Scope Note
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of medicine
that stresses promotion of health, prevention of
disease, patient education, and self-responsibility.
It is identified not by the therapies it uses but
by the philosophical principles that guide the practitioner.
The seven core principles of naturopathic medicine
are: the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix
naturae); first do no harm (primum non
nocere) ; find the cause (tolle causam);
treat the whole person (holism); preventive medicine;
wellness and health promotion (emerging principle);
and doctor as teacher (docere) [per Pizzorno
and Snider, see entry under Naturopathic Medicine,
below]. Natural medicine has a long and venerable
history, from the early days of the “nature cure” which
originated in Europe, to the science-based naturopathic
medicine of today. The tenets of healthy living—natural
foods, sunlight, exercise, joie de vivre—haven't
changed over the centuries, and some valuable and
still-utilized historical works are included here.
This bibliography includes books, journals, databases
and websites that are clinically useful to naturopathic
doctors (NDs) and other health practitioners. It
does not include standard biomedical or nutritional
resources, although virtually all NDs rely on such
works in their clinical practice. Several highly
useful resources on this list were self published
and/or are out of print, but the publishing environment
for works in this subject area is steadily improving.
Entries are arranged alphabetically within sections
by first author, or, in the case of edited works,
the title.
I. PRINT RESOURCES A. Naturopathic Medicine
AIDS and Complementary
& Alternative Medicine: Current Science and Practice.
Edited by Leanna J. Standish, Carlo Calabrese and
Mary Lou Galantino. New York: Churchill Livingstone,
2002.
Offers a scientific review of the evidence for the
effectiveness of various natural therapies used in
treating AIDS, such as homeopathy, botanical medicine,
therapeutic touch, physical medicine and nutrition.
Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine.
Edited by Michael T. Murray, Joseph E. Pizzorno
and Herb Joiner-Bey. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone,
2002.
A concise handbook designed for quick consult in
the clinical setting, it is based on the classic
in the field, the Textbook of Natural Medicine.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Epilepsy. Edited by Orrin Devinsky, Steven Schachter and Steven Pacia. New York: Demos Medical Publishing, 2005.
Offers a wide range of perspectives, including that of naturopathic medicine, and therapies, such as nutritional interventions, acupuncture, massage, cranio sacral and many others.
Friedman, Michael. Fundamentals of Naturopathic Endocrinology: Complementary and Alternative Medicine Guide. Toronto: CCNM Press, 2005.
Clinical introduction and handbook to treating endocrine disorders according to the principles and practice of naturopathic medicine.
Hudson, Tori. Women's Encyclopedia of
Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative
Medicine. Los Angeles: Lowell House,
1999.
Provides information on safe, effective complementary
therapies such as herbs, diet, bodywork, and exercise.
Intended for health consumers, but sufficiently
detailed to be useful to practitioners. Appendices
address hormone therapies and an exercise program.
Mitchell, William A. Foundations of Natural
Therapeutics: Biochemical Apologetics of Naturopathic
Medicine. Seattle, WA: [Self published],
1997.
Structured to facilitate the process of naturopathic
clinical analysis and decision-making. NDs base
treatment decisions on the theory that grounds
the medicine, and this resource helps to delineate
practical applications of this philosophy foundation.
Natural Approach to Ophthalmology and
Otolaryngology, 6th ed. Edited by Kevin
Conroy, Eric L. Yarnell, Keegan Sheridan. Wenatchee,
WA: Healing Mountain Publishing, 2004.
Introduces the naturopathic approach to health
conditions of the eyes, ears, nose and throat.
As the preface makes clear, natural medicine does
not preclude the use of biomedical therapies but
rather “seeks to organize information gained
by scientific study and to show when high force
interventions make sense and when they should be
reserved.”
Pizzorno, Lara U., Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr. and
Michael T. Murray. Natural Medicine Instructions
for Patients. New York: Churchill Livingstone,
2002.
Patient instructions for 76 of the most common
health conditions with reproducible templates for
the busy clinician.
Pizzorno, Joseph E. and Pamela Snider. "Chapter
13: Naturopathic Medicine" in Fundamentals
of Complementary and Integrative Medicine,
3rd edition. Edited by Marc S. Micozzi. New York:
Saunders Elsevier, 2006.
