolh 45e l{ htlude) ins 40yeor seorch for new mediciml ogenls ond oltrer phornocologicol

suhilunces. Hodcow.298 pp. 569.95. t8242 extensive rcmurces sodion moke lhis on involuoble orsot for

onyone inlerested in the historicol ond cunent use ol herh for

woment heolth isues. Softcover. 306 pp. 51 2.95. #8246

IHE ROOTS OT HTAUXG

by [)eb Souh. 1995. Designd

egedolly for women of oll oges,

ond written from tlp outhor's

personol pespeclive m on

hefiolbt ond feminin, ftis hkprovides he6ol remedles Nddown over fie yeos in the lomof finclurcs, lonics, ond hc for o

lorye vodef of woment heohh

contens. Simph ond pmoiol

herbol guidelines olong wilh on

zulu ttDtoltA[ PlAllIS:AX ttvtlfiotYCompiled h Hufthinp, Scott,

lewis, ond Cunninglmm. 1996.

Cover morc lfion 1,000 phnls

bosed on o survey of fte lihmlum

from fie loh nineleenltr cenlury

to fre present lndudes utrtdbolonicol nomes, rynonyrr,common [ngllsh od Afiikoons

-

nomes, on exlemiw lisrof Zulu

nomes, doh on fte medicinol umge of lhe plonts by th Zulunomes, doh on fte medicinol umge of lhe plonts by th Zulu

ond oilrer elfinic groups, known physiologicol effects, dremkol

compoundt ond biologicol pmperlies. Sofkover. 450 pp.

sr 14.95. #8247

PTYOIE:

rHEDtYHt(Afl$by tdwud Andenon. l9%. 2nd

edition. Addressos fie cremoniol ond

medicinol uses of peyole in lhe U.S.

ond Mexico, olong with the lqolmpcds of fib use, m well os the

phomocology, chemislry, ond htuny

of the plont Sofftova. 272 pp.

sr9.9s. #8248

ond rccommends sofe, effedive rcmdies for o wi& mnge of

common heohfi problem. Fulkolu illustrotions thmr4hur.

tlordcorer 336 pp. 539.95. *8250

DtttilcY(rP[uAotTTDIGXAI. PTAXISby Andrcw Chevolfic. I 996.

ffila more lhon 550 key

medicinol donts, systemoliolh

dehiling fuirhblory,

ruhiwlion, key consliluenls

ond ocliom, meorch, odlndilionol ond cunent usa.

Shorrs hovrto mokeditMrypes of herhlpmpmliom

HAXDOOilOTmxPnEsotmotDIUGS adxoilPnIs(ntmoxPt0Dltos:rontuuttotslrD]EAIUTES'9&97 (2rolurnset)llfiedition. 1996. llnldrri&$ondod on nonpesoiplirm

plmrmmolhemry poidingphornotlsts ond dmmny

students wilh definitive, onent infomolion oboJt Flienlselfuore. Now wilfi on exlensive chopter on hubs ond

phytomedicinol products wtllen by Vono lyler ond Steven

fmler. Disrums chemiolcomliluenls, phiologic odfuily fidlhempeulic us, precouliom, ond dmoge of mue thon 30 d flremost commonly used medicinol phnh. llodcow 0ol. I ).771p. Sotuover (Vol. 2).447 pp.5130./set #8251

PnrlffYUX tusHnoomOI IHT WOTI} A GUIDT

IO IDTXIITKAIIOTI

by Poul Stmets. 1996. }{eody

100 gedes ore dexdM,indrding dose rcloilives ond

plmnous lookdika. tor more

finn iust o field guide, fiis book

will pove useful to mycologlsls,

*holos, drysiciom, ond lhe

orious. [xcelhnt color

photogmflr. Softovcr. 243 pp.

524.95.t8244

Gedt od hldcrs ord6 rol lree E00/373-7105 or

lor 512l33I-1924; fu quesfiars o[ 512/331{E6E.

for rcviews of csrtuin hoks

on this poge, see pgc 7&

78 of this ltor6ol6rwn tuo llsting of over 250 oiluhoks, publicoliors, fideos

ond sofMoe pckoges, soe

the Herbol tdwolion Cotulog

in ttre cenler of fi's lsle dllefid6ron. 0r send 52.50

for o Cutulog wilh yurr nome

ond oddres lo Amerion BoluniolCoucil, P0. Box

201660, Austin, TX 78720.

HmHGur llo.39 . 3

ADVISORY BOARDSEoch issue of HerbolGrom is peer reviewed by vorious members of our Advisory Boords prior to publicotion.

Americon Bolonicol CouncilDennis V. C. Awong Ph.D., LCLC, MediPlontNotuml

ProducB Consulting Services, 0ttowo, 0nlorio, [onodo

Monuel L Bolondiln, R.Ph., Ph.D., Reseonh Srientisf, NPS

Phormoceuticok, Solt Loke tity, Utoh

ilirhoel J. Boliclc Ph.D., Director of the lnstitute of konomirBotony, fie New York Botonicol Gorden, Bronx, New York

Joseph tl. Betz, Ph.D., Reseorch [hemist, [enler for tood

Sofety ond Applied Nutrilion, Division of Noturol Products, Food

ond Drug Adminislrotion, Woshington, D.C.

Donold J. Brown, l{.D., Director, Noturol Products Reseorch

[onsultonts; Foculry Bostyr Univenity, Seottle, Woshington

Thomos J. (orkon, t.S., il.D., Senior Director,

tttrnobiomedkol Field Reseonh, Shomon Phormoceuticok, South

Son Froncisro, Colifomio

Jeon (orper, Aulhor ond syndicoted columnisf, Woshington, D.C.

Jerry (ott, Ph.D., thief of Phormorologicol lreotment Reseorch

Progrom, Notionol lnslitute of lrtlentol Heolth, Ro*ville, i\,lorylond

Pou! Alon (ox, Ph.D., Professor of Botony ond Deon of Generol

Educotion ond Honors, Brighom Young Univenity, Provo, Utoh

lyle E. (roker, Ph.D., Professor, Deporlment ol Plont ond Soil

Sciences, U niversily of li4ossorhusetts, Amherst, rtilossochuselts

ldword tl. (roo4 Jr., Ph.D., [oordinotor, Phytomedicine

Proiert, I'lolionol [enterforthe Developmentof Notuml Products,

Univenity of li4ississippi, 0xford, li4ississippi

Wode Dovis, Ph.D., Author, ethnobotonist, Woshington, D.C.

Steven Dentoli, Ph.D., Noturol Producr [onsultont,

Porflond,0regon

Hordy Eshbouglu Ph.D., Profesor ol Botony & fusistont

[urotor, Willord Shermon Tunell Herborium, li4iomi University,

0xford,0hio

Sleven losler, Botonist, photogropher, oufior, Foyetteville,

Arkonsos

ftristopher Hobbs l-Ac., AHG, Herbolist, botonist, licensed

ocupuncturist, Sonto Cruz, [olilornio

Dovid Hoffmonn, B. Sc, t.il.l.tl.H., [4edkolherbolist,

Sonto Roso, Colifornio

fflourire t. lwu, Ph.D., Bioresourres Develoomentond

Conservotion Progrom, $enior Reseorch fusodhte ot the Division

of [xperimentol Theropeutia, Wolter Reed Army lnstitute of

Reseorch, Woshington, D.C.

Steven King Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Ethnobotony ond

[onservotion, Shomon Phormoceutirok, South Son Fronrisro,

Colilornio

lredi l(ronenberg Ph.D., Direcior, Rosenthol (enter for

Alternotive/[omplementory li4edkine, (ollege of Physicions &

Surgeons of Columbio University, New York, New York

Iom tobry, Ph.D., Profesor of Plont Biochemistry, Deportment

of Botony, lJniversity of lexos ol Austin, Austin, Texos

Goil B. Mohody, Ph.D., Reseorch fusistont Profesor,

Deportmeil of Medirol themisxy & Phormocognosy, follege olPhormocy, lJnivenity of lllinois, thicogo, lllinois

Robin J. tloiles, Ph.D., Associote Profesor of Botony,

Brondon Univeniry Brondon, Monitobo, [onodo

Dennis J. Mrl(enno, Ph.D., [onsulting Ethnophormocologist,

Minneopolis, Minnesoto

Doniel E. Illoermon, Ph.D., Williom E. Stirton Profesor of

Anthropology, University of Michigon/Deorbom, Deorborn,

Ivlichigon

Somuel W. Poge, Ph.D., Diredor, Division of Noturol Products,

Center for Food Sofety ond Applied Nutrition, Food ond Drug

Adminislrolion, Woshington, D.[.

Joseph E. Pizzomo, Jr., ll.D., President, Bostyr [Jniversity,

Seottle, Woshington

Itlork J. Plotkin, Ph.D., Author, herulive Director, Efinobofony

ond Conservotion Teom, Arlington, Virginio

[loy Rodriguez, Ph.D., Jomes Perkins Profesor ofEnvironmentol Studies, School of Agriculture & Life Sciences,

[ornell Univenity, lthoco, New York

Jomes [. Simon, Ph.D., Profesor of Horticulture ond Reseorch

0ireitor, Center for New Crops & Plont Products, Purdue

University, We$ Lofoyette, lndiono

Beryl Simpson, Ph.D., t. L. Lundell Pmfesor of Botony,

Deporlment of Eotony, Univenity ofTexos otAuslin, Auslin, Texos

S. H. Sohmer, Ph.D., President ond Director,

Botonicol Reseorch lnstitute of lexos, Fort Worth, Iexos

Borboro l{. Iimmermonn, Ph.D., Professor of Phormocology

& Toxkology, College of Phormocy, University ofArizono, Tuaon,

Arizono

G. H.lleillowers, Ph.D., Profesor Emeritus, F. R. S. C., Botony

Deportment, University of British (olumbio, Vonrouver, Brifish

Iolumbio, Conodo

Arthur 0. Iu&er, Ph.D., Reseorrh Profesorof Agrirultureond

Noturol Resources, Delowore Stote Universily, Dover, Delowore

l{oncy lurner, Ph.D., Profesor ond Ethnobotonist,

Invironmentol Studies Progrom, lJniversity of Vktorio, Victorio,

British [olumbio, [onodo

Andrew L Weil, M.D., Authol Director of fie Progrom in

lntegrotive rl4edicine ond fusociote Diredor of fie Division of

Sociol Perspectives in Medicine of the tollege of l/ledkine,

Univenity of Arizono, Tuaon, Arizono

od hoc odvisor:

Dovid M. [irenberg tl.D., Diredor, [enler for Ahernotive

/r,ledicine Reseorrh, Beth lyoel Hospitol/Horvord Medirol

School, Bo$on, Mosorhuselts

4 . HrmrGnalr N0.39

Herb Reseorch

FoundotionRob Mc(oleb, President

Glenn Appelt, Ph.D., Professor of Phormocology,

University of [olorodo, Boulder

John A. Beuller, Ph.D., Noturol Producls Chemist,

Notionol Concer ln$itute

Robeil A. Bye, h., Ph.D., Profesor of tthnobotony,

Notionol University of Mexico

Subhuti Dhormonondo, Ph.D., Director, ln$ituie forTroditionol Medicine ond Preventive Heolth [ore

Jomes A. Duke, Ph.D., Eronomic Botonist, (U.S.D.A.,

ret.), Herbol Vineyord, Fulton, Morylond

J{ormon R. fornsworth, Ph.D., Reseorch Professor of

Phormocognosy, Progrom for Colloborotive Reseorch in the

Phormoreutirol Sciences, ond Senior Univenity ftholor,University of lllinois ot Chicogo

Rkhord l. tord Ph.D., Professor of Ethnobotony,

Univenity of Michigon

Horriet l(uhnlein, Ph.D., Profesor of Nutrition,

[,lcGill University

Albert leung Ph.D., Phormocognosist, Glen Rock,

New Jeney

Wolter lewis, Ph.D., Profesor of Biology,

Woshington Univenity

Aro Der ilorderosion, Ph.D., Professor of

Phormocognosy, Philodelphio [ollege of Phormocy

ond Science

Jsmes D. If,c(hesney, Ph.D., V.P. Noturol Products

Chemistry, NoPro Bio lheropeutics, Boulder, [olorodo

( Dwoyne 0gzewollo, Ph.D., Professor ofPhormocognosy, University of Iincinnoti

Roberl Rounlree, f,I.D., Physicion, Boulder, Colorodo

Jomes Ruth, Ph.D., Profesor of MedicinolChemistry,

Univenifl of Colorodo

E. John Stobs, Ph.D., Professor of Phormorognosy,

Univenity of Minnesoto

Voro E. Tyler, Ph.D., Deon ond Disiinguished Professor

of Phormocognosy Imeritus, School of Phormocy ond

Phormoreutkol Sciences, Purdue Univenily

Phil Weber, IIl.D., Physicion, Boulder, Colorodo

Andrew Weil, tl.D., Physkion ond Author,

Tucson, Arizono

Boord ofTrustees

Mork Blumenlhol, Execulive Director

Jomes A. Duke, Ph.D., Economic Botonist/Author,

(USDA, ret.), Fulton, Morylond

l'lomon R. Fornswoilh, Ph.D., Reseorch Profesor of

Phormocognosy, Progrom for [olloborolive Reseorch in fie

Phormoceulicol Sciences, University of lllinois ot Chicogo

Vorro E. Tyler, Ph.D., Sc.D., Deon ond Dislinguished Profesor

of Phormocognosy Emeritus, School of Phormocy ond

Phormoceulicol Sciences, Purdue University

The Joumol o[ the Ameriton Bolonirol (ouncil ond fte Herb Reseorrh Foundoilon

Mork Blumenthol

Borboro Johnston

Rob Mr(oleb

Ginger Hudson-llloffei

Sleven Fosler

GingerWebb

tditor/Publkher

Illonoging Editor

Terhnko! [ditorArl Diredor

Associole Editor

Stoflwritel

(ontributing Editors

DennhV. C Awong, Ph.D.

Woyne Armslrong

l(oren Deon

JomesA. Duke, Ph.D.

Normon R. Fornswoilh, Ph.D.

ftristopher Hobbs

Steven R. l(ng, Ph.D.

Peler Londes

Albed Y. Leung, Ph.D.

Aro Der Morderosion, Ph.D.

Vono E. Tyler, Ph.D.

AndrewT.Weil, M.D.

Subxdption/(lossilied Adveilising tonogerMorgorelWrighl

Woli Slopher (opy EditorKoren Newlon Editoriol Assislont

Chiel Administrolive 0llirerWoyne Silvermon, Ph.D.

LindoPrudhomme Rereptionist

VitkieAdoms AdminirtrolionJoniWeismonn-McCloin Distribufion

JulieWeismonn-Mc0oin lnlormotion Syslems

CecelioThompson AttountontGoyle tngels Soles (oordinotor

George Solis Shipping

Downelle Molone lnlem

HrpmGpru'l is published quarterly by the American Botanical Counciland the Herb Research Foundation as an educational project. Educa-tional and business offices are at the American Botanical Council. P.O.

Box 201660, Austin, Texas 78720.5121331-8868. FAX 5l2l33l-1924.Subscriptions: $25lyr; $4512 yrs; $60/3 yrs. Foreign subscriptions, pleaseadd $10 per year. O1997 American Botanical Council. ISSN #0899-5@8.Printed in the U.S.A.

DEAR READER

The main story in this issue is the traditional herb kavakava, the peaceful herb of the South Pacific. There isso much interesting.ethnobotany and sociaUcultural im-portance to this herb that we have devoted an unprec-edented 24 pages to kava in a special section. This lit-erature review is based on a major paper by Dr. Y. N.Singh published in 1992 in the Journal ofEthnopharmacology. Dr. Singh is a native of Fiji andnow a professor of pharmacology in South Dakota. Heis also the author of an 800-item bibliography on kava,the most extensive ever compiled. We have condensedhis earlier paper somewhat and have added new mate-rial to include several of the scientific studies conductedon kava since the article was originally published. Theritual use of kava is an integral part of the culture ofnumerous Polynesian societies and its relative safety iswell established. The German Commission E has

approved kava preparations as a safe and effectivemedicine for anxiety. Based on the available literatureit appears that kava has a positive role to play inmodern health care and selfcare.

While we were preparing this paper for publica-tion, kava experienced an unfortunate blip in thenational news when it was inappropriately associatedwith a fraudulent product distributed at a New Year'srock concert where numerous attendees were hospital-ized after suffering adverse reactions to the bogusproduct. Early press reports unfairly indicted kava as

the probable culprit, but analysis of the product by ABCrevealed that despite the label claims, there was no kavain the product. Instead the product contains caffeine anda potentially toxic chemical, neither of which wereshown on the label. Our story on this is on page 9.

Also, we offer Holly Bayne's explanation of theCodex Alimentarius, an international effort to developstandards for food products. There has been consider-able concern and misunderstanding about the Codexin the U.S. over the past year and we hope to clarifythe issue.

Barbara Johnston gives us an interestingprofile on Henry Hurd Rusby, one of the greatbotanists ofthe past 100 years.

Finally, our regular readers will note a stylisticchange in the botanical names in most of the articles inthis issue. We are including with the Latin binomialboth the botanical authority and the family name of theplant-the preferred method of many scientists.

PAlu*b(|,',\HrnslLGul,r J'lo. 39 . 5

The Journol of the Americon Botonicol Council ond the Herb Reseorch FoundotionNumber 39 o Spring 1997

DEPARTTIENTglote-breoking l{ewsCose Mill Homesbod new home for ABC;"fX" Does Not Conloin Kovo

AE( llewsABC octivities Augusl - December 1996

HRI llewsHRF Aids in Africon Medicinol Plont CultivotionEfforts; Noturol Heolthcore Hotline

Herb BlurbsClinton-Dole Coot Throots with Herbs;Thyme, Herb of the Yeor; lnsone Veggies

illedioHerbolism Thrives in New Mexico; Rore PlontsMoke Economic Contribufions; Renewed Successof Pink Lody's Slipper in New Englond;Phormocy Students Study in Belize Roinforest

Reseorch ReviewsSt. John's Wort for Depression; Bromeloin ondMusculoskeletol ln

i uries; Pokeweed Toxicity;

Antidiobetic Properties of Bitter Melon; Kovo vs.Anxiety; Antionxiety Effects of ChomomileCompounds; Grope Seed Exhoct; Antioxidont/Antimicrobiol Compounds; licorice Extroct ondGlycyrrhizin Activity

Plont Potentsby Koren DeonMistletoe; Tobocco; Ashwogondho, SolloiGuggul, Turmeric, Ginger Combinotion

Reseonh/World ]lewsProfessor Tyler Retires; ACS Aword toKinghorn & Bolondrin; Herbol Pehol

legol ond RegulotoryMo Huong Updote in Ohio; Texos EphedroRegulotions; Cqlifornio Lobeling for Loxotives;Commission on Dietory Supplement Lobels;Codex Alimentorius Conference

Conlereme ReportAmericon Chemicol Society Symposiumon Phytomedicines

illorket ReportMorkets with High Shore of Phytotheropeutics;Most Frequently Prescribed Phytomedicinols inGermony; Morket Report by Peter londes

ln ilemodomA. L. Tommie Boss; Morvin Molone; Arthur E.

Schworting; Robert C. Sohn; Alfred Vogel

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LATE.BREAKII{G I{EWS

The Cose Mill Homesleod

Fulure Home of The Americon

Bolonicol [ouncilt llerhol

Educolion ond Reseorch (enler

ABC is proud to announce the proposed pur-chase of the Case Mill Homestead to createa new headquarters and herbal education andresearch center. Located minutes from down-town Austin, Texas, the site offers countrytranquillity in an urban environment. ABCenvisions the Case Mill Homestead as adynamic international focal point for botani-cal education and research, a resourcecenter to enhance the public's knowledge ofand appreciation for herbs and medicinalplants, a neighborhood preservation projectbenefiting its East Austin neighborhood,and a lovingly preserved historic Austinlandmark attractive both to residents and toout-of-town visitors.

The Herbal Education and ResearchCenter will include:

. ABC's administrative offices

. An information center open to the pub-lic featuring a conference room, lec-ture auditorium, multi-media resourcecenter, bookstore, and gift shop

. Extensive herb gardens

. Shipping and receiving buildingThe new site is imperative because

ABC is about to move to yet a higher levelof activity. In the coming year it will be pub-lishing the long-awaited and much-neededtranslation of the German government'sCommission E Monographs (in whichCommission E, the German equivalent ofthe FDA, assesses and gives therapeuticguidelines for hundreds ofherbs). It will alsopublish the Proceedings of the Office ofAlternative Medicine's "Botanicals: A Rolein U.S. Healthcare?" conference held inWashington in December 1994, as well as

the results of the Ginseng EvaluationProgram. These projects will create increasedvisibility in the national and internationalmedia for the projects and roles ofABC, andtake it to the forefront of herbal advocacy.

At its inception eight years ago, ABC'sfive employees could not have dreamed ofthe agency's current level of success andgrowth in herb research, education, and ad-vocacy-and it is evident from the explosionof interest in herbs and phytomedicinesamong healthcare professionals and consum-ers that ABC's work has just begun.

The current staff of 21 has outgrownABC's current location. The beautiful andhistoric Case Mill Homestead in EastAustin, a |25-yearold three-story ColonialRevival house, is surrounded by 2.5 acresof established herb gardens and well-maintained grounds.

"We are very excited about this newhome," says Mark Blumenthal, ABC'sfounder and Executive Director. "We mustraise $100,000 in the next three months in

order to close the deal and beginrenovations prior to our summer1997 move-in date." The project ac-quisition, renovation, and secondphase of expansion will total an

estimated $1,000,000.

YOU CAN HEIP!HerbalGram readers can

help realize this wonderfulproject. To send apledge

or contribution, or to request

additional information,contact Wayne Silverman,Chief Administrative Officerof ABC, via mail at:

P. O. Box 20l660,Austin,Texas,78720-1660;phone 5l2l33l-8868;fax 5 l2l 33 I - 1924; or e-mail :

waynes @ herbalgram. org

8 o HnmrGum N0.39

"lX": Chemicolly Adulteroled Produd Does Not (ontoin Kovo

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)recently seized samples of a liquid beingmarketed in Los Angeles under the tradename "fX." The vials were seized at a con-cert after Biolife Bioproducts of San Diego,a company in business for about six months,gave fX to attendees of a Los Angeles NewYear's Eve concert as a promotion. Morethan 50 people reported symptoms of dizzi-ness, nausea, severe shortness ofbreath, and respiratory arrest and most re-quired hospitalization. Los Angeles policeclosed the concert, violence ensued, fourpeople were arrested, and six others weredetained on suspicion of distributing theliquid concoction.

Upon hearing that the product listedthe herb kava on the label, the AmericanBotanical Council (ABC) obtained samples

of fX from a Los Angeles store and sent themto a laboratory for analysis. The laboratoryhas determined that the vials of liquid beingmarketed did not contain the herb kava, as

was reported by the LAPD. Industrial Labo-ratories is an FDA-inspected laboratory in

Denver,Colorado, specializing in state-of-the-art techniques for analysis ofbotanical materials.

Subsequent to vigorous testing, twochemicals were found in the samples. "fX"was found to contain both a potentially toxicchemical (1,4 butanediol) and caffeine, al-though neither substance is listed on theproduct's label. The human body converts1,4 butanediol into gammahydroxybutyrate(GBH), a strong central nervous system de-pressant. ABC immediately made the testresults known to LAPD and Food and DrugAdministration (FDA) investigators.

The media coverage of this incidentbegan January lst, the FDA issued a publicwarning about fX. The following day, a press

release from the LAPD speculated that the"problem" ingredient in fX was the herbkava-which was listed on the label as theprimary ingredient. The LAPD did not have

the capability of testing for kava and was un-aware that kava was not actually present inthe substance. This flawed information waspicked up by print and electronic media and

disseminated globally.On Friday, January 3, Mary

Hardy, M.D., a Los Angeles-basedphysician acting as primary inves-tigator forABC, appeared on CNNHeadline News. Dr. Hardy saidthat the symptoms shown by thehospitalized people were not typi-cal of the known effects of kava.

For left: The Cose MillHomesteod, Future site of theAmericon Botonicol Councilheodquorters.Left: o view of the reloxinggrounds o[ the Homesteod.

Contrary to the assertion of the LAPD,the tests conducted by Industrial Labs forABC did notfind even trace amounts of kava.ABC has further learned that results of testsperformed by the FDA on fX seized at the

concert are fully consistent with the resultsof ABC's tests. Despite the recent testing,the LAPD has not reversed its erroneouspress release, claiming that they cannot re-lease the FDA s test results which are beingwithheld by the FDA pending criminal in-vestigations.

"As soon as herbs became implicated,we became involved," said MarkBlumenthal,Executive Director of ABC.'"The symptomsreported in the press were not consistent withthe mildly relaxing effects of kava. We sus-pected that some unknown ingredient wasprobably responsible. Our test results con-firmed that the product is adulterated and

does not contain kava."ABC distributed a press release giv-

ing this information to2,2N print and elec-tronic media and 450 hard copies to industryand media contacts in hopes of setting therecord straight.

Kava (Piper methysticum Forst.)-also known as "kava kava" in the U.S.-is a

member of the black pepper family(Piperaceae) which grows in the islands ofthe South Pacific. The herb has been usedsafely by Polynesian peoples for thousandsof years and is finding increased popularityin the U.S. as a dietary supplement. Kava isapproved by the Commission E of the Ger-man government, the German equivalent ofthe U.S. FDA, as a safe nonprescriptionmedication for anxiety.

[Press release from ABC (Jan. 17,

1997) and additional information fromHerbalGram staff .l

ERRAIA:In the address for Chinese Herbal

Market Report (HerbalGram No. 38,p. 59) e-mail for information should be:

sophie @ nat-med.demon.co.uk.

IATE.BREAKING NEWS

HmouGmm No.39 o 9

ABC NEWS

ABC Activities

Augu$-December, I996

HIGHTIGHTS OF PRESENTATIONSAND PAPERS BY ABC EXECUTIVEDI RECTOR'UIARK BLU'IIENTHAIThe University of lbxas Medical Branchat Galveston, Galveston, TX, "The Use ofHerbs in Promoting Health and Healing";Southwest Texas State University, SanMarcos, TX, "Herbs: Uses for Promotion ofHealth and Treatment of Disease"; ShakleeCorporation, "Consumer Beha-vior Drivingthe Herbal Market: QualityControl and Regulatory Issues;" AustinWhole Life Expo, Austin, TX, "The Prob-lem wlth Herbal Regulation in the U.S. To-day: Toward a New Category of Herbs as

Traditional Medicines."Drug Information Association 32nd

Annual Meeting, "Traditional MedicineApproach to Evaluation of Safety and Effi-cacy of Herbs"; 3rd International HerbSymposium, "Medicines & ConservationEfforts In the Rainforest"; United StatesPharmacopeia Open Conference, Wash-ington, D.C. "New Regulatory Category forHerbs as Traditional Medicines"; NationalNutritional Foods Association, Market-place '96, Nashville, TN, "Ma Huang, FDA,DEA, and the Status: Who's Minding theStore?" and "Changes in Global Regulationsand Attitudes: Herbs and Supplements";National Meeting of the AmericanChemical Society, Orlando, FL; "GermanCommission E Monographs-A Model forRegulatory Reform"; 15th Annual Interna-tional Aloe Science Council, ScientificSeminar, Irving, TX, "A New RegulatoryCategory for Herbs as TraditionalMedicines"; National ConferenceGerontological Nurse Practitioners,"Herbal Medicine"; Great Earth AnnualConference, Las Vegas, NV; "Overview ofHerbs and Phytomedicines in the U.S.";Council for Responsible Nutrition AnnualConference, Amelia Island, FL, "Safety andEfficacy of Herbal Products: Need for a NewRegulatory Category"; New Plant Medi-cines from Old Cultures, Atlanta Botani-cal Garden, Atlanta, GA; "New WorldPlants:, New World Drugs"; IBC Confer-ence on Nutraceuticals: Developing Effec-

l0 o HrnsrGmrl No. 39

tive Dietary Supplements and FunctionalFoods, New Orleans, LA; "The Need for a

New Regulatory Category forHerbs asTradi-tional Medicines."

ABC.SPONSORED CONTINUINGEDUCATION ACTIVITIESPharmacy Continuing Education presen-tation, Bergen-Brunswick Annual TradeShow and Conference, Reno, NV; "Phar-macy from the Rainforest" workshopleader, International Expeditions, Inc., Peruand Costa Rica; Continuing EducationCourses for Pharmacists from Brookspharmacy chain, Boston, MA.

HRF NEWS

by Rob McCaleb and Evelyn Leigh

HRF AIDS IN AFRICAN 'YIEDICINALPTANT CUTTIVATION EFFORTS

Having just returned in early December froma fi ve-week trip to Africa, HRF President RobMcCaleb is pleased to report that HRF'sMalian hibiscus-growing project is provid-ing retums that reach far beyond successfulcultivation and harvest. Specifically, theproject has provided a source of much-needed income and training for more than1,000 people in this impoverished West Af-rican nation. Most of the 280 participatingfarmers practice subsistence farming on re-mote farms in the Niger River Valley. Be-cause of training provided by McCaleb anda dedicated team of agriculture specialistsand extension agents, the farmers have beenable to improve their cultivation and pro-cessing methods to meet strict quality andcleanliness standards and greatly improvequality at the farm level.

The project goal of increasing farmincome has succeeded dramatically, as farm-ers are paid more than twice the usual pricethey would receive from traders. In a depar-ture from traditional methods of crop pro-cessing, the project farmers are doing qual-ity grading (sorting) at the farm level. The

process entails separating out first-qualityhibiscus for export, while second qualitymaterial is saved for use during times ofshortage. The resulting export crop is ofout-standing quality and will bring a better priceon the foreign market. Furthermore, because

local transport costs are relatively reasonable,sale of the second-quality crop on the localmarket will also bring a good profit. In thefuture, the herbs produced on these remoteNiger River Valley farms promise to be oneof the most important cash crops for hun-dreds of farming families, as well as a sourceof high quality, organically grown herbs forthe worldwide botanicals market.

Now, HRF is beginning a similarproject in South Africa, where a unique setofchallenges prevails. Until recently, blackSouth African farmers were not permittedto own land, although many worked as farmlaborers on white-owned farms. Now, al-though black farmers are no longer forbid-den to own land, they lack funding and busi-ness experience in marketing cash crops.

Currently, South Africa is facing amassive displacement of rural people to ur-ban areas in search of jobs which simply donot exist. Black South Africans have a richhistory of traditional herb use, and for thosewithout money or access to modern healthcare, botanical remedies remain the onlyoption. Many of the plants used in traditionalherbal medicine grow wild locally but are

not under widespread cultivation, and thereis evidence that over-harvesting has placedsome wild plant populations at risk. In addi-tion, rural people who have relocated to cit-ies no longer have easy access to their tradi-tional wild plant remedies.

Since the inauguration of NelsonMandela as president of South Africa, thefocus of government organizations has be-gun to shift toward improving opportunitiesfor those who have traditionally been unableto benefit from the economic growth of thecountry. With the support of the Africa Bu-reau of the US Agency for International De-velopment (USAID) and the help of theSouth African non-profit group The RuralFoundation, HRF will work with disadvan-taged farmers on projects which will provideincome from herbal cash crops as well as

HRI I{EWS

better access to low cost botanical healthcare. The challenge is threefold: to help pro-tect wild plant populations by cultivatingover-collected species, to foster regional pro-duction of traditional herbal remedies, andto develop cash crops for low-income farm-ers. In light of SouthAfrica's favorable grow-ing climate and recent political changes, thepotential to realize all three of these goalsseems great.

NATURAL HEALTHCARE HOTLINENOW AVAIIABTE TO PUBLICIn keeping with its primary goal of publiceducation, HRF is pleased to announce ex-panded public access to the NaturalHealthcare Hotline, a unique telephone ser-

vice created to provide fast, accurate answersto questions about herbs and health. HotlineInformation Specialists are carefully trainedto supply reliable information on herbs andother natural product ingredients without di-agnosing, prescribing, or recommending anyparticular brand or product, backed up by adatabase of solid scientifi c and/or traditionaldocumentation.

Probably the only herbal hotline ser-

vice in existence, the Natural HealthcareHotline was inspired by growing consumerdemand for up-to-date facts on the healthbenefits and safety of herbs. The Hotline isa project of the Natural Healthcare Institute(NHI), a nonprofit subsidiary of HRFfounded in 1994 with the specific goal ofdeveloping and managing the Hotline data-base. Since neither the NHI nor HRF are inthe business of selling herbs, the Hotline isable to function as an independent source ofaccurate, unbiased information.

The Natural Healthcare Hotline data-base cunently contains information on morethan 200 herbs selected from HRF's exten-sive library, and is continuously updated withnew information. The database utilizes aunique "hypertext" format that allowsoperators to move quickly between general

information, documented benefits, specificscientific citations, dosage information, andsafety data, including contraindications.

At the time of its inception in 1994,the Natural Healthcare Hotline was available

only as a special subscription service tomanufacturers and retailers of herbal prod-ucts. Hotline subscription provides manu-facturers and retailers with a valuable edu-cational resource to which customers can bereferred, particularly those with difficultquestions. Hotline subscribers are assigneda dedicated toll-free number for customerHotline access. (Please contact HRF formore information on subscription servicesand costs.)

Since May 1996, NHI has been ableto offer expanded public access to theHotline, and the response has been over-whelmingly positive. Currently, Hotline

Information Specialists answer dozens ofques-tions daily from herb consumers,physicians, complementary healthcarepractitioners, pharmacists, and many others.HRF members receive substantial discountson Hotline usage costs, but the service isavailable to anyone who needs accurate in-formation on herbs and health. To access

the Natural Healthcare Hotline, HRFmembers and nonmembers alike may call(303) 449-2265 and ask for an InformationSpecialist. The Hotline database is notavailable online, and is not for sale. It is ac-cessible only by calling Natural HealthcareHotline.

Three beneficioriesof the Moli hibiscusproiect: o Molionhibiscus growerwith fomily.Photo byRob McColeb.

HrmuGutl llo. 39 . I I

HERB BTURBS

Clinton-DoleCoat Throats with Herbs;Cuomo ChoosesChamomileApparently Presidential candidates and someother high-ranking politicians know what theFDAhas still not figured out: "Herbs work."Both Democratic and Republican candidates

in the 1996 U.S. presidential election wereable to get through their grueling speakingschedule with the aid of the soothing herbaltea, "Throat Coato," a product ofTraditionalMedicinals, a California-based manufacturerof herbal remedies. According to recent ar-

ticles in 26 publications including the NewYork Times, Los Angeles Times, andNewsweek, President Clinton has been us-

ing thetea to helpprevent the lossof voice since his State of the Union mes-

sage in 1994. Bob Dole leaned heavily onthe product in the final hours of his 96-hourgrind to Election Tuesday.

And, in a story in the New YorkTimesMagazine about how recent unsuccessfulcandidates coped with their losses, formerNew York Governor Mario Cuomo re-sponded to a question on what was "the per-fect meal after a defeat" by saying, "If you

llluskotion byRegon Gorrett

lor HerbolGrom.

don't have some-thing to believe in af-

ter your defeat, thenthe perfect meal is hem-

lock." When pressedagain with the question,

"All right, but if you do be-

lieve in something, and you're stillhungry?," Cuomo answered, "Probably cha-momile tea, which would allow you to sleepfor a while, rest and come back-re-ener-gized." - Barbara Johnston

lNew York Times, l,os Angeles Times,

October 4, 1996;Newsweek November 18,

1996. Anon. Questions for: MenWho HaveRun. . .And Lost. New YorkTimes Magazine,Sunday, Nov. 3, 1996.1

5/y*r, r%r/ r/rl, fuar- lee ZThyme (Thymus vulgaris L., Lamiaceae) isthe 1997 choice for Herb of the Year, an an-nual designation by the Intemational HerbAssociation, celebrated every year during theweek leading to and culminating withMother's Day. The purpose of National HerbWeek is to focus attention on herbs and toencourage the media, herb businesses, herband garden organizations, and individuals toeducate the public about the uses, history andlore of herbs.

To qualify for the award, the herb mustmeet the following criteria: it should beuseful in at least two of the categories of cu-linary, medicinal, or craft; it should be easy

to grow from seed, cuttings, or root division,in as many parts of North America as pos-sible, by novice as well as experienced gar-

deners; it must be a designated genus, ratherthan a species, and must be adaptable to con-ditions througout North America; and itshould be familiar to the general, "non-herbal" public and offer opportunities foreducating the public about its uses.

Thyme has long been a familiar andfavorite herb, with use in culinary creations,medicinal preparations, craft work, andaromatherapy. It is also gaining recognitionas a valuable ornamental or landscape plant.

- Barbara Johnston

Thyme, Thymus vulgoris.Photo @1996 Steven Foster

lnsane ueggiesEggplant has been a staple in European gar- turies in China and the Middle East. Thedens since around the l2th century when it Italians were the first Europeans bravewas imported from Central Asia. Originally enough to eat eggplant.considered a novelty ornamental plant, it was Eggplant was finally listed as an ed-not eaten as a vegetable until much later. Like ible plant by the Swedish botanist Linnaeustomatoes, which were later introduced from in 1753, but even then, he gave it the Latinthe New World, eggplant had an unusual nameSolanuminsanum. Taxonomistslaterreputation based on myth and misinforma- revised the name to the current Solanumtion. They were considered unsafe to eat. melongena, meaning black.In the case ofeggplant, Europeans thought [Peterson, C.1996. Voluptuous Egg-they produced immediate insanity, despite plantsLoveSunbathingWeather. NewYorkthe fact that they were used as foods for cen- Times. June 9.1

Eggplont, Solonum melongeno vor. escu/enfo. Photo O1996 Steven Foster.l2 o HrnsrGmm llo. 39

IUIEDlA

Herbolhm Thrives

in New MexicoNew Mexico is an excellent resource forthose seeking herb shops, herbal schools, orherbalists. Herbal use is part of NewMexico's traditional culture, according toMichael Moore, director of the SouthwestSchool of Botanical Medicine in Albuquer-que. An herbalist for some 27 years, Moorehas written four books on herbal medicine.One of these, Los Remedios: TraditionalHerbal Remedies of the Southwesr, alongwith a now defunct line of herbal medicinescalled Los Remedios de la Gente, is creditedwith having revitalized the Hispanic herbalmedicine traditions of the region. Mooreconsiders oshd (Ligusticum porteri, Coult. &Rose, Apiaceae), inmortal (Asclepiasasperula (Dcne.) Woods., Asclepiadaceae),and yerba mansa (Anemopsis califurnica(Nutt.) Hook. & Arn., Saururaceae) to be thethree most important native herbal medicines.Osha is used for colds, as a disinfectant, andas a bitter; inmortal is used for respiratoryailments, for easing the final stages of labor,and to stimulate the production of breastmilk; yerba mansa is used for arthritis, throatand mouth sores, and for the sinuses.

There are at least seven herb stores inNew Mexico. Bonnie Ochoa, a former nurse,now operates El Vajio Herbs near Mesilla.From the Ground Up is Deborah Brandt'sstore in Las Cruces. She believes that theuse of herbs in New Mexico has remainedstrong due to the cultural diversity of thepeople of the state. Brandt is also a regis-tered nurse, and studied with Moore for morethan ten years. Yerbas Buenas is an herb-growing business north of Las Cruces. One

of its owners, Katia LaMone, is a midwife,and often refers her patients to Brandt's store.

Recently, New Mexico State Universityreceived a grant to research ten medicinalcrops. This is the first medicinal herb projectat the university. Catnip (Nepeta catariaL.,Lamiaceae), lemon balm (Melissa fficinalisL., Lamiaceae), marigold (Calendulafficinalis L., Asteraceae), stinging nettle(Urtica dioicaL., Urticaceae), scarlet globemallow (Spfraeralcea coccinea (Nutt.) Rydb.,

Malvaceae), valerian (Valeriana spp.,Valerianaceae), mullein (Verbas cum thap sus

L., Scrophulariaceae), and three species ofechinacea (Echinacea spp., Asteraceae) havebeen planted and are being studied.

Two herbalists, Tieraona Low Dog,M.D., and Amanda McQuade-Crawforti,have established a new three-year school ofbotanical medicine in Albuquerque, the Na-tional College of Phytotherapy (See Herb-alG ram #38, p. 22.). Moore's school is plan-ning a move to Bisbee, Arizona. Three ofMichael Moore's books are available throughtheABC Bookstore: Medicinal Plants of theMountain West (#Bll2, $12.95), MedicinalPlants of the Desert and Canyon West(#B I I 3, $1 2.95), and Medicinal Plants of theP ac ffi c We s t (#B I I 4, $22.50).-G i n ge r We bb

[Raphael, Kathleen. Herbal essence:

The roots of natural healing extend deep inNew Mexico. New Mexico,May 1996,28-31.1

Above: Highbush blueberry,Voccinium corymbosum.Photo @ 1996 Steven Foster.

Left: Yerbo monso,Anemopsis colifornico.Photo @

,l997 Steven Foster.

