Unbiased Herb and Supplement Reference Books Released

Cambridge, MA. Almost half of Americans use complementary and alternative medicine, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Yet, most healthcare professionals have limited knowledge in this area, and published information is often inaccurate or supported by manufacturers. To address the widespread need for reliable alternative medicine information, Natural Standard has released two new books- Natural Standard Herb & Supplement Reference Book: Evidence-based Clinical Reviews (hard cover $129) and Natural Standard Herb & Supplement Handbook: The Clinical Bottom Line (soft cover $38.95). Both are available for purchase on-line with free shipping through www.naturalstandard.com. Natural Standard is an international collaboration of top researchers and clinicians that provides impartial science-based information about herbs, supplements, and traditional health techniques for professionals and patients.
According to Dr. Harley Goldberg, a Medical Director at Kaiser Permanente, "the lack of safety and effectiveness evidence for alternative therapies has confounded physicians and the medical community… how do we know if it is safe, or if it will help? And how do we weigh the risks and benefits? Natural Standard has provided just what the doctor ordered: an easy-to-use, evidence-based review to tell us what is known, and what is not."

Previously, Natural Standard’s databases were available only to large healthcare organizations, but are now open for individuals to subscribe on the web at www.naturalstandard.com. Prestigious institutional clients of Natural Standard include: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, Yale, Cornell, Harvard Health Publications/Intelihealth, Bastyr University and many more.

"Natural Standard analyzes thousands of scientific studies to provide in-depth information about effectiveness, safety, interactions, pregnancy and breastfeeding precautions, pharmacology, history, and expert opinion," says Ethan Basch, MD, a Chief Editor of Natural Standard who received his medical training at Harvard Medical School.

Formed in 1998, Natural Standard now includes contributors from more than 100 prestigious universities worldwide. Authors and editors are some of the most eminent experts in their respective fields, and include medical doctors, pharmacists, naturopaths, acupuncturists, chiropractors, dentists, toxicologists, nurses, and representatives from other diverse health care backgrounds.

“Natural Standard can be used during an office appointment or as a research tool – users are able to make safer and more informed healthcare decisions,” says Catherine (Kate) Ulbricht, PharmD, a Chief Editor of Natural Standard and Senior Attending Pharmacist at Massachusetts General Hospital.

From Healthy.net