This chapter provides a thorough overview of the
history, philosophical foundations and therapeutics
of naturopathic medicine.
Powell, Dirk Wm., N.D. Endocrinology
& Naturopathic Therapies, 6 th edition.
Bothell, WA: [Self published], 2004.
Powell has over 25 years of clinical and teaching
experience in endocrinology. This work is intended
to be used with standard endocrinology textbooks
to facilitate clinical decision-making.
Textbook of Natural Medicine,
3rd ed. Edited by Joseph E. Pizzorno and Michael
T. Murray. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2005.
This two-volume set has long been the standard
reference for science-based natural medicine. Contents
include essays on the philosophy of natural medicine,
diagnostic procedures, therapeutics, pharmacology
and detailed protocols for specific conditions.
This work provides compelling documentation of
the efficacy of natural medicine.
Varney, Helen. Varney's Midwifery,
4th ed. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Pub., 2004.
Well written, thorough, and comprehensive, this
is a definitive, primary resource for the field.
Contents include Primary Care of Women, Reproductive
Health Care, Antepartal Care, Intrapartal
Care, Newborn Care, Postpartal
Care, and Skills (such as universal
precautions, venipuncture, and pelvic examination).
Vasquez, Alex. Integrative Orthopedics:
Concepts, Algorithms, and Therapeutics: The art
of Creating Wellness While Effectively Managing
Acute and Chronic Musculoskeletal Disorders.
Houston: Natural Health Consulting Corp., c2004.
A clinically-oriented textbook that discusses concepts
in the assessment and management of acute and chronic
musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. Companion
text to Integrative Rheumatology by
the same author.
Vasquez, Alex. Integrative Rheumatology:
Concepts, Algorithms, and Therapeutics: The Art
of Creating Wellness while Effectively Managing
Acute and Chronic Musuloskeletal Disorders. OptimalHealthResearch.com,
2006.
A clinically-oriented textbook that extends beyond Integrative
Orthopedics to outline treatment plans
for autoimmune and systemic inflammatory disorders
by the same author.
Yarnell, Eric. Naturopathic Gastroenterology.
Sisters, OR: Naturopathic Medical Press, 2000.
NDs have long been aware of the importance of the
GI system, which is now considered to be at the
center of immune system function. This book discusses
naturopathic philosophy and healing modalities
for the gastrointestinal track. It covers general
concepts as well as detailed therapeutics, including
surgical options in some cases.
Yarnell, Eric. Naturopathic Urology and
Men's Health. Wenatchee, WA: Healing
Mountain Publishing, Inc., 2001.
Intended as a clinical guide for those interested
in natural health care, this book relies on published
research and also on historical evidence and the
long patterns of traditional uses for various botanical
medicines and foods.
B. Botanical Medicine
Complete German Commission E Monographs:
Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines.
Edited by Mark Blumenthal et al. Austin, TX:
Integrative Medicine Communications, 1999 and
Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E
Monographs. 1st ed. Edited by Mark Blumenthal
et al. Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications,
2000.
The German Commission E was established to scientifically
evaluate the safety and efficacy of specific herbal
substances and to develop guidelines for their
medical use. The Commission E monographs were issued
in English in 1998. One drawback is the omission
of references documenting the information presented.
The editors corrected this for many of the herbal
monographs in a subsequent volume, Herbal
Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs.
The later work also expands the monographs for
the most popular herbs.
Duke, James A. Handbook of Medicinal
Herbs, 2nd ed. New York: CRC Press,
2002.
This new edition of the classic reference work
covers over 1,000 medicinal herbs, including those
from African, Ayurvedic and Chinese traditional
medicines. James Duke, who worked most of his life
for the U.S. Agricultural Research Service, is
one of the best-known researchers in the field.
European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP
Monographs: the European Scientific Foundation
for Herbal Medicinal Products, 2nd ed.
New York: Thieme, 2003.
Written by the leading group in Europe for herbal
medicine products, this extensively referenced
item includes 80 herbal monographs including categories
such as therapeutic use, dosage, interactions and
summaries of pharmacological, clinical and toxicological
data.
Essential Guide to Herbal
Safety. Edited by Simon Mills and Kerry
Bone. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone,
2005.