Rore Plonts Moke

[conomic ConlributionsThe Center for Plant Conservation (CPC), a

non-governmental organization (NGO)housed at the Missouri Botanical Gardens inSt. Louis, recently reported on a comprehen-sive survey of the economic potential of rareplants of the United States. The aim of thesurvey was to attain a clearer picture of theramifications of the potentialextinction of U.S. plant species in order todevelop better strategies of conservation.

The results showed that, as of 1992,3,2l4plant species and4,277 plant taxa riskextinction in the U.S. These are subsumedunder 834 genera. Of the 3,2l4rare species,80 percent are directly useful to humans orhave close relatives (i.e., in the same genus)

which are useful, many species with signifi-cant economic impact, such as cherries,peaches, squash, beans, almonds, sunflow-ers, walnuts, and roses, have congenerics thatare ofconservational concern. In fact, two-thirds of the U.S. plant taxa of conservationalconcem are congenerics (generic relation-ships) of cultivated species. The betterknown close relatives clearly have an eco-nomical impact in the U.S.

Native Americans once used over2,000 species of plants for medicinal pur-poses. Many of which are still in use today.

Many formerly wild native North Americanplants, once wild, are now cultivated exten-sively in the U.S. Blueberries (Vacciniumcorymbosum), cranberries (V macrocarpon),pecans (Carya illinoiensis), and wild rice(Zizania palusfris) were all recently domes-

ticated from the wild. Disease-resistantrootstocks of today's commercial walnutwere developed from Juglans hindsii, a

walnut species which is now almost extinctin the wild. Many species of sunflower(Helianthus spp.) are in danger of extinction,yet it has been the breeding of domesticatedspecies with the wild species which has en-

abled the development of disease-resistant,productive hybrids. Disease-resistant root-stocks of Nor*rAmerican wild grapes (Was spp.)

prevented the demise of the domesticatedEuropean grape about 100 years ago, therebysaving the European grape industry.

continues on next poge

HmmrGnrm il0. 39 o l3

TUIEDIA

The CPC report "illustrates the trulyextraordinary economic contributions wildplants make to our lives. Their potential...is arguably much greater even than their cur-rent material benefits." - Ginger Webb.

[Phillips, O., and B. Meilleur. Surveyby CPC Reveals "Extraordinary" Contribu-tions of Wild Plants to U.S. Economy. Di-versity,Vol. I I, No. 3, 1995,10-l 1.1

Renewed Success of

Pink Lodyt Slipper in

New tnglondOnce rare, pink lady's slipper (Cypripedium

acauleL., Orchidaceae) has returned to NewEngland and has become one of the wood-lands' most common herbs. Scientists be-lieve the species' recovery is due in part torecovery of its previously disturbed habitat:land that was once cleared for agriculturalpulposes has gradually returned to forest.Also, pink lady's slipper is dependent on a

certain as-yet-unidentified species of soilfungus for the first five years or so ofits life.The fungi form filament networks in the soil.These provide water and nutrients for thelady slipper seedlings. It is possible that thisfungus was not present again in the habitatuntil recently.

The reproductive strategy of pinklady's slipper is rather hit-or-miss, and themajority of flowers remain unpollinated; ina typical population, only one or two per-cent of the flowers develop fruit. When theflowers are artificially pollinated manually,the rate of fruition can increase to 90 percent.

Three populations of pink lady's slip-per in Massachusetts were used to test thebiological hypothesis that reproduction ex-acts a cost from individual plants and ani-mals. Groups of volunteers and researchersled by Richard Primack, the author of thesearticles, carefully hand-pollinated certainmarked plants every time they bloomed overan eleven-year period. These plants werecompared to groups on non-fruiting speci-mens. After only two years, the resultsshowed clearly that reproduction exacts a

cost: a tremendous difference in size ap-

peared between the experimental and thecontrol plants. Other patterns were noticedas well: of the control plants, which hadnever been hand-pollinated, only 27 percentever produced fruit, while every experimen-tal plant had produced at least one fruit. Also,after flowering for several years in a row, theexperimental plants would become small,exhausted and cease to flower. This gave theplants a rest, however, and they were able torecover and flower again later.

Primack concludes: "After eleven fieldseasons, I leave this project with a great sense

of satisfaction: my initial love for and curi-osity about this beautiful and unique wild-flower species had blossomed into a full-scale scientific investigation yielding newinsights into the natural history of the spe-

cies." - GingerWebb

[Primack, Richard. Science and Ser-endipity: The Pink Lady's Slipper Project.Arnoldia, Spring 1996, pp. 8-14. Primack,Richard. Return of a Native. Natural His-tory,May 1996, 46-47.1

Phormocy Students Study

in Belize RoinforestThe cover story of the May 1996 issue ofNEWSLine for Pharmacisls recounts thetravels of 13 Duquesne University pharmacystudents to Belize in March 1995 to work

with traditional healers and collect plantsfor the National Cancer Institute and theNew York Botanical Garden at the Ix ChelTropical Research Centre. The group washeaded by Dan Wagner, R.Ph., adjunctprofessor of pharmacy management andowner of Medi Pharmacy in Allison Park,Pennsylvania, and a seasoned participantof the "Pharmacy From the Rainforest" eth-nobotanical trips to Belize, Costa Rica, andthe Peruvian Amazon.

The main destination of the week-longtrip was the Ix Chel Research Centre in theCayo District of western Belize. Ix Chel wasfounded and is directed by Dr. RositaArvigo,who spent ten years apprenticing with the lateEligio Panti, a great Belizian traditionalhealer. The group visited the research labo-ratory where Ix Chel's brand ofherbal prod-ucts, Rainforest Remedies, is produced. Ofspecial interest, the students were invited toparticipate in the field collection of plantsamples with native healers accompanyingthem. The students' job was to record ev-erything that the healers said about the plantsthat were being sampled. Later, thesesamples would be processed and sent to theNational Cancer Institute for screening.

Dan Wagner said that the value of tak-ing pharmacy students on such an expedi-tion "is that when they are practicing, they'llbe open to the integration of the two types ofmedicine, and therefore will have more waysto help their patients." Wagler received the1996 Pennsylvania Pharmacist of the YearAward from the Pennsylvania PharmacistsAssociation. According to the award, he"demonstrated dedication to the professionof pharmacy, contributed time and effort tovarious professional organizations, furtheredthe profession of pharmacy through commu-nity service, and embodied those qualitiesof attitude and leadership which exemplifiedthe profession."- Penny King

[Samsot, Michael. U.S. Students MeetRain Forest Medicine. NEW SLine for Phar-macists,May 1996,4-7.

Wagner, Dan. MedicineMan. NorthHill News Record (North Hills, PA), July 21,t996,Dt-2.1

Pink Lody's Slipper,Cypripedium ocoule.Photo @ l99Z Steven Foster.

14 o HrmuGum No. 39

DIDreU

tr Approximately one in 125 plants,thoroughly studie{ yields a new medicine.

D As dozens of plant species are destroyed,we lose countless important medicines-forever.

f Most of the world relies upon traditionalhealth care systems including the use of nativeplant medicines to reduce health care costs.

Research Foundation

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use of herbs and

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RESEARCH REVIEWS

Meto-onolysis of 0inicol Triols on

St. Johnt Wort for DepressionA meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials was conducted to in-vestigate whether St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is moreeffective in the treatment ofdepression than placebo and as effectiveas conventional antidepressants. Twenty-three randomized tials were

found from a literature search which included non-English languagepublications as well as unpublished sources. In total, 1,757 ottpa-tients with mainly mild or moderately severe depressive states wereincluded in the trials. Fifteen of the trials were placebo-controlled (14 testing single preparations, and one testing St. John'swort in combination with four other plant extracts), and eight trials(6 tested single preparations, 2 tested St. John's wort in combina-tion) compared St. John's wort to other antidepressive drugs. Theresults of the various trials were pooled and analyzed.

The meta-analysis shows that St. John's wort is significantlysuperior to placebo. Thirteen of the placebo-controlled trials pro-vided data on "treatment responders": 22.3 percent of those receiv-ing placebo were "responders," compared to 55.1 percent ofthosereceiving St. John's wort treatment. The results of the meta-analy-sis also show that St. John's wort is as similarly effective as conven-tional antidepressants. Five of the eight trials provided data on treat-ment responders: 63.9 percent of those receiving single preparationsof St. John's wort were responders compared to 58.5 percent of those

receiving conventional antidepressants; 67 .7 percent of those receiv-ing St. John's wort in combination were responders, compared to 50percent of those receiving conventional antidepressants. In theplacebo-controlled trials, 4.1 percent of the placebo patients and 4.8percent of the St. John's wort patients reported side effects; 14.6percent of the combination St. John's wort patients reported sideeffects compared to 26.5 percent of those taking conventionalantidepressants; and 19.8 percent of single preparation St. John'swort patients reported side effects compared to 35.9 percent ofconventional antidepressant patients.

The authors of the meta-analysis conclude that, based on theevidence, St. John's wort appears to be more effective than placeboin treating depression, but that current evidence is inadequate fordetermining whether it is as effective as other antidepressants andwhether it has fewer side effects. They recommend that future trialsfocus on St. John's wort in comparison to conventional antidepres-sants. They also recommend that types of depressions be betterdelineated so that it may be determined whether St. John's wortworks better for milder forms or for more severe forms ofdepression.

In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Peter A.G.M. De Smet, a

clinical pharmacologist and WillemA. Nolen, psychiatrist, both fromthe Netherlands, note that in 1994 MDs in Germany prescribed al-most 66 million daily doses of preparations containing St. John'swort. They write that a reason German MDs prescribe so manyherbal medicines is because they are so "easily available" and are

approved by therapeutic monographs (Commission E). Althoughthe trials on hypericum extract are promising, they are not sufficientto accept use in major depression when judged by the European Unionguidelines for assessment of antidepressants. "The herb may offeran advantage, howeveq in terms of relative safety and tolerability,which might improve patient compliance." They concur that "Longerterm studies are needed before it can be recommended in major de-pression." - Ginger Webb and Mark Blumenthal

[Linde, K., G. Ramirez, C. D. Mulrow, A. Pauls, W.Weidenhammer, and D. Melchart. 1996. St. John's wort for depres-sion - an overview and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.British Medical Journal Vol. 313, pp.253-258. August 3.

DeSmet, P. A. G. M. and W. A. Nolen. 1996. St. John's wortas an antidepressant. Brirish Medical Journal, Vol.3l3: 241-242.)

St. John's Worl,Hypericum perforotum.Photo @ 1996 Steven Foster.

16 . HRsrGnmNo.39

RESEARff REVIEWS

Bromeloin ond Cose Report of Pokeweed

Musculoskeletol I niuries Toxicily: Severe Goslrointeslinol

Upset Moy Affect (ordioc Aclivity

Poisonings due to ingestion of pokeweed (Phytolacca ameicanaL., Phytolaccaceae) are not uncommon in the United States, wheremany people enjoy the young leaves of this plant as part of theirdiet. Symptoms usually include "self-limited but severe gastroen-teritis characterized by intense vomiting and frothy diarrhea." Al-though no cardiotoxin has been identified in pokeweed, three case

reports of cardiotoxicity due to pokeweed poisoning exist. The fol-lowing case report may provide further insight into the question ofpokeweed's cardiotoxicity.

Case report 4 involves a 46-year-old male who, together withhis wife, experienced nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea after eating a

few uncooked pokeweed leaves and then some twice-boiledpokeweed greens. His mother-in-law, who had eaten only the cookedgreens, experienced no symptoms of poisoning. The male, whodenied a prior history of cardiac disease, was found, upon furtherexamination in the hospital, to have suffered a Type I Mobitz heartblock, a temporary condition requiring no treatment, which mayoccur after a mild heart attack. He was discharged from the hospitalsymptom-free after 36 hours.

It is possible that "the intense nausea, vomiting and intestinalcolic that resulted from the pokeweed ingestion may have had a pro-longed parasympathetic effect" on the male patient's heart. Oncethe gastrointestinal symptoms were alleviated with medication, theheart block resolved itself. It is therefore unlikely that a cardio-toxin was responsible for the toxicity.- Ginger Webb

[Hamilton, R. J., R. D. Shih, and R. S. Hoffman. Mobitz TypeI Heart Block. Pokeweed Ingestion. Veterinary and HumanToxicol-ogy, February 1995, 37 (l):66-67 .l

Left: Pineopple, Anonos comosus. Right: Pokeweed,Phytolocco omericono. Photos @ 1997 Steven Foster.

sulltlARYIn an open clinical trial, 59 patients (39 men and 20 women) withblunt injuries to the musculoskeletal system (e.g. contusions, musclestrains, ligament tears) were given 500 mg of bromelain three timesdaily 30 minutes before meals with some water for a period of oneto three weeks. The patients were evaluated on four categories ofsymptoms including swelling, pain at rest and during motion, plustenderness on palpation, utilizing a self report scale ranging fromone (no symptoms) to ten (strongest symptoms) every five days. Foreach pain criterion a subjective reversal of symptoms was noted ineach case. Pain during motion and tenderness on palpation, accord-ing to the authors, exhibited the steepest curves and hence the mostrapid symptom decline. The preparation was generally well toler-ated with only two individuals reporting such reversible symptomsas gas and nausea.

COMMENTSNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the mostprescribed pharmaceutical agents in the U.S., accounting for wellover 99 million prescriptions per annum. NSAIDs are consideredthe cornerstone for the treatment of pain secondary to in-flammatorydisorders ranging from arthritis to migraine. Despite the fact thatthese medications are inexpensive and readily available, long-termuse, especially in the elderly patient, is associated with hepatic, renal,and gastrointestinal side effects. This has prompted research on suchalternative anti-inflammatory medications as bromelain.

Bromelain is a protease-containing extract derived from pine-apple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr., Bromeliaceae,). AlthoughNSAIDs work exclusively through the inhibition of prostaglandinsynthesis, bromelain has the advantage of decreasing fibrin byenhancing fibrinolytic action. While fibrin is an essential compo-nent of the clouing cascade, preventing excessive bleeding fromoccurring, this same protdn also contributes to stasis in tissues. Bydecreasing fibrin, bromelain helps promote circulation andpost-traumatic resorption of inflammatory by-products, thusallowing for a speedier recovery time from injuries.

While bromelain has always been found to reduce swellingand inflammation, it came as a surprise to me that subjects reportedreduced pain symptoms. Although bromelain does inhibit prosta-glandin E, the recorded reduction in pain may be due to the highdose (1500 mg/day) employed by the investigator. For those indi-viduals without inflammatory gastric lesions, high-dose bromelainmay prcivide the clinician with another anti-inflammatory as power-ful as NSAID medication but with fewer concems with regard toside effects. - R. Reichert

[Masson, M. 1995. Bromelain in the treatment of blunt inju-ries to the musculoskeletal system. A case observation study by an

orthopedic surgeon in private practice. Fortschritte Der Medizin113(19):30346.1

HrrmLGnmNo.39 o l7

RESEARff REVIEWS

Antidiobetic Properlies Efficocy And Tolerohility

of Bitter Melon 0f Kovo In AnxietyThe unripe fruit of Momordica charantia, also known as karelaor bitter melon, enjoys widespread use as a vegetable and a tradi-tional medicine. Its use in the treatment of diabetes mellitus is ofspecial interest. Cultivated throughout the tropical regions of theworld, karela is used as an anti-diabetic remedy in China, India, SriLanka, and the West Indies.

Small clinical studies of the therapeutic effects of karela ondiabetic patients have been conducted. Karela preparations havebeen shown to significantly improve glucose tolerance without in-creasing blood insulin levels, and to improve fasting blood glucoselevels. Blood and urine sugar levels and post-prandial (after eating)blood glucose levels also fell. Reports of poor response to karelacan be attributed to inter-patient variation.

In vivo studies in laboratory animals and in vitro studies ofenzymes, tissues, and cells have yielded further information aboutthe actions and mode of action of karela. Invitro studies have shownthat karela acts to inhibit glucose absorption, acts as an insulin secre-tagogue, and exerts insulinomimetic effects. Not all of these actionshave been supported by invivo data.

Steroidal glycosides, insulinomimetic lectins, and alkaloidsare believed to be responsible for karela's hypoglycemic and anti-hyperglycemic effects.

Anti-fertility side effects and hepatotoxicity have been re-ported in animals receiving karela, with pregnant animals beingespecially susceptible. Fortunately, such adverse effects in humansdo not seem to have been reported, despite widespread use of thefruits. - GingerWebb.

[Raman, A., and C. Lau. 1996. Anti-diabetic properties andphytochemistry of Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae). Phy-tomedicine, Vol.2 (4), 349-362.1

Concern about the long-term safety and addiction potential of syn-thetic psychopharmaceuticals has led to increasing scientificinterest in botanical approaches to the treatment of anxiety. To in-vestigate the anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects and tolerability ofkava(Piper methysticum Forst., Piperaceae), a group of Germanresearchers performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinicaltrial in 58 patients with anxiety syndromes not caused by mentaldisorders. Patients were randomized to receive either placebo or100 mg kava extract (standardized to 70 mg kavalactones) three timesdaily for 4 weeks. Treatment outcomes were evaluated throughstandard psychometric assessments, including the Hamilton Anxi-ety Scale (HAMA), HAMA subscales, a 60-item Adjectives CheckList self-assessment scale, and the Clinical Global Impression scale(CGI). Assessments were made at baseline and at three intervalsduring the study: 7, 14, and 28 days.

After only one week of treatment, HAMA scores demonstrateda significant reduction in anxiety symptoms in patients taking kavaas compared to placebo, and this improvement continued to increasethroughout the course of the study. The differences between theHAMA scores of the two groups were statistically significant at allthree assessment intervals. Similar statistically significant improve-ments were observed for the kava group in many categories of theother outcome measures, including mental anxiety and somatic anxi-ety as rated by the HAMA subscales, self-assessed performance-oriented activation as measured by the Adjectives Check List, andseverity of disease as rated by the CGI.

No adverse reactions were observed in the kava group duringthe course of the study. The investigators concluded that the posi-tive risk/benefit profile demonstrated by the kava extract makesit suitable for the general practitioner in treating states of anxiety,tension, and excitedness. These findings support the results ofprevious kava studies. - Evelyn l,eigh

[Lehmann, E., E. Kinzler, J. Friedemann. 1996. Efficacy of aspecial kava extract (Piper methysticum) in patients with states ofanxiety, tension and excitedness of non-mental origin-A double-blind placebo-controlled study of four weeks treatment. Phytomedi-cine 3: I l3-l l9.l

Kovo rool,Pipermethysticum.Photo @ 1996Steven Foster.

Bilter melon vine, Momordicochoronlio. lllustrotion courtesy ofNodio Cech Lindley, O1996.

l8 o HnsrGmm No. 39

Anli-onxiely EffecB of ftomomile (ompounds

Although its use has been traditionally recommended in mild sleepdisorders in children, the use of chamomile as a mild sedative has

not been substantiated in authoritative references, including the Ger-man Commission E monographs. A study using an aqueous extractof the dried flower heads of German chamomlle (Matricaria recutitaL., Asteraceae) investigated the affinity of several fractions of theplant for central benzodiazepine receptors in mice. Apigenin, oneof the predominant flavonoids in chamomile, was found tocompetitively inhibit the binding of the drug flunitrazepam, benzo-diazepine derivative. At doses up to 30 mg/kg, apigenin was shownto have a clear anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) activity without the sedationor muscle relaxing effects noted for benzodiazepine drugs (e.g.,

Valium@) and without noticeable anticonvulsant effects. Dosages

of 30 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg produced dose-dependent sedationcharacterized as mild. The results demonstrate that the flavonoidapigenin in chamomile produces an anti-anxiety effect withoutproducing marked CNS depression. According to the authors ofthis study, chamomile from Argentina and neighboring countries ishigher in free apigenin than species from other parts of the world.

This study adds chamomile to the growing list of herbalanxiolytics which includes valerian, kava, and passion flower. Theanxiolytic actions of chamomile most closely compare to passion

flower. Previous research identified chrysin (5,7 dihydroflavone)as the primary component in passion flower exhibitingbenzodiazepine-receptor activity.r Valerian has potent GABA-A(gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter) binding activity,although the particular fraction of the plant's root having greatest

activity has not been identified as is the case with chamomile andpassion flower.

It is unlikely that chamomile products will be standardized onapigenin content in the next few years. In this respect and becausechamomile use has been reduced to commercial tea formulationsthat claim to be "calming" and useful for sleep, the herb will con-tinue to be underutilized.

Traditional and modem phytomedicine preparations of cha-momile use the flower heads just prior to blooming. In Germanyalone, there are more than 90 licensed preparations of chamomile.European creams and ointments for topical application are madewith a 3-10 percent chamomile concentration. Chamomile is a use-ful herb for small children because of its rather pleasant taste. Aller-gic reactions attributed to chamomile ingestion are uncommon,2 butusers should be careful of contact with the eyes. Persons with a his-tory of allergies to the daisy family should likewise be cautionedabout its use. The Commission E monographs3 list no knowncontraindications for the use of chamomile, even during pregnancyand lactation. - Donald Brown, N.D.

RESEARCH REVIEWS

1. Wolfman, C., H. Viola, A. Paladini, et al. 1994. Possibleanxiolytic effects ofchrysin, a central benzodiazepine receptor ligandisolated from Passiflora coerulea. Pharmacology BiochemicalBehavior; 47:l-4.

2. Mann, C., E. J. Staba. 1986. The chemistry, pharmacology,

and commercial formulations of chamomile.ln: Herbs, Spices, andMedicinal Plants: Recent Advances in Botany, Horticulture, andPharmacology (Craker, L. E. , Simon, J. E., eds.). Phoenix,AZ: OryxPress; l:23980.

3. Blumenthal, M., J. Gruenwald, T. Hall, C. W. Riggins, R.S. Rister (Eds.), S. Klein and R. S. Rister (trans.) 1997. GermanCommission E Monographs. Austin, Texas. American BotanicalCouncil (in press).

Giermqn chqmomile,Motricorio recutilo.Photo @ 1994 Steven Foster.

HHsuGMn il0.39 . 19

RESEARCH REVIEWS

Benefits of Grope Seed Efiroct

Use of the common grape (Vtis vinifera L., Vitaceae) dates back tovery ancient times. For sustenance, the fruits are eaten fresh, indried form (raisins), or processed to make wine; the leaves are alsosometimes eaten. Folk medicine throughout the world makes use ofthe common grape, as does traditional Chinese medicine and theAyurvedic medical tradition.

Found in abundance (less than I percent by weight) in grape

seeds, a group of polyphenols called procyanidins have receivedparticular attention for their pharmacological properties. Therapeutically, procyanidins are of value in treating microcirculatorydisorders, and are the active principle in a proprietary pharmaceuti-cal product sold in France for this purpose (PBE, Endothelon) andin the U.S. as well, not as proprietary pharmaceuticals but as dietarysupplements. Procyanidins are strong antioxidants, lipid peroxidationinhibitors, and free radical scavengers. These properties seem to bethe basis for the other therapeutic properties of the procyanidins.For instance, procyanidins exert an antimutagenic effect that couldbe due, at least in part, to the antioxidant effect of the compounds.Chronic degenerative diseases are believed to be a result of environ-mental mutagens, whose effects may be countered by polyphenolssuch as the procyanidins.

Clinical trials conducted on the therapeutic effects ofprocyanidins have yieldedpositive results. At least twoclinical studies have beenconducted on procyanidins'effects on peripheral venousinsufficiency. In a double-blind study of 50patients,25were treated for one monthwith procyanidins (150 mg/

blind, placebo-controlledstudy of 92 patients,procyanidins were shown toimprove venous functional-ity and to reduce pain,cramps, edema, and pares-

thesia (tingling, "pins andneedles").

Gropes, Vitis vinifero.Photo @ 1996Steven Foster.

3;lJ,:t*?lx'*tH"#, Herbs ond Spices withffIl;'."il :T::',,Ti,X"J: Anfi oxid o nl o n d/o rleviating symptoms, I

i:::'-il1'fi [:lT'!#H Anlimicrobiu I (om pou ndslasted longer. In a double-

Procyanidins are also proving to be useful in the field of ophthal-mology. The effects of procyanidins on light vision were examinedin a controlled clinical study of 100 subjects with no ophthalmo-logical pathologies. Two groups were formed: the experimental groupreceived procyanidins (200 mg/day for five weeks); the other groupwas a control. The procyanidins'effect on the resistance to glare inthe experimental group was significant in comparison to the controlgroup. Researchers believe that procyanidins allow for better reti-nal nutrition due to their effects on microcirculation. In anotherstudy, patients with ocular stress from prolonged activity at a displayunit (type not specified) were treated with procyanidins (300 mg/day for 60 days). Contrast sensitivity was significantly improvedby procyanidins treatment as compared to placebo. Ttwo studiesconducted on the effects of procyanidins on retinal function andsensitivity in myopia also showed positive results.

Procyanidins have shown both anti-inflammatory and radio-protective activity at the dermatological level. Here again, theirtherapeutic use in cosmetics is connected to their antioxidant andfree radical scavenging properties. Procyanidins in cosmetics helpprotect against the damage caused by free radicals and lipidperoxidation.

The toxicity of procyanidins has been tested in laboratory ani-mals. The compounds appear to be well-tolerated with no toxic, mu-tagenic, or teratogenic (causing physical defects in embryo) effects.

Information in this article was taken fronm an extensivereview on grapes and grape seed extract was written by researchscientists at Indena Spa, a leading manufacturer ofbotanical extractsin Italy. - Ginger Webb.

[Bombardelli, 8., and P. Morazzoni. 1995. Vtis viniferaL.Fitoterapia,Vol. LXVI, No. 4, 291-3 17.1

Many herbs and spices are known to exert antioxidant activity andare useful for preventing lipid oxidation in living organisms as wellas in foods. Of 78 common spices tested, 32 showed antioxidantactivity in lard. Rosemary (Rosmarinus fficinalis) and sage (Salvia

fficinalis) were "remarkably effective" and by far the strongest an-tioxidants, with oregano (Origanum heracleoticum), thyme (Iiy-mus vulgaris), nutmeg and mace (Myristicafragrans), and turmeric(Curcuma longa) nextin line. When the spices were tested in an oil-in-water emulsion, clove (Syzygium aromaticum) was found to exertthe strongest antioxidant activity, followed by turmeric, allspice(Pimenta fficinalis), rosemary, ginger (Zingiber fficinale), cassiaand cinnamon (Cinnamomum aromaticum), oregano, savory

20 o HmmrGurl N0.39

(Satureja spp.), and sage. Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum), basil(Ocimum basilicum), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), marjo-rarn(Origanumvulgare), and black and white pepper ( Piper nigrum)have also been reported to have some antioxidant activity. Theseresults have prompted studies of various constituents of some ofthese spices to determine whether the isolated compounds produceantioxidant effects.

Herbs and spices have been used for their antimicrobial prop-erties in preventing food deterioration and pathogenic diseases.Ground mustard (Brassica nigra), clove, and cinnamon as well as

their oils are known to be useful in slowing down microbial spoilageof food. In a study of 27 spices, garlic (Allium sativum)was shownto exert antimicrobial activity against all eight microbials, includingEscherichia coli, Salmonella typhosa, and Shigella parasysenteria.Onron (Allium cepa), clove, and nutmeg were effective against allexcept Bacillus subtilis. Mace and achiote (Bixa orellana) havebeenshown to be especially effective against C/astridiumbotulinum. Nsoeffective as antimicrobials are oregano, marjoram, thyme, sage, rose-mary, caraway (Carum carvi), wasabi (Wasabia japonica), allspice,pepper, and ginger. Isolated constituents ofantimicrobial spices havealso been studied for their antimicrobial activity. - Ginger Webb

[Nakatani, Nobuji. 1994. Antioxidative and AntimicrobialConstituents of Herbs and Spices. Spices, Herbs and Edible Fungi.Elsevier Science 8.Y., 251-27 l.l

[Ed. note - This paper should be required reading at the U.S.Food and DrugAdministration which proposed new regulations un-der the dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994(DSHEA) that, if implemented in the proposed form, would limitanti-oxidant nutrient content claims for dietary supplements to vita-mins A, C, and E only. This would significantly limit herbal prod-ucts from describing their well-docmented antioxidant properties.Based on the data reported in this paper, there appears to be a strongscientific basis to support the anti-oxidant activity of a number ofpopular herbs. - M. Blumentha[)

RESEARCH REVIEWS

Licorice Exlrocl ond

Glycyrrhizin AoivityGlycyrrhizin, a saponin-like glycoside, is found in licorice root(Glycyrrhiza glabraL., Fabaceae) and aqueous licorice root extract.Glycynhizin is fifty times sweeter than sugar, and is used to sweetensuch items as licorice candies, chocolates, beers, liquors, and chew-ing gum. Licorice root extract is sometimes used therapeutically totreat gastric ulcers and inflammation of the skin, and has been stud-ied for its anti-allergic, anti-arthritic, anticholinergic, anti-estrogenic,anti-hepatotoxic, and anti-leukemogenic properties. However,serious side effects are associated with glycyrrhizin ingestion. Toinvestigate the behavior and toxicity of glycyrrhizin, a study wasconducted "to compare the bioavailability of glycyrrhizin after oraladministration of glycynhizin alone or glycynhizin in licorice rootextract in rats and humans."

The experimental procedure for rats and humans was similar:in the human study, glycyrrhizin or licorice root extract in watersolution (in doses of either 800 or 1600 mg as glycyrrhizin) wasadministered to eight volunteers of both sexes. Blood and urinesamples were collected at intervals up to 36 hours after treatment,and were analyzed for glycyrrhizin and glycynhetic acid concentra-tions. The results of the experiments showed that the bioavailabilityof glycyrrhizin in both the animal and human models is lower whenconsumed as a component of licorice root extract than it is whenconsumed alone. This is caused by some interaction during intestianlabsorption between glycyrrhizin and other component(s) of licoriceroot extract. The lowerbioavailability (i.e., intestinal absorption) ofglycyrrhizin in licorice root extract means a reduced incidence ofside effects, and suggests that the consumption of licorice rootextract is safer than that ofglycynhizin, either alone or in food prod-ucts. Unfortunately, the small size of this study (eight people) is ofquestionable statistical significance; a larger study is needed to con-firm the results. - Ginger Webb

lCantelli-Forti, G., F. Maffei,P. Hrelia, F. Bugamelli, M. Bemardi,P. D'Intino, M. Maranesi, and M. A.Raggi. Interaction of Licorice onGlycynhizin Pharmacokinetics. En-vironmental H ealth Perspectives,Vol. 102, Supplement 9, November1994, 65-68.1

For left: fug., Solvio officinolis.Photo @ 1993 Steven Foster

Left: Licorice, Glycyrrhizo globro.Photo @ 1995 Steven Foster

HrmuGRAr No. 39 o 2l

PIANT PATENTS

By Karen Dean

TI!STIETOE

Pharmaceutical preparations derived fromEuropean mistletoe, and pharmaceu-ticalpreparations derived from Korean mistletoe.Invented by Tasneem A. Khwaja (NewportBeach, CA), and assigned to University ofSouthern California (Los Angeles,Aug. 20, 1996, and 5,565,200, issuedOct. 15, 1996.

A simple description of these patents

cannot do justice to the potential impact theycould have. Each patent protects an aqueous

mistletoe (Viscum albumL., Viscaceae) ex-tract useful in the treatment of AIDS,cancers, and other diseases of immunosup-pression. Conventional mistletoe extractshave been used in Europe to treat cancerpatients for more than 50 years, and AIDSpatients are finding them helpful. Each phar-maceutical grade mistletoe extract can becharacterized by its unique lectin, viscotoxin,and alkaloid composition, which provides theobserved pharmacological activity. Whatmakes these natural products patentable is

the use of "pharmaprint" analysis to create a

precise profile of the molecular components,identifying the components and quantifyingtheir bioactivities. Such a precise character-ization of natural multicomponent mixturesnot only makes it possible for an herbal

Tobocco, Nicoliono tobocum.Photo @ l99Z Steven Foster.

22 . llrnmrGmm N0.39

company to offer natural products of guar-

anteed content and potency, but raises thepossibility of establishing content and po-tency standards that could lead eventuallyto an FDA-approved and regulated herbaland natural medicine industry.

The University of Southem Californiahas licensed the plant extract fingerprintingtechnology to PharmaPrint, Inc., a companyestablished by the university to develop,manufacture, test, gain FDAapproval for, and

sell or license pharmaceutical versions ofnatural medicines. The company plans to use

the technology to develop pharmaceuticals,and to make the "pharmaprintingtechnology" available to other companies.PharmaPrint's long-term goal is to establishits technology as the gold standard protocolthat enables natural product companies toachieve patent protection on their products,and enables regulatory agencies to ensure thecontents and potency of multicomponentnatural medicinal compositions. The company

is looking for development and marketingpartners to speed the commercializationprocess.

TOBAGCO

Tobacco extract composition and method,invented by Joseph A. von Fraunhofer (Bal-timore, MD), and assigned to University ofLouisville (Louisville, KY). U.S. Patent5,435,941, issued July 25,1995.

Chemical metallurgist Joseph vonFraunhofer has discovered and patented anunexpected property of minimally processed

by-products of the tobacco processing in-dustry. He found that soaking and filteringtobacco sticks (Nicoriana spp., Solanaceae),stems, seeds, and other agricultural wastefrom tobacco, under certain extraction con-ditions, yields a potent natural corrosion in-hibitor. The renewable, environmentallyfriendly aqueous solution can be blended intopaints, coolants, waters, and antifreeze liq-uids that are used in such harsh oxidative en-

vironments as automotive engines, high-risebuilding cooling systems, industrial coolingtowers, and the like. Many of the lastgeneration of commercial corrosioninhibitors-chromates, nitrites, benzoates,and phosphates, for example-have been

classified and banned as environmentally un-friendly toxins. The anticorrosive tobaccoextract comes from a renewable resource andcan replace such conventional, toxic corro-sion inhibitors. The tobacco extract reacts

with exposed metal, forming a new, pro-tected, nonreactive surface. Von Fraunhoferobserves that corrosion control costs theUnited States billions of dollars every year,some 4.5 percent of the U.S. gross nationalproduct. Describing the tobacco extractcoating as "a low-tech response to a majorproblem," von Fraunhofer has formed a

company called Inhibitex, Inc., to com-mercialize the discovery through strategicpartnerships with major paint manufacturers,water treatment companies, and corrosionconffol companies. Several nationally knowncompanies have requested evaluationsamples of the anticorrosive material.

The actual processing of tobacco intoanticorrosive extracts is very easy -it canbe done in the warehouse or on the harvest-ing field. The most enthusiastic interest inthe technology has come from tobacco grow-ers and manufacturers of coating systems,and the least interest has come from ciga-rette manufacturers.

ASHWAGANDHA, SALTAI GUGGUL,TUR}IERIC, GINGER COilTilNATION

Method of treating musculoskeletal disease

and a novel composition therefor, inventedby Bhushan Patwardhan (1471 ShukarwarPeth, Bhaumaharaj Bol, Poona4ll 002,IN),no assignee. U.S. Patent 5,494,668, issuedFebruary 27,1996.

Protects a combination of plant ex-tracts that have been produced via a novelprocess and formed into a therapeuticallyeffective, convenient dosage form to treatsuch degenerative musculoskeletal diseasesas rheumatoid arthdtis and osteoarthritis.Composition contains plant extracts in pre-determined proportions relative to oneanother, including ashwagandha (Withaniasomnifera Dunal., Solanaceae), Sallai guggul(Boswellia serrata, Roxb. ex Colebr.,Burseraceae), turmeric (Curcuma longa L.,Zinglberaceae), and ginger (Zingiberfficinale Roscoe, Zingiberaecae). These are

all important anti-inflammatory plants inAyurvedic medical practice.

Americon Chemicol Society

Gives Plotinum Aword to

Kinghorn & BolondrinHuman M edicinal Agents from Plants, abookedited by A. Douglas Kinghorn, Ph.D., and

Manuel F. Balandrin, R.Ph., Ph.D., has been

awarded a Platinum Award at the AmericanChemical Society (ACS) meeting, August1996. The award is given on two levels, the700 Club for volumes which have sold 700copies and the Platinum Award for those sell-ing over 1,100 copies. The book is the pro-ceedings of a symposium held at the NationalMeeting of the ACS in San Francisco, April,1992. The articles included represent the

field of plant-derived drugs at the time andreflect the high quality of the symposiumparticipants. The editors received supportfrom the Division of Agricultural and FoodChemistry of the ACS, the division present-

ing the award plaque. The book was pub-

RESEARCH AND WORTD NEWS

Disting uished Profesor

Iyler Relires

Dr. Varro E. Tyler, Lilly Distinguished Pro-fessor of Pharmacognosy at PurdueUniversity, officially retired from that insti-tution on December 31, 1996, after more than

30 years of service. During that time, he

served 20 years as Dean of the School ofPharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences and fiveyears as Executive Vice President of Aca-demic Affairs of the entire Purdue system.

Tyler has indicated that in addition to serv-ing with some frequency as a guest lecturerat the University, he will continue a very ac-

tive speaking and writing schedule as wellas continuing to consult for numerous herbproducers and marketers. He also plans tocontinue as an active member of the Ameri-can Botanical Council's Board of Trustees.

He was the senior author of foureditions of Pharmacognosy,the leading text-

book in the field, as well as being author ofseveral popular books; including The NewHonest Herbal, and Herbs of Choice-TheTherapeutic U se of Phytomedicinals.

lished in 1993 and re-printed in 1995 and wasreviewed in Herbal-Gram #32, p.65. Hu-man Medicinal Agents

from Plants is availablein the ABC BookStore.#8020. Hardcover,356pages. $89.95.

Herbo Petrol:

o Hot temScientists at the Indian Institute of Technol-ogy (IIT) in New Delhi,India, were recentlybaffled by a high school dropout from Tamilwho tumed water into a petro-like fuel bymixing it with an herb he discovered in the

hills. The compound burnt with a sootyflame, smelled like kerosene, and, ondistillation, yielded a pure hydrocarbonfraction with a boiling point of 170 degrees

centigrade.

IIT chemist N. K. Jaha organized the

experiment at the request of the Departmentof Science and Technology (DST). "It is in-credible, but true," said Jha. For the past

seven years, 30-year-old Ramar Pillai has

been converting tap water into a fuel that candrive a car.

Pillai first realized the value of theplant during a picnic in a forest when a fly-ing spark from the cooking stove set a leafof a nearby plant on fire. He almost forgotabout it, but ten years later, he tracked it downand started experimenting. In a processwhich takes less than 30 minutes, the leaves

and barks are cooked for a few minutes inhot water, the mixture cooled and stirred af-ter addition of small amounts of salt, citricacid, and traces of a few, so far unknown,chemicals. Allowed to settle, the liquid fuel,which is lighter than water, floats to the topand is separated by filtering. The herbalpetrol would cost one rupee per liter (the

equivalent of $.12) per gallon in the U.S.

Pillai was invited to come from hisvillage to New Delhi by the DST. Labora-tory tests conducted with early samples showconclusively that the herbal fuel is a purehydrocarbon similar to kerosene and diesel.

All Pillai wants from the DST ismoney to build a plant in his native area and

his own personal protection. He has had one

attempt on his life for refusing to part withhis secret.

Some of the best scientists in thecountry reportedly are being assembled tounderstand the chemical process in detailbefore settiup a plant with production capa-

bilities of one million liters (approximately24,000 gallons) per day. The economicimplication of Pillai's discovery for thecoun-try are enormous. DST secretaryValangiman Ramamurti says, "We have no

doubt that we are sitting on something verybig, but we must proceed carefully andsystematically." DST has assigned highestpriority to the patenting of Ramar'sinvention. - Barbara Johnston

lThe Times of India, September6,1996.1

HnsrLGMil No. 39 . 23

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TEGAT AND REGUTATORY

Mo Huong Updote: 0hio Amends Ephedrine Bon

Herb Products Allowed with limited Alkoloid levels

by Mark Blumenthal

The State of Ohio has cleared the way fornatural food stores to sell dietary supple-ments containing the herb ma huang. OnDecember 30 Ohio Governor George V.Voinovich signed legislation passed by theOhio Senate which amends the state'sSchedule V controlled substances list toexempt foods or dietary supplementscontaining a maximum of 25 mg ephedrinealkaloids (in an herbal product) per dosageunit or serving.

Ohio was the first state to initiate a totalban on the sale by anyone other than phar-macists of products containing the herb mahuang, also known as ephedra (Ephedrasinica Stapf., Ephedraceae). The originalaction was promoted for the drug ephedrineby the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy andpassed by the state legislature in 1994. Inresponse to the death of a male high schoolfootball player who consumed pills contain-ing the drug form of ephedrine hydrochlo-ride, the Ohio Board then expanded the lawto include herbal ephedra-

The exempted products must contain"prominent" labeling showing the amount ofephedrine equivalents per serving or dosageunit. Additionally, the bill states that "themaximum recommended dosage of ephe-drine for a healthy adult human is the lesserof 100 mg. in a 24-hour period for not morethan l2 weeks or the maximum recom-mended dosage or period provided inapplicable regulations adopted by FDA." Itis anticipated that FDAs proposed dosageand labelling rules will be stricter than thoseof the Ohio legislature. It also warns that"improper use of the product may be haz-ardous to a person's health."

