WHO's listing of Medicinal Herbs

There is an almost endless list of websites for medicinal herbs and their useage.   Most have an extensive listing of herbs, their benefits and claims of effectivness.  These claims are rarely supported by clinical testing.  In searching for support for those claims we came across the World Health Organization's (WHO) website.

Their website has a wealth of information on medicinal herbs.  With the reach and depth of this organization in regions of the world where medicinal herbs have been used for thousands of years, they have been able to compile extensive information on their use and effectiveness.  Below are the links to a number of their publications.  The information is very technical but can make for interesting reading for those who want to expand their knownledge of medicinal herbs.   

THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE USED FOR REFERENCE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND THE READER SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF SELF-TREATMENT.

World Health Organization listing of Medicinal Herbs - AVAILABLE ONLINE - This is a three volume listing of almost 100 medicinal herbs.  Although quite technical, the section on Pharmaocolgy does contain information on the results of clinical trials, toxicity and warings on useage.  

The following books can be ordered from WHO:

Medicinal Plants of China - Catalogues the 150 species of medicinal plants most commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. The book, which was compiled in collaboration with the Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, was produced in an effort to communicate knowledge about herbal medicine that has accumulated over thousands of years, has been confirmed through both empirical experience and scientific evaluation, and yet has rarely been published outside the Chinese literature.

Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea - Presents concise monographs, accompanied by full-colour photographs, for the 150 plant species most commonly used for medicinal purposes in the Republic of Korea.  The book aims to provide written and visual documentation of important plants and summarize their uses to treat ailments, protect against disease, or promote health.

Medicinal Plants of Viet Nam - Catalogues the 200 species of medicinal plants most commonly used in traditional Vietnamese medicine. The book, which has been translated from the original Vietnamese, was produced in an effort to communicate knowledge about herbal medicine that has accumulated over thousands of years, has been confirmed through both empirical experience and scientific evaluation, and yet has rarely been published outside the Vietnamese literature.