The most comprehensive and authoritative guide
to safety issues in herbal medicine that is currently
available; includes twelve chapters on safe herbal
use and 125 evidence-based reviews.
Evidence-Based Herbal Medicine.
Edited by Michael Rotblatt and Irwin Ziment. Philadelphia:
Hanley & Belfus, 2002.
This is a great quick consult guide to herbal medicine,
including chemistry, quality assurance and evaluations
of efficacy. Special topics cover the little researched
areas of Chinese, Ayurvedic and Mexican herbs.
Evans, William Charles and George Edward Trease. Trease
and Evans' Pharmacognosy. 14th ed. Philadelphia:
W.B. Saunders Co., 1996.
This is a classic work on pharmacognosy, “the
study of those natural substances, principally
plants that find use in medicine.” It contains
extensive essays on pharmacology and natural sources
of drugs, standardization and quality assurance,
phytochemistry, and uses in complementary and alternative
medicine.
Handbook of Clinically Tested Herbal Remedies,
v. 1 & 2. Edited by Marilyn Barrett. New York:
Haworth Press, Inc. 2004.
Detailed information on over 160 herbal products
that have been tested in clinical trials. An evaluation
of the strength of the evidence is particularly
useful.
Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals:
A Handbook for Practice on a Scientific Basis,
2nd ed. Edited by Norman Graninger Bisset and
Max Wichtl. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2001.
Translated from the German, this second edition
contains a wealth of information that will interest
physicians, pharmacists, herbalists, botanists
and chemists, including 181 detailed monographs
on specific botanical substances which comprise
the major portion of this work. This coverage is
much broader than that of German Commission E Monographs
and include aspects not considered in that work,
such as specific preparation instructions and regulatory
status.
Hoffmann, David. Medical Herbalism: the
Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine.
Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 2003.
Hoffman, a highly regarded herbalist, blends the
modern scientific movement with traditional Western
herbal practice in this two-part foundational textbook.
Part One discusses chemistry and phamacognosy;
Part Two covers treatment by body system. One-hundred
and fifty herbs are presented.
Mills, Simon and Kerry Bone. Principles
and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine.
Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.
Extensive clinical information is this work's distinguishing
feature. Part One presents an overview of herbal
therapeutic systems and pharmacology. Part Two
gives practical clinical guides for dosage and
prescribing for various conditions. Part Three
is a materia medica, or pharmacy, of herbal substances
detailing each substance's chemical structure,
traditional uses, and clinical activities and effects,
and contraindication/interactions.
Mitchell, William A. Plant Medicine in
Practice: Using the Teachings of John Bastyr.
St. Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone, 2003.
William Mitchell, ND, was a student of Dr. Bastyr,
one of the mid-twentieth century's most noteworthy
natural healers in the Pacific Northwest. This
book draws on Bastyr's notes, lectures and writings
and contributes to the case literature supporting
the use of herbal medicine.
Weiss, Rudolf Fritz. Herbal medicine,
1st English edition, Gothenburg, Sweden: Beaconsfield
Publishers, 1988 and Weiss, Rudolf Fritz. Herbal
Medicine, 2nd English edition, revised
and expanded by R.F. Weiss, MD and V. Fintelmann,
MD. Stuttgart: Thieme, 2000.
The classic edition by Rudolph Weiss first appeared
in Germany in 1944 but the first English edition
was not published until the German sixth edition
appeared in 1988. Weiss, an M.D., discussed the
philosophy and therapeutic uses of medicinal plants
for his intended audience, the conventional medical
community. The second English edition, revised,
rewritten and edited by Dr. Fintelmann, has been
significantly altered. Fintelmann, a member of
the German Commission E, has a far more evidence-based
approach than Weiss and discounts the lessons of
traditional use. This is a case where the first
edition remains an invaluable core resource while
the second edition should perhaps be added as a
complementary text. The first edition is still
in print and is billed as “the classic edition.”
Werbach, Melvyn R. and Michael T. Murray. Botanical
Influences on Illness: A Sourcebook of Clinical
Research, 2nd ed. Tarzana, CA: Third
Line Press, 2000.
Werbach, an M.D., and Murray, an ND., do an excellent
job presenting abstracts of scientific research
articles which document the effects of botanical
medicines on various health conditions. The book
includes references to many botanical research
studies that are not easily found elsewhere.
