ABC Receives Inaugural Weil Foundation Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

News Release

ABC Receives Inaugural Weil Foundation Grant

(Austin, TX, November 9, 2005). The nonprofit American Botanical Council (ABC), an Austin, Texas-based herbal medicine research and education organization, has been selected to receive one of the inaugural grants by the newly-formed Weil Foundation. The Weil Foundation was established earlier this year by Andrew Weil, M.D., best-selling author and pioneering educator in integrative medicine. The other three grants went to university programs and teaching hospitals.

“We are pleased to be able to provide this support to four outstanding organizations,” said Dr. Weil, chairman of the Foundation board. “Their pioneering work will help to create a healthcare system that fully recognizes the natural healing capacity of human beings, emphasizes prevention above treatment, ensures appropriate use of both conventional and alternative therapies, and makes doctors and patients true working partners.”

ABC received $5,000 toward the cost of completing Healthy Ingredients <http://www.herbalgram.org/products/hmbc/> , an online database of plants and other ingredients used in supplements, cosmetics and body care products. There are currently 63 ingredient overviews in the database and this number will increase to 130 by the end of 2005. Healthy Ingredients, geared to consumers and healthcare and industry professionals alike, provides an overview of each ingredient, including:

·       Descriptions of plants, including native growth regions

·       Historical and current uses of plants and parts used

·       Clinical studies and other scientific research

·       Market outlook, sustainability and future commercial growing

The Weil Grant will also be used to continue the development of ABC’s Literature Database, a searchable reference catalog of journal articles and other printed materials pertaining to medicinal plants and the science behind their use. The system is used internally for ABC staff members and writers. Support will permit the system to be brought more up-to-date and will improve the functionality of the system.

“ABC deeply appreciates the Weil Foundation’s confidence in and support of our nonprofit educational activities,” said ABC Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal. “For over 30 years Dr. Weil has been a pioneer in educating the public in the role that natural foods and beneficial herbs can play in modern self-care and healthcare and his work clearly reflects the mission of ABC.”

“ABC has had a long relationship with Andrew Weil, his colleagues, and one of the programs that he founded, the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. We applaud the formation of this charitable foundation and are honored to receive its support,” said Wayne Silverman, PhD, ABC’s Chief Administrative Officer. “Healthy Ingredients is a prime example of ABC responding to the needs of the natural product community to present simple yet science-based information,” Silverman continued.

The Weil Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization supporting integrative medicine through grant-making and other activities. The Foundation seeks to improve the training of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals; educate the public about health, healing, and lifestyle; reform public policies governing health care and the practice of medicine; and expand and deepen research in integrative medicine.

Established in 1988, ABC, also a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, is the leading nonprofit, member-based international organization working to educate consumers, healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, industry, and the media on the safe and effective use of herbs and medicinal plant products. ABC is located on a 2.5 acre site in Austin, Texas where it publishes HerbalGram, a peer-reviewed quarterly journal, reviews clinical studies and other scientific literature, produces continuing education for healthcare professionals, and engages in innovative, science-based programs to promote its educational mission. ABC operates an extensive, non-commercial website at www.herbalgram.org <http://www.herbalgram.org/>.

Editor’s Note: Mark Blumenthal, Founder and Executive Director of the American Botanical Council, and Wayne Silverman, PhD, Chief Administrative Officer are available for interviews. Please contact Nancy Moon for scheduling.

AMERICAN BOTANICAL COUNCIL

P.O. Box 144345, Austin, TX 78714-4345

Phone: 512-926-4900 x121; Fax: 512-926-234

Contact: Nancy Moon

Email: the American Botanical Council

Web site: http://www.herbalgram.org/