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Herbal products: active constituents, modes of action and quality control

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 December 2007

Ron B.H. Wills ,
Kerry Bone  and
Michelle Morgan
Ron B.H. Wills*
Affiliation:
Centre for Food Industry Research and Development, Faculty of the Central Coast, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW 2258, Australia
Kerry Bone
Affiliation:
MediHerb, Warwick Qld 4370, Australia
Michelle Morgan
Affiliation:
MediHerb, Warwick Qld 4370, Australia
*
*Corresponding author: Dr Ron B. H. Wills, fax +612 46484140, email [email protected]
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Abstract

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An overview is given of the current position of medicinal herbs in general in relation to usage, market and production, types of pharmacological activity and how they differ from conventional drugs. The increasing importance of quality and manufactured products is also discussed. A more detailed consideration of these issues is given in relation to echinacea, valerian and St John's wort as these herbs are well studied, are market leaders and have widespread community usage.

Keywords

Herbal productsEchinaceaValerianSt John's wort
Type
Research Article
Information
Nutrition Research Reviews , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , June 2000 , pp. 47 - 77
Copyright
Copyright © CABI Publishing 2000

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