What Physicians Should Know about Herbal Medicines

Edzard Ernst, MD, PhD, FRCP, FRCPEd, Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, Exeter, UK.

Many patients use herbal medicines, often without telling their physicians. In order for doctors to advise their patients responsibly, they should know the basics of efficacy, safety, and quality of herbal medicines. As one herbal medicine is different from another, there can be no generalizations.
Key words: herbal medicine, efficacy, safety, quality, evidence.