German Commission

Prepared Monographs of the German Commission E for Human Medicine, Section of Phytotherapy... 

Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J. Herbal Medicine Expanded German Commission E Monographs. Austin, TX American Botanical Council, 2000. 

No health hazards are known with the proper use of kava (Gruenwald et al. 1998). Kava has been approved by the German Commission E for treatment of anxiety and insomnia. In clinical studies of kava for anxiety, adverse effects were uncommon and did not differ across placebo and kava groups. There do not appear to be any studies published on the effects of acute overdosage with kava. Given its CNS depressant effects, it should not be taken with other similar drugs, including benzodiazepines, barbiturates. 

Cytotox/c/ty There has been some concern raised over cytotoxic and mutagenic in-vitro effects of hypericum, which have been ascribed to the constituent quercetin (Tyler 1994). However, quercetin is a flavonoid that is present in many plants and vegetables, and it is estimated that the average person consumes 50 mg per day. Consumption of hypericum would not significantly add to this (1 mg in commonly used amounts). The German Commission E has concluded that this is not of great concern. 

Clove is listed as Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and is approved by the German Commission E for use as a local anesthetic. 

Blumenthal M, ed. (1998). The Complete German Commission E Monographs Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Integrative Medicine Communications. 

The medical use of botanicals in their natural and unprocessed form undoubtedly began when the first intelligent animals noticed that certain food plants altered particular body functions. Much information exists about the historical use and effectiveness of botanical products. Unfortunately, the quality of this information is extremely variable. One of the most complete compendiums of clinical recommendations regarding the use of botanicals is the Report of the German Commission E (a committee that sets standards for herbal medications in that country Blumenthal, 2000). Interest in the endocrine effects and possible nutritional benefits of certain purified chemicals such as dehydroepiandrosterone. melatonin, high-dose vitamins, and minerals has led to a parallel development of consumer demand for such substances. These substances, together with the botanicals, constitute a substantial source of profits for those who exploit the concept of "alternative medicine."... 

Until the role of Echinacea in immune modulation is better defined, this agent should be avoided in patients with immune deficiency disorders (eg, AIDS, cancer), autoimmune disorders (eg, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis), patients with tuberculosis, and patients using immunosuppressant medications (eg, organ transplant recipients). The German Commission E recommends limiting the chronic use of Echinacea to no more than 8 weeks. While there are no reported drug interactions for Echinacea, some preparations have a high alcohol content and should not be used with medications known to cause a disulfiram-like reaction. 

The German Commission E recommends 1-2 g/d of crude P ginseng root or its equivalent. Two hundred milligrams of ginseng extract is equivalent to 1 g of the crude root. Ginsana has been used as a standardized extract in some clinical trials and is available in the United States. Dosing for Siberian ginseng is 2-3 g/d of the crude root. 

Bisset, N. G. (ed.) (1994) Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Boca Raton, FL CRC Press. Blumenthal, M., Busse, W. R., Goldberg, A., Gruenwald, J., Hall, T., Riggins, C. W. and Rister, R. S. (eds) (1998) The Complete German Commission E Monographs Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin, TX American Botanical Council. 

BgVV, 1995, Statement of the German Commission on Plastics of the BgVV Bundesgesundheitsblatt 1995, 38, 73-74. 

Notes ajhe plant contains a number of flavinoids thought to have an effect on the urinary tract and has been endorsed by German Commission E for this purpose. See Varro E. Tyler, Tyler s Herbs of Choice The Therapeutic Uses of Phytomedicines (Binghamton, NY Pharmaceutical Products Press, 1994), pp. 77-78. 

Adverse effects listed in the German Commission E GB leaf extract monograph include gastrointestinal upset, headache, and rash (36). 

GB leaf extract is approved by the German Commission E for memory deficits, disturbances in concentration, depression, dizziness, vertigo, headache, dementia, and intermittent claudication (36). It is regulated as a dietary supplement in the United States. 

Blumenthal M, ed. Ginkgo biloba. The complete German commission E monographs. Austin American Botanical Council, 1998. 

The German Commission E lists saw palmetto as an approved herb. The berry is the only part of the plant approved for use. The approved uses include urination problems associated with BPH stages I and II and urination problems associated with prostate adenoma. This evaluation is based on reasonable proof of safety and efficacy (35). 

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