In order to make this publication as useful as possible, particularly to health professionals and researchers, we have attempted to provide as much information as possible in the form of indexes and cross-references. This allows for a "user-friendly" method of accessing information by looking up a particular use, side effect, contraindication, or drug interaction and then referring to a specific monograph. When these indexes are being used as a quick reference, the reader is encouraged to refer to the monograph for more complete information. The indexes and cross-references are not intended to be used as the sole mechanism in making therapeutic decisions but instead as a skeletal reference to the monographs — a database for research. Similarly, to help the reader with the taxonomy and nomenclature, cross-references of English, German, Latin, and pharmacopeial names are provided, as well as a column showing the herbs by botanical family.

This section, condensed from the monographs, provides information on the appropriate use of herbs. It links medical indications and uses cited in the text and the Approved Herbs found effective in their treatment. However, some of the herbs listed here may have been found effective for treatment of minor symptoms or for prevention of a condition or disease, or in some cases as adjuvant (secondary) therapy. For example, Blonde Psyllium seed husk is used as an adjuvant therapy for anal fissures — a mild laxative to soften the stool but not directly beneficial to the anal fissures themselves. Herbs in approved fixed combinations are abbreviated "F.C."

The information is prepared as a guide for health professionals, researchers, and consumers but should not be considered a suggestion for self-medication. It is essential that the reader refer to the complete monograph in order to view the role the herb may provide for each indication as well as any contraindications and side effects. A guide of indications by medical category is included to help identify the types of indications listed in this section. Immediately following this guide, the herbs are listed alphabetically under each indication.

This chapter, condensed from the monographs, provides contraindications cited in the text with the herbs that should be avoided with particular conditions or diseases. It is essential that the reader refer to the complete monograph before making any therapeutic judgements. For example, the contraindication listed in the Anise seed monograph is "allergy to anise and anethole" but this section lists Anise seed under "Allergy/ Hyper-sensitivity" without specifying an allergy to a particular constituent of the herb. A guide of contraindications by medical category is included to help identify the types of contraindications listed in this section. Immediately following this guide, the herbs are listed alphabetically under each contraindication.

There are two indexes, both condensed from the monographs, that list potential adverse side effects of Approved Herbs and Unapproved Herbs. These are listed in an index format. The listing of a particular herb to a corresponding side effect does not necessarily constitute a clear correlation of the herb with the effect; it means that it may be produced under certain conditions in some individuals. It is essential that the reader refer to the complete monograph for the available data included by the Commission before making any therapeutic judgments. Side effects are sometimes only observed "in rare cases" and/or "in sensitive individuals." For example, nausea and vomiting are listed here as possible side effects of Uva Ursi. However, the monograph clarifies that "nausea and vomiting may occur in persons with sensitive stomachs." Thus, inclusion of a particular herb under a corresponding side effect should not be interpreted as an inevitable result of using the herb.

A guide of side effects by medical category is included to help identify the types of side effects listed in this section. Immediately following this guide, the herbs are listed alphabetically under each side effect.

This section, condensed from the monographs, summarizes all the possible antagonistic or synergistic interactions an herb may have with conventional pharmaceutical medicines, as determined by the literature available to the Commission. The interactions are divided into two sub-indexes: by the herb with the corresponding drugs and by drug and other substance with the corresponding herbs. It is essential that the reader refer to the complete herb monograph before making any therapeutic judgments.

There are two indexes, both condensed from the monographs, that provide a list of pharmacological actions of Approved and Unapproved Herbs. In some cases, the pharmacological actions listed were demonstrated in in vitro experiments or in in vivo studies (on animals) but may not have been confirmed in human clinical trials. Thus, they are not necessarily correlated to the activity observed in human clinical trials and/or clinical experience. Their inclusion is intended to help health professionals understand the potential activity, risks, or benefits of the herb. It is essential that the reader refer to the complete herb monograph before making any therapeutic judgments.

A guide of pharmacological actions by medical category is included to help identify the types of actions listed in this chapter. Immediately following this guide, the herbs are listed alphabetically under each pharmacological action.

This section consists of a table listing 42 Approved Herbs for which the monographs note some time limitation of administration. In general, most of the Approved Herbs are relatively safe to take without limiting the duration of use. However, responsible therapeutic use of some herbs may require that they be used for only a set period of time. This is due to several factors, including concern regarding laxative dependence and potential intestinal sluggishness for stimulant laxatives. Nine herbs listed in this section are approved to treat diarrhea; in cases where the diarrhea persists for more than 3 to 4 days, the monograph instructs the patient to seek medical advice. The rationale for the limitation of administration of other herbs is not explained in some of the monographs.

The taxonomic cross-reference provides a means of accessing the monographs using different types of nomenclature. Five separate indexes are provided: English common name, Latin binomial, family name, pharmacopeial name, and German common name.

We have provided a comprehensive chemical index so the reader may locate those herbs that contain a compound or class of compounds, included in each herb's monograph. This index presents definitions of the chemical classifications listed in the monographs and an index of herbs by compound.

Despite the wealth of information available on the chemical constituents of most of the herbs reviewed by Commission E and because the monographs are intended as therapeutic guides, the Commission chose to mention only compounds or the general classes of naturally occurring phytochemicals (tannins, flavonoids, saponins, etc.) believed to contribute to the plant drug's efficacy. The chemical index lists only those compounds and classes of chemicals mentioned in the monographs.

In some cases only one main compound is mentioned, due to safety concerns. An example is the monograph for Nutmeg (Unapproved), which lists the safrole content but does not mention myristicin, a chemical whose name is derived from Nutmeg's genus (generic) name, Myristica , and that has known hallucinogenic effects when taken in excessive dosage (Hocking, 1997). Consequently, in the chemical tables, myristicin is mentioned only with Parsley seed, not Nutmeg.

Within each monograph chemical constituents are found generally in the Composition of Drug section. However, they are sometimes mentioned in other sections. For example, in the Cinchona bark monograph quinidine and quinine are mentioned in the Contraindications and Side Effects sections.