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In a recent study by Suchard et al., physicians and medical students were surveyed regarding their knowledge of herbal medications.¹ The study revealed that the study group had little training in herbal toxicities and drug interactions and they self-rated their familiarity with these topics as “poor.” In addition, the study group scored very low on an assessment quiz regarding these topics. The study concluded that better educational efforts might improve physician knowledge of the adverse effects of herbal remedies. Since that study, a variety of recent studies have verified the widespread use of complementary and alternative medications both in the US and worldwide. Given the paucity of scientific data regarding the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of many of the herbals that are widely available, the current monograph is well overdue. Dr. Tovar has ably summarized the toxicity issues surrounding many of the most popular herbals in use today in the US as well as internationally. The current monograph provides practitioners with an excellent primer regarding herbal toxicity. Now, if only all physicians and nurses included an herbal history in the workup of each patient, we would take a giant leap toward identifying and understanding potentially dangerous herbal toxicities and better protecting patients.

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Reference 

1. Suchard JR, Suchard MA, Steinfeldt JL. Physician knowledge of herbal toxicities and adverse herb-drug interactions. Eur J Emerg Med. 2004;11:193–197
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