Yarnell, Eric. Phytochemistry and Pharmacy
for Practitioners of Botanical Medicine.
Wenatchee, WA: Healing Mountain, 2003.
Documents the phytochemistry and applications botanical
medicine. The author's perspective assumes that
the basic sciences, especially physiology, pathology
and biochemistry, are critical in understanding
the uses and toxicology of these medicines.
C. Nutrition
Hass, Elson with Buck Levin. Staying Healthy with Nutrition:
The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine. Berkeley,
CA: Celestial Arts Publishing, 2006.
Useful guide to understanding the significant role of nutrition in health. Includes nutritional programs for the life stages and detoxification programs for drugs, caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine.
Marz, Russell B. Medical Nutrition from
Marz. Portland, OR: Omni-Press, 1999.
This classic textbook addresses various medical
conditions from the perspectives of biochemical
and physiological processes. Treatment sections
include annotated references for recommendations.
Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods:
Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition.
Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2002.
Focusing primarily, but not exclusively, on vegetarian
foods, Pitchford discusses the essentials of nutrition
from the Asian perspective and gives detailed outlines
for achieving balance. The book also has an extensive
section on dietary treatment of diseases, including
cancer and arthritis.
Textbook of Functional Medicine.
David S. Jones, editor in chief. Gig Harbor, WA:
Institute for Functional Medicine, 2005, and Functional
Medicine (FMED) Update Service. Functional
medicine is a dynamic approach to assessing, preventing,
and treating complex chronic disease and fostering
wellness. The Textbook of Functional Medicine presents
clinical implications of the relationship between diet,
lifestyle, personal relationships, environment, and
genetic factors. The Functional Medicine (FMED)
Update is a service (monthly audio cassette
or quarterly digital) that synthesizes the most clinically
relevant, cutting-edge information appearing each month
in the medical literature. Dr. Jeffrey Bland, co-founder
of the Institute for Functional Medicine (http://www.functionalmedicine.org/)
and a nutritional biochemist, produces the FMED
Update and is one of the most knowledgeable
experts today on the key role nutrition plays in wellness.
Werbach, Melvyn. Nutritional Influence
on Illness: A Sourcebook of Clinical Research. Tarzana,
CA., Third Line Press, 1996.
Despite its age, this work continues to be useful
in the clinical environment because it contains
information that is hard to come by elsewhere.
Eighty-seven diseases are presented, each entry
beginning with a summary statement of the current
status of research. Appendices include deficiencies,
toxicities, laboratory analysis, bioavailability
and interactions, heavy metal toxicity, and food
sensitivities.
D. Interaction/Contraindication Guides
American Herbal Products Association. American
Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety
Handbook. Edited by Michael McGuffin
et al. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997.
No new edition is currently planned, but this older
one is still highly useful. Herbs are listed by scientific
names and classified according to level of safety
indicated by credible scientific studies. Each entry
includes information on adverse effects, therapeutic
use and pharmacology. Appendices provide cross referencing
to botanical common names, and listings by class.
Brinker, Francis J. Herb Contraindications & Drug
Interactions: with Appendices Addressing Specific
Conditions and Medicines, revised & expanded
3rd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications,
2001. Note: Online updates are
posted at: www.eclecticherb.com/emp/updatesHCDI.html
This well-referenced directory lists herbs by common
name and allows users to check for contraindications
and possible drug interactions between herbal and
pharmaceutical medications. Useful appendices list
herbs to be used with caution, various types and
examples of herb/drug interactions, herbs contraindicated
for mothers and children, and vitamin/mineral/drug
interactions.
Cassileth, Barrie. Herb-Drug Interactions
in Oncology. Hamilton, Ontario: B.C.
Decker, 2003.
This useful book grew out of the Integrative Medicine
Service established by Barrie R. Cassileth at Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in 1999. It covers
several hundred medicinal plants, vitamins and
other therapies. Entries include clinical summaries,
mechanism of action, adverse reactions, drug and
lab interactions, and dosages. Comes with a CD-ROM.
Pronsky, Zaneta M. Food-Medication Interactions.
Birchrunville, PA: Food Medication Interactions,
2006.