The bill prohibits the dispensing or dis-tribution of any herbal ephedrine-containingproduct to anyone under I 8 years of age un-

less the dispenser is a physician, pharmacist,parent orguardian. In an attempt to addressrecent concerns about the marketing ofephedrine alkaloid-containing products as

substitutes for illicit street drugs ("herbalhighs"), a provision of the bill prohibitsmanufacturers from representing that a prod-uct "causes euphoria, ecstasy, a'buzz' or'high,' or an altered mental state; heightenssexual performance; or, because it containsephedrine alkaloids, increases muscle mass."

The new law resulted from a grass

roots lobbying campaign by NationalNutritional Foods Association (NNFA) Presi-dent-elect Joe Bassett, who also owns tworetail health food stores in Toledo. The billwas also supported by various multi-levelmarketing companies. In support of the bill,the American Herbal Products Association(AHPA) sent Mary Mulry, Ph.D., a memberof the AHPA standards committee, to testifybefore the House legislative committee. Dr.Mulry is a food technologist and industryconsultant in Boulder, Colorado. The newlaw will go into effect on March 31.

For more on the safety and regulatoryissues surrounding ma huang, please see ar-ticles in previous issues of llerDalGram(nos.34-38).

SOURCESAnonymous. 1996. NNFA Efforts a Success!: Ohio

Governor Signs Ephedra Bill. NNFA Fax Update,Dec.3l.

Anonymous. 1996. Ohio Ephedrine Ban Repeal Passes

Legislature. The Thn Sheet. Chevy Chase, MD:F-D-C Reports. Dec.9: l2-13.

Young, A.L. 1996. Personal communication, Dec. 31.Ohio Bill H8523. 1996.

Texas Pulls BackProposed

RegulationsBanning Ephedra

On Jan. l6 the six-memberTexas Board ofHealth unanimously agreed to table regula-tions proposed last July, 1996 that wouldhave required that all products containingthe herb ephedra (aka ma huang, Ephedro

sinico) be classified as prescription drugs.The proposed regulations would have re-moved ephedra-containing dietary supple-ments from the market.

Although the Board was concernedabout potential abuse and misuse of ephe-dra products (including "euphoria-inducing"usage), members agreed that there is a needto ensure the availability of ephedra-con-taining products for consumers and practi-tioners who are not abusing them. Dr.Walter Wilkerson, chairman of the Board,urged theTexas Department of Health and

the dietary supplement industry to worktogether to develop reasonable regulationswith respect to the sale and appropriate use

of products containing ephedra. A meetingis expected to be scheduled betweenTexasDepartment of Health officials and inter-ested parties possibly within three or fourmonths.

ln comments filed late last year;the Na-tional Nutritional Foods Association(NNFA) urged the Texas Dept. of Healthnot to go forward with the proposed regu-lations but to allow the federal Food and

DrugAdministration to take the lead on thisissue. To date, no official FDA policy has

been proposed.- Mork Numenthol

SourceAnonymous. I 997.Texas Ephedra Regs

Tabled By State Board of Health. TheTonSheet Chevy Chase, MD: F-D-C Reports,

Jan.20: l4-15.

HrnsuGRAil N0. 39 . 25

tEGAt AND REGUTATORY

Colifornio Requires Wqrning lobels for Produds(ontoining Stimulont loxotive HerbsGl{C Requiring loxotive Worning lobels in oll Stores

herb products made from aloe leaf gel whichnormally does not contain significant natu-ral levels of anthraquinones, compoundswhich produce a laxative action. The newruling went into effect January 1,1997.

The Califomia label warning must besimilar to the following sample:

"Notice: This product contains(name of substance(s) and commonname if different). Read and followdirections carefully. Do not use ifyou have or develop diarrhea, loosestools, or abdominal pain. Consultyour physician if you have frequentdiarrhea. If you are pregnant, nurs-ing, taking medication, or have a

medical condition, consult your phy-sician before using this product."

FDB has held several meetings withthe herb industry and others to collect indus-try and scientific input in formulating a policyon laxative ingredients in herbal teas and di-etary supplements, according to AmericanHerbal Products Association PresidentMichael McGuffin, President of McZandHerbals in Santa Monica, California.McGuffi n told, HerbalGram,'*lhe DietarySupplement Health and Education Act of1994 (DSHEA) clarified the legitimacy ofwarning labels for non-drug products. Thedevelopment of this cautionary label state-ment has provided a real opportunity to workwith the state regulatory agency in imple-menting, for the flrst time, this important fea-ture of DSIIEA. Stimulant laxative herbs are

subject to some misuse. The labeling regu-

Senno, Cossro ongustifolio.Photo @1996 Steven Foster.

lation developed by FDB will inform thepublic of the potential health concernsassociated with misuse, at the same time pro-tecting these herbs for their appropriatehistorical use."

According to the notice, FDB has

reports of 67 illnesses in first-time and regu-lar users of so-called "dieter's teas" and upto 10 deaths in regular consumers. The no-tice acknowledges that "While ithas not beenproven that these foods caused theillnesses and deaths, use and abuse of stimu-lant laxatives can cause illnesses and deaths

similar to those experienced by individualsconsuming these foods."

Most of the adverse events were asso-ciated with teas containing senna leaf; how-ever, FDB notes that all of the substancesnoted above can produce stimulant laxativeactions and thus some of the same potentialrisks, which include abdominal pain and di-arrhea in first-time users. Frequent use andepisodes of diarrhea canproduce serious ill-ness, characterized by electrolyte imbalanceand hypokalemia (abnormally low potassiumlevels), leading to permanent kidney dam-age and life-threatening cardiac anhythmias.

Some of these substances have beenmarketed as approved safe and effective in-gredients in over-the-counter (OTC) stimu-lant laxatives. However, according to a sur-vey by FDB of leading "dieter's teas," theycontained higher levels of sennathan FDA-approved OTC senna-containinglaxatives.

In July 1995 the U.S. Food and DrugAdministration's (FDA) Food AdvisoryCommittee recommended that herbal dietteas contain a warning that some of the herbalingredients can act as stimulant laxatives.Also in July 1995 AHPA issued a policystatement to its members recommending

by Mark Blumenthal

The California Department of Health Ser-vices Food and Drug Branch (FDB) issuedan emergency regulation November I, 1996,requiring that all herb teas and dietary supple-ments containing herbs with stimulantlaxative activity carry awaming label. Theherbs included in this regulation include aloe(Aloe ferox and other related species), buck-thorn bark and berry (Rhamnus cathaticus),cascara sagrada bark (Rhamnus purshiana),rhubarb rcot(Rheum palmatum), and sennaleaf and pod (Cassia acutifolia, C.angustifolia, C. senna). The ruling exempts

26 . HnslrGmm No.39

waming labels on dried aloe latex (laxativealoe from the leaf; not the aloe vera gel andjuice), buckthom, frangula, cascara sagrada,

Chinese rhubarb, and senna.

The AHPA waming reads:

"Do not use this product ifyou haveabdominal pain or diarrhea. Consulta health care provider prior to use ifyou are pregnant or nursing a baby.Discontinue use in the event of di-arrhea or watery stools. Do not ex-ceed recommended dose. Not forlong-term use."

The Pittsburgh-based GeneralNutrition Corporation (GNC) has announcedthat it will require all stimulant laxative-con-taining herb teas and dietary supplements tocarry waming labels in all of its stores na-tionwide. The move by GNC will no doubtinfluence many herb manufacturers to con-form to the California regulation, thereby cre-ating a national impact, according to RobMcCaleb, President of HRF and a memberof the Presidential Commission on DietarySupplement Labels.

Califomia is the fint state to require a laxa-

tive warning on teas and dietary supplements.

I.EGAI AND REGUI.ATORY

SOURCESAmerican Herbal Products Association. 1996. Com-

ments on Proposed Label Requirements for Foodsand Dietary Supplements Containing Aloe, Cas-cara, Frangula, Rhubarb Root and/or Senna, Regu-lation Control Number R-38-958. Dec. 10.

American Herbal Products Association. I 995. HerbalLaxative Policy Statement. July 2 I .

Anonymous. 1996. California Deadline Nears for La-bels on Laxative-Containing Products. NationalNutritional Foods Association Fax Update. Dec.2'7.

Anonymous. 1996. GNC Selling Stimulant LaxativeProducts With Label Warnings. The Tan Sheet.

Chevy Chase MD: F-D-C Repons. Dec.9: l3-15.Califomia Department of Health Services. 1996. No-

tice of Emergency rulemaking: Label Require-ments for Foods (R-38-95E) California Regula-tory Notice Register. October l.

McCaleb, R. 1997. Personal communication, Jan 6.McGuffin, M.199'7. Personal communication, Jan. 7.

The evidence supporting the use of theseproducts often focuses on disease treatment.Yet, under guidelines currently allowed for"structure and function" claims underDSHEA, claims made for such products mustbe worded in a way that does not adequatelydescribe either the research or the benefits.Most Commissioners agree that if research

indicates a benefit of a supplement in treat-ing or preventing disease, there should be a

way of informing the public of that benefitwithout resorting to elaborate word games.As the issues are debated more openly bythe CDSL, the positions of individualCommission members are becoming clearer.

A complete report on the Commission'sdeliberations and progress will appear in afuture issue of HerbalGram. - RobMcCaleb

Commission on Dietory Supplemenllobels Debotes Heolth Benefit Ooims

The Commission on Dietary SupplementLabels (CDSL) appointed by thePresident as a result of the Dietary Supple-ment Health and Education Act of 1994(DSHEA) is now in the process of compil-ing its recommendations to PresidentClinton, Congress, and the Secretary ofHealth and Human Services on ways to makedietary supplement labels more accurate andinformative. According to HRF PresidentRob McCaleb, a Commission member, theCDSL is wrestling with the same questionsthat have plagued the FDA, Congress, andthe dietary supplement industry for decades."There are no easy answers to questionsabout the fuzzy dividing line between healthpromotion and disease prevention, supple-ment claims and drug claims, and ultimately,foods and drugs," said McCaleb.

The idea of creating an expert panel

to review evidence on proposed health ben-efit claims has gained support amongCommission members, although ironing outthe details is likely to pose a challenge. Theconcept known as the Botanical IngredientReview (BIR), initially proposed by HRF andthe American Herbal Products Association(AHPA) in 1991, has now also been adop-

ted by the National Nutritional FoodsAssociation (NNFA). The suggestedTraditional Remedies category proposed byABC, AHPA and others, and favored by some

CDSL and industry members would allowbroader claims on dietary supplement labels,

but this concept remains controversial. Thefundamental issues are well known. Manyherbs and other supplements are used in amanner that might be considered "drug like."

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HrmuGum No. 39 . 27

tEGAt AND REGUTATORY

Report on the (onference of the Codex AlimentoriusRegulotors Meet to Estoblish lnternotionol Stondords for Foods

by Holly Bayne

The Codex conference was largely

devoted to a discussion of vitamins

and minerals, i.e., essential

nutrients. These issues have

stirred controversy and concern in

the U.S. over fears that protections

gained by the Dietary Supplement

Health and Education Act of 1994

(DSHEA) may be overturned by an

international body. This raises

important issues of national

sovereignty and

s e lf- de t e rmination w ith re g ardto U.S. health care policies.

Reports of the nutrients

discussions have received wide

media covercige; however, the

separate and important discussion

of the safety of herbs as foods has

gone largely unreported.

The following article piovides

a detailed summary of the back-

ground initiatives which led to the

Codex's discussion and decisions

on future consideration ofbotanical safety issues.*

28 . HrnsrGut't No. 39

The Twentieth Session of the Codex Com-mittee on Nutrition and Foods for SpecialDietary Uses (CCNFSDU) was held in Bonn,Germany from October 7- 11, 1996. The U.S.was represented by Dr. Elizabeth Yetley, Di-rector of the Office of Special Nutritionalswithin the Food and Drug Administration(FDA), and Dr. RobertMoore, SeniorRegu-latory Specialist, Office of SpecialNutritionals, as the designated delegates.

The CCNFSDU addressed the possibility ofdeveloping international regulatory guide-lines for herbs and botanical preparationssold as foods. Abackground paper, preparedby the Canadian delegation, provided theimpetus for this timely issue to reach the

Committee's agenda. The Canadian positionadvocates the development of a "negativelist" of herbs and botanical preparations inorder to restrict the sale and internationaltrade of potentially toxic herbs for use as

foods. Ultimately, the CCNFSDU concludedthat it is the responsibility of national regu-latory authorities to develop any lists ofpo-tentially toxic plants and recommended thatthe issue be considered by an expert panelunder the auspices and funding of the Foodand Agriculture Organization (FAO) of theUnited Nations and the World HealthOrganization (WHO) (Moore, 1996).

As a separate item on the agenda, theCCNFSDU also addressed highly contro-versial proposed guidelines for dietarysupplements, first considered by the Com-mittee in 1993. The proposed guidelines willonly apply to dietary supplements contain-ing essential vitamins and minerals,either alone or in combination. The U.S. does

not support the development of guidelinesfor dietary supplements at the present time.

The almost unanimous consensus of theCommittee, however, is that the elaborationof Codex guidelines for dietary supplements

is necessary in light of the increased trade inthese "supplementary foods" in many coun-tries. As a result of the Bonn meeting, thedietary supplements proposal moved from a

"Step 3" document, aProposed Draft Guide-line,to a "Step 5" document, aDraft Guide-line,in the intricate eighrstep procedure forthe elaboration of Codex Standards. Norwithstanding the procedural advance of thedocument, much of the text remains in con-troversy and has not yet achieved theCommittee's consensus.

The most contentious of the substan-

tive issues under consideration concems the

establishment of maximum upper limits forsingle essential nutrients, and the methodol-ogy by which the maximum limits will beestablished (CCNFSDU, Proposed DraftGuidelines for Dietary Supplements, 1995).In Bonn, a direct safety-based approach forformulating the maximum upper limits wasadded as an altemative to calculations basedon Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA s)

or Recommended Daily Intakes (RDI's). TheRDA s (or RDI's) are founded upon outdatedassumptions and are generally discredited bycontemporary standards of nutritional sci-ence as invalid measures of safety. Thesafety-based approach to setting upper lim-its was introduced by the U.K. and Canadiandelegations, and rests on appropriate riskassessment methodology, taking into accountall sources of nutrients in the diet. The FDA sposition is that maximum upper limits forvitamins and minerals could be supported ifthe limits were established through sound

science according to some type of risk/

TEGAT AND REGUI.ATORY

OvenvrEw oF Coorx PnocEDUREs

The Codex Alimentarius Commission was es-

tablished in 1962 by the Food andAgricultureOrganization (FAO) of the UnitedNations and the World Health Organization(WHO) for the purpose of developing uniformstandards and definitions for foods, in order toprotect the health of consumers and facilitateinternational trade. The headquarters of theCommission is Rome. As of July 1995,therewere l5l Member Countries in the CodexAlimentarius Commission (CAC),as part of the

Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme.An Executive Committee acts as the governingarm of the Commission, making proposals re-garding the overall orientation of the StandardsProgramme to the Commission and guiding theimplementation of the Programme once ap-proved by the Commission (CAC Procedurol

Monuol, 1995).

The work of the Commission has resultedin the publication of the Codex Alimentarius,the name derived from the Latin meaning foodlaw or code. This comprehensive publication is

a set of standards,guidelines and principles,con-taining standards for all the principal foods,(whether processed, semi-processed or raw),hygienic and technological practice codes, com-modity codes and guidelines for chemical con-taminants, including maximum limits on pesti-cides and veterinary drug residues. The Com-mission has set up a total of 28 general sublect,commodity and regional codex committees, orsubsidiary bodies, in order to draft food stan-dards within the relevant terms of reference foreach committee,as well as to act in an advisorycapacity. The regional coordinating committeesare responsible for ensuring that the work of

the committees is responsive to both develop-ing countries and regional interests. VariousMember Governments,appointed by the Com-mission, serve as the host countries for each ofthese working groups.

The Codex Committee on Nutrition andFoods for Special Dietary Use (CCNFSDU) isone of the Worldwide Commodity CodexCommittees. The next meeting will be held inSeptember of 1998 in Germany, which is thehost country. ln matters voted upon by theCommittee, Member Countries have one vote,regardless of the size of the country. Meetingsof the Codex Committees are held in public.

The process of formulating Codex Stan-dards is a complex eight-step procedure,designed to allow input from governments and

interested organizations. The standard-settingprocess may take anywhere from 2 to I 5 yearsor longer to complete,depending upon the par-ticular circumstances. The initial step begins withthe Commission's decision to elaborate a stan-dard and the subsequent delegation ofthe workto the appropriate Codex Committee for prepa-ration of a "proposed draft standard." Theproposed draft is then circulated to govern-ments and international organizations forcomments, including economic impact state-ments. A proposed draft standard is consid-ered to be at "Step 3." The Committeeconsiders the comments, and revises the draft,if appropriate. The "proposed draft standard"is then submitted to the Commission in andci-pation of its being adopted as a"draft standard."This is Step 5 of the procedure.The Commis-sion may either release the document at Step 5,

or drop it back to Step 3. The process repeats

itself;the"draft standard" is once again sent toMember Governments and interested organi-zations for comments, and is re-considered bythe Committee. At Step 8, the final step, thedraft standard is sent back to the Commission,along with any comments received, for adop-tion as a Codex standard (CAC Procedure Monuol,t ees).

ln short, the quickest way to ascertain thestatus of an issue under consideration by a

Codex Committee is to determine which stage

it is at in the elaboration procedure. Language

within proposed drafts and draft standardswhich are ialicized or bracketed indicates thatthe matter is currently under discussion. Forexample, within the "Draft Guidelines onVitamins and Minerals in Dietary Supplements,"officially a Step 5 document, some of the text isat Step 3. The Commission or the relevantsubsidiary body may return a draft for additionalwork at any previous step in the procedure,andthe Commission may hold a draft at Step 8.

Generally, when the Commission considers a

proposed or draft standard,only those issues in

controversy will be discussed.There is also an accelerated procedure for

the elaboration of Codex standards, commonlyknown as the "fast track" procedure, which es-sentially provides for the adoption of a Codexstandard directly from the draft standard. Thehst track procedure may be recommended by

the relevant Codex Committee upon consider-ation ofthe need for urgency,and the likelihoodof new scientific information becoming available

in the immediate future (CAC ProcedureMonuol, I 995). - Holly Boyne

benefit analysis (Moore, 1996). The directsafety approach is strongly favored by the

Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), a

public interest group based in Washington,D.C., and the European Health FoodManufacturers Association (EHPM)(Hathcock, 1996).

The approved document, "DraftGuidelines on Vitamins and Minerals in Di-etary Supplements," will be considered bythe next meeting of the Codex AlimentariusCommission (CAC), to be held in Geneva,Switzerland during June 23-27, 1997. The

Commission can either accept the recom-mendations in the draft and release the docu-ment at Step 5, as a "Draft Standard," or dropit down to Step 3, a "Proposed Draft Stan-dard." In either case, the draft will be sent togovernments and interested organizations forcomment, prior to re-consideration of theguidelines at the next meeting of theCCNFSDU, scheduled to be held in eitherBonn or Berlin from September2l-25,1998(Moore, 1996).

Canada's paper, Sale of PotentiallyHarmful Herbs qnd Botanical Preparations

as Foods, was first submitted to the CodexCoordinating Committee for North Americaand the South-West Pacific (CCNASWP) inearly June of 1994. Principally, the paper

considers the regulatory dilemma presented

by herbs which are commonly sold as bothfoods and medicines, depending upon thenature of the products'labeling and adver-

tising claims. Canada believes that the drugregulatory systems of many countries can-not be readily adapted to deal with herbs, dueto the difficulty in establishing the safety and

efficacy of herbs according to the same cri-

HrrmrGm il0.39 . 29

tEGAt AND REGUI.ATORY

teria applied to conventional medicines. Theresult is that herbal products which are soldwithout therapeutic claims in labeling or ad-

vertising "default" into the legal category of"foods" (Canada, 1994).

In countries with well developed drugregulatory systems, manufacturers must gen-

erally submit extensive documentation of the

drug's safety and efficacy in order to obtainthe requisite pre-market approval of themedicine.

Due to the difficulty in establishing thesafety and efficacy of herbal medicines ac-cording to the strict clinical protocols thatare required for conventional drugs, coupledwith the lack of patent protection for herbs,manufacturers of herbal medicines are gen-erally dissuaded from seeking registered drugstatus. Within this regulatory dilemma, theCanadian paper comments briefly on someaspects of thenational regulatory and admin-istrative procedures for health-risk evalua-tions of health food products in the Nordiccounfies, and touches upon the regulationsregarding herbs and botanical preparationsinAusralia Canada and tlre U.S. (Canada 1994).

"Jhe FDA didnol see lhe

Gompelling need

]o develop

inlemalionalguidelines Jor

In 1994, Canada asked the CCNASWPto recommend to the Codex Commission that"an advisory list oftoxic or adulterating sub-

stances be established and that such sub-stances be prohibited for sale as foods withinthe jurisdictions of the member nations ofthe Codex Alimentarius Commission"(Canada, 1994). The Canadian view is thatthe development of an internationally recog-nized "negative list" of herbs is important toprotect consumers from potentially toxicherbal substances sold as foods, and is morefeasible than the creation of a "positive list."In addition, Canada advanced the proposi-tion that a Codex Code of Hygienic Practicespecifically applicable to "health-foods"would be a valuable first step toward the in-troduction of international processing stan-dards for these types of herbal products, rep-resenting arapidly growing sectorof the foodindustry.

The CCNASWP referred Canada'spaper to the 43rd Session of the ExecutiveCommittee of the CodexAlimentarius Com-mission (CCEXEC), held in Geneva duringJune 4-7, 1996. In its referral, theCCNASWPnoted the need to clarify the in-terface between foods and medicines and thepotential for the development of a Code ofHygienic Practice in this area. Insofar as theExecutive Committee was unable to provideadditional clarification, the CCEXEC re-quested the Committee on Nutrition andFoods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU)to consider the matter and report its findingsto the next Executive Committee meeting,which will be held in June, 1997 . A CircularLetter was sent to Member Countries (andinterested international organizations) solic-iting input regarding the national regulatoryapproach for these types of herbal products,particularly with regard to safety and theirIegal classification as either "foods" or"drugs" (CL 1996120-NFSDU). MemberGovernments were also asked to commenton any action the Committee should take inlight of the CCNFSDU's ongoing work withrespect to dietary supplements, since theCommittee could have considered incorpo-rating herbs and botanical preparations soldas foods into the Proposed Guidelines (Co-dex Alimentarius Commission, 1996).

The FDA held a public hearing inWashington, D.C. on August 16, 1996, for

the purpose of presenting to interested par-ties the entire provisional agenda ofthe up-coming meeting in Bonn. The meeting wasfacilitated by Drs. Yetley and Moore. Dr.Yetley articulated the FDA s position, stat-ing that, "the FDA did not see the compel-ling need to develop international guidelinesfor these commodities which have a varietyof national uses ; the FDA would be more than

happy to see the issue not considered by the

Committee" (Yetley, 1996). Dr. Yetley alsonoted that the purview of the CCNFSDUdoes not extend beyond food, therefore, theCommittee could only address the develop-ment of guidelines for herbs used as foods,and not medicines.

The FDA also released the text of a

draft policy statement, reflecting the agency'scommitment to uphold the legal mandate ofthe Dietary Supplement Health and Educa-tion Act (DSHEA) of 1994, as follows:

The United States does not supportthe development of guidelines orstandards for herbal products mar-keted as dietary supplements. First,the United States recognizes thatthere are diverse opinions on the useof these types of substances through-out the world. The United States be-lieves that it is not appropriate ornecessary to develop a uniform set

of standards for ingredients, formu-lations, and claims because of the di-verse citizen and government atti-tudes towards the use of dietarysupplements that exists in differentcountries and cultures. We believethat national authorities are in thebest position to develop appropriateregulations for theses types ofproducts,because ofthe need to con-sider national needs for supplemen-tation with specific nutrients, theconsideration of historical and cul-tural factors, and the diverse regula-tory philosophies in place in differ-ent countries regarding whether suchproducts are drugs or foods by defi-nition. Furthermore, while theUnited States concedes that risksmay be associated with the use ofsome botanical preparations, the riskto individual consumers varies, to a

lhese commodities

which hsve a

vafiety olnational uses...tr

30 o HrnmLGur,r No. 39

degree, on the pattern of use. Forbotanicals in this category, we be-

lieve that national authorities are inthe best position to determine therisk/benefitratio most appropriate toprovide for the safe use of a sub-stance by their citizens. For thesereasons, we do not believe thatwidely applicable guidelines shouldbe developed for these products at

this time (United States DraftComments to the Codex Committeeon Nutrition and Foods forSpecial Dietary Uses, 1996).

In Bonn, Australia introduced theproposal contained in the Canadian paper,

recommending that the CCNFSDU considerthe establishment of intemational guidelinesfor botanicals in the form of a negative list.The Australian position was supported byCanada, France, Kuwait and the UnitedKingdom. In opposition, on behalf of the

United States, Dr. Yetley read the FDA s drafttext. Several countries voiced their opposi-tion to the U.S. position: Australia, Canada,

Germany, Greece, France, Spain and theUnited Kingdom (Schauss, 1996).

Finally, the proposal failed to win the

Committee's support and the matter wasclosed. The CCNFSDU concluded that theissue was outside the purview of the Com-mittee, particularly in light of the fact thatthe toxicity of herbs is not an issue with nu-tritional implications. Notwithstanding, the

Committee recognized that the subject de-

serves attention. Thus, the CCNFSDU willformally recommend to the Codex Commis-

B.C.

sion that an independent body of experts be

formed under the auspices of the FAO/IVHOfor the pulpose of studying the potential tox-icity ofherbs and botanical preparations used

as foods.The Commission will consider the re-

quest at the next meeting of its ExecutiveCommittee in June of 1997, and is expected

to follow the CCNFSDU's recommendation

and ask the FAOAMHO to convene the work-ing group. Depending upon resources and

other priorities within the FAOAVHO, theexpert committee could be established withinone to five years. If the proposal is imple-mented, the FDA will submit names of U.S.experts in the botanical field to the FAO/WHO, and ask that one or more of the named

individuals serve on the committee. If con-vened, the work of the expert committee willresult in the publication of a FAOflVHOdocument (Moore, 1996).

Worthy of mention is that the Euro-pean Federation of Health ProductsManufacturers (EHPM) supported the estab-

lishment of a negative list of botanicals at

the Bonn meeting. The EHPM distributed a

statement which endorsed the principle of anegative list, noting the difficulties that the

Federation had encountered during the past

two years in attempting to establish a posi-tive list ofherbs, based on lists in existencewithin Europe (Schauss, 1996).

x (For a complete report on the nutri-tional issues, contact the National NuritionalFoods Association (NNFA) I 18001966-6632

or the Council for Responsible Nutrition(cRN) 202t872-1488.)

TEGAT AND REGUTATORY

REFERENCESBayne, H., Blumenthal, M. and Israelsen, L. D. A

Survey ofRegulations of Herbal Medicines in SixIndustrialized Nations, Executive Summary ofTraditional Medicines Research Project, Austin,TX: American Botanical Council, August, 1996.

Canada. Sale of Potentially Harmful Herbs and Bo-tanical Preparations as Foods, Prepared for Co-dex Coordinating Committee for North Americaand the South-West Pacific, 1994.

Codex Alimentarius Commission. Joint FAOAVHOFood Standards Programme, Procedural Manual,(9th ed. 1995).

Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for SpecialDietary Uses. Matters Referred by the CodexAlimentarius Commission and other Committees.1996.

Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for SpecialDietary Uses. Proposed Draft Guidelines for Di-etary Supplements, 1995.

Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for SpecialDietary Uses. Report of the Nineteenth Sessionof the CCNFSDU, 1995.

Commission of the European Communities. Guide-lines on the Quality, Safety andEfficacy of Me-dicinal Products for Human Use. 1989. (Note forguidance relating toPart I of the Annex to Direc-tiv e 7 5 I 3 lStEEC, as amended).

Hathcock, John. Director, Nutritional & RegulatoryScience, Council for ResponsibleNutrition. Per-

sonal communication (telephone conversation),December 16, 1996.

Moore, Robert. U.S. Delegate. Codex Committee onNutrition and Foods for SpecialDietary Uses. Per-sonal communication (telephone conversation),December4,1996.

Schauss, Alexander, G. Codex: A Special Report.Report on the 20th Codex Committee Meeting onNutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses,October 11, 1996.

Yetley, Elizabeth. U.S. Delegate, Codex Committeeon Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses.

Comments at public meeting of the Codex Com-mittee on Nutrition and Foods for Special DietaryUses, Washington, D.C., August 16, 1996.

By Johnny Hort

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32 . HrnsrLGur,l No. 39

This article is a condensed version of a previous reviewby the primary author in a 1992 issue of the Joumal of

Ethnopharmacology.' The co-authors have added new material.

INTRODUCTIONSince flrst significant contact with Europeans in the l8th century,the Oceanic plant, Piper methysticum Forst. (Fam. Piperaceae), and

the beverage prepared from it, both called kava, have become famil-iar to much of the outside world through written and visual media.The ceremonial preparation and consumption of the beverage areprobably its most conspicuous and spectacular features. Kava con-tinues to occupy a central place in everyday life in the islands con-cerned, although its role has been somewhat diminished by time and

outside influences.Despite the large body of literature on kava-about 850 en-

tries are listed in a recent bibliography by Singh2-there has beenno comprehensive review on the subject. Earlier contributions by

Previous poge: lllustrotion of Kovo, Piper methysticum, Forst. fromthe third volume of Delessert's lcones selectoe plontorum, Poris1837. Courtesy of Hunt lnstitute for Botonicol Documentotion,Cornegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.

Kovo decoroted for exchonge, celebroting o boy's circumcision.lokwurokou villoge, Tonno, Vonuotu, 1982.Courtesy of Lomont [indsiromAbove: Photo of No/<ornol (kovo bor! signboord, Port Vilo,Vonuotu, 1988. Courlesy of Lomont Lindstrom.

34 o HnmrGmH il0.39

Keller and Klohs3 and Shulgina were selective in treatment and dealtprimarily with chemical and pharmacological aspects. The mono-graph by Steinmetzs remains a standard reference but some of theinformation in it has become dated. There are three excellent addi-tions to the recent kava literature, by Lebot and Cabalion,6 Brunton,7and Lebot et al.,swhich are significant contributions to the subject.A recent popular publication has been written by Kilham.e

This review provides an updated and a multidisciplinary over-view ofkava. It was prepared on the basis ofthe author's personalexperience-he is a native of Fiji and lived in that country for about30 years-as well as the relevant literature listed in the Singh2 bibli-ography and some more recent publications.

Oceania is the term for the island communities of the PacificOcean encompassed by Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia (see

map on page 41). According to some authorities, Oceania is one ofthe few culture areas (another being most of North America) not tohave had alcoholic beverages by the time of the first significant con-tact with Europeans in the lSth century. However, since the begin-ning of recorded history for this geographic region, most of the is-lands did possess the drink kava. Like alcohol, it had acquired im-portant symbolic meanings; associated with it were a large numberof rules and procedures for its preparation, distribution among par-ticipants, and consumption.

THE K/AVA CEREMONY

The method of preparation,distri-bution, and all other attendant de-ails have been described in greatdeOil in Erious placesrl6'3t't5l'1tr{425'r7'l I

thus only an overvierv and descrip-tions of a few typical ceremoniesare presented here.

Three maior types of kavaceremonies can be identified: thefull ceremonial as enacted on veryformal occasions,such as welcom-ing of royalty or highly honoredguess;drat performed at the meet-ing of village elders, chiefs andnobles, and for visiting chieft andd(nitaries;and the less formal kavacircle common to social occasions.

Preporwion of &vemgeThe main rcquirements for bever-age preparation are the kava stock,bowl, cup, strainer, and water. De-pending on the nature ofthe occa-sion,the kava would be in dre formof fine roots, or roots and stems,which are tfien reduced to fine par-ticles, or commerrcially preparedpowder.

The ask of preparation anddistribution of ttre drink is normallyentrusted to specific members.ofthe community. ln Samoadrese in-dividuils are youn& untided, andunmarried men, called oumongaiinManua kav'a could be made by ei-ther girls or bop, akhough in the'high kava" cenemony only boyswere permitted to oficiate.r3 lnTonga the activities hwe been per-formed by young bqrs under thedirection of a herald (motobule) tothe chief. After dre kava stock hadbeen scraped clean, it vi/as cut orbroken into smaller pieces beforcbeing macerated into fine particlesusing a mortar and pestle. Atpresent, commercially availablekava especially in the bigger cities,is mechanically ground. Howeverithere is overwhelming evidence in

Above right ond right:Ni-Vonuotu {Vonuotu notive

villogers) preporing kovo rootin o troditionol monner for

ceremoniol drinking.Photo courtesy of Kovo

Komponi, Vonuotu.

the literature that in all communi-ties wherc the beverage was used,kava was at one time or anotherchewed as a prelude to prepara-tion of the infusion',

Chcwingond PoundlngThe chewingwas normally done byyount men or womena2 althoughthere appears to be some contr.o-Yenry among sources as to thedegree of involvement of women.Pritchard and Churchward say itwas done by young girlss'2r, whileErskine found that it was the re-sponsibility of boys.e According toChurchward, a man in the securityof his own home might sometimesavail himself of the services of hiswife, if no girls were arailable, butthis would not be considered

proper in front of strang-ers.2r Even a strange girlpassing by could bepressed into service.

To be selected brdreask the chewers had tohave good, stront teethand iaws, clean mouths,and be free of ailments-e.g., coughs, colds, andsores. Before commenc-ing their worlcthey rinsedtheir mouths, and some-times their hands and fin-gers, with clean water.sBrown srys theyYrene supposed to chew kaya with-out wetting it with saliyd,

but doubts whetherdrey could suc-ceed in this.87 A test made by a Dr.Macgregor of Fiii, showed that six conuhues on next pogc

...CE REMON IAL KAVA DRI N KI N6HA5 INVARIABLY BEEN TH E FIRsTACT OF MOST IMPORTANTCOMMUNITY FUNCTION5

HrmmGnrrl il0. 39 . 35

THE TAYA CERE}|oNY CONTIilUED

Left: Photo courtesy ofKovo Komponi, Vonuolu.

Below left: A leoder of the Sqmoon community on O'ohu, Howoiipresenting kovo to Hillory Rodhom Clinton during 1992 presidentiolcompoign visit. Photo by Corl Viti/The Honolulu Advertiser.Below right: Pope John Poul ll drinks kovo, Fiii's notionol drink,during Fiiion Ceremonies of Welcome ot Albert PorkNovember 21 , 1986. Photo: Reuters/CorbisBettmonn.

ounces of kava, whenchewed, increased inweight to seven-teen.88 However,Mariner found it "as-tonishing how re-markably dr7 theyPreserve the root,while it is undergoingthis process of masti-cation."r6 A Europeanman,resident inTong3long enough to have

seen kava chewed,'said that remarkablylittle saliva was mixed

with the kava, and that he himselffelt no difficulty in drinking kavaprepared in this way.s

Although it was ineviable thatthe chewers would swallow some

of the juice, they and the youthswho assisted in the making werenever allowed to drink the bever-age after it had been prepared.DUndoubtedly, the chewing actiYitywas exceedingly taxing for themouth and jaws of the individualsconcerned, so much so that'theolder women who were chewersin their youth speak feelingly ofthetiresome labor and great wearinessof jaw incident to the older methodof preparation. A desire to escapefrom this fatiguing duty is a tradi-tional explanation of the old timeelopement of chiefk daughters."r3

Although chewing was theprevalent method (sometimescalled the'*Tongan method"), thereis evidence to indicate that in Fiji hwas preceded by pounding or grat-ing,called the"Fiiian method."22 Ac-cording toWilliams,"some old menassert that the true Fijian methodof preparing the rcot is by grating... but in this degenerate age the'Ibngan custom is almost universal(i.e., chewing)l'eo Later, Brewsterwrote that in "tie beginning andmiddle of the past century Fiji wasnearly conquered bylicngan adven-turers.67 They succeeded in intro-ducing many of their customs, andamongst *!em their fashion of pre-paring kava. The ancient Fiiian waywas to pound up the roots with

The importance of kava in Oceania should perhaps be consid-ered in the context that every culture has had its own intoxicants,narcotics, or stimulants, or both, and, in spite of their great diversity,they have had the same kind of social status and significance.r0 Thekava custom so widespread throughout Oceania might be consideredthe one item in their material culture that linked together most of thepeoples of Oceania. Besides being the social beverage for chiefsand noblemen, it was also used to welcome distinguished visitors at

formal gatherings,rr at initiation and completion of work,r2'13 in pre-paring for ajourney or an ocean voyage, installation in office,ra vali-dation of titles, ratification of agreements, celebration of importantbirths, marriages, and deaths,r3 as a libation to the gods,ls to cureillnesses and to remove curses,r6 as a prelude to tribal wars-in fact,in almost all phases of life in the islands.tT

The Swedish botanist Daniel Scholander and Sydney Parkinson,

the artist charged with the task of making drawings of newly discov-ered plants, both of whom accompanied Captain James Cook on hisfirst voyage inthe Endeavour (1768-1171), probably were the first

36 . HrmlLGum ],lo. 39

Europeans who saw and recorded the kava plant. However, the creditfor the first detailed description of the plant is usually given to Johann

Georg Forster.18 Forster named the kava plant"Piper methysticum"or "intoxicating pepper," methysticum being the Latin transcriptionof the Greek methustikos, and derived from methu, which, accord-ing to Steinmetzs means "intoxicating drink." Since these early ac-counts, a large body ofboth scientific and ethnographic accounts onkava has accumulated. Reference to this literature may be found inthree extensive bibliographies.2' re' 20 Additional references are in-cluded in Lebot and Cabalion,6 Brunton,7 andLebot et al.8

Although kava drinking was important on ceremonial occa-sions, it was not confined to such gatherings. Old men often had acup first thing in the morning and senior members of the family hada cup before (but not after) a meal.r2 A visitor often took a root ofkava as a present for the person being called upon,zt and this custompersists today.

stones." After Fiii became a Brit-ish colony (in 1874), the medicalofficers oblected to the chewing onsanitary grounds and subsequentlythe colonial government forbadethe practice.5Tspr Elsewherc,simi-lar pressures by colonizing govern-ments and missionary influence ledto the abandonment of the chew-ing technique in favor of pounding.r3

CelemonlolWekomeThe most dignified of the kava cer-emonies of welcome, called "highkarra" in Fiii, is reserved for highlyhonored guests. These include vis-iting heads of state like presidentsand prime ministers, the Queen ofGreat Britain and members ofher hmily,and monarchs of othercountries likeTonga- The following

description is of a ceremonytypical of Fiii.

All preparations of the site ofwelcome are done ahead of time.On arrival the honored guests areled to a raised platform with chairsfor the guests, the main host" andhis party. Visitors of exalted rankare often accompanied by a spokes-person or herald who sits on thefloor next to him or her. Kava willbe prepared in an area about 15-

20 meters from the edge of theplatform. Large mats made mainlyfrom leaves of the screw pine or

pandanus (fondonus tectoriusSol.,Fam.Pan danaceae)have been spreadon the pladorm,in the kava pr6paration arca, andon the path connecting the two.

The ceremony begins with thearrival of a troup of young mendressed in ceremonial attir€ andcarrying dre kara bowl,dre lova, and

other accessories. The bowl isplaced between the kava preparersand the Yisitors, with the suspen-

Above: Kovo ceremony forlocol politicol leoders.Courtesy of Soroh Wolf.

continues on nf,ct poge

KAVA I5 TH E ONLY WAY TOWELCOME AN IMPORTANT VI5ITOR

For left Mrs. LyndonJohnson occephkovo. October1966. Photo byY- R. Okomoto.Lefi: Presidentlyndon Johnsontoking kovo ot someceremony. Photo byFronk Wolb.Phobs courlesyof the LBJ libroryCollection.

