Nutrition Research Reviews

Table of Contents - 2000 - Volume 13, Issue 01  

Research Article

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

Ron B.H. Willsa1 c1, Kerry Bonea2 and Michelle Morgana2

a1 Centre for Food Industry Research and Development, Faculty of the Central Coast, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW 2258, Australia

a2 MediHerb, Warwick Qld 4370, Australia

Abstract

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.

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Correspondence:

c1 *Corresponding author: Dr Ron B. H. Wills, fax +612 46484140, email ftrbhw@cc.newcastle.edu.au

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