Dear Chhuon,

The idea that herbal drugs are safe and free from side effects is false. Plants contain hundreds of constituents and some of them are very toxic, such as the most cytotoxic anti-cancer plant-derived drugs, digitalis and the pyrrolizidine alkaloids, etc. However, the adverse effects of phytotherapeutic agents are less frequent compared with synthetic drugs, but well-controlled clinical trials have now confirmed that such effects really exist. Several regulatory models for herbal medicines are currently available including prescription drugs, over-the-counter substances, traditional medicines and dietary supplements. Harmonization and improvement in the processes of regulation is needed, and the general tendency is to perpetuate the German Commission E experience, which combines scientific studies and traditional knowledge (monographs). Finally, the trend in the domestication, production and biotechnological studies and genetic improvement of medicinal plants, instead of the use of plants harvested in the wild, will offer great advantages, since it will be possible to obtain uniform and high quality raw materials which are fundamental to the efficacy and safety of herbal drugs.

For more details, please use the following link:

http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X2000000200004

Hoping this will be helpful,

Rafik

WHO guidelines for assessing quality of herbal medicines with reference to contaminants and residues.

http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/documents/s14878e/s14878e.pdf

may be helpful

Dear Rafik,

the answer you gave me is good but it isn't specific. What I want to know is the important of herbal quality control.

Dear Chhuon,

Would you please rephrase your question in order to make it clear?

Thanks,

Rafik