ETYMOTOGY OF THE TER}I KAVAThe term kava and the variant kawa are used for both the plant andthe beverage made from it. However, some other names or variantsare also encountered. In Hawaii, Tahiti, the Marquesas, and someother Polynesian areas, the initial ft ofthe word is often dropped andit may become ava or awa. The Maoris, on migration to NewZealand, did not find the kava plant in their new environment, sothey applied the names kava and kawakawa to a related plant (Piperexcelsum) much used in religious ceremonies, However, this plantwas not made into a beverage.22

The term kava or its equivalent may be used in Polynesia todesignate various properties of food and drink. In Hawaii, it means"bitter," "sour," "sharp," or "pungent." In the Marquesas it signifies"bitter," "sour," or "sharp." In Tahiti, the range is broad, including"bittet" "sour," "acid," "acrid," "salty," "sharp," and "pungen1".z:

A commonly held view is that kava was introduced intoMelanesia from Polynesia. In some parts of Melanesia, it is prob-

Polynesian influence has greatly modified an earlier method of us-ing this substance.22 Thus, in various members of the Vanuatu group(formerly New Hebrides), the name is the same as in Polynesia.22 [nthe Banks Islands it is called gea, and in the Torres Islands gi, bothof which are perhaps related to the Polynesian word.22 Another viewholds that kava may have originated in either northern Vanuatu orPapua New Guinea.6

In Fiji, there is a wholly different term, yaqona. In Fijian or-thography, the letter q stands for the sound ng andhence yaqona ispronounced yangona. Lester reports that the word qona is used onthe northwest coast of the main Fijian island of Viti Levu to denoteboth "beverage" and "bitter."25 He suggests that it was to this partof Fiji that kava was first introduced and that local people suppliedthe name yaqona now used throughout the Fijian archipelago.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF KAVA USAGEAlthough identified mainly with Western Polynesia, kava has beenfound and historically used in nearly all the Pacific islands, exceptable that the use of kava has been so introduced. and that recent

HnmrGum No. 39 . 37

T}IE XAYA CEREIUIOilY CONTINUED

sory lut laid out in a line pointingtowards the chief guest of honor.The kava is placed in the bowl and

water is poured in from a special

container.Very often the cercmoryis accompanied by the chanting ofspecial kava songs. The kava makerkneads tlre kawwhen it is consid-ered to be ready the cup bearerpicks up a cup and apprcaches thebowl. He squats down before thebowl with knees well apart, turnshis hack to dre guests and holdsthe cup over the bowl. The kava

maker soaks some of the infusionin the strainer and squeezes it intothe cup. The server who is holdingthe cup with both hands slowly

turns around on bent knees to face

the visitor;walks in this mode for a

few steps, then walks upright forthe rest ofthe way. The beverageis poured into a cup reserved forthe chief guest, who holds it withboth hands and drinks from it. lfthe whole cup is drained witfioutstopping, everyone says o moco

(pronounced "a matha" meanint "itis empty") and clap three timeswith cupped hands. The cup bearernow returns to the borrrrl and pro-ceeds to serve dre person next inrank or importance, but withoutthe same ceremony. At such occa-sions the distinguished visitor may

also be presented with gifo of the

whale's tooth (tobuo), large kava

roots, tapa cloth, fine mats, dead

pigs, yams, and other crops.

l(ava Cercmony ln YlllogesThe ceremony performed in the vil-lages has invariably been the initialact of almost all important com-munity activities. Ahhough less for-mal than that encountered at cer-emonial welcomes, strict protocolstill needs to be followed with thepreparation and distribution of thebeverages. The following describesa typical Samoan ceremony at a vil-lage council meeting to discuss thereconstruction of the village guesthouse which had recently been

blown down by a hurricane. Thisaccount is derived from a descrip-tion by Holmes.n

After the Chiefs and TalkingChiefs are seated on the periph-ery of the circular council house(such structures traditionally donot have walls) and he oumongo(the society of untitled men) has

6ken its position outside in tight

The Yoqono Ceremony(Kovo Ceremony).Photo @ ond courlesy ofthe Fiii Visitors Bureou.

rows,the council members arewel-comed by the orator who presides

over the gathering. The kava cer-emony begins with the orator se-lecting a kava root from the manypresented to him. A member ofthe oumango cuts it into smallpieces and pounds it into pulp us-ing a stone mortar and pestle re-serYed for this purpose. Mean-while, other oumanga memberswash a multi-legged wooden kava

bowl and bring clusters of cupsfitled with cool,fresh water.

An air of rever,ence prevails

while the preparations are being

made. Chieft speak in whispers and

no one smokes. At a location nearthe back ofthe council house,someoumongo members position thekava bowl and sit behind it, with a

kava maker in the center. The kava

powder is placed at the bottom ofthe bowl, which is then half filledwith water. The fibrous strainermade of hibiscus bark is laid overthe kava, which is then collectedinto it. The strainer with the kava

in it is raised above the bowl andwrung dry of the infusion threetimes. The entire process is re-peated two more dmes. The pulp-filled strainer is now thrown outof the house to a walting strainercleaner who removes the kava pulp

by eeveral snaps of the strainer. lt

for New Zealand, New Caledonia, and most of the Solomon Islands,although it is now being used in some of these areas. A survey ofthe available literature establishes the presence of kava in nearly allthe island groups of Oceania. The map on page 4l shows the loca-

tion of most of the islands in the Pacific Ocean on which kava has

been found or used.The Hawaiians placed great importance on kava drinking as

late as the end of the last century.26 Titcomb states that the kavacustom was highly esteemed in Hawaii because it was a sacred drinkof great significance in many phases of Hawaiian life.27 Outside ofwater and coconut milk, no other drink was known. Its effect was to

relax the mind and body, and it was used by farmers and fishermenalike for this purpose. Medical kahunas (or learned men) had manyuses for it. It was customary for chiefs to drink it before meals,

commoners also if it was obtainable. At one time, commoners weresubject to penalty of death if caught drinking kava. Kava drinkingwas essential on occasions of hospitality and feasting, and was the

drink of pleasure of the chiefs. However, the sale and use of kava

38 . HrnsnGum No. 39

rapidly decreased from the beginning of this century.r53 Titcombnotes that in 1903 "no Hawaiian went home from the Saturday mar-ket without an 'awa' root tied to his saddle."z1 ln1930 awa was stillto be purchased in the market. Missionaries discouraged drinkingof kava and were responsible for discontinuation of its use by Ha-waiians. By 1948 the practice had completely disappeared, althoughthe plant continues to grow in the wild.

The resurgence ofkava drinking on the Vanuatu island ofThnnain the early 1940s may be related to the ritual of the John Frumcargo cult, that arose partly as a repudiation of the teachings of the

Christian missionaries.2s Kava in Vanuatu is drunk socially and cer-

emonially, and the plant is recognized as a remedy for a number ofphysical ailments. Previously kava was not use in ceremonies.

Historically, the most important centers of kava usage wereFiji, Samoa, and Tonga. In these countries it was consumed notmerely as a beverage but as the focus of an elaborate system of so-

cial ceremonials and rituals, and also had certain important magico-religious aspects. In the last few decades kava has begun to resume

is tlren thrown back into the houseand the steeping process is re-peated until most of the kava resi-due has been removed. A gener-ous stream of kava is now show-ered down from dre strainer intothe bowl to allow the chiefs tojudge if the kava requires more wa-ter. lf not,then it is announced dratthe kava is ready and dre assembledchieft clap their hands, not as applause, bw fur protocol.

The order in which the kavais served is of vital social s@ifi-cance. The Chief of highest tradi-tional rank drinks firsg then thehighest rankingTalking Chief. Thecup is then passed to the secondranking Chief, the second rankingTalking Chief, and so on down theelite hierarctry.n

lnformal l(ovo DrlnkingBy its rrery nature,informal or secu-lar kava sesgions have no set pro-cedures or riurals to be follorved,and depend on the cirtumsancesof the occasion and the whim oftlre group participating. Horveverisome factors alurays play a promi-nent role. For insance,the sacrednature of the beverage warantsthat its preparation and use arc al-wap done wittr respect and its dis-tribution is more often than notpreceded by the pouring of a liba-

tion. Traditionally, tonoos (ceremo-nial kava bowls) have been used as

mixing bowls. Recendy, however,basins and even plastic bucketssurrted replacing them,and this ledto a sharp rebuke hom some chiefrin Fiji.e3

Although kava parties may beused to resolve less amicable situ-ations, such as conflict and enmity,their maior role undoubteily is toserve as a social "mixerl' Typicallyparticipants gather at a house oroutside, sitting cross-legged in atircle around a kava bowl,with tlrekava makeratthe head of dle circle.Someone pounds the kaya, whichis then mixed with water in thebowl according to traditional pro-cedures but without much cer-emony. Often a bark strainer is

used to separirte out the debris,When a piece of cloth is used as a$raaner, it is spread out and the drykava powder placed in it beforeimmersion into tlre water. Whenready,the kara is served in a coco-nut cup, proceeding clochrise orcounterclochrise around the circle.No precedence is followed unlesssomeone of imporance is pnesent"

SeMng is anticipated for each in-dividual by clapping of hands of theothers in the circle. The serverthen waits patiently in fr,ont of eachdrinker until he has finished. Drink-

ers usually utter some stylized salu-ation, then down the contents inone draughLsr Such kava paniesmay be held in the afternoon, oreven in the morning bw most fre-quently they begin in the earlyevening and continue untjl late atnight or sen the next morning.

*For details, see Samca,s$t$Tonga,or,a Marquesas,s Rotuma, f,Tahiti,6r.r5 Wallis, 3s Fiii,2s,to andHawaii.r

some of its earlier importance. This may be closely linked to thegaining ofpolitical independence and the subsequent reassertion ofethnic values and customs which were somewhat suppressed or dis-couraged during the colonial era.

Kava was drunk in the Solomons on the islands of Vanikoroand Utupua,2r but it was unknown in the Santa Cruz islands.20,2e Mendrank kava at burial ceremonies but not on other occasions. Theonly island in the Solomons group reported to have contemporaryknowledge of kava and its uses is Choiseul, where some islandersclaim it is used medicinally.3r

During the last century, kava was grown on all the islands ofthe Cooks group, but the infusion, prepared from the root of theplant, did not have the same ceremonial significance as it had inWestem Polynesia.32 However, it is now impossible to locate theplant on these islands, and all practices related to it have completelydisappeared.

Scarcity is the reason sometimes given for the fact that in Ta-hiti kava drinking was only indulged in by the chiefs.33,34 Although

the kava root was scarce and little used in Tahiti, in the other SocietyIslands (or French Polynesia) there were great plantations of it.r8This suggests that it was probably a lack of desire rather than ofsupply which limited kava drinking by the natives of Tahiti, as theycould presumably have obtained supplies from the other nearby is-lands if they wished.

On Wallis Island the position of the kava ceremony was as

highly esteemed as anywhere else in the Pacific.35 All official deci-sions concerning the communify's administration, such as promo-tions, official takings of possessions, and proclaiming of laws andcodes ofconduct were made at such ceremonies. The kava root wasoften used in reconciling with enemies or in preserving the goodwillof kings and chiefs. Indeed, guilty persons often owed their pardonsand sometimes even their lives to it. In the neighboring island ofFutuna kava was used to express friendship and to allay fear.Mangeret notes that once, on the arrival of a French ship, the nativepeople, fearing vengeance for the murder of a missionary a fewmonths earlier, presented the captain with an enornous kava root.35

Kovo plont, Piper methysticum.Photo by Yodhu N. Singh

HrmuGril tlo. 39 . 39

BOTAN ICAL CHAR/ACTERISTICS OF KAVA

The kava plant is a robust, fairlysucculent, well-branching and erectperennial shrub belonging to thefamily Piperoceoe. lt thrives at alti-tudes I 50 to 300 meters (m) abovesea level and grows well in stonyground, both cultivated and in thewild.

Plont DescriptionWhen cultivated, the plant is usu-ally harvested when it is about 2to 2.5 m all, but in warm humidconditions and with much sunlighgthe plant grows densety to heightsof up to about 5 m. The leaves are

heart-shaped, pointed, and smoothand green on both sides, beingabout 15 cm in length (see photopage 39 and Figure I below). Thespaces between the stem joints(the internodes) are sometimesused as a basis for the native names

of the species, with the intensity olleaf color; the color of the stems,and the quality of the root alsoserving this function.Ts'27 For about60 cm or so just below the groundthe root may become 5 to 8 cm

thick at maturity,which occurs 3-5years after planting. The roots may

eventually become a heavy knottedmass (see photo page 45), highlyprized in the pasgbecause the rootis said to gather srength and fla-vor with age.27

Right Figure LFor righl Figure 2.

Cultivatlonln the pascwhen only the root was

used, the whole plant was dug upand the tops removed, leaving partof the stem atached to the rootThe mass of roots was then splitup into convenient poftions. Twointernodes of the stem were leftattached to large pieces of rootsto form the tungose, used as a

handle during a presentation oftheroot to visitors of rank{

YorietiesThe various characteristics of thekava plant, such as the intensiry ofthe green leaf color, the color ofthe stems, etc., ane by no meansconstant. lt is on the basis of suchdifferences that, the varieties ofKava were classified by the nativepeople. Handy lists 14 differentvarieties previously described inHawaii: opu, liwa, ke' ol<e' o, kumakuo,kuoea or nene, mol<eo, mamako,momienie, mo'i, moknono, popo, popo

ele'ele, popo keo and kou lo'ou.Handy's descriptions of some ofthese virieties might help to illus-trate the bases for the subdivisions:

opu, long joints and dark green

salkmokeo, long internodes and

lighter green than oPu.

liwo, short joints and green stalk.mo'i, short and dark green inter-

nodes;the nodes are some-what whitish.

popo,short intemodes and spot-ted stalkTs

There is evidence that in Ha-waii and elsewhere varieties of kava

differed enough to make some pre-ferred for one purpose, some foranother. For instance: Only themost common variety could beused by the commonen the rarerkinds being reserved forthe chiefs.

For the gods and on ceremonial oc-casions the mo'i, liwo, and popo wereused,t}e popo,from which the mo'i

was often an offshoot, being espe-cially offered to female deities.Te

Brown lists 2l varieties fromthe Marquesas and includes shortdescriptions for some of them.m

Parham lists and describes five Fijian

varieties,three wlrite and aro blacktypes.sr All five varieties are stillavailable and used at the presenttime.

white varieties - koso leko, koso

bolovu $olu) and golobi

black varieties - koso leko and

koso bolovu.

The white varieties are con-sidered best" but they ake longer(at least four years) than the black

varieties (2 ll2 to 3 years) to at-tain maturity. Consequently, theblack varieties are being cultivatedcommercially at present.

Nine separate varieties of kava

have been recognized in Samoa.as

VanVeen has described at leasttwovarieties in Western New Guinea,and he maintains that a"small green

variery had much stronger nancotic

[i.e., sleep-inducing] action than thetall red varieqr."82 The green vari-ety was chemically analyzed andfound to contain moredihydrokawain (one of the mainactive ingredients) than the red va-

riety. Serpenti reports that on theisland of Kolepom in New Guinea,where kava is known as woa, fivenarieties are known: kuroka, dilkole,

nomuru, kwodorre, and ikowoti, butthe intoxicating effect of each is

different.ro On Ponape,two kindsof kava have been recognized-a"spotted branch" and a "smoothbranchj'the former being betterliked because ofthe stronger drinkmade from it.83 More recently, T2different varieties, each known totraditional growers by vernacularnames and said to have differentproperties, have been reportedfromVanuatu.66

unilocular ovary

6a^\

40 . HnmrGuril N0.39

Geogrophicol distribution ond likely dispersol of the species , Piper melhysficum. lnset shows likely inter-islond exchonges within Vonuotu

of plonting moteriol. Compiled from informotion from Kovos of Vonuotu by Lebot ond Cobolion, 1988.Mop by Jon Milsteod lor HerbolGrom.

Tikopia is perhaps the

most famous of thePolynesian outliers (i.e., is-lands which lie in Melanesiabut whose people arePolynesian in origin), mainlybecause ofthe extensive workdone there by the renownedanthropologist Sir RaymondFirth. In Tikopia the use ofkava differs radically from itsuse in other areas of the Westem Pacific. Firth contends that "his-torically there is little doubt that the kava rites of Tikopia belongedto the same general series as those of Tonga, Samoa and Fiji and

may well have been imported from that area."rs In Tikopia kava was

and still is very rarely drunk. Most of the liquid is poured away inlibations, and the remainder usually emptied out on the ground be-

fore the bowl is wiped clean.

The Australian Aborigines had no contact with kava until the

early 1980s when they learned about it from missionaries who came

to their communities from Fiji, Tonga, and other kava-growingsocieties of the South Pacific,36 At about the same time Aboriginalleaders visiting Fiji and Polynesia were impressed with the kava

ceremony and advocated kava use in their own communities as an

IN MANY PARTS OF TH E PACIFIC,IT WAs C,EN ERALLY THOU CAT THATKAVA, TAKEN JUDICIOUSLY, HAD ABEN EFICIAL EFFECT ON H EALTH.

alcohol substitute.3T Soon thereafter kava was introduced fromFiji to Aboriginal communities in Northern Australia and rapidlybecame a substance of abuse,r6 rE probably because of a lack ofceremonial or traditional restraints controlling its use. Estimates

for individual consumption have ranged as high as 50 times the

amount habitually consumed in the Pacific Islands. Some reports

contend that kava abuse has become a serious social and healthproblem in regions of Northern Australia3e aot but these reports have

been largely discredited. r53

BOTANIC ORIGINS OF KAVAThe origins of kava usage in Oceania are not known. Kava drinkingitself is much older than any written history of this part of the world,

HrnsuGuil No. 39 . 4l

TH E KAVA ROOT WAs OFTEN U5EDIN RECONCILIN6 WITH ENEMIE5OR IN PRESERVINC TH E COODWILLOF KIN65 AN D CH IE F5.

The first of these proposals may be discounted, as most of theislands ofOceania are ofcomparatively recent geological origin andconsist of coral limestones or volcanic cones. The possibility thatthe plant or its root drifted to the various islands on which it is nowfound seems equally remote because of the great distances and thelarge number of islands involved. Thus, without completely dis-missing the first two possibilities, Newell concludes that the kavaroot or plant was brought by early Polynesian explorers in much thesame way as they brought other plants in their canoes.

The second hypothesis places the origins ofthe kava customon the Asian subcontinent. In his works on the cultural origins ofPolynesians, Handy proposes an alternative to the theory that thedifferent cultures of the Polynesian area are the products of evolu-

42 . HnsrGnarir No. 39

Men bring in kqvo of o morioge exchonge ceremony, Tonno,Vonuotu, I979. Courtesy of Lomont Lindstrom.

and oral traditions do not seem to have brought forward relevantreliable accounts. It should be noted that at first contact none of theisland communities had an alphabet, and therefore a written lan-guage of their own. Some of the hypotheses concerning the botanicorigins of kava are worth considering.

According to Newell, the origin of the kava plant appears tohave been in the New Guinea-Indonesia area or further north.li Hediscusses three possible ways in which the plant could have spreadto Tonga and the eastern Pacific, namely: (a) by the islands beingattached to a main land mass on which kava evolved and developed;(b) by drifting or being otherwise transported from island to island;and (c) by being transported by people in canoes.

tion within Polynesia itself, that is, of a single culture whichthe original Polynesians brought with them. He comparesvarious cultural traits of Polynesians with those found inSouthern China and connects the drinking of kava inPolynesia with the ancient Chinese tea ceremony.ar

Williamson, on the other hand, thinks that thePolynesians might have originated slightly further west, inthe southern parts of India.a2 In a detailed and carefullydocumented treatise, he argues that the kava ceremonymight equally well be compared with the ceremonials, ritu-als, and beliefs connected with the drinking of somaintheancient Vedic religion, a ceremony to which it bears con-siderable resemblance. He discusses many points of simi-larity between the kava ceremonial and the Vedic ritual.

Another theory, proposed by Rivers, holds that thekava custom was related to, or developed out of, an earlierestablished practice of betel nut chewing.22 In fact, Rivershas suggested the presence of two quite distinct cultural

traditions in Oceania: the betel nut culture and the kava culture. Betelnut chewing involves three separate ingredients---+rushed nut of theareca palm (Areca catechu L. Palmae), leaves of Piper betle L.Piperaceae, and slaked lime-while kava requires only one ingredi-ent. Rivers believes that partly because ofthis, kava drinking suc-ceeded betel nut chewing as migrants were unable to acquire all thenecessary components for the earlier habit. Rivers also thinks thatkava drinking arose in part as a result of the needs encountered bythe immigrants under alien conditions who found the kava root moresatisfying than the betel nut. This latter suggestion is queried byWilliamson on two counts.a2 First, both the betel nut and the kavaplant grow in the same areas of New Guinea and Samoa, and yet, inNew Guinea, kava is of little importance, whereas in Samoa betelnut chewing is virtually unknown. Second, the fact that kava is less

potent than the betel nut may in-validate Rivers's reason for theimmigrants' preference for kavaover the betel nut.

Churchill also proposesthe presence of two culturesbased on the distribution ofkavaand betel in Oceania.a3 He sug-gests that these two cultures be-longed to two immigrantpeopleswhom he calls the kava peopleand the betel people. The kavapeople settled in Southern

Melanesia, Fiji, and Polynesia while the betel people did not extendin their southeasterly movement beyond the Solomon and Santa Cruzislands. However, elements of the culture of the betel people mayhave carried directly or indirectly to Southem Melanesia, Fiji, andPolynesia, in a minimal way, and any that does exist is probably ofrecent origin.T

I.EGENDS OF THE ORIGIN OF KAVAKava enters into many myths and legends, many relating to the ori-gin ofthe plant and the beverage. Different versions have been re-corded from all parts of Oceania, e.g., Hawaii,a21.44 Samoa,2t,42,45Marquesas and Rotuma,a6 Tonga,aT Futuna,2s Vanuatua,22 , Fiji 25 andTikopia'5 to name a few.

Kovo plont, Piper methysticum, showing chorocteristicinflorescence. Photo courtesy Kovo Komponi, Vonuolu

In Fiji, three legends regarding kava and its origins are re-

membered.2s The first refers to a root which was found growing on

the grave of a Tongan leper. The second legend, which comes fromthe eastern Fijian islands of Lau, implies that kava was introducedinto Tonga from Lau-or vice versa-because of the close proxim-ity between the islands. The third, and probably the most important.comes from the northeast coast of Viti Levu, not far from a tradi-tional settlement. One group of settlers, led by Degei, journeyed

inland and settled near Nakauvadra. The legend is that two of the

settlers killed a rooster which had awakened Degei by its crowingevery morning. This action angered Degei and they fled from his

wrath, taking with them samples of all of the material culture of the

community with the sole exception of kava, which they left behindfor Degei's use. This legend might also explain why kava was origi-nally used only at religious rites, with its consumption limited to the

chief (who was considered the mortal representative of the ancestorgod) and his priests.

According to a Samoan tale from Manu'a, an island studiedby Margaret Mead,rs'Tangaloa came down from heaven with twoassistants who went fishing for him. In those days there were no

hooks, lines, or nets, so they had to fish with their hands. They caught

a fish and brought it to Tangaloa, but he wished to have kava to drink

with it. As there was none on earth, he sent them back to heaven tobring down a root of it. They, however, pulled up the whole plant

and brought it down with them, and as Tangaloa scattered the super-

fluous pafts all over the earth, they grew up luxuriantly. He wanted

some water in which to infuse the kava and this was supplied by adownpour of rain. The two attendants also brought down from heaven

the necessary bowl (tanoa), strainer (tau'anga), and cup (ipu) forpreparing and drinking the kava. That is how, according to the tale,

this drink of the gods was introduced to earth.r:In the Marquesas, the original kava was the child of their great

god Atea, the provider of good seasons and rain, and patron deity offarmers. In Rotuma, in the Fiji group, the onginal kava was be-

lieved to have floated to the island from Samoa.{6 And on Pente-

costM in Vanuatu, the story is told that a man once saw a rat nibblinga root of kava, and watched it fall down and presently come back tolife again. He saw this happen several times and then tried the roothimself.r2

In hi s mono gr aph, To n g a n M y t h s and Ta I e s, GIff or d describe s

four variants of a Tongan legend, one of which is outlined below.a?

The great chief Loau, who lived in Ha'amea, on the island ofTongatapu, one day sailed to the small island of Euaiki to visit his

faithful servant Feva'anga. Feva'anga wished to honor his chief with

HnsilGuia No. 39 . 43

a great feast but it was during the time of a great famine. In despera-tion he and his wife killed and cooked their only daughter to beserved to the chief. However, Loau recognized,the human flesh inthe food when it was served. He instructed Feva'anga to plant thefood in the ground and to bring him the plant when it matured. Onreceiving the mature plant, Loau instructed that a drink be preparedfrom it and consumed with due ceremony.

EFFECTS OF KAVA DRINKINGThere is some disagreement as to the taste of the kava drink. In1903, Emerson wrote: "While tramping in the woods I have oftenmoistened my tongue with a piece of awa chipped from some root,and experienced relieffrom thirst by its pleasant, cooling, aromatic,numbing effect in the mucous membrane of the tongue."26

According to Sir Peter Buck--or to use his given name, TeRangi Hiroa-a Polynesian physician from New Zealand who oftendrank kava, "It is cooling, refreshing, and stimulating without beingintoxicating. . . . Used in moderation, it is probably the best drink fora tropical climate."as

A little while after drinking, kava is found to reduce fatigue,to allay anxiety, and to produce a generally pleasant, cheerful andsociable attitude, although some other quite different physiologicaleffects-some bordering on intoxication-have been noted in vari-ous parts of Oceania. For instance, consider the following typicataccounts from Melanesia and Western Polynesia:

It gives a pleasant, warm and cheerful, but lazy feeling,sociable, though not hilarious or loquacious; the reasonis not obscured.50

The head is affected pleasantly; you feel friendly, not beersentimental; you cannot hate with kava in you. Kava qui-ets the mind; the world gains no new color or rose tint; itfits in its place and in one easily understandable whole.sr

Thomson, in a highly prejudiced and exaggerated account, describesslightly more severe effects in this passage on "confirmed topers":

The body becomes emaciated. The skin becomes dry andcovered with scales, especially the palms of the hands,the soles of the feet, and the forearms and shins. Appetiteis lost. Sleep is disordered. Eye becomes bloodshot.There are pains in the pit of the stomach. The drinkersinks into unwholesome lethargy.3o

Compare these reports with other accounts from various locationsin Eastern Polynesia. Morrison, who visited Tahiti between 1788and 1791, wrote:

(Kava) almost immediatelydeprives them ofthe use oftheir limbs and speech, butdoes not touch the mentalfaculty, and they appear ina thoughtful mood and fre-quently fall backwards be-fore they have finished eat-ing. Some of their atten-

dants then attend to chafe their limbs all over till they fallasleep, and the rest retire and no noise is suffered to bemade near them. After a few hours they are as fresh as ifnothing had happened, and are ready for another dose.s2

continues on poge 46

Yoqono bowl used in the kovo ceremony, Fiii. Photo @ ondcourtesy of the Fiii Visitor's Bureou

Focing poge: Villogers on the islond of Tonno in the South Pocificnotion of Vonuotu exchonge pigs ond the decoroted roots of omuch-prized shrub, kovo, during o rituol donce festivol. Photocourtesy of Lomont Lindstrom.

SHAR!NC, A BOWL OF I<AVATEN D5 TO FOSTER SOCIALIZI N6AN D FRIEN D5H IP

On the other hand, other reports talk of great bittemess and a

burning taste in the mouth. For instance, Ellis wrote: "If an opinionof its taste might be formed by a distortion of their countenanceafter taking it, it must be a most nauseous doseq"ae while Churchillobserved that "Polynesians do not praise kava for its taste, it is theodor which appeals to their sense of pleasure."23

It is generally agreed that the first effect of drinking kava is anumbing and astringent effect on the tongue and, to a lesser extent,the inner lining of the mouth. Titcomb quotes two Hawaiians, oneof whom reported, "there is a peculiar bitterness with a feeling ofthickness in the mouth, so that one does not taste the deliciousnessof food after chewing or drinking awa," and the other, "If you chewa piece in your mouth, it is sour, and very bitter. The mouth will nottaste food that is eaten after."21

44 o HrrsrGmr,r No. 39

CHEMISTRY OF KrAVA

The reported pharmacological ef-fects of kava drinking haveprompted numerous chemical in-vestigations over the past I 30 years

in the search for the biologicallyactive constituents. These investi-gations have resulted in the isola-tion of two series of closely relatedcompounds which are either sub-stituted alpha-pyrones or substi-tuted 5,6-dihydro-alpha-pyrones,and some other miscellaneouscompounds.

Gobley126 and Cuzentr2T al-most simultaneously reported theisolation of the first of these com-pounds, now called methysticin,(previously known as kavakin,kawakin, kavatin, and kanakin). lnI 874, Nrilting and KopprD reporteda crystalline material whose isola-

tion was later repeated by Lewin%and who named this compoundyangonin. The isolation ofdihydromethysticin (DHM) wasachieved byWinzheimer in I 908. r2e

Lewin's work in I 886 was fol-lowed by the most extensivechemical investigation ever under-taken on kava with the publicationof 14 papers by Borsche and hisco-workers during l9l4-33. Thiswork covered two new constitu-ents, kawain and dihydrokawain(DHK) and their structural eluci-dation together with those of thethree known components,methysticin, yangonin, anddihydromethysticin (DHM). How-ever, Borsche and Bodensteinr30 in-

correctb/ formulated yangonin as

the 2-methoxy-4-pyrone structure.

It was not until 1950 that the er-ror was corrected by Macier-ewicz,r3r and independently con-firmed,r32 lt was finally unambigu-

ously synthesized in 1960.133

Four new compounds wereadded to the alpha-pyrone series:5,6-dehyd romethysticin,l l -methoxyyangonin andI I -methoxynoryangoninr3a, anddesmethoxy-yangonin | 35, togetherwith the isolation of oro pigmentmaterials, flavokawin A andflavokawin B. These pigments have

been established by synthesis to besubstituted chalcones.r36 Accord-ing to Shulgina these otherwise bio-logically inactive pigments mightexplain the skin discoloration ob-served with chronic use of kava

extracts.

Depending on the separationprocedures employed, early at-tempts to establish the relativeamounts of the componentspresent in kava have yielded uncer-

tain results. Young et ol,r37 used

spectrophotometric analyticaltechniques while Klohs et oLrrs as-

sayed the fractions from columnch romatographic separations.Based on the available data,r36't:z't:a'r3e,r'ro Shulginl has classified the pro-portion of each componentpresent as being maior (DHK,kawain and methysticin), minor(5,6-dehyd romethystici n,desmethoxyyangonin, DHM,flavokawin A, and yangonin), ortrace (flavokawin B,I l-methoxynoryangonin, andI l-methoxyyangonin).

Renewed interest in kava has

prompted chemists to developmore rapid and reproducible de-tection techniques for the activekava components and their me-tabolites. Duve and co-workersrar'r't2'r't3'r1'{ have used a gasJiquid chro-matographic technique to identifrthe maior active constituents,to as-

say the effectiveness ofvarious ex-traction procedures during bever-age PreParation, and to determinethe stability of the constituents inlong-term storage of dried pow-

...TH E5E COMPOUNDS MI6HTREPRESENTA NEW C,ROUP OFPOTENT SKELETAL MUSCLERELAXANTS.

Titcomb quotes a report by a Hawaiian, Kaualilinoe, written in the

last century:

There is no admiration for the body and face of an awadrinker whose eyes are sticky, and whose skin cracks likethe bark of the kukui trees of Lilikoi in unsightliness. Ifyou are drunk with awa, you will find your muscles and

cords limp, the head feels weighted and the whole bodytoo.27

Consider also Toney's description of kava drinking in the Marquesas:

Copious draughts cause a dizziness and a honibly dis-torted countenance. They lose the use of their limbs, and

and fall and roll about on the ground, until the stupeficationwears away.53

All the above observations are based on infusions, not water-alcohol extracts or other dosage forms becoming popular in the West.

There are obvious and well-documented differences in the pharma-

cological effects observed in Eastem Polynesian societies on the one

46 o HnsrLGuril No. 39

hand, and in a large group of Western Polynesian and Melanesiansocieties on the other. Some reasons that may be advanced to ex-plain the differential effects are:

(a) Different varieties of Piper methysticum were used in dif-ferent societies. Some indication has already been given of the large

number of varieties available and of the differences in the strengths

of kava prepared from them. For instance, the Samoan varieties are

considered much less potent than those cultivated elsewhere inPolynesia.5a

(b) There could also be differences in soil and climatic varia-tions. Titcomb notes that certain localities in Hawaii were famousfor the potent kava. She quotes the native historian Kamakau whostated that: "From of old, there were places made famous by the

intoxicating qualities of their awa, for example, Ko'uko'u on Kauai,Hena on Oahu, Lanakila on Maui, and Puna on Hawaii."27

(c) The plant may be used in different states of freshness ormaturity. Furthermore, the green root or stem provides the muchstronger drink. Gadjusek found that islanders in Tanna and Tongarikiin Vanuatu showed a distinct preference for freshly harvested rootsfor this reason, as do people in the Sigatoka River valley in Fiji.55

dered roots and basal stems oftheplant On the other hand, Duffieldand his group employed methanechemical ionization gas chromatog-raphy/mass spectroscopy in theirstudies by which they were able toconfirm earlier studies and identifrhuman urinary metabolites andpreviously unknown trace com-pounds of kava.r4+r47

Despite earlier claimsr2e'lae'rs

that alkaloids wene pnesent in rheroots,all attempts at their isolationwene unsuccessful until I 97 I whenoro amides in trace amounts werereported.rsr Recently,the isolationand structural determination of a

novel alkaloid, pipermethystine, a

mafor constituent of the leaves,has

been achieved by Smith.rs2 lt is alsopresent in small amounts in stemsand roots of tlre plant, but due toits insability it had not previouslybeen reported.

ln an effortto assign biologi-cal activity to oneor the other por-tion of the mol-ecule, severalstructural modifi-cations of the ac-tive constituentshave been carriedout. Pharmaco-logical assays ofthe analogues invarious test sys-tems suggest cer-tain structure-activity relation-ships.rs3 For more detailed ac-counts of the chemistry andstructure-actiyity relationships, thereader should consult reviews byKeller and Klohs3 and Shulgina andthe more recent papers of Duve'sand Duffield's groupsr4raT.

ri'-\cn=a*-/o-,..o (o)"H=cHLr=o

OCH3

Yangonin

(d) There are differences in the methods of preparing kava.The "Tonga method" and the "Fiji method" are described under thesection on "Chewing and Pounding." A third method is sometimesused with the malicious intention of quickly intoxicating the drinker.For this, hot water is used to extract the kava from dry or green stockand the drink allowed to cool before serving. The effect far exceedsthat of the other two methods of preparation. Obviously, the methodof preparation would increase the amount of the active constituentsextracted from the kava stock and hence the strength of the drink.

(e) Effects may vary according to whether or not drinkers com-bine kava consumption with eating. Imbibers often assume that thecombination of feasting with kava ingestion may result in less de-bilitating effects. In earlier times, Tongans always took food withkava to prevent nausea, and Mead speaks ofan invariable associa-tion of food with kava in Samoa.13 Morrison, writing of Tahiti, saysthat "a gill of this juice is a sufficient dose, but if they eat anything

Nokomo/ (kovo bor) signboord written inBislomo (Pidgin English), Port Vilo, Vonuotu,

1988. Courtesy of Lomont Lindstrom

',<"X)cx=,r1)o crr=cxQo

OCHgOCH3

Methysticin Kawain

-,<.DCH2CH2 CH2CH2

Dihydromethysticin Dihydrokawain

o-C-ct,.o

Pipermethystine

D"'="" ,.<"X)"'="',Q-o

::::o"'=.,q2=. "::o"',="'q;=o

Desmethoxyyangonin

OCH3

5, 6-Dehydromethysticin

OCH3 OCH3

I l-Methoxyyangonin I l-Methoxy-nor-yangonin

HrnrruGnm No. 39 . 47

Nokuton breoks o bronch from o kovo plont ot o disputesettlement exchonge, Somorio villoge, Tonno, Vonuolu, 1979.Courtesy of Lomont Lindstrom

immediately before it, it has no effect,"52 while Holmes found that inlegends describing the origins of the kava ceremony in Samoa, the

fono o le 'ava (food for ttre kava) went hand in hand with the beverage.s6

(f) The accounts of missionaries and explorers exaggerated

the deleterious effects ofkava drinking. This possibility should be

seen in the context of the role of missions in helping shape Oceanicattitudes towards alcohol and kava. O'Brien, for instance, discussesthe efforts to ban the drinking ofkava and alcohol on Ponape as partof a program by the missions to gain and assert political power.He notes:

The attack on kava was much more than the general mission-ary dislike of alcohol. The missionaries were far less concemedwith prohibiting coconut toddy or rum. Kava was singled out forspecial attention because of the important position it held (in the

system ofpolitical tribute) in native society.sT(g) Different psychological attitudes towards kava drinking

48 . HmmrGmr,r I'lo. 39

affected the response to ingestion ofthe drink. Those who expectedor desired intoxicating effects were more likely to experience them,in very much the same way as with marijuana and other hallucinogens.

(h) Additives, which might have been mixed with the drink,could have produced some of the more extreme effects. The prac-

tice of adding exffacts of yaqoyoqona (Piper puberulum) or the datl-ras (Datura spp.), often with a malicious intent, is still practised insome places in Fiji.

socrolocrcAt AsPEcrsSOCIAL GEREMONIATThe most significant role of kava continues to be social ceremonial.As Ford states, it is "the only way to welcome an important visitor.Sharing a bowl ofkava tends to foster socializing and friendship andit is unthinkable that kava should not be a part of commemoratingany important event. The practice is solidly embedded in social and

political context."rr Holmes, writing on the position of kava in mod-ern Samoa, found that "kava drinking is without doubt the most im-portant element of the aiava, the ceremony of greeting for visitingparties (malaga), and therefore carries much of the burden of Sa-

moan hospitality."56Present-day ceremonies of welcome in Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji

invariably include the kava ceremony. President and Mrs. LyndonJohnson were offered the kava drink on their visit to Samoa in Octo-ber, 1966. (See photo on page 37) On that occasion, "Samoanswho had tumed out from every corner of the island to welcome theJohnsons, applauded delightedly.8T Queen Elizabeth of Great Brit-ain and members of her family are always offered kava on their vis-its to Fiji and they always drink the beverage! On other occasions,

Pope John Paul II has consumed the beverage as have First LadyHillary Rodham Clinton, former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson and

President Lyndon Johnson.However, kava is not always in the form of a drink when used

in welcoming ceremonies. It appears from Friedlander's accountthat it was the custom in Samoa for each of the parties, both guest

and host, to make a present of kava root to the other-which was

accompanied by polite speeches of welcome.se La P6rouse reportsthe appearance, on the arrival of the French in Samoa, of an old manwith a branch of kava in his hand, and also the throwing into the sea

of several branches of kava by some natives in another part of Sa-

moa, as a sign of peace.s Cook says that in Tonga it was broughtout in canoes to the English ships as a sign ofpeace and friendship,62and Mariner reports an incident where a chief, visiting the island ofVavau to quell an insurrection, was met by one of the rebellious menwho removed his turban, gave the chief a piece of kava root, and

kissed his feet as a mark of respect.r6

This practice of exchanging kava is still prevalent and is per-formed even where no chiefs or dignitaries are involved.Waqavonovono, in her study of Fijian medicinal plants, reports thatshe first "presented a sevusevuY to the leader of the Y.W.C.A. groupwho retumed the same procedure with another sevusevu of welcome.After several bowls of yaqona, I described to the group the purpose

of my visit."62

In the past, ceremonial kava drinking has invariably been the

lrst act of most important community functions. Other importantceremonial uses of kava occur at meetings for divination, pacts ofrevenge, before the confinement of a woman when prayers are saidso that the child may be a son,ra the naming of a child at one year ofage, after seeing the shark god Sekatoa in the water, settling dis-

putes, pigeon snaring,rT consecrating a boy child, and ceremonialinitiation of girls trained in the sacred hula dancing and chanting.63In Tikopia, kava serves as a medium for the reaffirmation of thevalue of sacred symbols. Since it is used as a religious libation andnot as a beverage, it is ceremonially poured out, not drunk.rs

In less peaceful times kava was consumed by chiefs and war-riors prior to battle. For example, the first king of Tonga, Taufa'ahau,incited his troops to battle by a kava ceremony,14 and Marinerr6 de-scribes how the head chief of a village anointed his war leader bysymbolically offering the first cup of honor to him.

,VIEDICINALIn many parts of the Pacific, it was generally thought that kava, takenjudiciously, had a beneficial effect on health. The Hawaiians used itfor many purposes-to soothe the nerves, to induce relaxation andsleep, to counteract fatigue,2T for congestion in the urinary tract, forasthma and rheumatism, and to reduce weight.63 They consideredthe leaf good as a poultice for headache or for placing under a pa-tient to make him or her perspire to break a cold or fever. Treatmentby kava for excessive fat brought the body back to normal fitness.According to Diehl, "it is a spinal rather than a cerebral depressant;it steadies the pulse, does not raise the temperature, and acts as adiuretic and a stomachic tonic. Its chief medical use is in the cure ofchronic cystitis and gleet and, amongst those South Sea Islandersaffected with syphilis, its stimulating and diaphoretic acrion washighly appreciated."5a Harrisson found that it was formerly usedextensively as "a curative in cases of gonorrhoea.6s Kava-drinkers

Joel lou cleons kovo for chewing, Somorio villoge,Tonno, Vonuolu, 1992. Courtesy of Lomont Lindstrom

Austrolion politicol cortoon lompooning reports of purported kovo obuse by AboriginolsCourtesy of the Nodhern Territory News.

HHfrrS Hxlr{C1r{grt so ttAPP.{?