An easy-to-use guide listing potential drug-nutrient
interactions.
E. Homeopathy
Boericke, William. New Manual of Homoeopathic
Materia Medica & Repertory. New
Delhi: B. Jain, 2003.
In addition to a repertory and materia medica, this
augmented edition includes a section on commonly
used nosodes, Indian drugs (uncommon remedies), an
index of drugs (common and Latin names), and a therapeutic
index. An all-in-one indispensable book for the homeopath
and the clinician.
Hahnnemann, Samuel. Organon of the Medical
Art. Redmond, WA: Birdcage Books, Inc.,
2001.
This is one of the most comprehensive treatments
of Samuel Hahnnemann's groundbreaking work on the
philosophy and practice of homeopathy. It makes
his masterpiece easily accessible to the readers
and offers great insight into the original German
text. The glossary and index are indispensable
additions.
Kent, J. T. Lectures on Homoeopathic Philosophy.
New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; sole distributors:
North Atlantic Books, 1979.
In this classic of homeopathic literature, originally
published in 1900, Dr. Kent summarizes and interprets
Samuel Hahnemann's treatise The Organon
of the Healing Art (see above). It includes
information on how to take a case history and determine
the proper remedy, and how to scientifically understand
what constitutes a cure.
Morrison, Roger. Desktop Guide to Keynotes
and Confirmatory Symptoms. Albany, CA:
Hahnemann Clinic Publishing, 1993.
Morrison's Desktop Guide lists
the major substances in the homeopathic pharmacy,
or materia medica, and is intended to assist practitioners
in confirming remedies while taking case histories.
Each substance is followed by a list of the most
common conditions it is used to treat. This is
the only work of its kind and it is based on the
work of George Vithoulkas, one of the world's foremost
homeopathic practitioners.
Morrison, Roger. Desktop Companion to
Physical Pathology. Nevada City, CA: Hahnemann
Clinic Publishing, 1998.
Arranged by body system, a useful companion guide
to Morrison's Desktop Guide (above)
with thorough differentiation for each of the main
pathologies, and remedies for acute and constitutional
cases. The management sections are particularly
useful with tips on homeopathic, naturopathic,
and allopathic therapeutics. Includes a therapeutic
index and some Indian drugs (uncommon remedies).
F. Physical/Manual Medicine & Hydrotherapy
Boyle, Wade. Lectures in Naturopathic
Hydrotherapy. East Palestine, OH: Buckeye
Naturopathic Press, 1988.
Based on the teachings of three of O. G. Carroll's
students: Drs. John Bastyr, Harold Dick and Leo Scott,
and others, this work is not intended as a definitive
text of hydrotherapy but rather presents lectures
given by the authors in the 1980s at National College
of Naturopathic Medicine, John Bastyr College and
the Ontario College of Naturopathic Medicine.
Greenman, Philip E. Principles of Manual
Medicine. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins,
1996.
Complete with many helpful photographs and diagrams,
this textbook outlines the process of structural
diagnosis and manipulation techniques. Principles
and concepts covered include craniosacral therapy,
muscle energy technique, and impulse technique.
Technique procedures are then described for each
of the regions of the body. The final section focuses
on clinical integration and correlative procedures.
G. Cancer Resources
Anticancer Agents from Natural Products.
Edited by Gordon M. Cragg, David G.I. Kingston
and David J. Newman. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis,
2005.
Provides a summary of the current status and development
of the most effective anti-neoplastic agents derived
from natural products such as taxol, the vinca alkaloids,
and camptothecin. While not itself a primary clinical
text, it provides a good foundation for clinical
decision-making for practitioners who treat cancer.
Breast Cancer: Beyond Convention: The
World's Foremost Authorities on Complementary
and Alternative Medicine Offer Advice on Healing.
Edited by Mary Tagliaferri, Isaac Cohen, and
Debu Tripathy. New York: Pocket Books, 2002.
Useful for both patients and practitioners. Leanna
J. Standish, N.D., authored the highly useful chapter
on naturopathic medicine.
Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Cancer Care and Prevention. Edited by Marc S. Micozzi. NY: Springer Publishing Co., 2007.
A thorough introduction to the biology and ecology of cancer and the mind/body, nutritional, alternative systems of medicine (including naturopathic) and therapies that have been found to be effective in prevention and treatment.
