[MPWG] Medicinal Plant News Releases - June and July 2004

[Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov]

Late breaking news!

Here are a plethora (although not all) of the news releases from recent
weeks that involve medicinal plant issues that caught my eye?  While some
of them explore whether medicinal plant quackery is legitimate, others
provide perspectives on efficacy (or lack thereof) that really resonate
with consumers but could use a few more probing questions to present a more
balanced perspective.

If anyone has more information on these or other articles and would be
interested in following up on them for the group, please contact me.
Thanks.

-Patricia

Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist - Division of Scientific Authority
Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working Group
US Fish & Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 750
Arlington, VA  22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276
Working for the conservation and sustainable use of our green natural
resources.
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal>


Sea-Band Unveils Anti-Nausea Ginger Gum (PRNewswire)
June 16, 2004
"Taps medicinal herb to treat motion sickness"
Full article:
http://www.forrelease.com/D20040616/new025.P2.06162004115408.28448.html

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From: The Washington Post Health Section ? June 29, 2004

For those of you who are in not in my neck of the woods, you might not be
aware that the entire Health section in the June 29,2004 edition of
D.C.-based The Washington Post newspaper was dedicated to "Alternative
Treatment: News and observations from the world of complementary and
alternative medicine."

A Walk in The Wild (The Washington Post)
By Matt McMillen, Page HE01, June 29, 2004
"Newly minted herbalists call interest academic"
Full article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A13241-2004Jun28?language=printer

You Use That Stuff, Too? (The Washington Post)
By Elizabeth R. Agnvall, Page HE01, June 29, 2004
"You're not the only one sold on alternative approaches.  Here are ten of
America's favorite ? and what the science shows"
Full article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13235-2004Jun28.html

Is There an Organic Advantage? (The Washington Post)
By Sally Squires, Page HE01, June 29, 2004
Full article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13242-2004Jun28.html

Hard to Conceive (The Washington Post)
By Suz Redfearn, Page HE01, June 29, 2004
Full article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13240-2004Jun28.html

Need to Know: Supplemental Info (The Washington Post)
By Jennifer Huget, Page HE02, June 29, 2004
Mayo Clinic has a new section on their website devoted to dietary
supplements!
Mayo Website: www.mayoclinich.com
Full article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A13513-2004Jun28?language=printer

Need to Know: Supplemental Info (The Washington Post)
By Jennifer Huget, Page HE02, June 29, 2004
Mayo Clinic has a new section on their website devoted to dietary
supplements!  Website:  weekly shot of news and notes" ? tidbits incl.
black tea and your heart
Full article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53173-2004May24.html

Limited Alternatives (The Washington Post)
By Tom Graham, Page HE02, June 29, 2004
"A weekly check on Health Care Costs and Coverage"
Full article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13514-2004Jun28.html

Quick Study (Washington Post)
June 29, 2004, HE09, June 29, 2004
"A weekly digest of new research on major health topics" ? An herbal remedy
seems of no more benefit than a plaebo
Full article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13558-2004Jun28.html

Health: Alternative Medicine (Live Discussion)
Stephen E. Straus, M.D. and Richard L. Nahin, Ph.D., 2:00 PM June 29, 2004
More Americans are willing to experiment with alternative medicine,
supplements and therapies -- anything from taking echinacea for colds to
relieving...
Full article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12664-2004Jun28.html

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From: The Washington Post Front Page ? July 6, 2004

Drugmakers prefer silence on test data (Washignton Post)
By Shankar Vedantam, Page A01, July 6, 2004
"Firms violate U.S. law by not registering trials"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A29576-2004Jul5.html