HrnrrGur;r No. 39 . 49

PHARMACOLOGY OF K/AVAAND ITS CONSTITUENTSThe first pharmacological evalua-tion of the kava pyrones waspublished in Lewin's admirablemonograph but because limitedquantities of pure compounds-methysticin and yangonin-'were athis disposal, his data now isdeemed of only historical signifi-cance.% At any rate,they are worth

noting. Methysticin was found tobe inactive when injected intraperi-toneally (i.p.) in doses of up to twograms in both warm- and cold-blooded animals. Yangonin, being

available in even smaller quantities,could be tested only in two frogsin oral doses of 0.05 g with noobservable effects.

The bulk of Lewin's experi-ment was carried out on resin re-maining after the crystallization ofmethysticin and yangonin. lt pro-duced paralysis in frogs and showed

a local anaesthetic action. ln ex-periments with a baia sparrow and

a pigeon, it caused the loss of use

of the wings,the animals appearingto be deeply sedated. Subcutane-ous injection of the resin in cats

resulted in deep sleep with obvi-ous local anesthetic activity, butwhen given orally, only salivationand vomiting were noted.

Borsche and Blount came tothe conclusion that none of thekava pyrones known at that time(i.e., methysticin, dihydromethy-sticin [DHM]), yangonin,ditydrokawain [DHK],and kawain),possessed the biological activitiesreputed to be present in the crudepreparation.eT The possibility thatthe active principle might bepresent in the unsaponifiable frac-tion could not be substantiated, as

the solubility characteristics of thefraction did not allow for biologi-cal testing. ln a pharmacological in-vestigation carried out about thistime,Schiibel found the kava resinto have a weak sleep-inducing ac-tion,to paralyze sensory nerves and

to first stimulate, then paralyzesmooth muscles.e8 The hydrolysis

products of this resin also showedsimilar actions. The local anestheticaction was attributed to com-pounds containing benzoic and cin-namic acid residues. ln experi-ments in the isolated frog heart,Schiibel showed that incubation ofthe kava root with human salivaincreased the potency of kava ex-tract. He attributed the increasein activit), to the enzymatic break-down of sarch in the root, whichin turn led to a mone efficient ex-ffaction of the active materials.Howevel Schiibel was unable todemonstrate any pharmacologicalactivity when the pure compoundsyangonin and methysticin were ad-

ministered to rabbits, pigeons, orfrots.

Van Veen employed pigeons,monkeys, and rice birds to followthe active principles of kava in hisisolation procedures.s Preliminaryresults indicated that rice birdswere overly sensitive to the crudeextracts, and monkeys too resis-

tant Pigeons were thereafter used

for routine assays. Eight to fifteenminutes after administration of theextracgthe pigeons became sleepyand atactic-unabJe to coordinatemoYements. A deep sleep then setin lasting from two to ten hours.The birds appeared to be fully re-covered upon awakening. Monkep

Kovo root, Prpermethysticum. Pholo

@1997, Steven Foster.

very seldom get gonorrhoea. If they do, the kava itself cures it intime, always keeps it under control."

According to Titcomb, Hawaiian medical men (kahunas) made

extensive use of kava for the cure or alleviation of such ailments as

"general debility, especially in children," "weary muscles...a great

restorer of strength," for "chills and head colds," "difficulty in pass-

ing urine," "sharp blinding headache," and for children having a "dis-orderly stomach and... thick, white coating on the tongue."27 Otherdisorders for which kava was recornmended and used included "lungand kindred troubles," "weaknesses arising from certain conditions

during virginity," "displacement of the womb," and as "a poultice

for boils." Jarret notes that "it was extensively used in Germanyprevious to the World War, in the manufacture of certain drugs and

medicines,"6s and Emerson mentions kava as an article of export,noting that its "value as a drug is in the preparation of remedies forurinary troubles."26 In Tanna, where custom ascribes to women a

mysterious power which may destroy the potency of kava, Tannese

women drink it medicinally, and give it to their children (a

50 . HrnsrLGur,r No. 39

one-teaspoon dose is considered to cure whooping cough); its power

then seems unimpaired.66

,YIAGICO-REUGIOUSIn addition to its social ceremonial uses, kava has been employedfor a number of magico-religious purposes. One of the most impor-tant of these was the pouring out of libations of the beverage to the

gods, although in some cases the symbolic offering of kava root was

substituted. Turner notes that in Samoa the head of a household, at

the beginning of the evening meal, would pour a little kava onto the

ground or around the edge of the mat as an offering to the gods.12 Inpre-Christian days in Fiji, the first cupful was poured out at the footof the main kingpost of the bure or tribal hall.67 At formal kavaparties, the first cup was always proclaimed by the priest as beingfor the gods.22' 6n' 6e Often the names of ancestors were also invokedat this time. Mariner also refers to a Tongan custom whereby a smallpiece of kava root was left before a consecrated house or grave, out

of respect either to a god (or gods), or to the departed spirit of a

required three to five times thedose used in pigeons. An effectivedose caused initial loss of limb con-rol,followed by sleep within fifteento thirty minutes which lasted for15 hours or longer. Purified frac-tions 8'ave a maximal effect whenadministered in an oil orlecithin-water emulsion, suggestingthat chewing the root and admix-ing saliva produced emulsificationand thus promoted activity.

VanVeen succeeded in isolat-ing an active fraction from whichhe reported a crystalline materialthat he called marindinin. He sub-sequently demonstrated thatmarindinin was a slightly impureform of DHK, a compound foundby Borsche to be physiologicallyinactive. Van Veen also tested thepurified DHK and showed thatthephysiological activity he had earlierdemonstrated was indeed due tothis refined material and not to theimpuriq/.

More recent work has con-firmed the activities of the kavapyrones. Hanseland Beiersdorffshowed that DHK and DHMboth appeared to be active incausing sleep in white mice andwhite rats when administeredorally by a stomach tube as an

emulsion.rs Meyer, Oberdodand Seifen reported that DHK

and DHM had sedative activitywhen administered i.p. or orally tomice, rats, rabbits, and cats.rolHigher doses led to a marl<ed ataxicphase followed by loss of the right-ing reflex (an animal's ability to re-gain normal posture on all fourlimbs when artificially forced ontoits back). When administered tomice as peanut oil solutions, bothDHK and DHM produced sedation,hypothermia, and a correspondingreduction in toal oxygen consump-tion. Recently, Jussogie and co-workers have suggested that thesedative action of kava pyronesmight be mediated through theireffects on GABA, receptor bindingsite.ro2 Howevec Davies et oL de-tected no significant interactionbetween kava pyrones and GABAor benzodiazepine binding sites.'03

ln unanesthetized rabbits, bloodpressure was only slightly re-duced.rB These findings, howeveqcould not be duplicated by Kellerand Klohs3 and are reminiscent ofthe contradictory evidence ofBorsche and Van Veen mentionedearlier.eT'e

Later, Meyer demonstratedthat the most characteristic cen-tral nervous action of all kavapyrones was their ability to pro-duce a muscular relaxation in allspecies of laboratory animals.rolThe pyrones have also proved tobe considerably more effective thanmephenesin in protecting micefrom convulsions and death caused

by toxic doses of strychnine. Thus,these compounds might representa new group of potent skeletalmuscle relo<ants. Larger doses pro-

duced ataxia and an ascending pa-

ralysis without loss of conscious-ness,followed by complete recov-ery. ln doses causing muscular re-laxation, the pyrones did not pos-sess a curare-like action on theneuromuscular function.rc Deathafter large oral or i.p. doses was theresult of respiratory hilure. ln ad-dition,the pyrones reduced experi-mentally produced edema. Experi-mentally induced contractions ofisolated ileum or uterus were in-hibited by the pyrones.ros

Klohs et oL studied the effecgof the ground root of kava, a chlo-roform octract obained therefrom,and several of its crystalline con-stituents on the central nervoussystem as determined by their abil-ity to anagonize clonic strychnineconvulsions and death in mice,

continues on nextpoge

TH E ACCOUNTs OF MI55IONARIE5AN D EXPLORE R5 EXA6 CERATEDTH E DELETERIOU5 EFFECTs OFKAVA DRIN KINC,.

relation or chief.16 On some of the outlying Tongan islands a pieceof scraped kava was thrown into the sea when invoking the sharkgod Sekatoa.a2

Reference was made earlier to the presumed absence of kavadrinking by Niueans, probably because of its scarcity; whatevermaterial was available was reserved for the inspiration of theirpriests.6e

In Hawaii, a major function of the kahunar was to establishcommunication with the gods. These priests were experts of reli-gious practice, with knowledge of what to offeq what prayers to use,and what interpretations to place on portents.2T Of the offerings made,kava was thought to be the most important to propitiate the favor ofthe gods. Root, beverage, and leaves were all suitable, while oneexceedingly powerful offering was a '6complete" kava-that is, aplant with one root, one stem, and one leaf.

Among the orders of priesthood in Hawaii, there were threewhich were particularly dreaded-those who prayed victims to death,sorcerers, and those who sent evil spirits on errands of death.2? Of

these, the last named used kava exclusively. In Fiji, kava has alsobeen used both in sorcery and witchcraft.zs Ifan individual desiredthe death of his neighbor, he recruited the services of a sorcerer whoprepared kava and poured a libation on the grave site ofan ancestorof the intended victim. The ceremony was repeated after the victimwas dead. In many parts of Fiji kava is considered to have the gift ofhealing. If a child is sick, a piece of the kava plant is suspendedfrom the roof of the house in full view of the patient. It is claimedthat after two or three days normal health would be fully restored.

GIINICAI STUDIESMathews and coworkers have assessed the effect of kava usage onthe physical health status of a group of Australian Aborigines.{ (Sub-

sequently, this research was discredited as being politically moti-vated by commercial alcohol interests to pressure a government banof kava.r53) The study found a correlation between the extent ofkava usage and a number of abnormal medical symptoms in theseindividuals, including scaly skin rash, increased patellar reflexes,

HtnmrGur,r I'10.39 . 5l

PHAR}IACOLOGY OF KAYA CONTINUED

cause fall-out in roller cage experi-ments, and potentiate sodium pen-

tobartial-induced sleeping time. r07

The crude extract, mettrysticin, and

DHM were particularly effective in

affording protection against the le-

thal effects of strychnine, whileyangonin and dihydroyangonin(DHY) were practically withoutefrect. Kawain and DHK were onlymoderately effective. All of thecompounds increased pentobar-bital-induced sleeping time withDHM being the most potent aSent

Using "fall-out" from revolving(roller) cages as an index, none ofthe crysalline compounds had sig-

nificant activity. This was in sharpcontrast to the ground root andthe crude extract On the basis ofthese results, Klohs et oL proposedthe presence of a synergistic ac-tion for the individual compoundswhen administered in combina-tion.roT An indication of a syner-gistic efiect was also found by test-ing a mixture of kawain; DHK,methysticin, DHM, yangonin and

DHY against strychnine convul-sions and death. The amounts ofthe compounds tested were in theratio in which they were isolatedfrom the crude extract, The mix-ture showed a potency similar tothat of DHM. Since this agent rep-resented only about 5 percent ofthe mixture and since the other

constituents were less Potent orinactive, a synergistic effect of themixture or increased absorption ofindividual components are likelyexplanations. ln agreement withKlohs et ol., Meyer reported thatthe activity of yangonin anddesmethoxyyangonin (given i.p.) inpreventing micefrom maximal elec-troshock seizure was markedly in-creased when given in combinationwith the other kava constitu-sp15.l07,ros An interesting observa-tion was recently made byBackhauss who found that kava

extract, methysticin, and DHM, butnot the other pyrones, protectedagainst tissue damage in experi-mentally induced ischemia in ratand mouse brains.16

Recently Keledjian et ol. have

measured the rate of uptake intomouse brain tissue of kawain, DHK,yangonin, and desmethoxyyan-gonin,r@ all of which are reportedto be active as anticonvulsantsagainst maximal electroshock sei-

zures when tested in mice.los'lro

They found that maximal brain con-centrations of kawain and DHKoccurred five minutes aftertheir i.p.

iniection. Previously, Meyer showedthat the peak effect of the two com-pounds in protecting mice frommaximal electroshock seizure oc-curred after l0 minutes.ros There-fore, the brain concentrations cor-

related well with the centrally me-diated pharmacological actions.

Duffield's group showed thatboth pyrone-free and lipid solublekava resin fractions reduced am-phetamine-induced hypermotilityand conditioned avoidance re-sponses in rats and mice.rrr How-ever, the kava effects were slightcompared to that of the standardantipsychotic drugs chlorprom-azine and haloperidol. This groupalso found that the anticonvulsanteffect ofthe aqueous extract againt

strychnine was very slightrr2 Thekava resin produced hypnosis, an-algesia, and a local anesthetic ac-

tion. Overall, the pharmacologicaleffects of kava appeared to bemainly due to the activity of thecompounds present in the lipidsoluble resin fraction. ln the cat,thepreferential site of action of thekava extract and the pure com-pound d,l-kawain appears to be theamygdala complex.il! According tothem, the pafticipation of thesestructures in modulating emotionalprocesses may explain the promo-tion of sleep by kava.

Frater also observed the ef-fects of kava on the nervous sys-

tem of human subjects.z Follow-ing the consumption of six pints ofan infusion (no defined concentra-tions were mentioned in the stud-ies) over a two-hour period, the

subiects looked sleepy, their eyes

were slightly bloodshot and defi-nitely watery with the pupils en-larged and reactinS only slowly tolighr Speech was only slightly af-fected. The subiects were able towalk in a straight line and could stillrun uP the stairs two at a time. lnan effort to assess the effects onalertness, and on speed of access

of information in long-termmemory, Russell, Bakker, and Singh

showed that kava has no effect onthe reaction times or erors in twogroups of native drinkers who con-sumed doses thought usual orgreater than those associated withsocial functions.rra ln a study onthe visual effects produced by kava,

Garner and Klinger noted a re-duced near point of accommoda-tion and convergence, an increasein pupil diameter and disturbanceto the oculomotor balance.rraHowever, no changes were re-corded in visual or stereoacuity,orin ocular refractive error.

The local anaesthetic action ofthe pyrones originally observed by

Lewin,Schiibel, and others early thiscentury has been re-investi-gated.%s Frater showed that a thinpaste of kava powder,when appliedto the mucous membrane of thelip,produced a slightly burning sen-sation and a feeling of numbness.zWith a pin-prick test there was a

underweight, reduced levels of albumin,plasma protein, urea and bilirubin, de-

creased platelet and lymphocyte count,shortness of breath and pulmonary hy-pertension. On the basis ofthe above ob-servations, these workers recommendedurgent social action to improve the healthin Aboriginal communities by reducingkava consumption and improving the nu-tritional status of kava users.

Although the effect of chronicdrinking of traditionally prepared kavabeverages (as distinct from water-alco-

Tolmweren chews kovo for his fother,Somorio villoge, Tonno, Vonuotu,1979. Counesy of Lomont Lindstrom.

hol extracts) on the skin has been mentioned in many reports,2T'30'44'7r there have been only two reported attempts, those of Frater and

Ruze, to understand the pharmacological basis for it and to search

for a cure.72'7r The lesion in question, called kani in Fijian, requiresregular, almost daily, consumption of kava before it appears, and

takes from a few months to a year or more to develop. The skinbecomes dry and covered with scales, especially the palms of the

hand, the soles of the feet, and the forearms, back, and shins. Frater,

working with Fijian subjects, came to the tentative conclusion thatkani was caused by an interference by kava with the normal uptakeand assimilation of some of the B group vitamins. The conditioncould be reversed, even in the most serious cases, by a reduction inkava consumption and a balanced diet.

In her study, Ruze selected 29 male Tongan kava drinkers, allof whom showed the characteristic skin lesions. Fifteen of these

individuals were randomized to receive a dose of niacin (or nicoti-namide) vitamin, while the remaining l4 received a placebo

52 . HrnsrLGmm J'lo. 39

containing no active ingredient. After three weeks, clinical

slight impairment of feeling as com-pared with the rest of the lip. tiy'hen

some rloot was chewed for l5 min-utes, howeven the degree of anes-thesia was greatec leading him toconclude that there was a definitelocal anesthetic effect ln anotherstudy most ofthe kava pyrones in-hibited frog heart contraction.r 16

These actions were compared withthose of cocaine which showed a

similar protection against ventricu-lar fibrillation through is local an-esthetic effettiveness. More re-cently, Sinth examined the efiectsof whole kava extract on musclecontractility and neuromusculartransmission, using twitch tensionand electrophysiological tech-niquesrrs. He found that the ex-tract caused muscle paralysis bymechanisms similar to local anes-thetics like lidocaine. These obser-vations are supported by the re-cent finding that kawain, like thecommon local anesthetics, blockedvoltage-dependent sodium ionchannels.rl8

The antimycotic (antifungal)propenies of some ofthe pyroneshave been investigated.rrxrr A largenumber of Gram-positive, Gram-negative, pathogenic andnon-pathotenic bacteria werefound to grow uninhibited in nutri-ents containing the pyrones, indi-cating they are not bacteriosatic

in nature. However, some of thepyrones showed remarkable fungi-satic properties against a wide gen-era of fungi, including some whichare pathogenic to humans.

Since the bulk of the pharma-

cological work has concentrated onthe water-soluble pyrones, Buckley,

Furgiuele, and O'Hara investigatedthe biological activity of thewater-soluble fractions of kava ob-ained by steam distillation.r2r Theyfound that the two fractions soobained contained biologically ac-tive materials which were relativelyfree of any pyrones. These materi-als suppressed spontaneous activ-ity in test animals and at hitherdoses led to muscular relaxationpreviously seen with the pyrones.

ln addition,one of the two fractionsexhibited an anti-serotonin activ-ity similar to that of DHM.

Recent investigations by Lebotet eL into the relative proportionsof the various pyrones in kara has

shed a tremendous amount of lighton the origin of kava and its chem-istry which has been modifiedthrough native selection of indi-vidual plants. Lebotfound thatthechemical makeup of kava, and notits owward appearance, correlatedwith ethnoboanical use. Pharma-cologically driven selection appearsto have created chemical variationsof kava far removed from its wildancestor.s

Kovo leof, Piper methysticum.Photo @1997, Sleven Fosler

improvement was observed in fivemembers from each group. These find-ings led Ruze to conclude that niacinvitamin deficiency was not responsiblefor the skin condition associated withexcessive kava consumption sincetreatment with the vitamin did notpro-duce an effect significantly differentfrom control.

In a 1996 randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study twogroups of 29 patients were treated witha standardized special extract madefrom kava rhizome or placebo. Thedose was 100 mg. of dry extract stan-dardized to 70 mg. kava lactones threetimes daily for four weeks. The studyconcluded that the kava was clinically

TH E I<AVA CUSTOM HA5 BEEN5O WI DE' PREAD TH ROUC, HOUTOCEANIA THAT IT MI6HT BE

CONSIDERED TH E ON E ITEMIN TH E I R MATE RIAL CU LTU RE

THAT LIN KED T06ETH ER MOsTOF TH E PEOPLES

HrmrLGRAl,r No. 39 . 53

effective in reduction of states of anxiety, tension, and excitedness

of non-mental origin. No adverse reactions were noted.r5a

coNcrusroNsKava continues to occupy a central place in South Pacific communi-ties, and its importance there recently has increased with the surge

of interest in the ethnic culture and customs of the native people.

Kava products are sold in the U.S. in many health food stores,

Polynesian grocery stores, by mail order, and now in mass marketoutlets. Because of its reputed lack of addictive properties, legalavailability, and claims by various authors (it induces "deep restfulsleep and clear, epic-length dreams,"Ta "enhances psychic powersand visions,"Ts and "relieves insomnia and nervousness")76 and be-

cause it has been recognized by European health authorities as a

relatively safe remedy for anxiety,TT kava is rapidly gainingpopularity.fl

Correspondence to: Prof. Y. N. Singh, Ph. D., College of Pharmacy, SouthDakota State University, Box2202-C, Brookings, SD, 57007Fax:6051 688-6232.

t For a detailed account ofthe impact of kava in Australia, see Prescott and McCall( r 988).

** Manu'a is one of the Samoan islands studied by the famous anthropologist Mar-garet Mead (1930).

A The island of Pentecost is famous for its "land divers," whereby young men tieone end ofjungle vines to their ankles, the other end being secured to the topof a platform 15-25 meters high, and leap to the ground from the top of theplatform. The flexibility and the length of the vines are such that the fallalmost always is broken just before the divers reach the ground, thus usuallypreventing any serious injury from occurring to the young men (see Johnsonand Johnson, 1955; Muller, 1970). The recently introduced sport of "bungee"jumping from bridges and other high structures using large elastic bands (Time,

April I 5, I 99 I ) has its origins in this custom of "land divers".M Fijian word for exchange of gifts, often as a prelude to a request for a favor.

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145. Duffreld, A. M., R. O. Lidgard. and G. K. C. Low 1986. Analysis of the constituents ofPiper methrsticum by gas chromatography methane chemical ioniation mass spectros-copy. B i onr e di ca l and Eny i ro nmen t a l M a s s S p e c t ro s c o p l-, 1 3. 305-3 1 3.

1,16. Cheng, D., R.O. Lidgrd, P H. Duffield, A. M. Duffield. md J. J. Brophy. 1988. ldenti-fication of methane chemical ionization gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy of theproducts obtained by steam distillation and aqueous acid extraction of commercial Piperntethysticum. Biomedical and Enyironmental Mass SpectroscopJ, 17(5).371-376.

147. Duffield. P H., D. D. Jamieson, and A. M.Duffield. 1989. Effect of aqueous and lipid-soluble extracts of kava on the conditioned avoidance response in rats. ArchivesI nte mationale s de P hamcodynmie et de The rapi e. 30 l, 8 l -90.

148. Lavialle, M. 1889. La kavaine, L'Ution Phannaceutique.S0,5.149. Scheuer.PJ.andT.J.Horigan. 1959. AnewcarbonylcompoundfromPipermethrsticum

Forst.. Narure. 184. 979-980.I 50. Achenbach. H. and W. Karl. I 97 L lnhaltsstoffe des Rauschpfeffers. III. Untersuchung

der Sauren des Rauschpfeffers (Piper methtsticuu Forst.). Chemische Beichte. 104,1468-1417.

l5l. Smith,R.M. 1979. Pipemethystine: anovelpyridonealkaloidfromPipermethtsticum.Te t rah ed ron kt t e rs. 35. 437 -439.

152. Klohs,M.W. 1967. Chemistryofkaya. In: D.J.Efron.B.HolmstedtandN.S.Kline(Eds.), Ethnopharmacologic Seurchfor Pstchoac'tiye Drugr, U. S. Department ofHealth.Education and Welfare. Publ. No. 1645, Govemment Printing Office. Washington, D.C.t26-t32.

153. Friedman, G. 1997. Personal communication to Mark Blumenthal. February 6.l5'1. Lehmann,E..E.Kinzler,J.Friedemann. 1996. EfficacyofaspecialKavaextract(Piper

methysticum) in patients with states of anxiety, tension and excitedness of non-mentalorigin.-A double-blind placebo-controlled study of four weeks treatment. Phttomedi-cirre Vol. III(2). I l3-l 19.

HrrmLGmm No. 39 . 55

GERMAN COMMISSION E MONOGR/APHKAvA-KAvA RHrzoMEPperis methystici rhizomoKovo-Kovo-Wu rzelstockPublishedJune I,1990

Description of DrugPiperis methptici rhizoma, kava-kava rhizome (root).

Constituents of DrugKava-kava rhizome consists of the dried rhizomes of Piper metlrystkumG. Forster [Fam. Piperaceae], as well as their preparations in effectivedosage.The drug contains kava-pyrones (kawain).

UsesConditions of nervous anxiety, stress, and restlessness.

ConuoindicotionsPregnancy, nursing, endogenous depression.

Side EffectsNone known.Note: Extended continuous intake can cause a temporary yellowdiscoloration of skin, hair, and nails. ln this case, further application ofthis drug must be discontinued. ln rare cases,allergic skin reactions can

occur. Also, accommodative disturbances, such as enlargement of thepupils and disturbances of the oculomotor equilibrium, have beendescribed.

souRcEBlumenthal, M., J. Gruenwald, T. Hall, C. W. Riggins, R. S. Rister (Eds.), S. Klein and R. S. Rister, (trans.) 1997German Comission E Momgraphs. Austin, Texas: American Botanical Council (in press).

lnteluctions with Other DrugsPotentiation of effectiveness is possible for substances acting onthe central nervous system, such as alcohol, barbiturates, andpsychopharmacological agents.

DosogeUnless otherwise prescribed:Daily dosage:

Herb and preparations equivalent to 60 - I 20 mg kava pyrones.

Mode of AdministrutionComminuted rhizome and other galenic preparations for oral use.

D uratio n of Appl icotionNot more than 3 months without medical advice.Note: Even when administered within its prescribed dosages, thisherb may adverseiy affect motor reflexes and judgment for drivingand/or operating heavy machinery.

ActionAnti-anxiety.ln animal experiments a potentiation of narcosis (sedation),anticonvulsive, antispasmodic, and central muscular relaxant effectswere described.

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56 . HmsuGmm No. 39

Profile: Great Botanists/Herbalists Series

Henry Hurd Rusby - 1855-1910by Barbara Johnston

"Wrestling the Jungle's Secrets" @1957 by Robert A. Thom for Pork+Dovis.Courtesy of Worner-Lombert. Speciol thonks to Hol W. Goff.

Tenacity and dedication of purpose are without a doubt two

qualities necessary for success in almost any field. Henry HurdRusby had both to spare. Though nearly blind from birth fromcongenital cataracts, Rusby led a life of adventure, exploration,discovery, and contribution centered around the fields of botany,

medicine, and pharmacy.

HerbolGrom l'l0.39 o 57

Rusbyl association with ChiefChemist Harvey Wiley of theBureau of Chemistry U. S. Depart-ment of Agriculture (USDA),brought him under fire fromWiley's enemies. This culminatedin a number of allegations published

in 1930 in the Journol of theAmericon Medical Associotion(/AMA) concerning his implicationin a number of "questionable com-mercial associations."

The first is theWine of Carduisuit. Rusby was called as technicalwitness to the prosecu{on and was

accused by the AMA of not always

appearing'to make articulate'endwell-informed saternentsl' His testi-mony was focused by the defense,not on the area of his expertise,

Broadened and toughened by years of plowing when older said, "l made the Apaches recognize us as non-combatants and leave

men were away fighting the Civil War, Rusby's interest in flowers us alone I don't know. But they did, although they didn't tail to giveand t'erns might have waned had it not been for the influence of an us indications every now and then of what it would cost us toinspired schoolteacher. Rusby took to the fields, swamps. and woods grow forgetful."in his home county in New Jersey, col-lecting and identifying almost every kindof plant.

Educators of today would probably

catch and deflect the behavior of thisuncontrollable bad-boy early on, recog-nizing the frustration of a first-rate mindtrapped in the body of a bright and eageryouth potentially hindered with poor eye-

sight. That the influence was successful

is not in doubt, for, at 21 , he was awarded

a prize at the Centennial Exposition of1876 fbr the herbarium he had started as

a youngster. From then on it was fullspeed ahead fbr the youth.

He sold the prize-winning her-barium to Parke, Davis & Co. for enough

money to pay for his medical education.His field experience continued as he con-ducted botanical expeditions for theSmithsonian Institution to the then-fron-tier areas of New Mexico and Arizona. ar-

eas not the least bit peaceable but the scene

of horrific conflicts between the indig-enous people and settlers. "Just how," he

58 . HerbolGrom N0.39

Liono, Diplopterys cobrerono

[Bonisteriopsis rusboyno]. Courtesy ofthe Botonicol Reseorch lnstitute of Texos,Fort Worth, TX.

Rusby, practicing botany eventhough coping with the robbers andApaches, fbund tirne to translate Goethe

into English. He received his medical di-ploma a year later, in 1884, and, with onlythree days'notice, Parke, Davis & Co. sent

hirn to South America to search for a

reputed new discovery of possible impor-tance to medicine-Erttltroxyktn coca,

the "divine" coca plant of the Incas, source

of the alkaloid cocaine. In terms of dis-covery, the expedition was a resoundingsuccess for Rusby collected 20,000pounds of the leaf, then surveyed the ex-tensive quinine-producing cinchona(Cittchona spp.) plantations in Brazil.

However, the commercial profitvanished when the shipment disappearedduring a political revolution. The phar-

maceutical company ordered his return butRusby's pugnacious personality and bo-

tanical soul wouldn't allow him to giveup the opportunity to be one of the flrstArnerican explorers to study the then-unexplored richness of South Americanflora. He set out to cross the continent by

Rusgv'sCommERcrAlVrNTURES

but on that of his co-author oJ IheNotronol Stondord Dispensory ( 1909).

In the second rinstance, theSlends Weight-Reducing Gum suit,Rusby was called as a pharmacog-nosy expert by the defense and wasaccused by the AMA of testifringwith "unscientifi c character;" again,

seemingly uniustified.The third occurrence was a

result of a 1929 ad campaign.FleischmanntYeast, in an effort toboost lagging sales of its product,published advertisements withRusby's photograph (as they didwith 26 physicians from sixcounries) and an alleged quota-tion endorsing the product forhealthy purposei. Rusby deniedthe endorsement.

Author Rossi-Wilcox feelsthat there are three factorssupporting Rusby's denial. Thenature of the bulk of his work, hisparticipation in the writing of The

Properaes ond Uses of Drugs-lromwhich Fleischmann's advertisin!agency, J. Walter Thompson, toofthe misused quote-was confinedonly to the botanically relatedsections, and the fact that thewriting style used was notconsistent with that of Rusby,especially for reference works.

The fourth involved allega-tions concerning his tie withHoward Ambruster, an importer ofSpanish ergot (Cloviceps purpureo)

used at the time in cases of obstet-rically managed birth. Rusby had

publiely offered to examine lots ofcrude ergot for manufacturers andonly the Meyers Brothers Com-pany of St. Louis took dre o$er. TheSenate committee hearing the case

ultimately recognized Rusbyl com-mitment to reliability of marketproducts. He insisted on a stan-

dardized, reliable approach in a timewhen recognition of the complexchemistry of determining physicalcharacteristics to ensure insect andmold-free crude ergot was not yetunderscood.- Borbaro lohnston

[Source: Rossi-Wilcox, Sus*nM. Henry Hurd Rusbyl Alleged"Commercial Ventures." 1995.Phormacy in History,Vol. 37, No. 2.

8s-e3.1

Henry Hurd Rusby in Amozon on cobin of boot. Dote unknown.Photo from the Librory of the New York Botonicol Gorden, Bronx, New York.

foot and boat, trusting in his ability to sur-vive on whatever medical fees he couldcommand from the sparsely located settlersand Indians. He and his crew ofadventurous soldiers of fortune em-barked on a two-year trek of incrediblehardship. He was stricken with a tropicalfever, became unconscious, was placed ina shallow grave by his Indian guides, andgiven up for dead. As his companions sat

around the grave, waiting for him to die so

they could fill in the earth, Rusby regainedconsciousness, climbed out of the grave,

and went back to work, much to the dis-may of his mourners.

When, at the end of his journey, he

staggered onto the grounds occupied by an

orchid specialist on the coast ofBrazil andpresented himself as Rusby, he was so ema-ciated as to be unrecognizable. It took agreat deal of effort to convince the man ofhis veracity. "Think of a better one," saidthe man. "Rusby's dead. He was killedby Indians. I sent out an expedition afterhim, and I've got all the proof."

The orchid grower was not the onlyone skeptical of his identity. Rusby's tele-gram to Parke, Davis & Co., reporting hissurvival, had been disregarded and his fam-ily never informed. On his retum home,

,t9\00

Mir6, Podoco r pu s ferrugi neu s

[Prumnopitys ferrugineo] Courtesy of theBotonicol Reseorch lnsitute of Texos, FortWorth, TX.

his own father, not recognizing the ema-ciated person as his son, ordered him offthe premises and took an iron poker to himto reinforce the order.

The results of this expedition, re-corded by Rusby in his book, JungleMemories, were 45,000 botanical speci-mens, 4,000 species being brought back,20 percent of which were new to science.About 6,000 of these specimens weredeposited in the herbarium of the NewYork Botanical Garden. These includedsome important new drugs-cocaine(Erythroxylum coca), cocillana(Guarea rusbyi), cascara sagrada(Rhamnus purshiana), mno (P rumnopitys

fe mt g inc a), and picln (F ab iana imb ic at a).Following his appointment as

Professor ofBotany, Pharmacy, and Physi-ology at Columbia University a year later,he terminated an arrangement with Parke,Davis to receive royalties on the sale ofdrugs introduced by him. He observedthat it seemed wrong that one man shouldprofit rather than serve the good ofall, an

altruistic attitude seldom encountered inthe pharmaceutical fi eld.

HerbolGrom N0.39 . 59

Rusby was an active mem-ber of a group of foresightedbotanists who succeeded in estab-lishing the New York BotanicalGarden after over a decade ofeffort.As Curator of Economic Botany,he insisted on developing a com-prehensive collection refl ecting thewealth of plants important in ev-ery aspect of life. The collectionwas recently returned to the NYBGafter a stay at Harvard University.

Anthropologist and Rusbybiographer Frank Lipp, afterstudying the collection of some

10,000 plants amassed by Dr.Rusby, concluded, "An obvious,but seldom-thought-of truthemerges-that plant life is the foun-dation of a vast extent of humanactivity, the basis of everyculture that humankind, since the

beginning, has drawn not only itsvital sustenance but its deepest aes-

thetic feelings and highest moraland intellectual absorption, fromthe natural order of theplant world."

60 . HerbolGrom N0.39

ExploRATroNs oFHrnmY H'uno Russv

1885 - 1887: eobmbh, Ecrsdor, Peru, Chile, and acmss dre continern drorgh BoEvia ardBrazil, in searrh of cocaine 6or Parlce, Dryis & Compeny of Dctroit

1893: General boanical survey of variors parts of \frn€zuela soudr of dre Orinoco Riren1908 - I 9le Mo<ican nrbber forests.l9 I 7: Colombia searchirg for cinchona br war-time (lr1Affl) use

1919. l92l:Sollvia and Bnzil in search of caapi (Bonisteriopsil coop),drefta/' dnrg.

l(Jrlcinia Eotonico Vll, 5( I 942) 23G23 I J

Goca, Erythroxylum coco, from the Americon Journol ofPhormocy, 1885. Courtesy of the Lloyd Librory ondMuseum, Cincinnoti, OH.

Rusby's importance to thedevelopment of economic botanyand ethnobotany cannot be over-emphasized. According to Lipp,aside from J. W. Harshberger in the1890s and W. E. Safford in the1920s, Rusby was one of the fewbotanists concerned with research

and exploration in this area-1890-1940. Says Lipp, "The H.H. Rusby Economic Botany Col-lection is one of the few thoroughquantitative indicators and com-pendiums of the profound influ-ence ofplants on the course ofhis-tory and civilization, and man'sdependence on plants for the es-

sentials of his existence."Rusby spent much of his

life in the construction of this col-lection; as he states, 'laborious andexpensive operation,' a workwhich carried him 'into many re-mote regions, often destitute ofroads.' Rusby endeavored to de-velop a compendium of economicplants from all areas, countries,plant families, genera or economicgroups, such as those producingresins, gums, drugs, spices, and so

fiLuf, tlil]

LA

lfil,ft?TYC

Rusby (leoning ogoinst the door frome) with notives who helped him on his Amozon trip.Dote unknown. Photo courtesy of the Americon lnstitute of the History of Phormocy.

on. A considerable number of species are of ethnological interest inthat they furnish food, medicine, and other commodities of value inthe daily life of non-European peoples. Included was a large collec-tion of the final end products, in terms of ethnological artifacts, as

well as a presentation of the processes by which the crude materialswere converted into their usable forms."

A strong belief in the fact that the person who held life anddeath in a bottle of pills should be educated-at that time there wereno entrance requirements for applicants to any medical school-ledRusby to wage a three-year struggle to enact a requirement of oneyear ofhigh school. Twenty-five years ofcampaigning later, gradu-ation from high school became mandatory.

Still a scrapper, he, along with Dr. Harvey Wiley, fought a

battle resulting in the passage of the first Pure Food and Drug Act toprotect the public from adulterated drugs and unethical medical prac-tices. The struggle continued when he worked as pharmacist for thePort of New York where he established controls over nearly all plantimports. Over the ymrs, continuing his interest in South Americanmedical flora, he made numerous expeditions to the Southern conti-nent, bringing back more than 17,000 specimens from the lowerOrinoco River, in search of new rubber-yielding trees and quinine.During this period he conducted research into the influence of ra-dioactivity on plant growth and plant reproduction.

At 64, just recovering from pneumonia, he embarked on a two-year ordeal in Bolivia and Brazil in search ofthe tropical vine, caapi(Banisteriopsis caapi, aka ayahuasca) which he hoped would helptreat human anxieties. Unable to withstand the rigors of the trip, he

retumed early, confounding those who didn't expect him to survivethe joumey. He lived and worked for another 20 years.

Dr. Rusby received many honors during his life and his nameforms part of the title of numerous species and genera, such as

B an i s t e r i op s i s r u s by ana (aka ay ahua s c a F am. Malpi ghaceae),Rusbya taxifulia (Ericaceae), Guarea ruslyi (cocillana of the Solan-aceae) and the Rusbyantheae.

Certainly many pages could be filled with testimonials to HenryHurd Rusby's accomplishments. Perhaps the best evaluation comesin his own words taken from a letter to C. W. Ballard, College ofPharmacy, Columbia University, and quoted in Rusby's obituarypublished in Science.

"I cannot say too strongly that, in my opinion, the first andmost important consideration is absolute loyalty in adhering to prin-ciple. This does not mean stubbornness in having your own waywhen the decision is against you. It may be necessary to yield inpractice but you are not compelled to admit a wrong principle.

"Unfortunately honesfy frequently does not yield results whichare sufficiently immediate to warrant the old adage. Perhaps thedishonest people do win at the expense of the others, yet I wouldadhere to the honest course to the very end as the ultimate good ofhumanity depends on that sacrifice and the one object of life is theimprovement of human character."

SOURCESAnon. I942. Chronica Botanica VII,5 (1942) 23G231.Ballard, C. W., 1941. Science,Yol.,93, No.2403.Lipp, Frank. 1974. "One ofthe Giants," Garden Jounral, June.Lipp, Frank. 1996. Personal communication to Penny King. November 17.

Rossi-Wilcox, Susan. 1995. "Henry Hurd Rusby'sAIIeged "Commercial Ventures."' Pl,ar-macy in Histon,Yol. 37. No. 2. 85-93.

Williams. David E. and S. Fraser 1992. Brittonia.14(31.273-279.

HerbolGrom N0.39 . 6l

CONTERENCE REPORT

Europeon Phytomedicines: Reseorch Updotes on

Chemistry, Phormorology, ond 0inicol ApplicotionsSelected Highlights of the Two-Doy Symposium on Phytomedidnes ot the

2l2th Ametiron ftemicol Sodety Meeting 0rlondo, tlorido, Augusl 27-28,1996

by Donald J. Brown, N.D.

Inst year was a significant time for the presentation ofscientific and clinical data validating the use ofalternative and complementary therapies. A key area

of focus has been the impressive body of information

on plant medicines in Europe. Commonly referred to

as p hy tome dic ine s, the s e p lant - b as e d p harmac e ut ic al s

have made a significant impact on European health

care. Growing interest in scientifically validated

alternative and complementary therapies has led the

scientffic and medical community in this country

full-circle back to herbal medicine and its current

evolution in Europe.

Another in a series of landmark educational events forherbal medicine in 1996 occurred at the 2l2th America$-'u'g"gr"$

t**'; " il

Chemical Society Meeting in Orlando on August 27th

and 28th A two-day symposiunt entitled, " Phytomedicines

offered an overview of the chemistry,

and clinical applications of some of Europe's

ffi ffiroz e dic ine s.,.G athe rin go * ffff b6J eadffin hr*o"o*

the

United

r a veritabl

The symposium was introduced by co-orga-nizer Dr. Larry Lawson, director of research

at Murdock-Madaus-Schwabe in Springville,Utah. Dr. Lawson paid homage to the im-pact European phytomedicines andphytopharmaceutical research have had onthe U.S. herbal dietary supplement marketover the past decade. He pointed out thatmost of the significant research on the clini-cal use of herbal medicines has largely comeout of Europe because of favorable regula-tion that supports scientific and clinicalresearch. This research has made well stud-ied phytomedicines from Europe tailor-madefor the 1994 Dietary Supplement and HealthEducation Act-a law that requires re-search validation for structure/functionclaims on any dietary supplement, includingherbal products.

Dr. Varro E. Tyler, Lilly DistinguishedProfessor ofPharmacognosy at Purdue Uni-versity, gave an eloquent overview ofthe role

ffihytomedicines play in Europe-both eco-& snomically and medically. Dr. Tyler pointed

to the fact that while herbal medicines are

typically limited to health food stores in thiscountry, they have been successfully inte-grated into the health care delivery systemsof countries like Germany, France, and Italy.He pointed to the more than 300 Commis-sion E monographs published in Germanyas perhaps the best single resource on thetherapeutic use of herbal medicines. It is in-teresting to note that the research in thesereports was either conducted by Germanphytopharmaceutical companies or spon-sored by them through German universities.Dr. Tyler's comments were complementedin the next presentation by Mark Blumen-thal, the Executive Director of theAmerican

slum was

tes.

