Ulbricht, PharmD, and Ethan M. Basch, MD, MPhil, eds. Created in , the Natural Standard Research Collaboration is an international effort aimed at becoming a source of scientifically based information on complementary and alternative medicine CAM. The organization maintains an online database of evidence-based CAM reviews, including coverage of herbs, nutritional supplements, treatment modalities, continuing education, and conditions-based cross-referencing.
Perhaps most impressive is the input of over contributors from various fields including conventional medicine, pharmacy, osteopathic medicine, chiropractic, naturopathic medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, and traditional Chinese medicine.
According to the introduction, the textbook is designed for use by clinicians and researchers. Researchers in the CAM field were also consulted for access to additional references or ongoing literature. Following selection of references, data analysis is performed by healthcare professionals conducting clinical work and research at academic centers using standardized methods for defining the validated measures of study quality.
Following creation of each monograph, blinded review of each monograph is conducted by a multidisciplinary research-clinical faculty at major academic centers with expertise in epidemiology and biostatistics pharmacology, toxicology, CAM research, and clinical practice. In cases of the predictable editorial disagreement, members of the editorial board were convened in an attempt to reach a decision, either with or without the help of outside experts.
According to the authors, the objective criteria are derived from validated instruments from evaluating studies, including the 5-point scale used in some recent meta-analysis of common herbs. The breadth and depth of information included in each monograph is very impressive. I was surprised to discover that this last section is omitted from the The Clinical Bottom Line companion textbook. Both books also have Conditions Tables at the end that list specific conditions as well as related conditions and list herbal or nutritional treatments by grade using the grading scale mentioned above.
Prior to this is another section listing potential interactions based on mechanism of action s including cytochrome P isoenzyme s induction or inhibition. While it is important to keep many of these listings in perspective, the comprehensive review of the literature in these areas is extremely impressive. The interactions section also includes potential interactions with other supplements as well as foods.
A safety summary is offered in the Clinical Bottom Line section of each monograph. The review of evidence section requires a bit of reading and the tables listing the studies for herbal medicines pales in comparison to the ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs and The Handbook of Clinically Tested Herbal Remedies.
It is rated grade A for treatment of high blood pressure and for prevention of cardiovascular disease, a fact few cardiologists would dispute. It is given a C for treatment of depression and dysmenorrhea and D for diabetes. Tea tree oil, which is used, for treatment of children's skin infections is given a C grade for treatment of several specific skin infections and a D grade for mouth plaque.
Melatonin is given grades A and B for several sleep disorders including jet lag. I know from my practice that it is beneficial for children with learning difficulties who have sleep problems.
It is graded C for several other disorders from seizures to thrombocytopaenia. I would recommend this book as a useful addition to the reference library for any clinician in order to keep up with what the patients or their parents are telling us.
National Center for Biotechnology Information , U. Journal List Ulster Med J v. Ulster Med J. Reviewed by Charles Shepherd. Copyright and License information Disclaimer. There is strong scientific evidence that the medicine is of benefit. There is good scientific evidence that the medicine is of benefit There is unclear or conflicting scientific evidence that the medicine is of benefit There is fair negative scientific evidence that the medicine has no benefit There is strong negative evidence that the medicine has no benefit Fish oil is one of the substances evaluated.
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