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Your best resource for reliable herbal medicine information
How do we know what herbs are good for? How do we know they are safe? How do we know what are the best forms and dosages? Where can we learn more about the credible, reliable and accurate information out there? This has been the mission of Mark Blumenthal and the American Botanical Council (ABC). I have followed the ABC for almost as long as they have been in existence. This has been the lifelong passion for Mark and he has created a resource that is respected around the world and is considered by many to be the best resource for the exploration of herbal medicine, at least here in the US.
The mission of the American Botanical Council is to provide education using science-based and traditional information to promote responsible use of herbal medicine. Since 1988, the American Botanical Council has been educating consumers, healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, industry and the media on the safe and effective use of herbs and medicinal plants. ABC is an independent, nonprofit organization supported by thousands of members around the world.
From its headquarters at the Case Mill Homestead in Austin, Texas, ABC publishes HerbalGram, a peer-reviewed quarterly journal; HerbClip, a twice-monthly series of summaries and critical reviews of recently published herbal literature; and HerbalEGram, a monthly electronic publication. ABC is also the publisher of four books, including The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs, a continuing education and reference book, which contains extensive monographs on the safety and efficacy of 30 popular herbs.
In addition, ABC works through its Media Education program to respond to inaccuracies and misrepresentations in the media and provide proactive, science-based information about herbal medicine. ABC also provides an internship program for students of pharmacy and dietetics, as well as other training and certification programs.
If you are serious about herbal research, you would first go to the American Botanical Council. Their content is perhaps the most complete and credible source for credible herbal research. There is a lot of content that is available for free, however the ABC is supported partly by membership fees. Becoming a member will give you access to much more of the herbal research. You will also receive a subscription to their regular publication, HerbalGram.
About Mark Blumenthal
Mark Blumenthal is the Founder and Executive Director of the American Botanical Council (ABC), the leading independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to disseminating accurate, reliable, and responsible information on herbs and medicinal plants. He is the Editor/Publisher of HerbalGram, an international, peer-reviewed quarterly journal. For six years he was an Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, teaching the course “Herbs and Phytomedicines in Today’s Pharmacy.” Mark is the Senior Editor of the English translation of The Complete German Commission E Monographs–Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines (1998), Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs (2000), The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs (2003), and co-author of Rational Phytotherapy, 5th edition (2004). He has appeared on over 400 radio and television shows and has written over 500 articles, reviews and book chapters for many major publications. In 2010 he was awarded the prestigious Tyler Prize in honor of the late Purdue Professor Varro E. Tyler from the American Society of Pharmacognosy. In 2008 he was awarded the “Natural Legacy” award from Natural Foods Merchandiser magazine and he has also been named to Natural Health Magazine’s Hall of Fame Award for “…opening America’s eye to the healing powers of herbs.” He has been a leader in the concerns for more rational regulations of herbal and natural product manufacturing, and education on plant-based medicines for over 36 years.
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