-qffiFk" "

62 . HerbolGrom N0.39

rst of its

CONTERENCE REPORT

Botanical Council (ABC), who informedthe audience of the organization's nearcompletion of translating the Commission Emonographs to English. ABC hopes to make

these available for purchase in early 1997 .

Dr. Tyler then covered the tentop-selling herbs in the United States-echinacea, garlic, goldenseal, ginseng,ginkgo, saw palmetto, aloe gel, ephedra,eleuthero, and cranberry-and pointed outthat six have become popular in the past fewyears because ofEuropean research and clini-cal use. Dr. Tyler gave a less-than-favorableoverview ofgoldenseal, pointing out that the

current use of the herb for its antimicrobialactions has no scientific merit, as there have

been no clinical studies carried out on theherb or its extracts.

The other co-organizer of thesymposium, Dr. Rudolf Bauer, professor atthe Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology at

the University of Dtisseldorf, next gave a fas-

cinating presentation on echinacea and itspotential active constituents. Dr. Bauer'swork with echinacea points out the difficultyof standardizing some phytomedicines onspecific active constituents. In the case ofechinacea, three major categories of chemi-cal compounds appear to contribute to itsimmunostimulating actions.

The first category of constituents are

the polysaccharides and glycoproteins.Found primarily in the water-soluble portionof the extract, these include such well-knownimmunomodulating polysaccharides as

arabinogalactan. Studies have shown theseconstituents increase phagocytosis and pro-mote cytokine production, e.9., tumornecrosis factor and interferon. Dr. Bauernoted that glycoproteins and polysaccharides

are particularly high in the rootsof Echinaceapurpurea and E. angustfolia. He also ad-dressed the issue of precipitation of theseconstituents by alcohol. While products ex-tracted with high alcohol content (greater

than 20 percent) will have significantprecipitation of glycoproteins and polysac-charides, products initially extracted withwater and then preserved with a low concen-tration of alcohol are unlikely to have sig-nificant precipitation of these constituents.

The second category is the caffeic acidderivatives. The most commonly measuredis cichoric acid. This compound has alsoshown the ability to increase phagocytosis.Present in alcohol extracts, cichoric acid ishighest in products prepared from the above-ground (aerial) portion of E. purpurea-par-ticularly the flower heads. Degradation ofcichoric acid commences with macerationand becomes significant at about six days.Dr. Bauer points to cichoric acid as a markerfor quality and/or standardization of E. pur-purea jfice products.

The fractions with strongest effect onphagocytosis are the alkamides. Ironically,even though isobutylmide is the one we hear

the most about, it has a very weak effect onphagocytosis when measured invitro. Whichof the alkamides has the strongest action has

yet to be discovered. The alkamides in Epurpurea root are the most active, followedby those in E. angustifulia.

Dr. Bauer concluded his talk with abrief overview of clinical trials. Notable is aretrospective study with 1,280 childrentreated for acute bronchitis with the ex-pressed juice of E. purpurea.t Children re-ceiving echinacea recovered far faster than

those using antibiotics. Dr. Bauer also re-

viewed the Coeugniet study2 showing a

significant drop in the recurrence rate of vul-vovaginal candidiasis by adding E purpureato standard anti-fungal therapy.

Dr. J. Kreiglstein, professor of phar-macology and toxicology at the Universityof Marburg in Germany, provided an over-view of his work demonstrating theneuroprotective properties of Ginkgo bilobaextract (GBE). Dr. Krieglstein's studies have

':t't

utilized animal models of cerebral ischemiaas well as primary cultures of neurons. Themost notable neuroprotective effect was forthe terpene lactones (the flavone glycosideshad no effect on neuroprotection).Ginkgolides A and B reduced infarct size and

the percentage of damaged neurons follow-ing ischemia. Bilobalide was even moreeffective in reducing infarct size and was bet-

ter at protecting neurons against injury. Hepoints to the PAF-antagonistic actions (re-

duces tendency for clotting) of theginkgolides as a possible explanation for theirefficacy. The reason for bilobalide's (another

terpene lactone in ginkgo) neuroprotectionremains unknown.

Dr. Kreiglstein concluded his talk withthe theory that the terpene lactones in GBEmay cause an induction of neuronal growthfactors. Pharmacological induction of these

factors has resulted in neuroprotection dur-ing ischemic states in vitro. He added thatwhile the standardized extract of GBE does

exert neuroprotective actions, it is unlikelythat the PAF-antagonism achieved with oraluse of the extracts is significant.

The next presenter, Dr. AdolfNahrstedt of the Institute of PharmaceuticalBiology and Phyochemistry at the Universityof Miinster, gave a very thorough overviewof quality control with phytomedicines. Hepointed out that while the pharmacologicallyactive constituents in plants are the basis oftherapeutic quality, the content of these con-stituents varies in crude plant drugs and isonly clearly known for a limited number ofplants. Dr. Nahrstedt then presented threelevels of quality:

Level I - The main active consti-tuents are known and standardized in the-

finished product (e.g., ginkgo, milk thistle).Level 2 - Active constituents are

not clearly known but'lypical" constituentsare known and act as markers for qualitycontrol (e.g., valerian, hops, turmeric).

' 3.3s:

HerbolGrom N0.39 . 63

CONFERENCE REPORT

Level 3 - Sufficient information onactive consLituents is lacking to create a stan-dardized prduct (nettle ,ooir,.u* palmetto.vitex. echinacea).

Several issues' were preserited thatmay affect quality.' ,ifhese include properidentification of the, crude drug; suitablecultivation procedures: processing techniqueincluding stabilization, extraction (type ofsolvent). and separation of fractions. As an

example. Dr. Nahrstedt compared the stan-dardized gingko extract ECb 761 to the crudedrugZ (i.e., dried ginkgo leaf). EGb 761has 2.9 percent bilobalide tc8:04 to O.2 per-cent for the crude drug. Gi4[golide,,contentfor EGb 761 is 3.1 percent versus 0.06 to0.23 percent forthe crude drug while flavoneglycoside content is 24 percent versus only0.5 to 1.8 percent respectively. Ginkgolicacid, a potential allergen and gastrointesti-nal irritant (which is greatly reduced in thepreparation of the standardized extract), isless than 6 ppm in EGb 761 compared to oneto two percent in the crude drug.

One ofthe great men ofEuropean phy-tochemistry, Dr. Hildebert Wagner of theUniversity of Munich, gave an overview ofhis work screening plants for anti-hyperten-sive and anti-asthmatic constituents. Dr.Wagner pointed out that while we have over2,000 drugs, only 40 percent are actuallycurative. Side effects and increasing resis-tance of pathogenic microorganisms haveprompted science to began looking for newmedications. He points to the increasedmorbidity associated with prophylactic use

of beta-sympathomimetic drugs in asthmapatients as one specific example.

anti.asthmatic constituents in plants has led ' sity of Vienna next gave a presentation onto tltree promising candidates. The first is the biological actlg.igy and.active compounds'oiibn (Allium cepa) whichis frigh in newly in horse chestnutii!-q6qiilfu hippocastanum).discovered sulfur-containing cotnpo_unds,,in- The active constiniant'found in the seeds ofcluding thiosulfinate. The other two are the the plant is aescin, a comphx mixture ofplant Galphinia glauca and the ayurvedic triterpenoid saponins. Horse chestnut ex-herb Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth.r tracts s[andardized on aescin &nrcnt are used

One of the highlights o[the.first day both internally and topicall;i in Europe towas an overview of feverfew as migra:ine pro- treal chronic venous insuflrciiircy and venousphylaxis by Dr. Stan Heptinstall. professor ed'6ma. leg ulcers. bernatoma.'and sporB "at the Queen's Medical Center in 'injuries.

Aescin works primarily by de'cieas-Nottingham, England, *nd, ediior'of the , , ing capillary perrneability, increasing venousjournal Platelet. After a rathe{ hlimorous""' tone. and stabilizing the capillary endothe-introduction which found Dr. Heptinstal'l'

"lium. Products containing aescin include

reading the actions of feverfew from a lay'"liquids (0.7 to 3.5.percent aescin), tablets/publication and complimenting its accuracy, capsules (10 to 50 mg aescin), injectibles (5

Dr. Hepstinstall gave an overview of a de- mg/ml aescin), and ointments/gels (l to 2cade ofresearch on feverfew. He reviewed percent aescin).

Dr. Wagner's work on screening for,'r.:,

Di Wolfgang Kubelka of the Univer-

the placebo-controlled trials showing Other presentations on the first dayfeverfew's efficacy in reducing the frequency included an overview of plant polysaccha-andseverityofmigraineattacks,includinga rides for cancer adjuvant therapy by Dr.decrease in vomiting. He added that while Gerhard Franz of the University oflittle benefit has been shown for rheumatoid Regensburg and the use of mistletoe lectinsarthritis, that the negative results shown in for cancer therapy by Dr. Hans Gabius of thethe English study may be partly explained Institute for Physiological Chemistry at theby the severity of the disease in the sub- University of Munich. While Dr. Franz'sjects studied. presentation made a compelling argument for

While many publications point to in- the use of higher plant polysaccharides as

hibition of serotonin release by platelets as immunomodulators for cancer patients, Dr.one explanation for feverfew's efficacy with Gabius gave a rather unfavorable review ofmigraine sufferers, Dr. Heptinstall says that the research on mistletoe lectins as a primarythis finding is not conclusive. Feverfew has therapy for cancer patients.been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation Day two of the symposium began withand inhibit histamine release. While four a thorough overview of the role phytomedi-activesesquiterpenelactoneshavebeeniden- cines play in the management of mild totified, parthenolide continues to be of the moderate symptoms of benign prostatic hy-greatest importance as the key constituent in perplasia (BPH) in Europe. Dr. H. Schilcher,

the treatment of migraine head- professor in the Department of Pharmaceuti-ache. Dr. Heptinstall, however, cal Biology at the Free University of Berlin,pointed to the fact that par- introduced his lecture with an overview ofthenolide is very unstable and the pathogenesis of BPH, including the rolethat feverfew extracts must of the enzymes 5-alpha-reductase andstabilize parthenolide to aromatase. He then covered the standardinsure efficacy.

Feverfew, Tonocetumporthenium. Photo @ 1996Steven Foster.

prescription drugs used in the U.S. It's amaz-ing to note that over 90 percent of the pre-scriptions in Germany and Austria writtenfor BPH are phytomedicinesl

Currently in Germany, saw palmetto(Serenoa repens) liposterolic extracts and abeta-sitosterol product are the most com-monly prescribed phytomedicines for BPH,accounting for 64 percent of the phytomedi-cines prescriptions for BPH. They are fol-lowed by nettle (Urtica dioica) root which

64 . HerbolGrom N0.39

l;::fucounts for 20 percent. Other phytomedi-eines include pumpkin (Curcubita pqanis)seed a$well artrye pdlpn all Midkbeeaapproved. Following the re*egistration ofphytomedicines in Germany. saw palmetto,nettle root,pumpkin seed oil and rye pollenextract, all (avg new monographs. Interest-in gl y, the very'popn*lar beta- si toserol extracthas yet to be approved. Pygeum afriwnumextract has not been,reviewed.

Dr. Schilcher then provided an over-view of the various products, incMingchemistry and mechanism of action. Pump-kin seed oil has beerrdifficult to standardizebecause of different species being used forextracts. The active constituents are thoughtto largely reside in the sterol portion of the

oil. Dr. Schilcher pointed to delta-7-sterolsas possible active constituents. Althoughthere is a double-blind study underway, thereis a paucity ofquality clinical studies on thisproduct also.

Pollen extracts have a somewhat moreimpressive record of modern clinical re-

search. The lipophilic extract of rye pollenhas been shown to inhibit 5-alpha-reductasewhile the hydrophilic portion of the extractinhibits prostaglandin and leukotriene syn-thesis. It should be noted that this extracthas shown good results in the management

of chronic, non-bacterial prostatitis.Dr. Schilcher concluded his talk with

a general overview of the most successful

and best-researched phytomedicine for BPH,the liposterolic extract of saw palmetto ber-ries. The extract has been shown to inhibit5-alpha-reductase and aromatase and blockthe binding of dihydrotestosterone in theprostate. It also possesses anti-inflamma-tory and anti-edema actions to complementthe above actions.

While numerous clinical trials have

demonstrated the efficacy of saw palmettoextract for BPH, Dr. Schilcher shared the

exciting results ofa recently published, threeyear, open-label study in Germany examin-ing the effects of 320 mg of saw palmettoexrracr daily in 315 patients with mild ormoderate symptoms of BPH.a Nocturia de-

creased in 73 percent ofthe patients and day-time urination in 54 percent. The residualurine volume decreased significantly froma mean of 64 ml to 32 ml. The peak urinaryflow rate improved by a mean of 6.1 ml/s.Significant changes were observed at the six-

month evAluation and only 14.7 percent ofthe patients had a deterioration of symptomsover,& threo-y.ear study. 'These results com.pare favorably tofinasteride (Proscar@) and

terazosin lHytrin@t.Dr. R. Della Loggia, professor of phar-

macognosy at the University of Trieste inItaly, next gave a presentation of the anti-in-flammatory drugs of herbal origin. Whileherbal drug$ are often somewhat weaker inaction when compared to prescription anti-inflammatory drugs, Dr. Della Loggia argues

that many have a more complete spectrumof action with far fewer side effects. He gave

an overview of chamomile (Matricariarecutita) as an example. It is fascinating tonote that the most potent anti-inflammatoryagent in chamomile is the flavonoid apige-nin. In fact, invitrotests have acrually shown

apigenin to be a more active anti-inflamma-tory agent than indomethicin. It was also

interesting to note that quercetin compares

relatively well to apigenin in strength. Ac-cording to Dr. Della Loggia, the essential oilsin chamomile are primarily responsible forits spasmolytic effect. Dr. Della Loggia alsotalked about studies with St. John's Wort(Hypericum perforatum) and marigold (Cal-endula officinalis).

Dr. Lany Lawson followed with a re-

markably thorough overview of the chemis-try, biological activity, and clinical research

with garlic (Allium sativum). Dr. Lawson,one of the world's experts on garlic and co-author of the b ook, Garlic: The Science andTherapeutic Application of Allium sativumL. and Related Species (Williams andWilkins, 1996), offered insights into the ac-

tive sulfur compounds in garlic. Several

studies have pointed to allicin as the primary

constituent responsible for antimicrobial,hypolipidemic, antithrombotic, antioxidantand hypoglycemic effects of garlic. Allicinis also thought to partly contribute to garlic'santicancer actions. Dr. Lawson points outthat more research is needed to clearly un-derstand the metabolism and mechanism ofaction for allicin and garlic's other sulfurcompounds.

Dr. Lawson then covered scientificpublications on garlic. To date, 1,300 re-

search publications covering the medicinaleffects of garlic have been published. Stud-ies on chemistry and analysis of active com-pounds have totaled l, 100. The largest num-

CONTERENG REPORT

ber ofclinical trials have focused on the use

of garlic powder extracts for hyperlipidemia.In addition to eausing a modest drop in se-

rum eholesterol and higlycerides, garlic has

also shown additional benefits for the car-

diovascular system, including mild antihy-pertensive actions, inhibition of platelet ag-gregation, and fibrinolytic actions. Epide-miological aad anirnal studies also point tothe anticancer actions of garlic. Fina[y, the

intestinal and antimicrobial actions of garlichave opened the door to research looking at

the potential use of garlic for a variety ofpathogenic organisms.

If you are interested in garlic, then Dr.

Lawson's book is essential reading. The onlything missing is a good recipe for pesto. (The

book is available from ABC's BookStore.)

One of the highlights of the ASP

Conference was a field trip to observe theharvest, drying, and processing of sawpalmetto berries, (Serenoo repens) in

South Florida at Plantation Medicinals. lnc.

HerbolGrom N0.39 o 65

CONTERENCE REPORT

The next presentat(Crataegus): Biological

Qualitytto Stic

Swiss Federal IZurich, Sw Dr. Sticher presepted

an overview of the

cies used in p

three groups:. Flavonol andflavone-o-

glycosides (e.g,. hyperoside). Flavone-C-glycosides (e.g,.

vitexin-2' -rhamnoside, vitexin). Procyanidins (e.9,. oligomeric

procyanidins)Dr. Sticherthen presented clinical data

demonstrating the efficacy of hawthom leafand flower extracts for the treatment of NewYork Heart Association (NYHA) class IIcongestive heart failure. Hawthorn extractsimprove coronary blood flow, increase leftventricular ejection fraction, and reduce pe-ripheral resistance to blood flow. Dr. Sticherended his presentation with an overview ofexffaction techniques and quality standards.

Dr. Hans Reuter, vice-president of theGerman Society of Phytotherapy and one ofthe leading figures in phytomedicine researchin Europe, next gave an overview of thechemistry and biology of St. John's Wort(Hypericum perforatum). Dr. Reuter pointed

out that St. John's Wort (SJW) extracts

over 1,500 patients have been

onstrating the efficacy of SJWthe treatment of mild to moderate

on of intact ribosomes). This re-

may possibly be explainedfor

si libyative

Three trials have actually SJWof metabolism t$y which a cell

takes the blood theextract favorably to tricyclic anti s. and growth). He added that[or

y made u..., While the con w in's ratiand flowers are standard- been tIih6JW' are primaiily due both human y kidne

ds (usually Other ons ofnote the secondion on the search foranidins. Dr.

s into lites from plants as

by Dr. Eckart Eich ofas solely responsrble tor SJWS antidepreqpru4.secondary n

sant actions. He also dispelled the ami*",-hntiretroviraltheoryasSJW'smechanismof action. While." the Free Uni

ible anabolic effed (the construc-

so

y of Berlin. Dr. Maxthe common belief has been that SJW inhib- Wichtl, the author of the wonderful textbookits monoamine oxidase, current research by Herbal Drugs and PhytopharmaceuticalsDr. Reuter and colleagues is pointing to the (CRC Press, 1994), gave a presentation onpossibility that SJW may actually be acting the biological activity and active compoundsas a serotonin re-uptake inhibitor. He also inturmeric (Curcumalonga). Alsopresentednoted that SJW has been shown to inhibit were an overview on ginseng by Dr. Sticherthe action of interleukin-6, a cytokine that as well as pharmacological and clinical datamay contribute to the increased cortisol pro- on Vtex agnus-castus by Dr. Winterhoff ofduction noted in major depression. Dr. theUniversityof Miinster.Reuter also pointed to a possible dopamin- The two-day symposium drew overergic effect to partly explain SJW's actions. 100 attendees. Special thanks go out to Drs.

Dr. Johann Sonnenbichler, professor Lawson and Bauer for organizing this land-and department head of the Max Planck In- mark event which will hopefully be the firststitute of Biochemistry in Munich, Germany, of many more to come. The proceedings ofgave a presentation entitled "Biochemistry the symposium will be published at a yet-to-and Pharmacology of Silibinin." Dr. be-determined date by theAmerican chemi-Sonnenbichler, whose work with milk thistle cal Society as part of their ACS Symposiumseeds in the late 1960s led to the discovery Series and will be available from the Ameri-of silymarin and its active flavonolignan, can Botanical Council BookStore.Esilibinin, has largely been responsible fordemonstrating the actions of silibinin in the SOURCES AND NOTESliver. Silbinin has been used orally in stan- l. Baetgen, D. Treatment of acute bronchitis in chil-

dardized milk thistle extracts as well as in dren: A practice study with an immunosrimulant

i.v. preparations to treat a number of toxic '[.o#3';'"o"orurpurea' TWPtidiatrie' 1988'

liver conditions, including alcohol-related 2. Coeugniet, E., R. Kiihnasr. Recurrenr candidi-liver disease. Silibinin not only exerts a ases:Adjuvantimmunotherapywithdifferentfor-

hepatoprotective effect but also leads to faster mulations ofEchinacin@' Therapiewoche' 1986;

regenerationof normalhepatocytefunction. ,. 3::r'"t;-$, A. Miiuer, v. christoffel, er al.This action has largely been attributed to Antiasthmatic acetophenones-an rn uiuo study

silibinin's ability to stimulate the enzyme onstructureactivityrelationship. Phytomedicine

activitv of the DNA-dependenr nNe gtlv ^.

rll"?i;':[.-i*ting. Long-termdrugrreatmentormerase I, thus causing an increase in rRNA benignprostatichy:perplaiia-resultiof aprospec-(ribosomal RNA synthesis and an acceler- tive three-year multicenter study using Sabal ex-

tract IDS 89. Urologe [B] 1995; 35:178-83.

Onion, Allium cepo. PhotoO1996, Steven Foster

"Hawthornity and New" was deliv-

essor of

4l

ized on either total flacalculated as vitexin) or

66 . HerbolGrom N0.39

Germon medicine morket segments

with o high shore of phytotheropeutics

Toto! DPM'Solesin millions of SUS

MARKET REPORT

Torol Phrrtomedicine Percenlsoles in'-iltions of SUS of Morket

Totql morket- Over{hecounter

13,7504,566 33

Totol phytophormoceuticol drugs

- Sold in phormocies only- OverJhe<ounter (ovoiloble outside phormocies)

1,3571,238

I l9

t09

I

Other cordioc preporotions: Howthorn preporotions

Universol products {e.g., essences, etc.)

Anti-orteriosclerotics of noturol origin (gorlic)

25466l

23

4056

928792

lmmune stimulont preporotions of herbol origin

preporotions

Other (e.g., block cohosh)

Percutoneous inholonts (e.g., mentholI

Other cold ond cough preporotions

84

142185

7262

2033

234637

Other rheumotics

inetics (increose

Hepotic prophyloctics ond lipotropic preporotions

5857

465354

Vein preporotions

Cerebrol/peri pherol vosotheropeutics (Gi nkgo)

158429173

7819675

494643cs ond sedotives

remedies in concer theropy 30r04283

l34486

434230

Loxotives

Expectoronts without onti-infectious ogents

Wound heoling preporotions

Flu remedies

Rheumotic liniments

r0566

217

2717

48

262622

Cordioc glycosides

Antidepressonts

Tonics

59177

65

12

30lt

2017

17

Other dermotologicols

Sore throot remedies

Tronquilizers

Anticmetics, onti-nouseo preporotions

681027777

ilt59

I

l6l512

l0* Deutscher Phormo Morkt (DPM) = Germon morket of phormoceuticols, o stoiislicol summory of oll soles in phormocies in GermonyAll soles ore bosed on o conversion rote of 0.6.l58 DM (Germon Morks). All figures ore rounded to the neorest whole number.Source: lMS, courtesy of Joerg Gruenwold, Ph. D., Phy'ophorm Consulting, Berlin.

HerbolGrom N0.39 . 67

TI|IARKET REPORT

Most frequently prescribed herhol monopreporolions inGermo ay, Iisted occording to ortive ingredient ond soles

Aciive ingredient Theropeutic cotegory(reroil prices)

Soles in million $US

Ginkgo bilobo

Horsechestnut

Howthorn

Yeost

circulotory preporotions

vein preporotions

cordioc preporotions

ontidiorrhetic, ocne

28470

4036

St. John's wort ontidepressont

cough remedy

urologic

immunostimulont

36

22

22

21

Myrtle lMyrtus communisl

Stinging nettle

Echinoceo

Sow polmetto

Milk rhisrle

lvy

Mistletoe

urologic

urologic

cough remedy

concer treotment

19

t816

14

Soy beons

Chomomile

Comfrey

Kovo-kovo

dermotologicol

dermotologicol

dermotologicol

tronquilizer

9

9

8.6

8

Greoter Celondine

Cineole (essentiol oil froction)

Bromeloin (pineopple enzyme)

Block snokeroot (Block cohosh)

gostrointestinol ogent

cold remedy

onti-inflommotory

gynecologicol

7

6.76.8

6

Source: Schwobe/Pfoffroth, Arzneiverordnungsreport (Drug Prescribing Report) 1995.Courtesy of Joerg Gruenwold, Ph.D., Phytoph"orm'Consultiig, Berlin. "All soles ore bosed on o conversion rote of 0.6,l58 DM lc6rmon Morks). All figures ore rounded to the neorest whole number

ERRATAThe figures shown in the above table which first appeared in HerbalGram #38, page 59, were converted fromGerman Marks to US$ incorrectly. This revised table has the correct US$ figures. HerbalGram apologizes forany inaccuracies and inconvenience this error has caused.

68 . HerbolGrom N0.39

Morket Reportby Peter Landes

SPICES: We've seen lots of action in Spicesduring this period, following several dull,featureless quarters of relative inactivity inthese usually volatile markets. Faithful read-

ers will recall our discussion some time ago

of the governing principle ruling these unso-phisticated markets throughout their modemhistory: a commodity that is too cheap fortoo long inevitably will become short insupply and rise enough in price to make pro-duction once again worthwhile. It will then

rise too far leading to overproduction and the

whole cycle will start again. This is precise-

ly demonstrated once again by huge priceincreases in many spices, due only to short-ages in supply and not increased demand,which still remains fairly stable. We have

seen White Pepper increase about 80 percent

in price this year and Black Pepper has

moved up very sharply recently.Coriander is tight and relatively ex-

pensive this yeaq too, and makes a goodexample to demonstrate our thesis. Corian-der is a fairly easy crop to grow and is aworldwide crop. The U.S. imports Corianderfrom Canada, Morocco, Bulgaria, Romania,Russia, India, and Egypt-widely diverse lo-cations with vastly different climates, bothphysical and economic-yet this commod-ity is in short supply from everywhere thisyear. The main factor leading to this short-age is the "too cheap for too long" syndrome.

Farmers this year, almost universally, decided

that Coriander had become unprofitable and

were tired of losing money cultivating it.Moreover, Wheat, a crop that can be grown

in the same climatic conditions as Corian-der, ran up in price quite nicely during thepast year and so, apparently, almost everyfarmer decided to plant Wheat instead. One

doesn't need an economics degree to calcu-

Iate the consequences ofthis action: Corian-

der rises in price due to shortage;Wheat sinks

in price due to increased supply. One fur-ther effect: as buyers of Coriander (a rela-tively cheap but necessary ingredient in vari-ous prepared foods, tobacco, and liquor fla-vorings) get word of an imminent shortage,

they rush to cover their annual requirements,The worst thing that can happen to a pur-chasing agent for a manufacturing concernis to go to his/her boss with the news that he/

she cannot obtain an ingredient necessary formanufacturing a (theoretically lucrative)product. Probably the second worst is tooverpay for that ingredient, but that evil cer-

tainly pales in comparison to not being able

to manufacture a product at all for lack of a

simple ingredient. Therefore, buyers bid up

prices for diminishingly available supplies,prices rise to unheard-of heights, farmersonce again plant too much of the crop and

the cycle begins once again. And these are

in markets with relatively inelastic demand-people tend not to use less Coriander whenprices are high, nor do they use more whenprices are cheap. One need only follow the

supply situation to predict price fluctuations.

BOTANICALS: In these markets both sup-

ply and demand play important roles in price

and availability calculations and one must

also throw considerations of vastly differingquality into the equation. Spices, at least,

are more-or-less commodity items, i.e., one

l5-ton lot of Malabar Black Pepper is fairlyinterchangeable with another. This is cer-

tainly not true of Echinacea, Goldenseal,Cat's Claw, or Burdock Root.

Prices for almost all botanicals are ris-ing due to increased demand and decreased

availability of decent quality product. As

botanical buyers in the U.S. become moresophisticated in their quality control and as

botanical medicine becomes more available,more popular, and, inevitably, more scruti-nized in this country, quality considerationsmust become paramount or this newgroundswell in demand will grind to a haltas consumers (and FDA) become disillu-sioned with both the inactivity of theirproducts and the lack of ability of the indus-try to police itself. We are presented with a

new climate and vast new opportunities tofinally put botanical medicine onthe health-care map but quality of product

must be paramount. Given these parameters

it must be stated that quality botanicals are

scarce and likely to remain so for the fore-

seeable future. Supply lines are tenuous since

the collapse of the Communist botanical in-frastructure in the Eastem European coun-tries and cases of bad, dirty, and sometimes

MARKEI REPORI

wrong material being shipped or outrightdefaults on contracts by shippers are increas-ing. This situation will improve but vigilanceas to identification, activity, cleanliness,origin, timely harvesting, proper drying,appropriate storage, etc., is important.

An illustrative (and, to me, fascinat-

ing) story: a lO-year-old investigation of a

particular plant native to a tropical countrywhich has shown ability to kill the hepatitis-B virus continues. This plant in native formconclusively demonstrated this activity but

was thought by a large American corpora-

tion to be too uncontrolled in its nativehabitat to deal with; consequently a supplyof seed was brought to an area of SouthFlorida with a comparable climate andthe plant was carefully cultivated undercontrolled conditions. It was monitoredthroughout its growth and lovingly harvested

forpharmaceutical use, whereupon it showed

absolutely no activity whatever. It is nowpostulated that the plant in its native tropicalenvironment is subjected to some naturalstress (i.e., insect attack, trauma from a plantdisease) that causes it, in self defense, toproduce some compound with the desired

activity, that is, the ability to kill thehepatitis-B virus. No such affront to the plant

existed in South Florida and consequently the

plant as produced under such horticulturallycontrolled conditions was completely use-

less. Every plant is an extremely complexIiving organism, as integral to and as much aproduct of its environment as any other or-ganism, maybe more so. So origin may be as

important as any other quality consideration.This is also an infant industry in many

respects-"hot" botanicals come and go withrapidity. It is important to provide con-sumers with good material, especially inthe eady stages of an upswing in demand, to

demonstrate the industry's ability to bringresponsible, safe, and efficacious productto market.

POTPOURRI INGREDIENTS: Very dullmarkets. Lots of good material available at

very advantageous prices. Will the "toocheap for too long" rule prevail here? Let'swait and see!D

HerbolGrom ]{0.39 . 69

!N IUIEIUIORIAJUI

A. [. Tommie Boss

1908 -1996

"I try to give ease."

"Folks have called me a backwoodsman, or a mountain man, and Itell folks I'm a hillbilly without a guitar." Tommie Bass introducedhimself in this way to hundreds upon hundreds of people who soughthis help and advice. Another Bass trademark statement was "Sameaddress since 1925." He was born in Jackson County, Alabama, at atime when his father was constantly on the move looking for conge-nial business locations as he bought and sold furs and herbs and"anything else." However, in 1925 the family homesteaded in thearea of Leesburg, Alabama. Hard times when young Tommie Basswas growing up fostered ingenuity, entrepreneurial spirit, and theability to work with the seasons.

"I've actually been working ever since I was eight years old.I've done everything. On the farm, picking cotton, cutting cordwood,making crossties, trapping, taking care of the stock." All this honedhis skills with the broadaxe, bucksaw, mattock, sickle, hoe, carpen-ter saw, and steel trap.

Bass's interest in herbs started early as, like his father, he fol-lowed a longAppalachian tradition of herb gathering and trading. Aretentive memory and an eye for income fostered his growing knowl-edge, gamered from the oral and printed traditions.

One of hrs early advertisements (Alabama Farmers'Bulletin,March l, 1945) is typical of those he used for the next 30 years orso: "Wanted: Star of Grub root, Star grass root, lady Slipper, Snakeroot, Black Haw bark or root, Calamus and Bloodroot, etc. Write forprices-A. L. Bass, Leesburg (Cherokee Co.)." Although Bass'slocal reputation grew, it was only from the 1970s that he began to bewidely sought after as an herbalist.

The "ease" that Bass gave to many often rested on more thanhis extensive knowledge of herbs, though he never wanted to admitthat. A meeting with him generally took place in his yard-which

he aptly described as a junkyard--or in-side his shack or on its porch. In thewinter a coffee pot of warm sassafras teastanding on a stove greeted the visitorto a roomful of clutter with walls deco-rated with countless old calendars,photographs of friends, and pictures ofPresident and Mrs. Reagan and SenatorJesse Helms-testimony to a wide circleof acquaintances and to a spirit of Re-publican independence.

A visit was often marked less by a

discussion on herbal medications than byconversation ranging over local events,births, marriages, and deaths, Alabamapolitics, and general chats on herbs, all

laced by Bass's charisma, stories, and jokes. When visitors left,Bass's last comment was generally, "I'm sure glad you came." Bass'sadvice for, say, such common problems as ulcers and rheumatism,was that he could provide relief ("ease") rather than a cure, and thatthe visitor would be a "guinea pig to see if the medicine works."Often no charge was made for the "trial" of medicine ("I'm going tomake a present of that. Don't tell on me."). If the medicine "worked,"a repeat of the herbs or tea commonly cost one to two dollars.

Tommie Bass often said, "I can't quit jabbering." While wecan no longer hear directly his wonderful story-telling, his own wordsand wisdom have been captured many times in the media (fiIm, print,radio, and television) as well in Herbal Medicine, Past and present

by J. K. Crellin and J. Philpott (Durham: Duke Universify Press,1990,2 vols.) and P/ain Southern Eating, ed. J. K. Crellin (Durham:Duke University Press, 1988). - "f.

K. Crellin, Ph.D., University ofNewfoundland

Morvin H. MoloneI930 -1996

Marvin H. Malone, 66, of Stockton, California, died December 1996,in a Stockton hospital. A native of Fairbury Nebraska, Dr. Malonewas a pharmacologist, educator, researcher and editor. He retired in1990 as professor of pharmacology at University of ttre Pacific, (UOP)where he served on the faculty for 21 years. Previously, he heldteaching positions at the University of Connecticut and the Univer-sity of New Mexico. Dr. Malone wrote more than 200 publishedscientific articles and was past editor of the American Journal ofP harmaceutic al Education and the J ournal of Ethnopharmac olo gy.He was affiliated with more than 20 professional and honorary soci-eties and received, among other honors, the Outstanding Educatorof America Award, the UOP distinguished faculry award, and the

Order of the Pacific. Hiswork included researchon natural products, drugabsorption, anti-infl amma-tion, and fertility regulation.He was also editor andpublisher of th e WormwoodReview, a joumal of con-temporary poetry.

continues on next poge

70 . HerbolGrom N0.39

A TRIBUTE FROTI COWOR.KERS ATTHE HERB RESEAR.CH FOUNDATIONDr. Marvin Malone was a key participant from the start in the HerbResearch Foundation's eight-year-old herb safety review program.He was the foundation's principal peer reviewer of the 35 herb safety

reviews performed during that time. As a distinguished scientist inthe field of pharmacology, Dr. Malone brought to the task an im-mense body of knowledge and understanding. His reputation at the

foundation was legendary as the single reviewer who could offer the

most obscure references and details, in addition to providing ex-haustive comments, which greatly served to improve the integrity ofthe reviews overall. It was clear that the effort he put into each

report came from a love of the discipline and his passing represents

the loss of an impressive talent in the field. - Rob McCalebMemorials to the Marvin H. Malone Scholarship Fund, Uni-

versity of the Pacific Central Records, 3601 Pacific Ave., Stockton,cA952tt.

Arthur E. Schworting

l9l7 - I 996Arthur E. Schwarting was born June 8, 1917, in Waubay, South Da-kota. Dr. Arthur E. Schwarting revolutionized the teaching of phar-

macognosy in the United States by classifying drugs according to

the chemistry of the drug's active constituents. Dr. Schwarting re-

ceived his Ph.D. at South Dakota State College in 1943 and moved

on to his first faculty position at the University of Nebraska. Foralmost five decades now, his approach to the teaching of pharma-cognosy has been accepted throughout the U.S. and, indeed, the

entire world.Dr. Schwarting introduced, and carried through in his teach-

ing and research, the new, revolutionary concept ofthe biochemical

classification of plants for instruction in pharmacognosy, a distinctdeviation from the traditional teacher's version of the subject. Dr.

Schwaning had a tremendous influence on the teaching of the sci-ence and is primarily responsible for its conversion from onedealing exclusively with taxonomy, morphology, and histology, toone concerned with the biochemistry and chemistry of plant drug

constituents. Most of the modern pharmacognostical theory and prac-

tice in this country is directly attributable to him. Arthur Schwarting'sgreat service consisted in showing how pharmacognosy should be

studied and how it should be taught.When Dr. Schwarting joined the faculty of the University of

Connecticut School of Pharmacy in 1949,I accompanied him and

became the first student to receive a Ph.D. degree under Dr.Schwarting's direction.

IN INEMORIATUI

For 17 years, from 1960-1976,Dr. Schwarting was editor ofLloydia (to become the Journal of Natural Products in 1979). Inthis capacity, too, he initiated changes, both quantitative and quali-tative, to turn thejournal into an outstanding research publication.

In 1970, Professor Schwarting became dean ofthe School ofPharmacy at the University of Connecticut. He was president of the

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy in l97l-72, duingwhich time he instigated the idea of a study by an outside commis-

sion to determine the state of practice and the education which wouldbest serve future pharmacy professionals. The idea was adopted by

the AACP in 1972; past-president Schwarting raised the money forsuch a study, and thus, the Study Commission of Pharmacy was or-ganized. Its report appeared in 1975.

In 1968-69, Dr. Schwarting spent a sabbatical leave in Munich,Germany, where he worked in the institute of Prof. LudwigHdrhammer. He was one of the authors of Introduction toChromatography,2nd edition, in 1968. He was on the Board ofDirectors of the American Foundation for PharmaceuticalEducation from 1974-1980. Some of his awards areAmerican Phar-

maceutical Association Foundation Research Achievement Award,1964; University of Connecticut Alumni Association Award for fac-ulty excellence, 1965; and the Centennial Achievement Award fromOhio State University, 1970.

In 1980, Dean Schwarting retired; in l98l the title ofProfessor Emeritus was conferred upon him by the Universityof Connecticut.

The preceding remarks are accurate only in part. ArtSchwarting was also a very human individual behind his profes-

sional facade. I know of no one more even-tempered, moregenerous, more willing to help a friend or loathe to condemn an

enemy than he. Above all, he was a patient teacher, and I have

benefited from his fascinating lectures not only in the classroom,

but while scrutinizing alpine flora on top of the Kehlstein and

while testing the palatability of malt and hops extracts inFreising. - l/sv1'6 E. Tyler Ph.D.

Dr. Arthur Schwarting has

more academic descen-dants than anyone in the

field of pharmacognosy inthe United States. HisPh.D. students includeAmerican Botanical Coun-cil Trustee Vano E. Tyler,Ph.D., and Herb ResearchFoundation ProfessionalAdvisory Board memberJohn Staba, Ph.D.

HerbolGrom il0.39 . 7l

IN TUIETI,IORIATUI

Robert C. Sohn Alfred VogelI 939 - 1997 1902 - 19g6

Dr. Robert Sohn, founder and CEO of Sunsource Intemational, Inc.,who died in January, is best known throughout the herbal industryas the man who did what everyone else at the time said couldn't bedone-he successfully launched an herbal product into the massmarket, transforming the industry and opening the doors for othernatural product companies to follow. The first product he marketed,the Swiss-made Ginsana@ ginseng extract, grew to become the larg-est-selling ginseng product in the U.S., as Sunsource continued togrow and expand with other natural health products. His vision andcommitment to the health and well-being of people and the planetwas reflected through his founding and continued leadership in theNew Center College for Wholistic Health Education and Researchin Syosset, New York, and Sustainable Technologies, Inc., in Maui,Hawaii. Synchromic Studios, Inc., is an award-winning videoproduction facility, also founded by Dr. Sohn to creatively communi-cate solutions to environmental problems. He was a foundingmember and past-president of the American Association for Acu-puncture and Oriental Medicine as well as a key supporter of otherorganizations involved with Oriental and altemative medicine, bodywork, and holistic health.

Dr. Sohn also created the nonprofit Sohn Foundation whichwas responsible for providing the initial funding forABC's GinsengEvaluation Program, an unprecedented evaluation of commercialginseng products sold in North America. According to ABCExecutive Director, Mark Blumenthal, "Dr. Sohn was truly a uniqueindividual. His vision and pioneering efforts in bringing qualityherbal products to the mainstream will have an irreversible beneficial impact on the long-term health of all Americans."

He is survived by his wife,Tina, author of a book on Ammay,a traditional healing system of Ko-rea. - Lorri Rosenthal andBarbara Johnston

Naturopath, herbalist, lecturer, author, and businessman, Alfred Vogellived long and productively for the benefit of humankind. His frstbook, Small Guide to Healthy Living, was published in 1923. Amonghis other books, his most famous, the 800-plus-page The NatureDoctor, was translated from German into 12 other languages. Bythe time of publication of the 50th English edition, sales had sur-passed two million.

Alfred Vogel was born in Aesch, Switzerland, in 1902. As achild, he was introduced to the benefits ofherbalism by his grand-mother and his father, both knowledgeable herbalists.

As a young man in 1920, with the help of his fathet he set upshop in Basel, Switzerland. The lS-year-old entrepreneur was soonbusy selling herbs and lecturing on the benefits of exercise, healthfoods, and herbal remedies, with skepticism toward establishmentmedicine.

