European Scientific Cooperative

Although there is limited information regarding the therapeutic efficacy and standards for herbals some resources do exist. The most widely recognized source is the German E Commission E monographs, which contain information on more than 300 herbal products. Other well referenced resources include the American Herbal Pharmacopeia, the British Herbal Pharmacopeia (BHP), the British Herbal Compendium, the European Scientific Cooperative for Phytomedicines (ESCOP), the U.S. Pharmacopeia, and the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Table 3 List of Monographs of Phytomedicines Available from European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy...

ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy) (2003). ESCOP Monographs. The scientific foundation for herbal medicinal products, ESCOP, Exeter Georg Threme Verlag, Sttutgart Thieme NewYork, New York. 

Buchner, K.H., H. Hellings, M. Huber, et al. 1974. Double blind study as evidence of the therapeutic effect of Melissengeist on psycho-vegetative syndromes. Med. Klin. 69(23) 1032-1036. ESCOP. 2003. ESCOP monographs The scientific foundation for herbal medicinal products. 2nd ed. Exeter, UK European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. 

The European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy indicates that infusions of anise may be used in pregnancy but that alcohol extracts or the essential oil should not be used (ESCOP 2003). 

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