Herbal medicine

Chemistry and Industry, Jan 28, 2008

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THE SCIENCE OF THE ART WED 27 FEB 2008 19.00 SOl Thames and Kennet Regional Group Department of Chemistry, Reading University, Reading, RG6 6AD, UK Contact: Harry Nursten T: +44 (0)1189316725 E: h.e.nursten@reading.ac.uk

In the last 50 years, scientific investigation has provided new perspectives on the ancient art of herbal medicine. In this talk, the ways in which the evidence base for the professional use of 'Western' herbal medicine can be strengthened and developed are discussed. Randomised clinical trials of single-herb interventions are relatively easy to undertake and increasing numbers of such studies are being published. Indeed, enough data is available on three herbs, ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), St John's wort (Hypericumperforatum) and saw palmetto (Serenoa reports), for meta-analyses to have been undertaken. However, phytotherapy is holistic therapy, using lifestyle advice, nutrition, and individually-prescdbed mixtures of herbs with the aim of reinstating homeostasis. Strategies for investigating the holistic approach of phytotherapy and its main elements are discussed and are illustrated with studies undertaken at the University of Reading.