In 1929, he began publishing the monthly magazine New Life,which ran until World War II. Retitled Health News,he started it upagain in 1943. In the 1950s, Dr. Vogel began his world travels, gath-ering tribal lore and many varieties of herbs for his customers. Hetraveled in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Throughout Dr. Vogel'stravels, he always found his own ideals confirmed: To "be moderateand live in tune with nature" is the best guarantee for well-being andhealth.

Once, on a trip through the United States, Black Eagle, chiefof the Dakota tribe, drew Dr. Vogel's attention to the purple cone-flower ( Echinacea purpurea.), a Native American medicinal used formany ailments. Alfred Vogel was instrumental in making echinacea,among many other herbal remedies, available worldwide.

Dr. Vogel received an honorary doctorate ofmedicinal botanyfrom the University of Califonia, Los Angeles, it 1952. In 1963,Mr. Vogel founded the Swiss company, Bioforce, to market prod-ucts extracted from fresh herbs. His company exports herbs and

natural food products to dozens of coun-tries. Alfred Vogel pioneered the use offresh herbal extracts as medicinals, usingthe entire plant or part of a plant, ratherthan trying to isolate one active ingre-dient. He championed the idea of thewisdom ofnature throughout his long life.

Says Art Presser, R.Ph., an herb andnatural products developer and educator,"Dr. Vogel was already into his ninetieswhen I met him, but was still blessed witha remarkably straight posture, amazing vi-tality, and an uncaged and enthusiastic zestfor life. He was certainly living proof ofthe value of his lifestyle, fundamentals, andnatural medicine belisf3." - Wali Stopher

72 . HerbolGrom N0.39

Excerpts fromTqles of a Shomqn's Apprentice

On one of my last nights in the village, I was

up late pressing plants. Most of the Indianshad retired to their huts and I was alone withthe old Wayana, who seemed lost in thought.

'Grandfather," I asked, "does it botheryou that the younger Indians do not learn the

old ways? That you have no student to leamyour plants. That your medicine is not begiven the respect it is due?"

The old man did not answer right away,

and I wondered ifhe had even heard me, orif he found my question impertinent. Then

he sighed deeply.

"It is true the youngsters do not wantto learn. That is not my problem, but it willbe theirs. One day the medicines that the

missionaries send from the city will no longer

arrive. The people here will come to me torelieve their pains, to protect their crops, toconquer the evil spirits that kill their chil-dren. But I will be gone and I will have takenmy plants with me."

I spent the betterpart ofthe next twelvemonths in the United States plotting my re-

tum to Tepoe; I was obsessed with workingwith the oldWayana again and learning moreabout the Indians, their rituals, and theirway of life. The medicine man constantly

The next moming, just after sunrise,

the young Indian who had served as our trans-

Joguor lator came to my hut. "Shall we go into theShomon. forest and look for more plants?" he askedPhoto by "Before we do," I said, "find the old

So* shaman and tell him that last night I saw thePlotkin' jaguar." Igavenodetails,andthelndianleft.

He returned a few minutes later."Did you tell him?" I asked"Yes.""What did he say?" I asked."He broke into a big smile and said,

'That was me!"'

Reprinted with permissi on from Tale s

of a Shaman's Apprentice by Mark Plotkin,1994. Viking-Penguin Press. Available fromABC BookStore #8086. See below.

BOOK TEAIURE

appeared in my dreams, silently beckoningme to retum to the healing forest.

{s

I had followed the old shaman through thejungle for three days and, over the course ofour trek, we had developed an enigmaticrelationship. The medicine man obviouslyresented my desire to learn the secrets of the

forest plants that he knew and used for heal-

ing pulposes. Still, he seemed pleased that Ihad come from so far away-he called me

the pananakiri ("the alien") - to acquire the

botanical wisdom that the children of his tribehad no interest in learning.

I did not yet speak his language; an

Indian from a neighboring tribe served as ourtranslator. At the end of the third day, the

old shaman turned to the other Indian and

said, "Tell the pananakiri that I have taughthim all that I am going to teach him.Tomorrow I am going hunting." I had no

objections; there were other shamans in the

village with whom I wished to work and Iretumed to my hut with the medicinal plants

I had collected.That night, I had a tenifying dream.

An enormous jaguar strode into my hut and

stared deeply into my eyes, as if trying todivine my thoughts. Powerful muscles tensed

in its back as it arched its body to spring.So vivid was the apparition that I

awoke with a scream. I sat upright in myhammock trembling, my body soaked in a

cold sweat. Carefully, I looked around the

hut: I saw nothing-no footprints on the dirtfloor, nothing disturbed or overtumed, noth-

ing to indicate the presence of an unwantedvisitor. The only sound was the rustling ofpalm fronds as a gentle breeze blew throughthe village.

Yonomomo hunter. Photo by Mork Plotkin.

tAt[s 0t ASHAINAil'S

APPRE]ITICE

by lllork Plo*in. 1994.

Adventure, onlhropology,

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800/3lt-1105, or toll 521331'8868.

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HerbolGrom N0.39 . 73

BOOK REVIEWS

The Dieiory Supplement Heolth ondEducotion Acft A Legislotive Historyond Anolysis by l. Scott Boss ond AnthonyL. Young. 1996, Woshington D.C.: Food ondDrug Law lnstitute. Softcover. 319 pp. ISBN#l-885-259-37-9. $CC. ABC Bookstore#8220.

The most important piece of legislation af-fecting the regulatory status of herbs andrelated products in the last several decadesis the Dietary Supplement Health and Edu-cation Act of 1994 (DSHEA). This law hascreated a new regulatory category called"Dietary Supplements" which includes vita-mins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, and otherbotanical preparations. In addition, provi-sions ofthe Act declare that these substancesare not "food additives" nor are they drugs.Further, DSHEA allows manufacturers topublish more complete directions for use thanpreviously allowed, which include warnings,contraindications, and side effects-informa-tion that was previously reserved only forapproved drug products. A very interestingand somewhat controversial section of theAct allows manufacturers to publish limitedinformation regarding the benefits of dietarysupplements in the form of "Statements ofNutritional Support" as well as so-called"Structure and Function Claims." The Actalso requires the development ofa new levelof good manufacturing practices (GMPs), thecreation of a Presidential Commission onDietary Supplement Labels to advise andrecommend to the Food and Drug Adminis-tration (FDA) appropriate policy on the la-beling and various claims for these products,the creation of the Office of Dietary Supple-

74 . HerbolGrom N0.39

ments at the National Institutes of Health,charged with developing and coordinatingresearch in this area.

The authors of this book areemminently qualified to present the mostcomplete information on this landmark leg-islation available in one publication. Bothare attomeys representing the National Nu-tritional Foods Association (NNFA), a tradeassociation of manufacturers, distributors,and retailers in the health food and dietarysupplement industry. Both authors weredirectly involved in the various meetingsand negotiations that occurred over atwo- to three-year period culminating in thepassage of DSHEA.

The book is divided into ll chapters.Chapter I deals with a summary of the Act.Chapter 2 gives a briefhisrory ofregulationsdealing with dietary supplements in theUnited States. Chapter 3 discusses severalprevious Acts that were introduced in Con-gress in 1992 that dealt with attempts toreform dietary supplement regulation. Chap-ter 4, one of the most important aspects ofthis book, deals with the passage of SenateBill 874, later known as DSHEA, and thevarious issues that were discussed in Senatehearings, an in-depth comparison of theHouse and Senate diversions of the bill, andvarious attempts to effect passage of thefinal legislation. Chapter 5 deals with thelegal definition of dietary supplement as itfinally evolved in the Act. Chapter 6 dealswith the issue of "New Dietary Ingredients,"the term which refers to ingredients that werenot commonly sold in the U.S. marketplaceprior to the passage of the Act in October,1994. This section also covers procedureswith which companies must comply in or-der to market a new dietary ingredient as wellas additional enforcement power granted toFDA. Chapter 7 covers another more con-troversial aspect of the bill-transfer of theburden of proof of the safety of a dietarysupplement from the marketer to the FDA.

Chapter 8 discusses an important aspect ofthe Act which helps to increase the quantityand quality of educational information on di-etary supplements, including so-called "thirdparty literature" and reform of labels underDSHEA. Chapter 9 deals with what is prob-ably the most interesting area of the Actrelative to its effect on the explosion ofsupplement, especially herb, sales in the mar-ketplace, i.e., the statements of nutritionalsupport and structure and function claims,an area of increasing interest and activity toboth the FDA and the Federal Trade Com-mission. Chapter l0 discusses the new labelfordietary supplements under DSFIEA whichincludes the ability of industry to providewarnings and directions, nutrient contentclaims, and a redefined nutrition facts box.Finally, Chapter l l covers the Commissionfor Dietary Supplement Labels and theOffice of Dietary Supplements at NIH.

The book also provides numerous ap-pendices, including copies of the originalSenate versions of the bill, theActs that wereproposed in 1992, and theAmendment to theSenate Act, as well as the Nutrition Label-ing and Education Act of 1990 (NLEA), animportant piece of legislation upon which thedietary supplement debate in Congress andthe passage of DSHEA is predicated.

This is a useful and indispensable bookforevery U.S. company currently selling anyform of dietary supplements. In addition,this book will also provide considerablevalue to food, pharmaceutical, and foreigncompanies which manufacture ingredientsand/or advanced products intended for salein the U.S.

Finally, this book will provide consid-erable value to attomeys, regulatory affairsconsultants, and any researchers in the nu-trition and botanical fields who would liketo have a better understanding of the legaland regulatory landscape in which these in-creasingly important consumer products arebeing sold. - Mark Blumenthal

Heoling with Plonts in rhe Americonond Mexicon Wesl by MorgueritoArtschwoger Koy. 1996. Tucson, AZ: Uni-

versity of Arizono Press. Block and whiteillustrotions. 315 pp. $19.95. /SBN # 0-

8165-1646-4. ABC Book Store 8229.

One of the erroneous myths that has been

perpetrated on generations of American his-tory students is that the history ofEuropeansin North America started with the landing ofthe English in Jamestown in 1607. However,as most of us are aware, and as revisionisthistorians have now rectified in high school

history books, the true European history inNorth America started with the Spanishconquistadors and theirexploits in theAmeri-can Southwest in the 1540s. The Spanish

established various settlements throughoutWest Texas and New Mexico during this time

as they did coastal ports in Florida.The Spanish brought with them not

only their philosophy of medicine, but also

numerous medicinal plants from Europewhich they began to cultivate and which later

escaped into the wild and were eventuallyadopted as medicines by local NativeAmerican populations. During the last 400years, the ethnomedicinal and ethnobotani-cal development of the Southern U.S. and

Northem Mexico has reflected the mix ofNative American medicinal plants and the

European introductions.It is estimated that by the year 2000,

Hispanic Americans will comprise roughlyone-third of the U.S. population, with manyof these people living in the Westem UnitedStates. It is timely and appropriate that a new

book has been published that weaves together

numerous previous works on medicinal plantuse by Hispanic Americans and NativeAmericans of this region. Previously, the

works of Michael Moore (Medicinal Plantsof the Mountain West, 1979, and MedicinalPlants of the Canyon West, 1989) have been

two of the leading publications dealing withthe traditional uses of the plants of this geo-

graphical region. Now the work ofMarguerita Kay, Professor Emerita of An-thropology at the University of Arizona inTucson, and herself a native of the RioGrande Valley of New Mexico, provides a

comprehensive view of not only the local

uses of many of these plants, but also some

of the pharmacological phytochemical bases

for their activity.The book is in two parts. Part One

includes a section on ethnohistory in whichDr. Kay presents background information on

the ethnomedicine ofEurope as brought overby the Spanish as well as the ethnomedicalknowledge of Native Americans of this geo-

graphical region. In this section and allthroughout the book, Dr. Kay cites authori-tative references. In the second chapter,"Plants, Their Names, and Their Actions,"the author shows the distinctions between

common names as given in a native language

or Spanish and the preferred Latin binomi-als, plus the problems often associated withreliance upon common nomenclature only-especially as one plant may contain numer-ous colloquial names in the languages ofvarious Indian tribes. To help dispel such

confusion, the plants contained in the latterpart of the book are listed in order of theirLatin generic names. A useful feature of this

book is a four-page table, "Medicinal Plant

Genera in the American and Mexican West

by Culture," in which the author lists 100

genera and their medicinal employment byl5 Southwest cultures, including MexicanAmericans and Indians of various tribes. The

author chooses to approach the utility ofplants based on theirphytochemical constitu-

ents and has drawn heavily from theNAPRAlert database at the University of Il-linois in Chicago for information on the

chemical constituents and possible actions

of these medicinal plants. Chapter Three,

BOOK REVIEWS

"Illnesses Treated with Plants," discusses

both external and internal conditions forwhich medicinal plants are used in this geo-

graphical region and how these plants are

prepared. Chapter Four, "Healing the Ill-nesses of Women and Children," deals withplants that are employed by women for abor-

tion and contraception, menstrual regulation,

fertility enhancement, and for childbirth and

postpartum conditions.Part Two is a listing of 100 medicinal

plants, starting with various species ofAcacia and ending with the genus Zomia(re-ferred to colloquially as "Snake Weed"). The

family is listed under each plant along withcommon name and the species employedmedicinally, as well as secondary Englishcommon names. Each one- to two-pagemonograph includes sections on historic use,

modern use, and phytochemistry with the

discussion of phytochemistry helping todocument either historical or modern use. Auseful feature ofthis section is the inclusionof a brief note in the wide margin that gives

therapeutic information on each plant, con-

taining three numerated sentences: 1) the

common uses of the herb, 2) additional in-formation regarding secondary activity orphytochemistry, and 3) information on safety

and/or toxicity. This feature is particularlyuseful for an at-a-glance review of the es-

sential information on each botanical.Popular plants covered by this book

include garlic, aloe, uva ursi, chile peppers,

Mormon tea, juniper, chaparral, chamomile,mint, basil, prickly pear, plantain, rosemary,

rue, willow, sage, elder, jojoba, damiana,and valerian. The book also contains 28

accurate line drawings of some of theplants described.

As indicated by Andrew Weil, M.D.,in the foreword, "When human beings mi-grate, they take their plants with them-notonly familiar foods and beloved ornamen-tals but also the healing plants thatpreindustrial peoples relied on. America has

experienced many migrations and is now

home to a diversity of ideas and practices

continues on next poge

HerbolGrom N0.39 . 75

BOOK REVIEWS

about healing. The medicinal plants of manydifferent ethnic groups are available here, infresh, dried, and extracted forms. Sortingout the cultural origins of these plants is a

daunting task for scholars, let alone assess-ing their uses and possible value in contem-porary medicine."

Dr. Kay has done an admirable job inproviding researchers and the general publicwith a book that will not only substantiatethe use of many traditional remedies of theSouthwest and Northern Mexico, but willalso offer a springboard to research on thepotential value of incorporating some of these

remedies into modern self-care and healthcare.

The book also contains numerous foot-notes, a brief appendix on medicinal plantsafety, a listing of pharmacologically activephytochemicals and their primary activity,extensive reference notes, and bibliographiccitations. Overall, this book is written in ascholarly manner and is not an attempt toprovide the public another popular "how to"book on herbal medicine. Instead, this pub-lication represents many years of scholarlyresearch on the part of the author in an areawith which she is intimately acquainted. Assuch, this book constitutes a significant con-tribution to the literature on the ethnobotanyof the Southwestern United States andNorthern New Mexico. It will no doubt be-come a classic work and an often-citedreference in this increasingly important sub-ject.

- Mark Blumenthal

Bio|*hnology in Agricultvrc and For-esfi,Volume 37t Medicinal and Ato-malic Plonls edned byY. P. S. Boioi. NewYork, Springer-Verlog. 1996. l4l4 pp./SBN # 3-54040597-5. Price $339. ABCBookStore # 8230.

This is the ninth in a series of books on me-dicinal and aromatic plants dealing withbiotechnology developments in producingin vitro and tissue culture production of sec-ondary metabolites. With the increasedpopularity for herbs and phytomedicines andgrowing demand for botanical materials, newinterest is being focused on sustainable meth-

76 . HerbolGrom N0.39

ods of agriculture and biotechnical produc-tion of both the medicinal plants and, in somecases, the actual enhanced yields of theirspecific chemical compounds. Although thispresent volume deals only with in vitro (in alaboratory environment) production of spe-cific plants, the research that it representsmight be useful for future development ofspecific compound or group ofcompoundsfor food, flavor, or pharmaceutical use, or forproduction of higher quality strains of theplants themselves on a large-scale agricul-tural basis.

The book consists of 24 chapters, eachdealing with the studies, protocols, and ref-erences on specific plants and key com-pounds within each species. Included in thisgroup of plants are Anthemis nobilis (Romanchamomile), Catha edulis (Khat),Catharanthus roseus (Syn. Vinca Rosea;Madgascar Periwinkle), Mentha spp.(Mints), Paeonia spp. (Peony), and Portu-laca spp. (Purslane), among numerous oth-ers. Other important medicinal and aromaticplants have been reviewed in previous vol-umes in this series. This book is highly tech-nical and is designed for research scientistsinvolved with tissue culture research and de-velopment. - Mark Blumenthal

Edible ond Medicinol Plonts of rheGreoi lokes Region, by Thomos A.Noege/e, D.O. 1996. Dovis Burg, Ml: Wil-derness Advenlure Books. lllustrqted, 423pp., Softcover, $18.95. /SBN # A9%568-37-9. ABC BookStore #8234.

This is an interesting and slightly unusualbook insofar as it is written by a physician(Doctor of Osteopathy) who has a Master's

degree in Botany-an unusual combinationthat applies to very few physicians in the U.S.This book covers approximately 100 plantsthat are native or naturalized to the GreatLakes Region. Each plant is provided with a

brief one-page monograph and black andwhite line drawing. The monographs includethe Latin name, plant family, and commonname. The herbs are sequenced alphateti-cally by Latin name. The monographsinclude a brief botanical description, somegeneral information, natural habitat, seasonof availability for harvesting, preparationtechniques, medical terminology (whichincludes the plant's primary actions as de-termined by ethnobotanical use and/ormodern scientific research), related diseasesand symptoms that relate to the actionsdiscussed in the previous section, poison-ous aspects, information on the biology andedibility of the plant, chemistry and phar-macognosy information, and the author'spersonal experimentation with the plant.Fortunately, the author has provided fairlyauthoritative references for informationthroughout the brief monographs.

As a physician therefore interested inthe medicinal aspects of these herbs, the au-thorprovides extensive backpage material inthe indices. He has written over 50 pages oftables in which specific physiological actionsofherbs are presented with a list ofeach herbwhich has been documented for that particu-lar action. Such actions include respiratorydigestive, and nervous systems as generalheaders; then they are broken down intoheadache, nervous complaints, asthma, pul-monary problems, colic, indigestion, liver,diarrhea, fever, etc.

In each table the author presents thecommon name in the first column, the Latinname in the second, and then a series of sym-bols which indicate whether the plants are

found in the forest, fields and open areas,

streams, wet areas, and bogs and which sea-

son the plants can be collected. Finally, eachof these useful tables contains the page num-ber where the plant monograph is found inthe text so the reader can refer to additional

information on each botanical,The author also presents convenient

glossaries of botanical and medical terms,cross-references of common and Latinnames, and two tables ofcross-references ofcommon names-Latin names and Latinnames-common names. The book contains

a fairly decent bibliography of authoritativereferences as well as an index.

Unforrunately, dosage information isnot given, thereby requiring the potential user

to refer elsewhere in the event that he or she

intends using an herb medicinally, or usingthis material as a reference book. Under-standably, this type of specificity is difficultas dosages vary depending upon the type ofpreparation and the intended use. After all,this particular publication is not intended as

a manual for self-medication. Otherwise, thisis a useful book, especially for anyone inter-ested in collecting ethonobotanical andmedical data on the plants of the GreatLakes. - Mark Blumenthal

CRC Hondbook of Medicinol Mints(Aromothemotics) Phytochemicolsond BiologicqlActivities by Stephen M.Beckstrom-sfernberg ond Jomes A. Duke.CRC Press, 2000 Corporote Blvd., N. W.,Boco Roton, FL 33431 . 1996. 458 pp. Cloth,

$129.95. ISBN # 0.849s-266s-6. ABCBookStore #8239.

Since the publication of Duke's previousdatabases, including the CRC Handbook ofPhytochemical Constituents of GP.#,S Herbsand other Economic Plants and the CRCHandbook of Biolo gical Actiuities (both pub-

lished in 1992), he and colleague Stephen

M. Beckstrom-Sternberg have nearlydoubled the number of species,phytochemicals, and biological activities in-cluded in their database. The present volume

focuses only on species of the Lamiaceae(Labiatae), the mint family, one of the mostimportant families of economically signifi-cant aromatic species. Data on over 200 taxa

are featured, arranged alphabetically by sci-

entific name (followed by common name).

An alphabetical list of the known compounds

is given, followed by their occurrence in parts

per million, the plant part tested, and a cita-tion. For more obscure mint family members,

information is often drawn from a single ci-tation. Chemical quantification data in ppmare given in either aggregated (range ofppm)or unaggregated form, with a single figure.The authors have devised computation meth-ods by which the analyses can be evaluatedfor predicting potential biological activitybased on concentration of a specific com-pound. The database can be accessed at: http://www.arsgrin.gov/-ngrlsb/. A second section

of the book provides a list of biological ac-

tivities for each compound (keyed to a refer-ence). A bibliography of over 500 references

complements the text. This useful referencecombines aroma-thematics with aro-math-ematics to provide useful data in a uniqueformat valuable to any specialist in medici-nal and aromatic plants. - Steven Foster

Medicino! ond Poisonous Plonts ofQotor by A. M. Rizk ond G. A. El-Ghozoly.

Scienlific ond Applied Reseorch Cenlre, P.O.

Box 2713, Doho, Qotor. 1995. 306 pp.Cloth. $40. (Shipping fo U.S. ond Conodo

$t5.oo) tsBN # 9992t-2t-44-0. ABCEookSlore #8224.

Few among us will have the opportunity totravel to Qatar. Yet this useful volume, lim-ited in its geographic approach, containsmany plant species found throughout tem-

BOOK REVIEWS

perate and tropical regions of the world. Atleast half of the plants in the book are notnative to the Arabian peninsula, but hail fromthe Americas, Asia, Europe, and other areas

of Africa. The native plants are of interestprecisely for their geographic limitation. The

constituents, uses, effects, and descriptionsare given for 184 medicinal plants. In addi-tion, details on flowering period, habitat, and

distribution are included, though these are

limited to the plants' occurrence in Qatar.Over 250 color photographs of varying qual-ity and clarity are included. The use section

in each entry provides good quick reference

data on folk and traditional use from aroundthe world, relying heavily on secondaryregional compilations. The "effects" data

enumerate pharmacological data with refer-ences to primary literature. Data on constitu-ents usually lead one to primary literature.The bibliography includes over 500 refer-

ences. In addition, the book features a

medical and botanical glossary, and forArabic readers a glossary of English tech-nical terms cross-referenced to Arabic.Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of Qataris a useful and valuable addition to the me-

dicinal plant literature, and it should be on

the shelves ofevery well-rounded herbal li-brary.-Steven Foster

Hondbook of Non-PrescriptionDrugs. ltrh Edirion. 1996. Woshing-ton, D.C.: Americon Phormoceulicol Assaciotion. Hordbound. 774 pp. Price $l 30/ser. ISBN # 0-91-7330-77-3. ABCBookStore #251.

continues on next poge

HerbolGrom l{0.39 . 77

BOOK REVIEWS

Non-Prescription Productsl Formulo-tions & Feolures'96197. Woshington,D.C. : Americon Phormoceuticol Associofion.Softbound. 447 pp. ISBN #091733A7&1.(Componion lo the Hondbook of Non-Pr+scription Drugs I I th Edition.)

These two volumes comprise the llthedition of the famous Handbook toNon- P rescription Drugs, originally pub-lished by the American PharmaceuticalAssociation in 1967 and revised and ex-panded 10 times since that year. TheHandbook is composed of 36 chapters on alltypes of non-prescription drug products, in-cluding for the first time a chapter on "Herbsand Phytomedicinal Products" (Chapter 35),by well-known botanical authoritiesProfessor Varro E. Tyler and Steven Foster.It is because of this inclusion of the chapteron herbs that this important reference vol-ume and its companion book discussing vari-ous specific non-prescription drug and herbalmedicine products is reviewed here in Herb-alGram. To give brief mention to the vastmajority of the book, the various chaptersdeal with specific types of non-prescription

medications that conespond to the variousover-the-counter drug monograph classifica-tions. For example, there are chapters oninternal analgesic and anti-pyretic products,external analgesic products, vaginal andmenstrual products, cough, cold and allergyproducts, asthma products, sleep aid andstimulant products, laxative products, emeticand anti-emetic products, oral health careproducts, and so on. In addition to the herbpublication are the chapters on smokingcessation products, firsfaid products, andproducts for minor wound care.

The fact that this standard drug refer-ence would include a chapter on herbs andphytomedicines attests to the unprecedentedgrowth of these products in the U.S. asself-selective medications and the increasedattention they are receiving in the profes-sional healthcare community. Although mostOTC drugs deal with minor, self-limiting,self-diagnosable, and self-treatable condi-tions, people generally tend to use herbalproducts for the same kinds of indications as

well as for a broader range of tonic and/orpreventive applications beyond the domainof conventional non-prescription medication.Tyler and Foster have written an excellent,concise overview of the role of herbs andphytomedicines in contemporary society(with an introductory section stating that ingeneral many of the herbs contained in thechapter have demonstrated degrees of safetyand efficacy). They also cite the GermanCommission E as a rational model for theassessment of safety and efficacy of herbsand phytomedicines. The chapter is orga-nized by organ systems and follows some-what the organization ofTyler's best-sellingbook in the ABC BookStore, Herbs ofChoice: The Therapeutic IJse ofPhytomedicinals, in which the book is orga-nized by physiological systems and the ap-propriate herbal remedies for conditions as-sociated with each system. Thus, the first

chapter of the APhA volume starts withdigestive system disorders and includes in-formation on ginger, psyllium seed, pepper-mint, chamomile, milk thistle, and licorice.Under each specific herb, Latin name orcountries of origin, chemical constituents,physiological activity, and therapeutic use,precautions and appropriate dosages are given.

Following the digestive system, otherphysiological systems covered in the chap-ter include kidney, urinary tract and prostate,respiratory tract, cardiovascular system,nervous system, metabolic and endocrinedisorders, skin, mucous membranes andgingiva, and performance and endurance en-hancers. The chapter ends with two casestudies and 71 references.

The companion v olume, F ormulationsand Features, contains hundreds of specificproducts in the various categories corre-sponding to each chapter. The senior authorof the herb chapter had sent a question-naire to numerous herb companiesrequestinginformation on the products thatthey sold so this specific information on aproduct-by-product basis could be publishedin the second volume. The authors weredisappointed that apparently so few herbcompanies chose to respond. Listed on thefive pages of herb products are specificproducts by brand name and manufacturer,including the dosage form and ingredientsof herbs such as bilberry, cranberry,echinacea, evening primrose oil, feverfew,garlic, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng, St. John'sWort, saw palmetto, and valerian, in addi-tion to several others. This section is intendedas a guide to commercially available prod-ucts for both pharmacists and consumers.

The significance of this chapter is notso much forthe specific information offered;those in the herb and botanical communityhave access to considerably more informa-tion than is offered here, if one chooses tosearch from the increasingly vast variety ofauthoritative literature being published.Nevertheless, the information here is solid,reliable, and authoritative. It is importantinsofar as it represents recognition by theAmerican Pharmaceutical Association that agrowing number of Americans are usingherbs as dietary supplements as well as sub-stitutes for conventional non-prescriptiondrugs; that there is a great need for educat-ing pharmacists, students, and consumersregarding the safe and effective appropriateuse of these products----especially those thathave been shown by scientific research to besafe and effective for a number of commonand self-treatable ailments. The publicationof this chapter in this highly esteemed andwidely-circulated publication will continueto enhance the credibility and the growth ofthe herb and phytomedicine movement in theU.S. and worldwide. - Mark Blumenthal

Top l0 SerrrRs oF ABC BoorsronrSeptember through December 1996

Preuous stonding shwvn in ( )

L German Commission E Monograpfts.. Blumenthal, Gruenwald, Hall, Riggins,and Rister eds., Klein & Rister (trans) (in press) (l)

2. Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses; Bown (3)3. Herbs of Choice: Tyler (2)

4. Healing Power of Herbs; Murray (new listing)5. Cancer and Narural Medicine: Botk(9)6. Herbal Medicine: Weiss (tied for 10)

7. Home Herbal: Ody (new listing)8. Complete Women's Herbal: Mclntyre (new listing)9. Essential Oil Safety: Tisserand & Balacs (tied for 10)

10. Sastun, My Apprenticeship: Arvigo (back again after a short absence)

78 . HerbolGrom N0.39

TETIERS

HERBS AS DRUGS?If herbs get classified as drugs should herbstore owners give serious thought tobecoming registered Pharmacists? Are therepharmacy colleges that offer courses in bo-tanical products? Will herbalists comeunder the authority of state board of phar-

macies? What will happen to unlicensed

herbalists? As an herb store owner of 14

years I'm concemed about these questions.

If anyone has comments or suggestionsplease respond.

Thomas C. Stewart, Herbalist AHGP.O. Box 12882

Reno, NV. 89510email : msmataio @ aoL com

llt is not too likely that herbs will be classi-

fied as drugs in the U.S. or Canada any timein the near future. Under the DietarySupplement Heahh and Education Act of1994 (DSHEA) herbs are legally classed as

"dietary supplements" and are specificallyexcludedfrom being regulated as drugs, un-less they are marketed with claims that the

FDA interprets as being therapeutic or drug'like. Several colleges of pharmacy in the U.S.

have begun to offer courses in herbs andphytomedicines. For example, the Univer-sity of Texas at Austin will offer one this fall.Courses qre also available at Purdue andthePhiladelphia College of Pharmacy andScience. It should not be necessary for an"herbalist" to get a pharmacy license, al-though a number of people who considerthemselves professional herbalists have be-

come acupuncturists or other licensed healthprofessionals in order to employ their herbalpractice within a licensed profession. - Ed.)

THANKS FROTI A PAINTERRegarding the book Herbs by Bremness(ABC BookStore #8207). I certainly gotmore than I had anticipated in the book. It isa delight to look at, wonderfully done, and

informative. I purchased it chiefly in the

hope that it would add to my meager source

ofgood color photos and verbal descriptionsof plants. It does! But it has much, much,more of interest to offer the general reader

for whom, of course, it is intended.

As for my desire for color photos: Ipaint [water color] medicinal plants and

herbs, chiefly; however, some weeds and

other plants. Since I simply cannot draw"worth a hoot," I rely upon, for the mostpart, black/white line drawings that are

made by a professional botanical artist, and

which I purchase. Nor am I an artist, but

have fun painting!The number of such drawings I have

found is quite limited. Needless to say, livespecimens of the plants are difficult to comeby, at least for me.

I am 87 years old and extremely lim-ited in physical abilities due to asthma,osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. I get about

in the apartment complex where I live viaelectric cart. The painting, etc. I do to keep

occupied. I sometimes write a note or notes

re the plants-their history, medical and

other. I thoroughly enjoy HerbalGram.Lt. Col. Ret. Henry B. Webb

Weslaco, Texas

KUDOS FOR PRESENTATIONI am absolutely delighted both with the con-

tent and with the beautiful presentation ofBarbara's article and the superb reproduc-tion of the illustrations, which far exceed

the quality one would normally hope for even

in a specialist arts magazine. Congratula-tions and many many thanks. It is flatteringenough just to be featured in HerbalGram,but to be sandwiched between my old friendDick Schultes and two features on the one

herb, ginger, to which I am virtually addicted,was an especial privilege. Even your obitu-ary page had a personal connection: Roger

Tory Peterson attended the opening of my

very first exhibition ofbotanical sculptures,

at Cartier in New York in 1972, and was kindenough to authenticate the accuracy of mywork and give it the approval that has beengreatly valued.

With my best wishes for your contin-ued and increasing success with HerbalGram.

Patrick O'HaraCurrabinny, CarrigalineCounty Cork, Ireland

READER TAKES UMBMGEI was irritated by your publication of the

letter from Bill Wrabez regarding lack ofmarijuana coverage (HerbalGram 38).While you went to great pains to print theletter complete with all errors in grammarand spelling, along with a coy slc pointingout each onejust in case we hadn't noticed,

you made absolutely no effort to address the

substance of the letter. So why on earth didyou publish it? Merely to embarrass the

writer? To give your "real" readers a chuckleat his expense? I for one would appreciate a

little less intellectual snobbery. Shame on you.

Sylvia GilbertsonCremeno, Italy

fAs is the case with many publications,

we do notfeel compelled to respond to everyletter that we publish. In general, we try topublish most lefters we receive to allow ourreaders aforum to voice their interests and

opinions. In the case of Mr Wrabez's letteron our "lack of marijuana coverage" we

though it was interesting that he would put

forward such a strong opinion and criticismof our publication, qt the same time not both-ering to take afew moments to check his ownspelling. Actually, we have been contemplat-ing an article on this subjectfor quite some

time and one of our contributing editors has

been researching this subject for a future is-

sue. - Ed.l

SEEKING SPONSORSHIP FOR NEWCARIBBEAN BOTANICAT GARDENI have recently become the land developmentmanager for a 350-acre estate called GrandBois which is located on the Caribbean is-

land of Saint Lucia. The estate can best be

described as a lush rain forest. It has a small

river with two very scenic waterfalls running

through it. Vegetation on the land consist ofa host of different fruit trees, vegetable plants,

and other exotic plant life. Animals on the

estate are restricted to mainly birds and par-

rots including the Saint Lucian Parrot, one

of the world's rarest parrots.

Located between Martinique and St.

Vincent, the island of St. Lucia is just 27

HerbolGrom },l0.39 . 79

TETIERS

miles long by 14 miles at its widest point.The first inhabitants were the Arawak Indi-ans who came up from South Ameicain22A.D. to escape their warlike enemies, theCarib Indians. Eventually the Caribs foundand conquered them but history reveals evenmore battles, with at least 14 conflicts be-tween the British and the French through a150-year period. St. Lucia was finally cededto the British in 1814, and became an in-de-pendent country within the BritishCommonwealth in 1979.

Until recently, St. Lucia was littleknown-favored by a small number of devo-tees for what it lacked rather than what itoffered. But, like everything else, St. Luciais changing. Fortunately, the island has notyet experienced the rampant development thathas raped so many other Caribbean jewels.

Our intention at Grand Bois is to openthe estate to tourism, however our main aimwill be to develop the estate in such a way as

to increase its existing natural beauty. Oneof the ways we are seeking to do this is byadding botanical gardens. The gardens willbe used mainly as an educational facility forthe tourist.

I am looking for a partnership withan Institution, Educational/Research orCommercial, which would be willing toprovide the necessary expertise to make thispossible. We are interested in making con-tact with any entities that have extensiveexperience in: I ) Exotic plants, especially thosespecializing in Orchids, and 2) Herbal Plants.

I would be most grateful if you couldassist me, or point me in the right directionby way of recommendation, to any personsor entities that might be interested in thisventure. If you can help me or for furtherinformation please do not hesitate to contactme.

Ian M. Mitchelllnnd D ev elopment M ana g e rGrand Bois, Saint Lucia10941 Palm Ridge lnne,Tamarac, Floida 33321Phone/Fax : 954n20-9096Email: GrandBois I @ AOL.com

Pyrethrum, To n ocetu m ci ne ro ri i fol i u m

GINGER AND AYURVEDAI am an Ayurvedic physician working asa research fellow in Foundation forRevitalisation of Local Health Traditions,Bangalore, India as a Research fellow. I ama regular reader of HerbalGram. It is reallyinformative. In the last issue of HerbalGram(Number 38, Fall 1996) came across an ar-ticle on ginger. This article talks on the "Lackofadverse effects ofginger" which reads, "InBritish Pharmacopoeia of 1988, and in theAustrian, Swiss, Belgian, German, Chinese,Indian, Japanese, and Netherlands pharma-copoeia, there is no mention of any recordedadverse side effects..." But this is not true.Ayurveda explains contraindications on theusage of ginger! This is elaborated in thewell known Ayurvedic lexicon calledBhavaprakasa Nighantu of 1550 AD. Thesanskrit verse goes like this, "Kushttepanduamaye kruchre raktapitte vrane jwaredahe nidagha saradornaiva poojitha-mardrakam." (Bhavaprakasa nighantu,Haritakyadi varga, 50th verse). This meansthat the usage of ginger is not suggested in(few types of) skin diseases, aneamicconditions, difficult micturition (urination),bleeding disorders, wounds, burning sensa-tion and in seasons like Summer andAutumn.Generally there is a feeling that herbal medi-cines are safe and without adverse effects.But ayurveda advocates the appropriatenessof any consumption and in many instancesthe adverse effects are well described. It isquite unfortunate that most of the times these

descriptions go unnoticed. Hope you willconvey this message to the authors of thisarticle and the readers. My special regardsand thanks to you, for your efforts in rejuve-nation of herbal medicine.

DrUnnikrishnan.Researchfellow, FRLHTFoundation for Revitalization of LocalHealth TraditionBangalore - 560 0024. India.Ph: +91 80 3336906,3330348Fax: +91 80 3334167Email : root @ frlht. e rnet. inHome Page : http://ece.iisc.ernet.in/e rn e t - me mb e r s/fr I ht. html

[We appreciate Dr Unikrishnan's response.Actually, the statement by the authors of theginger article in HerbalGram #38, Drs.Fulder and Tenne, is correct: there is nomention to our knowledge of adverse sideeffects in the pharmacopoeias noted. DxUnnikrishnan cites q classic Ayurvedic textof the l6th century, which, although it maycontain interesting and potentially relevanttherapeutic information, is not considered an

fficial government-approved pharmaco-poeia. We are, nevertheless, grateful for theadditional information. - Ed.l

GINGER AND MORNING SICKNESSThe article on the use of ginger and morningsickness is of great interest to me. (I'vewritten two books on the subject of momingsickness, one video, an audio tape and a fewarticles and chapters, interviewing over 1,000women with morning sickness before the firstwork appeared.)

Ginger (Zingiber fficinalis) in foodand/or beverages (ginger tea, ginger ale, gin-ger conserye, candied ginger) provides notonly necessary fluids for a woman sufferingfrom morning sickness but probably somecalories and nutrients-concentrated ginger

[in capsules] is not the same. The amount ofactive ingredients in ginger capsules is notknown. Unfortunately no one has yet dem-onstrated in pregnant rats that the equivalentamount ingested in "early pregnancy" (byproportional body weight to dose) will notaffect fetal development. One only has torecall the remedy used historically for the

80 . HerbolGrom N0.39

management of morning sickness, (i. e., tha-

lidomide) and its effect on fetal development,

to call for some animal studies. This appears

an easy study to conduct, and I am amazed ithas not yet been undertaken. (Don't expectto find moming sickness in rats...data fromthe late Herbert Borrison shows not all ani-

mals vomit...and the rat does not!)Another aspect which has not been

evaluated in ginger efficacy with morningsickness/ hyperemesis is how abnormal elec-trolyte status may or may not contribute toovert success. Sick women often are low inpotassium and magnesium... this affects gas-

tric emptying. It is hard to comparehyperemetic women (the really sick variety)with morning sickness. Hyperemeticwomen often have low serum potassiumand magnesium levels, both also affect gas-

tric emptying.According to Duke, the active ingre-

dients in ginger vary by geographic region.Maybe this is why some cultures show bet-

ter results in nausea control than others. Ofnote, in one study comparing ginger to pla-

cebo, they used lactose in the placebo whichmight not be considered to be an appropriateagent, given this substance may not be inert.

l-astly, comparing nausea from momingsickness to seasickness is like comparingoranges to apples; one is the result of alteredhormones and the other connected with earleye/brain communications. How and whyginger in its natural form might reduce nau-

sea is certainly worthy of study. One trickI've found in managing the moming sicknesspopulation is to control for smells, odors,aromas, etc. This group of women is"hyperolfactory" and smells are a major trig-ger to setbacks. Again, it is hard to tease

this aspect out of published studies.

Unfortunately, I am not able to get

copies of intemational articles in foreign lan-guages translated but am trying to track the

intemational literature on the use of herbs,

spices, and botanicals in the treatment ofmoming sickness. If anyone can help me out,

I'd be most appreciative.I look forward to every issue of

HerbalGram.. And thanks for the address inthe Duke article to the ethnobotany data-bases ! This is like an early birthday present !

Miriam Erick, MS, RD, CDE. Dept ofN utrition B i gham and Women's

Hospital, Boston.

ht t p : // o urw o rl d. c omp us e rv e. c om/homepages/MErickor 1 04 I 22. I 5 I 5 @ CompuServe.com

RESPONSE TO CRANBERRYCertainly the prize for the outstanding bo-

tanical misstatement of 1996 must go toHerbalGram #38, page 51, in the article"Cranberry" where, in prominent italic type,we read:

Cranberries...are a member of the

heath family and are one of three

fruits native to North America.How such a statement could pass scru-

tiny and be published in an otherwisereputable joumal boggles the mind. Let'sconsider the statement.

