Herbal Therapies Resources

Books:

•   Kemper, Kathi (2002).  The Holistic Pediatrician.   A comprehensive guide with information on herbal therapies for 25 of the most common pediatric health problems.

•   Loo, M (to be released 2008).  Integrative Medicine for Children.  

Websites:

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ 

This is the University of Maryland’s comprehensive website that contains complete summaries of commonly used herbs.  Each summary has recommendations about their use in pediatrics.   Similarly formatted information about supplements is also found on this website. (Website accessed 5/1/08)

http://www.herbmed.org

 “HerbMed” provides data about the medicinal use of herbs.  The website is the property of the Alternative Medicine Foundation.  The Alternative Medicine Foundation is a nonprofit organization, founded in March 1998 to provide responsible and reliable information about alternative medicine to the public and health professionals. The public version is free and the professional version requires a paid subscription.  Herbs are listed under their scientific names and it is sometimes difficult to find them using the names they are more commonly known by.  This site does not have specific pediatric information. (Website accessed 5/1/08)  

http://www.longwoodherbal.org

This website is the property of the Longwood Herbal Task Force (LHTF).  The LHTF was organized in the fall of 1998 by faculty, staff and students from Children’s Hospital, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute to learn more about and teach other clinicians about herbs and dietary supplements.  The website has information on an extensive list of commonly used herbs.  Information on each herb includes an in-depth monograph, a clinician information summary, and a patient fact sheet.  Information on pediatric use is included when available.  Similarly formatted information about supplements is also found on this website. (Website accessed 5/1/08)

  http://www.care.ualberta.ca/resources.htm

This website is the property of the Complementary and Alternative Research and Education Program at Stollery Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  The site provides a lay summary on herbal (and other complementary and alternative) treatments for six common pediatric disorders including asthma, eczema, colds, diarrhea, colic, and otitis media. The site states that professional scientific summaries are found in the journal “Pediatrics in Review” but no direct link to these is provided.  (Website accessed 5/1/08)  

http://www.naturaldatabase.com

 “Natural Database” is the property of the Therapeutic Research Center.  The Therapeutic Research Center provides independent and objective, evidence-based analysis of drug therapy information for medical professionals.  This site contains a comprehensive database of naturally based treatments for medical conditions.  Searches can be done using the keywords of both medical conditions and treatments.  A search for an herb provides a complete monograph along with information on indications for use, dosages, food and drug interactions, lab test interactions, interactions with diseases, side effects, references, and patient information sheets.  Pediatric information is provided when available.  Similarly formatted information about supplements is also found on this website. (Website accessed 5/1/08)

http://naturalstandard.com

“Natural Standard” is an international research collaboration that aggregates and synthesizes data on complementary and alternative therapies.  The mission of this collaboration is to provide objective, reliable information that aids clinicians, patients, and healthcare institutions to make more informed and safer therapeutic decisions.  A paid subscription is required to access this site.  There is a “demo” that can be previewed before purchasing a subscription. (Website accessed 5/1/08)

http://content.herbalgram.org/abc/herbalmedicine/

This is the website of the American Botanical Council.  Much of the website is not accessible without membership but there are some sample monographs about several herbs that are accessible to all.  This website does not provide pediatric specific information.  (Website accessed 5/6/08)

Author's Note: This website does not intend to provide specific CAM practice guidelines, but will provide information on how CAM could be used in pediatrics.  In addition, links will be provided to more specific practice information when they are available.