[MPWG] Fw: PRESS RELEASE-ABC Receives Inaugural Weil Foundation Grant

[Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov]

AMERICAN BOTANICAL COUNCIL
P.O. Box 144345, Austin, TX 78714-4345
Phone: 512-926-4900 x121; Fax: 512-926-234
Contact: Nancy Moon
Email: nancy at herbalgram.org
Web site: http://www.herbalgram.org/

Editor’s Note: Mark Blumenthal, Founder and Executive Director of the
American Botanical Council, and Wayne Silverman, PhD, Chief Administrative
Officer are available for interviews. Please contact Nancy Moon for
scheduling.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


News Release


ABC Receives Inaugural Weil Foundation Grant


(Austin, TX, November 9, 2005). The nonprofit American Botanical Council
(ABC), an Austin, Texas-based herbal medicine research and education
organization, has been selected to receive one of the inaugural grants by
the newly-formed Weil Foundation. The Weil Foundation was established
earlier this year by Andrew Weil, M.D., best-selling author and pioneering
educator in integrative medicine. The other three grants went to university
programs and teaching hospitals.

“We are pleased to be able to provide this support to four outstanding
organizations,” said Dr. Weil, chairman of the Foundation board. “Their
pioneering work will help to create a healthcare system that fully
recognizes the natural healing capacity of human beings, emphasizes
prevention above treatment, ensures appropriate use of both conventional
and alternative therapies, and makes doctors and patients true working
partners.”

ABC received $5,000 toward the cost of completing Healthy Ingredients, an
online database of plants and other ingredients used in supplements,
cosmetics and body care products. There are currently 63 ingredient
overviews in the database and this number will increase to 130 by the end
of 2005. Healthy Ingredients, geared to consumers and healthcare and
industry professionals alike, provides an overview of each ingredient,
including:

·     Descriptions of plants, including native growth regions
·     Historical and current uses of plants and parts used
·     Clinical studies and other scientific research
·     Market outlook, sustainability and future commercial growing


The Weil Grant will also be used to continue the development of ABC’s
Literature Database, a searchable reference catalog of journal articles and
other printed materials pertaining to medicinal plants and the science
behind their use. The system is used internally for ABC staff members and
writers. Support will permit the system to be brought more up-to-date and
will improve the functionality of the system.

“ABC deeply appreciates the Weil Foundation’s confidence in and support of
our nonprofit educational activities,” said ABC Founder and Executive
Director Mark Blumenthal. “For over 30 years Dr. Weil has been a pioneer in
educating the public in the role that natural foods and beneficial herbs
can play in modern self-care and healthcare and his work clearly reflects
the mission of ABC.”

“ABC has had a long relationship with Andrew Weil, his colleagues, and one
of the programs that he founded, the Program in Integrative Medicine at the
University of Arizona. We applaud the formation of this charitable
foundation and are honored to receive its support,” said Wayne Silverman,
PhD, ABC’s Chief Administrative Officer. “Healthy Ingredients is a prime
example of ABC responding to the needs of the natural product community to
present simple yet science-based information,” Silverman continued.

The Weil Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization supporting
integrative medicine through grant-making and other activities. The
Foundation seeks to improve the training of physicians, nurses,
pharmacists, and allied health professionals; educate the public about
health, healing, and lifestyle; reform public policies governing health
care and the practice of medicine; and expand and deepen research in
integrative medicine.

Established in 1988, ABC, also a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, is the
leading nonprofit, member-based international organization working to
educate consumers, healthcare professionals, researchers, educators,
industry, and the media on the safe and effective use of herbs and
medicinal plant products. ABC is located on a 2.5 acre site in Austin,
Texas where it publishes HerbalGram, a peer-reviewed quarterly journal,
reviews clinical studies and other scientific literature, produces
continuing education for healthcare professionals, and engages in
innovative, science-based programs to promote its educational mission. ABC
operates an extensive, non-commercial website at www.herbalgram.org.


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