In the first place, North America has

about 20,000 species of flowering plants (an-

giosperms), each of which produces fruit,such production being one of the things that

angiosperms do. That means about 20,000kinds of fruits occur on the continent. Ofcourse most of these are not the type ofstructure that the average person thinks of as

"fruit," i.e., usually sweet (but not cranber-ries), juicy, and fleshy.

Could the statement mean ediblefruits? No. Our flora produces many more

than three kinds of fruits that delight the pal-ate. Just check any book on edible plants

and note all the edible fruits mentionedtherein. A few that come quickly to mindinclude (in random order) serviceberries,crowberries, mulberries, currants, gooseber-

ries, grapes, mountain ash, barberries,papaws, persimmons, ground-cherries, elder-

berries, mayapples, strawberries, raspberries,

blackberries, cloudberries, prickly-pears,maypops, roses, and so on.

Could it mean edible fruits of the ge-

nus Vaccinium? No. In that genus are

blueberries, deerberries, and lingberries inaddition to cranberries. This makes four.

Could the statement mean edible fruitsof the heath family? No. That family, ineastern North America alone, produceshuckleberries, bearberries, teaberries, moxie-plums, and the just mentioned Vacciniumfruits. And let's not forget the madrones ofthe west. There are more.

Could the statement mean commercialedible fruits? No. Not only are cranberriesand blueberries commercially important butso are American plums and grapes. Then,too, there are choke cherries and elderber-ries, which are made into the jelly that one

can sometimes find in food markets. These

are not all.The statement remains inexplicable.

No matter how one looks at it, the meaningremains elusive.

There seems no excuse for Herbal'Gram to publish such a patently ridiculousdatum. Perhaps your fact-checking depart-

TETTERS

ment should be improved."Cranberry" is maned by other errors,

too. For example, the leaves adorning the

photo of cranberries seem to be leaves of the

black walnut. I am at a loss to understandthe relationship between these two kinds ofplants. Certainly the foliage of cranberrywould have been a better choice.

In the picture legend on page 54 I read

"Cranberry, Vaccinium spp." Because thepicture appears to be of but one species ofVaccinium the scientific name should havebeen"Vaccinium sp."

At the start of the article the implica-tion is made that there are three kinds ofcranbenies in North America. Then three

scientific names are cited: Vacciniunrmacrocarpon, V. oxt'coccos, and Oxt'coccusquadripetalus. But one of these, Oxt'coccusquadripetalus, is a synonym of one of the

other two, Vaccinium ox\coccos. Thus twovalid scientific names are listed for the"three" kinds. Rather like saying that there

are three kinds of fruits in the bowl: orangesand apples.

Certainly you folks, with your large

and distinguished advisory board, can dobetter. Or is the board just for show?

John W. ThieretHerbarium, Department of BiologYNorthern Kentucky UniversitYHighland Heights, Kentucky

[Ed. note - No, the board is not jttst for show.

Man,- mentbers of our "distinguished" AdvisoryBoard actually do review the material inHerbalGram. We are grateful for Prof.Thie ret's comments and c riticisms.l

[Author's response: Let me focus on the

statement which Dr Thieret frnds most prob'lematical, "Cranberries are a member of the

heath familtt and are one of three fruits na-

tive to North America." This statement is a

paraphrase of information prepared bothforthe consuming public and food techniciansby Ocean Spral' Cranberm, Inc., one of the

largest producers ofcranbern and cranberry'derived products in the vvorld. In terms ofmy article, which is based on a literature re-

view and not on original research, I feltcomfortable with the statement and its source

to include it in mv- article. Since I am not aprofessional botanist b1- training, I do notfeelit is appropriate for me to comment on DrThieret's other issues. I will say, howeve4

that most of these items do not mislead the

general readership of y'our publication norwill they impact significantlv on the educa-

tional value of the information presented in

my orticle.-Arthur A. Siciliano, Ph.D.l

HerbolGrom N0.39 o 8l

HTTERS

A TIE}IORY OF JUIIA 'YIORTONre: Obituary of Julia Morlon in HerbalGrarn #38

You may be amused about my first,and only, encounter with Julia Morton. Itwas in Chicago in, I think, 1987 atthe Soci-ety of Economic Botany symposium.

I'd booked a room in the women'sdorm. The morning after I arrived I walkeddown to the floor's bathroom to take a

shower. With only towel, soap, and a showercap in hand I looked for an unoccupiedshower stall. I was surprised to see anotherattendee step out of her stall. Her red-tingedgrey hair marked her as a senior citizen, but,unadorned, she had the body of a 2}-yearold. (Yes, I looked! The contrast was thatstartling.) "I'm Julia Morton," she said, with-out embarrassment. The name meant noth-

ing to me, but she looked interesting and Isaid I'd like to join her for breakfast.

Only later did I find out what an im-portant figure in the world of botany she was.

At breakfast for the next two momingsMs. Morton told a group of us who sat to-gether amazing stories about several Miamimurders she had helped Miami police solve.Her in-depth botanical knowledge was usedforensically to pinpoint such evidence as timeof death based on plant material over andunder the body. She could identify the sea-son of death (of one woman in a late stage ofdecomposition) by the growth of new leaveson a nearby clipped hedge based on itsgrowth since being clipped. The clippingshad been used to cover the body, but theleaves had long since dried up and blown

away. She could tell the police whether abody had been killed on the spot or had beendragged to it from somewhere else. Therewas more, all fascinating, but that was l0years ago, and the above is what I remembermost vividly.

I doubt that Mrs. Morton's many ad-mirers knew of this aspect and use of herexpertise. Shades of Brother Cadfael!* Ms.Morton's botanical and literary talentsstretched across many disciplines indeed.

Portia Meares

Madison, Virginia*fEd note - Brother Cadfael is a medievalherbalist-detective in a series of mysterynoyels. He solves problems relying on hisknowledge of herbs and humanity.l

ACCESS

ln this deportment of HerbolGrom, we list resources such os publicotions, orgonizotions, seminors, ond networking for our reoders. Alisting in this section does not constitute ony endorsement or opprovol by He-rbolGrom, ABC, HRF,'or the HRF proflssionol il;;rt Boord.

Four-year degree program in Ayurveda byAyurvedic Company of Great Britain, in partner-ship with Wolfson College of Health Sciences andThames Valley University of London, starts Au-tumn 1997, first university degree course inAyurveda outside India and Sri Lanka. Contact:Amy Corzine, The Ayurvedic Company of GreatBritain,50 Penywern Rd., London, SW5 9SX, En-gland. Fax 44-17 I -370-5157.

Dining on the Wilds, Edible Wild Plants VideoLibrary by Forage Ahead and WildernessLeadership International. 280 wild edibles, theiridentification, habitat, season, edible parts, foodpreparation, herbal usage and nutritive value. 6-hour entertaining video set, 2 reference manuals.$149.95 plus $6 shipping (CA residents add$11.62 sales tax). Outdoor Equipment, 24414UniversityAve. #34, Loma Linda,CA92354. Ph.909t796-8501.

Future World Trends in the Supply, Utilization andM arke ting of Endan ge re d M edicinal Plants, stldyby The Herbal Medical Database Ltd. division ofMcAlpine, Thorpe & Warrior Ltd. Comprehen-sive report plus appendices gives data on plants,raw materials traders andmanufacturers of herbalmedicines and extracts; evolving strategies andtrends on international basis. Focuses on Asia,Europe, Far East, South America and U.S. Con-tactAmy Corzine,MTW,50 Penywern Road, Lon-don, SW5 9SX, England. Fax: 44-17 1-370-5 157.

FDA News Capsules, every Wednesday by fax.Get simple facts about FDAdrug/device decisionsand policies. Late-breaking FDANews, FederalRe g is te r FD A notices, just-released Warning Let-ters, Citizen Petitions within 24 hours of FDAposting, results ofAdvisory Committees and cal-endar. Annual subscription $395. Fax order: 7 I 7/731-1427.

Focus on Alternative and Complementary Thera-pies (FACT), new journal by the Department ofComplementary Medicine, Postgraduate MedicalSchool, University of Exeter, UK. Review jour-nal presenting evidence on complementary medi-cine in analytical and impartial manneq also keepsup with literature published on complementarymedicine. Contact Mrs. Elizabeth Stewart, Dept.of Complementary Medicine, Postgraduate Medi-cal School, Univ. of Exeter, 25 Victoria Park Rd.,Exeter EX2 4NT, UK.Fax: 44-1392-424989.

Gardens, Glasshouses, and Great Explorations,lecture series presented by New York BotanicalGarden Continuing Education Department, her-alding the May'91 opening of the newly restoredEnid A. Haupt Conservatory. Eight lectures byworld-renowned horticulturists, landscapedesigners and botanists, offering "insiders"perspective of the world of the Conservatory.Ph: 7l8l8l7 -8747 .

Institute of Medical Herbalism comprehensiveclassroom course in botanical medicine specifi-cally for health professionals, beg. February '97.Curriculum includes most common andeffective herbs for each body system, dosing,toxicities and interactions with pharmaceuticals.

Every six weeks on weekends/seven sessions.Contact Dr. Nancy Welliveq N.D., The Instituteof Medical Herbalism, P.O. Box I149, Calistoga,CA 945 I 5. Ph: 707 1942-1250.

The Natural Medicine Forum on CompuServe, aHolistic Health Forum for exchange of informa-tion and ideas. Health, business, education andpolitics, with professionals, paraprofessionals,natural product retailers and suppliers, consum-ers, lobbyists, and members of the press. Type"Go Holistic" and use Internet to connect withpeople interested in holistic health and naturalproducts. Ph: 800/848-8199, operator 525.

United Plant Savers (UPS), non-profit grassrootsorganization for restoration and sane cultivationof commercially vulnerable and environmentallythreatened medicinal plants in North America.Consulting and referral services in land use plan-ning and permaculture design; refenal servicesfor ethical sources of seeds, roots, plants. Bo-tanical Sanctuary and Educational Center forworkshops, seminars in field botany, medicine-making, herb cultivation, and woodlotmanagement. Membership $35iyr individual;$50/yr organization. Contact UPS, P.O. Box 420,East Barre, VT 05549. Ph:8021479-9825. Fax:802/ 47 6-37 22. Email: ups @ ilhawaii.net

U.S. Tba is "Hot" Report, new 1996 edition, themost comprehensive information source availablefor facts, analysis and resources in and on theburgeoning United States tea industry. Singlecopy price $275. Discounts for students and non-profit organizations. Contact Sage Group, 17l2warrenAve. N., Seattle,WAggl0g. ph. 2061292-1 789. Fax 2061282-2594.

82 . HerbolGrom N0.39

February 23-26: Chemistry, Biological andPharmacological Properties of MedicinalPlants from the Americas, Panama City,Panama. International Joint Symposium spon-

sored by the International Organization forChemical Sciences in Development (IOCD) and

Programa Iberoamericano de Ciencia yTecnologia Para el Desarrollo (CYTED). Con-tact Prof. Kurt Hostettmann, Chairman, IOCDWorking Group on Plant Chemistry, Institute ofPharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Universityof Lausanne, B.E.P., CH - l0l5 Lausanne-Dorigny, Switzerland. Ph. 4121-692 45 61.Fax 4-121-692-45-05. EmailKurt.Hostettmann @ ipp.unil.ch

March 4-9: The Society for Applied Anthro-pology Annual Meeting, cosponsored bySociety for Medical Anthropology, Council on

Nursing & Anthropology, and Political EcologySociety, Seattle, WA. Topics include health and

medicine, community development, environ-mental resource protection, and educational re-

form in policy domain and every realm of appli-cation. Society for Applied Anthropology, P.O.

Box 24083, Oklahoma City, OK73124,Ph.4051843-5113. Fax 405/843-8553. Emailsfaa@telepath.com

March 8-15: ACEER Rainforest PhotographyWorkshop, led by author/botanist/photographerSteven Foster. Contact Intemational Expeditions,One Environs Park, Helena,AL 35080. Phone

8W I 633 - 47 34. F ax 205 I 428 - t7 | 4.

March 9-11: Prairie Medicinal and AromaticPlants '97 Conference, Manitoba, Canada.

Hosted by the Manitoba Crop DiversificationCentre. Production, marketing, and use of me-

dicinal and aromatic plants that can be grownon the Canadian Prairies or in local greenhouse

operations. Contact Dr. Scott Wright or ClaytonJackson, Manitoba Crop Diversification Centre,

P.O. Box 309, Carbcrry, MB ROK OHO,Canada. Ph: 2041834-6000. Fax: 204/834-3777 .

Email : cjackson @ mail.techplus.com

March 9-12: Ahernative Medicine: Implica-tions for Clinical Practice, Boston, MA, spon-

sored by Harvard Medical School, Dept. ofContinuing Education, Beth Israel HospitalDept. of Medicine. Objective is to provide cli-nicians with sufficient information to responsi-

bly advise patients who use or seek alternativetherapies. Contact Professional MeetingPlanners, 5 Central Square, Ste. 20 I , Stoneham,

MA 021 80. Ph. 800/378-6857, 617 /279-9887 .

Fax 6171279-9875.

March 14-16: AOBTA Central RegionalConference, Advance Training in OrientalBodywork, Austin, TX. Shiatsu, Extra Merid-ians in Jin Shin Do, Qi Gong Massage, and Spe-

cial Teaching techniques. All classes on an ad-

vanced level for the practitioner. Testing forcertified instructors on March l3th. ContactAcademy of Oriental Medicine, P.O. Box 9446,

Austin, TX 787 66. Ph: 5 121454- I I 88.

March 22-23: Herb Fest '97 Conference andFestival, sponsored by TriLife Foundation, Inc.,Biloxi, MS. Workshops, herb walks, vendors,

healing arts, entertainment. Featuring Rosemary

Gladstar, James Berg, M.D., Dee AnneDomnick, and more. Contact Trilife Founda-

tion, 14373 Jim Byrd Rd., Biloxi, MS 39532.

Ph ffil R924226. Email: tonyjery@datasync.com

March 24 & 25: Nutrimarket '97. PromotingFunctional Foods. Medical Foods, andNutrutionals, sponsored by the Pharmaceutical

Division of the Institute for InternationalResearch.Contact IIR, 708 Third Ave.,4th flr., New York, NY 100 17-4103.8OO/999-3123. Fax:. 212166l-6677. e-mail:us002506 @ interramp.com.

March 26-29 : 20th Annual Conference of theSociety of Ethnobiology, U niversity of Georgia,

Athens. Integrating historical and contemporaryissues, the theme is "Unity and Diversity inEthnobiology" presenting interdisciplinary re-

search that explores past or present relationshipsbetween humans and living organisms. ContactLaBau Bryan, University of Georgia, 250Baldwin Hall, Athens, GA 30602-1619. Ph: 706/

542-1433. Fax:'1061542-3998. Email:lbryan@uga.cc.uga.edu

April I1-21: Explore Peru and the Orchids ofthe Cloud Forest, with the American OrchidSociety. Experience the Northem Highlands ofPeru, visiting Moyobamba, known as the Cityof Orchids. Led by orchid expert Dr. Isaias M.Roland, and accredited AOS judge AlejandroCapriles. Limitedtoonly l9participants. Con-tact Erin Boyer, International Expeditions, One

Environs Park, Helena, AL 35080. Ph:. 800/633-

4'734, ext. 136. Fax: 2051428-l'7 14.

April 12-13: 2nd Annual SouthwestConference on Botanical Medicine, "Botani-cal Treatment of Chronic Disease," Tempe, AZ.Teachers include Michael Moore, Silena Heron,N.D., Donald Brown, N.D., David Hoffmann,Jill Stansbury, N.D., Paul Bergner, Terry Willard,

Ph.D., and more. Vendors welcome. ContactHerbal Educational Services, P.O. Box 3427,

Ashland, OR 97520. Ph: 800/252-0688.

April20: Cultivation and Preservation of Me-dicinal Plants, UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, Santa

Cruz, CA, hosted by the United Plant Savers.

Focusing on the sustainable cultivation of me-

dicinal plants, with emphasis on "at risk" plants,

identification of wild medicinal plants, ecologi-

CATENDAR

cal herbalism, plant conservation principles and

techniques, and bioregional herbalism as a

healthy way of living. Contact United PlantSavers. Box 420, East Barre, VT 05649. Ph:

80214'79-9825. Fax: 802147 6-3722. Email:ups@ilhawaii.net

May 1 5- I 7 : International Symposium on Kavaand Other Medicinal Herbs of the SouthPaciftc, Hilo, Hawaii. Contact Jeff Morrison,Executive Director. American Herbal Products

Assn. P.O. Box 30585, Bethesda, MD 20824.

Ph: 301/95 l-3204. Fax: 301/95 l -3205.

May 24-26: 3rd Annual Pacific NW HerbalSymposium: "Medicine From the Heart of the

Earth," Wilsonville, OR. Hosted by WiseWoman Herbals, Inc. & Reflections Magazine.

Topics include women and children's health

care, toxicology of herbs, energetics of herbs,

parasites, Ayurvedic herbalism, formulations,Alzheimer's, pharmacology of kava, and more.

Contact Wise Woman Herbals, P.O. Box 279,

Creswell, OR97426. Ph: 541/895-5 152. Fax:

54v895-5t74.

May 24-31: 7th World Congress on HolisticL{e, Health and Aesthetics, Pugnochiuso del

Gargano, Italy. Themes of holistic life, health,

and aesthetics in depth and delineation of the

future course of holistic movement. IlMelograno Association, 7th World Congress on

Holistic Life, Health and Aesthetics, Via La

Rusca, l/3R, I 7 I 00 Savona, Italy. Ph: 0191822-

803. Fax: 019/853-928.

Mal 3l-lune 2: Medicines from the Earth,"Exploring Nature's Pharmacy," Black Moun-tain, NC. A symposium on herbal medicine,featuring over 40 botanical protocols. Keynotespeaker: Dr. Bernard Jensen. Workshops on

women's health. pharmacognosy andAyurvedicmarrnatherapy. Continuing education credit forpharmacists, nurses and naturopathic physicians.

Early registration deadline 412197. Contact

Herbal Education Services, P.O. Box 3427,Ashland. OR 97520. Ph; 800/252-0688.

June 1-4: International Symposium on HerbalMedicine, Honolulu, HI. Sponsored by the San

Diego State University and the United Nations

Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).Topics include "Medical/PharmaceuticalConcerns." "Consumers Protection Concerns,""Environmental Protection Concerns," and"lndigeneous Peoples' Concerns." ContactInternational [nstitute for Human Resources

Development, College of Health and Human Ser-

vices, San Diego State University. San

Diego, CA 92182-1872. Ph: 6 I 9/594-28 I 7. Fax:

619t594-28lL.

llerbolGrsm No.39 . 83

CATENDAR

lune 6-8: Cultivation and Presemation of Me-dicinal Plants, Equinox Botanical Sanctuary,Rutland, OH, hosted by the United Plant Savers.Focusing on the sustainable cultivation ofmedici-nal plants, with emphasis on "ar risk" plants, iden-tification of wild medicinal plants, ecologicalherbalism, plant conservation principles and tech-niques, and bioregional herbalism as a healthy wayof living. Contact United Plant Savers, Box 420,East Barre, VT 05649. Ph: 802/479-9825. Fax:802147 6-37 22. Email: ups @ilhawaii.ner

lune 13-27: lst Annual "Pharmac! on Safari.',Study the medicinal plants of Kenya and Uganda.Registered pharmacists may receive continuingeducation credits. Cosponsored by theAmericanBotanical Council, Texas Pharmacy Foundation,and International Expeditions. Contact theAmerican Botanical Council, P.O. Box 201660,Austin, TX 78720. Ph: 5121331-8868. Fax:512t331-1924.

June 16-27 : I nternational Training Program inNew Crops: Aromatic and Medicinal Plants,Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. Sponsoredby the Center for New Crops and Plant Products,Dept. of Horticulture, Purdue Univ., and the Pro-gram for Collaborative Research in the Pharma-ceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Univ. ofIllinois. Training in economic botany, horticul-ture, agronomy, processing, and pharmaceuticaland industrial products. $1,900. Contact TomRobe(son, Continuing Education, Purdue Univer-sity, 1586 Stewarr Cenrer, Room 116, WestLafayette IN 47907-1586. Ph: 317 1494-7220.Fax:3171494-0567.

June 20-22 : Caffirnia Association of Acupunc-ture and Oriental Medicine Expo '97,"Care ofthe Spirit, The Heart of Chinese Medicine," SanFrancisco, CA. Contact Jill Stocks. CAAOMExpo '97 Coordinator, I 1644 Barnett Valley Rd.,Sebastopol, CA 95472. Ph:. 7071829-8001.Email: jill@pgon.com

July 3-13: Costa Rica Rainforest Herbat Ad-venture: Led by Steven Foster, herbal authority,author, and renowned photographer. Two days atLaSelva Verde and eight days exploring the rain-forests and national parks of Costa Rica on theM/V Temptress Explorer, an expeditionary cruiseship. Includes visit to MUSA, a medicinal plantwomen's cooperative, seminars on medicinal plant

conservation, photographing herbs, herb cultiva-tion, and the herbal history ofCosta Rica. Con-tact Steven Foster Group Desk at Valley TravelGroup, Ph: 800/348-7865 or 818/785-6053.Email: vtg@pacbell.net

July 4-6: Aroma'97, The Fragrant Planet,3rdInternational Conference, Warwick University,UK. Hosted by the International Journal ofAromatherapy. Cutting edge aromatherapy re-search and information. with internationalspeakers, seminars, aromatic plant display, galadinner, trade fair and entertainment. ContactAroma '97 Conference Office, P.O. Box i46,Hove, East Sussex BN3 3XA, UK. Ph: 44 (0)1273 772 479. Fax: M (0) 1273 3298 I l.

July 7-August 30: Summer Program of theAcademy of Oriental Medicine, Austin, TX.Extensive and intensive training in various aspectsof Oriental Medicine, including Oriental nutrition,Oriental bodywork, anatomy and physiology, ba-sics in Oriental philosophy, and advanced coursesin Chinese herbs. Contact Academy of OrientalMedicine, P.O. Box 9446,Austin, TX 78766. Ph:512t454-t188.

July 19: lst National Herb Gatherings 2000Conference, West Lafayette, IN. A day of funand education for herb enthusiasts of all interestsand levels of experience. Herbal educators in-clude authors Rosemary Gladstar, Colleen K.Dodt, and Dorie Byers. Contact Herb Gatherings2000, 10949 East 200 South, Lafayette, IN 47905-9453. Ph:. 317 1296-41 16.

July 26-30: 38th Annual Meeting of the Ameri-can Society of Pharmacognosy, University ofIowa. Three symposia with l0-12 lecturers, 96oral presentations, and 100-200 posters. ContactMs. Jo Dickens, Iowa Memorial Union, Univer-sity of Iowa, Iowa City, 1A52242.

August 1-3: Cultivation and Presemation ofMedicinal Plants, Sage Mountain Retreat Cen-ter, East Barre, VT, hosted by the United PlantSavers. Focusing on the sustainable cultivationof medicinal plants, with emphasis on "at risk"plants, identification of wild medicinal plants,ecological herbalism, plant conservation prin-ciples and techniques, and bioregional herbalismas a healthy way of living. Contact United PlantSavers, Box 420, East Barre, VT 05649. Ph: 802/479-9825. Fax: 8021476-3722. Email:ups@ilhawaii.net

August 4-7: International Mint Symposium,Seattle, WA. Information and insight into the sci-ence and technology of today's mint industry.Perfumer & Flavorist, 362 South Schmale Rd.,Carol Stream, IL 60 I 88-27 87 . Ph: 708/65 3 -2 1 55.Fax:708/653-2192.

August 9-17: 3rd Annual Costa Rican Rainfor-est Expedition Registered pharmacists may re-ceive continuing education credits. Contact theAmerican Botanical Council, P.O. Box 201660,Austin, TX 78720. Ph:5 I 2/33 l -8868. Fax: 5l2l33t-1924.

Aagust 18-21: Las Cruces Biological Field Sta-tion at Wilson Botani.cal Garden. Study tropicalmedicine research and field plant collection. Reg-istered pharmacists may receive continuing edu-cation credits. Contact the AmericanBotanical Council, P.O. Box 201660, Austin, TX78720. Ph 5 I 2/33 l -8868. Fax: 5t2t33l -1924.

October 17-20: Eighth Annual AmericanHerbalists Guild Symposium cosponsored by theJohn Uri Lloyd Library and Museum and theAmerican Botanical Council. Over 25 teachers,40 seminars, 4 panel discussions. Academicposter session, Bookstore and Herbal exhibits,plus seven scheduled one-hour tours of the JohnUri Lloyd Library and Museum. Contact RebeccaBriggs/AHG Symposium Cordinator, 328 I lzLib-erty St., Ashland, OR 97520. Ph: 541 /488-6260.Fax: 541/488-6459. E-mail: AHG97@aol.com.Website: //www.healthy.net/herbalist/ahg97.bt.

October 18-25: 4th Annual Peruvian AmazonRainfore st Ethnobotanic al Expedition. Explorethe l/4-mile Canopy Walkway 115 feet above therainforest floor. Workshop leaders include Dr. JimDuke, Dr. Varro Tyler, Dr. Larry Wilson, and MarkBlumenthal. Contact the American BotanicalCouncil, P.O. Box 201660, Austin, TX 78720.Ph: 5121331-8868. Fax: 5l2l33l-1924.

November 4-6: InternationalWorkshop on Pros-pects of Medicinal Plants in Providing HealthCare by 2000 AD and Beyond, Solan, HimachalPradesh, India. Sponsored by theInternational Union of Forestry ResearchOrganizations (IUFRO). Contact Dr. P. L.Gautam, Organising Secretariat, DR YS ParmarUniversity of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni173230 Solan (HP), India. Fax:91 179262242.

CORRESPONDENCE COURSESAND SEMINARSGreen Terrestrial offers herbal and earth aware-ness workshops, quality herbal products, andapprenticeships in an atmosphere of co-creativepartnering with the Earth. Pam Montgomery P.O.

Box266, Milton, NY 12547. 914t795-5238.

CTASS!FIED

A. listin.g^in this.clossified section does not constituie ony endorsement or opprovol byHerbolGrom, the Americon Botonicol Council, the Herb Reseorch Foundotion, or the nRFProfessionol Advisory Boord. HerbolGrom clossified od rotes: $r.25 per word; $35minimum. ContoctMorgoretWright, P.O. Box 201660, Austin, IX 78720.512/331 -8868. Fox 51 2/331 -1924.

84 . HerbolGrom N0.39

Grow Gourmet & Medicinal Mushrooms.Shiitake, Reishi, Morels, Oysters.... Seminars on

cultivation. Free brochure. Commercial catalog

$4.50. Fungi Perfecti, P.O. Box 7634HG, Olym-pia, WA 98507. Call 800/780-9126. Fax 360/426-9377.

"Healing with Flowers" Conference, June 6-8,1997. During this Age of Flowering, we gather

to honor and learn from the flowers which bridge

spirit and form. Join leading herbalists and flower

essence practitioners as we explore essences,

medicinals, edibles, aromatherapy, Devas,chakras, and much more. Held at Rowe Conference

Center, Rowe, MA. Contact Pam Montgomery,9141795-5238 or Gail Ulrich, 4131625-6875.

Institute of Chinese Herbology has been teach-

ing courses in Chinese Herbal Medicine since

1986. Our 13O-hour audiotaped program (in-

cludes extensive notes and herb samples) is

excellent for anyone who wants to gain a work-ing knowledge ofChinese herbs. Free brochure:

Admissions zHG, 387 1 Piedmont Ave., #363,

Oakland, CA 9461 I . Ph./Fax 5101428-2061 .

The tnstitute of Dynamic Aromatherapy -

Conespondence, certification, in-class trainingprograms. Contact: lDA6Ml267-7433 or writeUnit 98. 936 Peace Portal Drive, Blaine, WA9823 r -801 4.

Pacific NW Herbal Symposium '97. May 24-26, Wilsonville, Oregon. Nineteen speakers

include Rosemary Gladstar, Dr. Tieraona LowDog and Cascade Anderson Geller. There are 44

classes, with four classes being offered simulta-neously during each lecture period. Call 54 I /895-

5174 for information.

lOthAnnual Women's Herbal Conference - Join

Dr. Rosita Arvigo, Juliette de Bairacli Levy,Amanda McQuade Crawford, Gail Ulrich,Rosemary Gladstar and 20 leading women herb-

alists for a wonderful weekend of woman-spirit& workshops for all levels on Herbalism &Women's Health. Held at a beautiful retreat cen-ter in southern New Hampshire. $235 includes

workshops, herb walks, meals, camping, & en-

tertainment. Cabins are $35. $195 before May15. Write: Women's Herbal Conference, c/o Sage,

P.O. Box 420, Easr Barre,. VT 05649 or call802t479-9825.

The School of Natural Healing was founded in1953 by Dr. John R. Christopher, M.H., N.D., and

continues in his time-tested modalities. The SNHoffers Master Herbalist (M.H.) training in l8course levels at $ I 00 each. This full spectrum of

courses is taught by expert instructors, in the con-

venience of your own home, on professionallyproduced video and audio tapes. Books, work-books, and home assignments are also provided.

Upon completion ofthe 18 courses, students are

eligible to attend the intensive certification semi-

nar held at our own beautiful retreat in the majes-

tic Wasatch Mountains. For free information, call

l/8001372-8255 or write to the School of Natural

Healing, P.O. Box 412, Springville, UT 84663.

PUBIICATIONSAmerican Herb Association QuarterlyNewsletter - $20lyr. AHA. P.O. Box 1673.

Nevada City, CA 95959.

Aromatherapy Quarterly Magazine - Presti-

gious English journal, the longest-runningaromatherapy magazine in the world; read in over

50 countries by aromatherapists, herbalists, mas-

seurs, and medical practitioners. A world-class

resource for the latest developments inaromatherapy; beautifully crafted. filled withpractical information. Subscriptions $30. Free

information: Suite 249. PO Box 421, Inverness,

c A 94937 -0421. 4l 5 I 663 -9 5 19.

Australian Journal of Medical Herbalism -quarterly publication of the National Herbalists

Association ofAustralia (founded in 1920). Deals

with all aspects of Medical Herbalism, including

latest medicinal plant research findings. Regular

features include Australian medicinal plants, con-

ferences, conference reports, book reviews, rare

books, case study and medicinal plant review.

Aus/$40 plus Aus/$15 if required by airmail.National Herbalists Association of Australia. Suite

305, 3 Smail St., Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.

The Bu$iness of Herbs -Comprehensive

report-

ing, business news, marketing hints. sources, and

resources. Subscription $20/yr. Brochure/SASEfrom Northwind Farm,439 PonderosaWay, Jemez

Springs, NM 87025.

Foster's Botanical and Herb Reviews- lnfor-mation resources, book reviews, new periodicals.

etc. Quarterly, $10/yr from Steven Foster, P.O.

Box 1343, Fayetteville, AR 12702. 5011521-

5887. Fax 501152l-6369.

HerbalGram - Quarterly journal published by

the American Botanical Council and the HerbResearch Foundation. $25iyr., $4512 yrs, $60/3yrs. P.O. Box 201660, Austin. TX 78'120. 8O0l

373-7 105 or fax 5 I 2/33 I - I 924. See pages 4-5 in

the accompanying Herbal Education Catalog for

ordering information.

CTASSIIIED

HerbalVoices -A network of amateur and

professional herbalists sharing the medicinal. cu-

linary, wildcrafting, and organic growing arts ofherbs. Members write in their experiences, re-

ceive support and feedback, and seek assistance.

Our quarterly publication is $12lyr. Sample $3.

3936 Mt. Bliss Rd., East Jordan. Ml 49727.

Herban Lifustyles - Bimonthly newsletter withentertaining, eclectic, and sometimes esoteric re-

ports on how we live, work. and play with herbs.

Money-back guarantee. Sample $3. $l 8/yr. Free

brochure. Stone Acre Press, 84 Carpenter Rd.,

Apt. 787I l-I. New Hartford, CT 06057.

The Herb Growing and Marketing Network-An information service for herb businesses and

serious hobbyists. Includes The Herbal Connec-

tion, a 36-page bimonthly trade journal. Tfte

Herbal Green Pages, annual resource guide withover 5.000 listings, free classified advertising forsubscribers. and more. Entire package $60/yr.(Higher outside North America) Sample news-

letter, $4. The Herbal Connection, P. O. Box 245,

Silver Spring, PA 17575. 7171393-3295. MCIVisa accepted.

The Herb Quarterly -When the world wearies

and ceases to satisfy, there's always The Herb

Quarterlt-, a beautiful magazine dedicated to allthings herbal-gardening, medicinals, crafts. folk-lore. alternative uses of herbs, and more. Rates

Sample issue $5; introductory subscription (5 is-

sues) $19.95. P. O. Box 689, San Anselmo, CA949'79. I t800137 r -HERB.

Join the Aromatherapy Revolution! - The

American Alliance of Aromatherapy, a non-profitorganization, has been established to strengthen,

inspire, and advance the field of aromatherapy.

Offering the following publications to keep you

updated with aromatherapy developments world-wide: The Allianc e N ex's Qua rl e r lv. The Aroma t i c

Tht'mes, The Internatiottal Journal ofAromatherapt, The Aromatherapt' Guide - 2nd

Edition, and The Aromatherapt Records. For in-

formation, including a complimentary issue: 800/

809-9850. Fax 800/809-9808.

Medical Herbalism - Subtitled "A ClinicalNewsletter for the Herbal Practitioner." Edited

by Paul Bergner. $24lyr.$4212 yrs. Canada $29lyr. Overseas $39/yr. Samplei$4. MedicalHerbalism, P. O. Box 33080, Portland. OR 97233.

Washington Insight - a quarterly newsletter

designed to keep natural products scientistsabreast offunding opportunities and other impor-

tant happenings in Washington, D.C., including

HerbolGrom N0.39 . 85

CTASSIFIED

interviews with Congressmen, Senators, or othergovernment officials, that may affect them andtheir institution. In addition to the newsletter,subscribers receive FundingAlert, which providespre-advertised information on funding opportu-nities, and CompoundAlert, listing of compoundsof interest to the National Cancer Institute whichneed research to insure adequate supplies-an-other opportunity for research grants. Annualsubscription, U.S. personal/$45; institutionaUg85.Foreign: personaU$50; institutiona7$95. Contact:Washington Insight, 11000 Waycroft Way, NorthBethesda, MD 20852. 301/881-6720. Fax 301/984-7372.

Wildflower - North America's only popularmagazine devoted solely to the study, conserva-tion, and cultivation of our continent's nativeflora. Offering an appealing blend of art andscience, this 48-page quarterly examines all as-pects of popular botany in North America fromthe rain forests of Panama to the micro-mossesof the Arctic tundra; from gardening with na-tive trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and ferns to thelatest projects in habitat and native plant con-servation. The green revolution begins in ourown backyard. WildJlower is published by theCanadian Wildflower Society, 90 Wolfrey Ave.,Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4K I K8. Tel:4161466-6428. Subscriptions and membership are

$30/l yr., $55/2 yrs. Sample copy $5.

scHoolsAustralasian College of Herbal Studies offersI I unique personal, professional, and specialty,distance learning courses. Diploma and Certifi-cate curriculum includes Aromatherapy, Nutrition,Herbal Medicine, Iridology, Homeopathy, FlowerEssences, and Homeobotanicals. Free prospec-tus. 800/48-STUDY (78839). E-mailachs@herbed.com

Chinese Herbology, health professionals' rrain-ing, certification. Learn from experiencedinstructors (clinical/scientific research). Clinicalcase emphasis. Residential intensives, mailedhomework. Brochure: Rocky Mountain HerbalInstitute, P. O. Box 579-C, Hot Springs, MT59845. 4061741-3811. http://www.ronan.net/-rmhi/. E-mail rmhi@ronan.net.

Dreamtime Center for Herbal Studies offerscomprehensive education for beginners as wellas practitioners, with programs reflecting the richdiversity of herbal medicine. Modules includeclinical research, pharmacognosy, physiology, theart and science of medicine making, ecologicalwildcrafting, gardening, and intuitive relationshipswith the plant kingdom. Our commitment is topreserve whole plant medicine and to elevateherbalism as a profession. I 997 programs: Foun-dations of Herbalism - 9-month certificate pro-gram; Advanced Herbalism - 6-weekendIntensives; Plant Spirit Medicine with EliotCowan (full). For a free brochure, write the Cen-ter at P. O. Box 215, Flint Hill, VA 22627 ordrmtime@shentel.com.

The National College of Phytotherapy -Three-year residency program designed for the serious

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to forword HerbolGrom. lf youmove or chonge your moilingoddress, pleose notify us

immediotely so you will not missony copies. Send your chonge ofoddress notice to MorgoretWright, Circulotion MonogelAmericon Botonicol Council, P.O.Box 201660, Austin, TX78720-I 660. 512/SS I -8868, Fox:s12/331-1924.

86 . HerbolGrom N0.39

Common Burdock

Arctium minus (Hilll Bernh., Fomily Asteroceoe

UTITITYCooking this malodorous herb produces something deserving the

appellation "vegetable." Having read that cooking with baking soda

partially breaks down the tough fibers in the leafstalks, I bravely bitinto one that had survived two changes of water. With the soda, Igained some tenderness, lost some vitamins. The large roots, diced,

came out quite tasty after similar treatment. Remembering the

celery-onion soup mom used to give me when I had a cold or flu, Igathered up more burdock leafstalks and some wild garlic flowerheads, and boiled them up together. The result: one of the better

culinary episodes in the foraging chapters of my life, especially af-

ter I added salt and pepper and oleo. Rogers and Powers-Rogers(1988) note that claims ofendurance and sexual virility sell a lot ofthis herb in Japan. Yanovsky ( I 936) notes that Iroquois ate the Great

Burdock (Arctium lappa) as a greens. Indians also used the roots in

soups, as have I, and they dried and stored the roots for winter use.

Scorched roots serve as coffee substitutes. Only in 1990 did I learn

that the NCI had an interest in burdock lignans as chemopreventive

anti-mutagens. Ironically burdock is conspicuous in several alleg-

edly "quack" cancer remedies, e.g., the "Essiac" and

"Hoxsey" formulas. With my immune system and

liver overassaulted by overmedication, I am im-bibing a little of the Essiac formula, just in case!

Hartwell mentions folk use of Arctium for cancer

in such diverse places as Belgium, Canada, Chile,China, India, Indiana, Italy, Japan, Oklahoma,South Africa, Spain, Ukraine, and Wisconsin. Allthree Arctium species on the Weed ScienceSociety of America (WSSA) list might be

sampled judiciously.

DISTRIBUTIONEspecially common in full sun or partial shade

about old rural dwellings, pastures, old fields,and waste places, starting to flower in June

(North Carolina) to July (Maryland) and

fruiting on up to frost. Flowering and

fruiting specimens are all but useless

for food. As with most biennials, itis the food in the roots of the first

Burdock, Arctium minus,illustrotion by Peggy Duke

year's winter rosette that is most copious. The plant exhausts this

when it goes to flower (bolts) in its second year. Ranges through all

contiguous 48 states; climate zones 4-8 (average annual minimum

temperatures of -20o to 20o)r.

DESCRIPTIONCoarse biennial or perennial herbs, as much as six feet tall when

in flower.LEAVES: huge, in basal rosettes during the vegetative year(s)'

the stalks seemingly arising from the ground, hollow (or solid in the

Great Burdock, Arctium lappa), the blades egg-shaped to nearly

rounded or heartshaped, somewhat pointed at the tip, irregularly

saw-toothed at the margin, heart-shaped or notched at the base, whit-

ish beneath; flowering stems have leaves one at a node, alternating

along the stalk, the stem leaves smaller, with shorter stalks, grading

into much smaller leaflike appendages below the flower clusters.

FLOWERS: thistlelike, of dense clusters of minute flowers

aggregated into the "thistle," sepals 5, minute; petals 5, fused to each

other throughout much of their length; stamens 5; ovary simple, with

2 terminal processes.

FRUITS: aggregated in the developing burrs

which readily attach to animals and foragers, ex-plaining the wide distribution of this pesky weed.

- James A. Duke. Illustration by Peggy Duke.

l. USDA Plant Hardiness ZonesRogers, B. and Powers-Rogers, B. 1988. Culinary Botqnt.

PRP-Rogem, Rogers & Plants, Kent, WA. I 76 pp.

Yanovsky, E. and Kingsbury, R. M. 1938. Analyses ofsome Indian food plants. ./. A.ssoc. Off. Agric. Chem.

21:(,4.A-665.

This article is the first in a series

of excerpts from The Handbook ofEdible Weeds, 1992, CRC Press,

Inc., and is presented with per-mission of CRC Press andJames and Peggy Duke. The

Handbook of Edible Weeds

is available from ABCBookStore, #B024.

EDIBIE WEED

llerbolGrom il0.39 . 87