HSLS Update

Herbal and Dietary Supplement Information Resources

Looking for herbal and dietary supplement information? Two online resources are provided through MedlinePlus and the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database.

MedlinePlus, a free consumer health information resource from the National Library of Medicine, now provides access to a selection of herb and diet supplement monographs from Natural Standard.

The monographs are structured to include background information, synonyms, dosing information, safety (including allergies, side effects and warnings, use in pregnancy and breastfeeding), interactions, in-dications, methodology for the evidence-based review, and ref-erences to the primary literature.  Each monograph includes a table of uses based on scientific evidence. Within the table, the herbal or supplement receives a grade range from A (strong evidence for this use) to F (strong evidence against this use) for diseases or conditions associated with it. Many monographs contain illustrations.

To use the Natural Standard monographs, go to MedlinePlus <http://medlineplus.gov>, choose the Drugs & Supplement link, and scroll down to the Herbs and Supplements section to browse from A to Z.

A second and more wide-ranging resource for herbs and dietary supplement information is the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, licensed by HSLS.  This resource contains evidence-based clinical data on natural medicines, including all herbals and dietary supplements used in the United States and Canada. It is compiled by pharmacists and physicians who are part of the respected Pharmacist’s Letter and Prescriber's Letter research and editorial staffs.

Each monograph or product description is divided into categories based on questions typically raised by clinicians and consumers, including:
•  Common, scientific, brand, and alternate names
•  Use
•  Safety and safety ratings
•  Effectiveness
•  Possible mechanism of action and active ingredients
•  Adverse reactions including known allergies
•  Possible interactions with drugs, laboratory tests, foods, etc.
•  Drug influences on nutrient levels and depletion
•  Typical dosages and common routes of administration
•  Comments
•  References with abstracts
•  Patient education information

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database allows searching by product; common, scientific, or brand names; or names of drugs, conditions, or diseases.  It is available through the HSLS Databases by Title page at <www.hsls.pitt.edu/resources/databases/titles/N>.

--Charlie Wessel