Complementary Oncology. Edited
by Josef Breuth and Ralph W. Moss. New York: Thieme,
2006.
Edited by an M.D. at the University of Cologne
and the U.S. research scientist Ralph W. Moss,
this translation of the 2002 German edition presents
the latest scientifically and clinically tested
natural therapies for cancer, such as nutrition,
exercise, enzyme substitution, phytotherapy and
hyperthermia. Useful charts link treatments and
their effects to the types of cancer for which
they are most effective.
Functional Foods
& Nutraceuticals in Cancer Prevention.
Edited by Ronald R. Watson. Ames, IA: Iowa State
Press, 2003.
This up-to-date and well-illustrated book is useful
to physicians specializing in oncology. Various
chapters discuss the role nutrition, including
specific supplements, foods and herbal medicines,
plays in cancer prevention.
How to Prevent and Treat Cancer with Natural
Medicine. Michael Murray, Tim Birdsall,
Joseph E. Pizzorno and Paul Reilly. New York:
Riverhead Books, 2002.
Aimed at health consumers, this is a good book
for clinicians to know about from the perspective
of their patients. The References and Notes section,
while not comprehensive, will also be useful to
practitioners.
Nutritional Oncology. Edited
by David Heber, George L. Blackburn and Vay Liang
W. Go. San Diego: Academic Press, 1999.
Includes extensive essays on biological principles,
the relation of nutrition to the etiology of cancer,
diet's role in cancer prevention and nutritional
assessment and therapy for cancer patients.
Phytopharmaceuticals in Cancer Chemoprevention.
Edited by Debasis Bagchi and Harry G. Preuss. Boca
Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2005.
Focuses on the role of natural supplements in cancer
prevention and therapy. The first two sections
describe cancer epidemiology and pathophysiology;
including the relation of environmental and other
influences to various types of neoplasms. The final
sections provide detailed information on phytopharmaceuticals,
or plant-derived drugs, and their protective qualities.
H. Historical Texts
Kellogg, J. H. Rational Hydrotherapy.
Philadelphia, 1902. (New reprint planned for 2006
or 2007.)
Kellogg was the director of the famous Battle Creek
Sanitarium in Michigan. This work is an extensive
discussion of the therapeutic effects of hydrotherapy
as employed in his spa.
Lindlahr, Henry. Philosophy of Natural
Therapeutics. Maidstone, Kent ; Saffron
Walden, Essex, England:
Maidstone Osteopathic Clinic; C.W. Daniel,
1916. (Reprinted in 1985.)
Henry Lindlahr, M.D. (1862-1924), a proponent of
scientific naturopathy, explains how all disease
arises from a few causes. Discussions on treatment
principles include the laws of cure, negative effects
of symptom suppression, the benefits of fasting,
manipulation, homeopathy, dietetics, and how to
address chronic disease.
Note: For electronic versions
of various historical texts on botanical medicine
and materia medica, including the U.S. Dispensatory,
20 th ed. and the Eclectics, see the website, Southwest
School of Botanical Medicine: http://www.swsbm.com/HOMEPAGE/HomePage.html.
II. JOURNALS
Alternative
& Complementary Therapies Official Journal of the Society of Integrative
Medicine. Clinical studies, interviews, frequent
articles about legislation, industry and the professions.
Peer-reviewed; in the evaluation process for MEDLINE
indexing.
Alternative Medicine Review Published by Thorne Research, a supplements/research
company, but one of the most evidence-based journals
in the field. Includes review articles, original
research and monographs. Peer-reviewed; indexed
in MEDLINE.
Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine Contains discussions of integrative medicine,
mind/body/spirit issues, nutrition, massage, etc.
Articles are often reviews, interviews or case
studies. Good international news, public debate
over alternative medicine, and industry and regulatory
news. Peer-reviewed; indexed in MEDLINE.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative
Medicine (eCAM)
Publishes articles that contribute scientific rigor
to the study of complementary and alternative medicine,
particularly traditional Asian healing systems. Peer-reviewed;
indexed in MEDLINE.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition Dedicated to original research. Usually
a few articles regarding nutrition and human disease,
as well as food consumption pattern studies. Peer-reviewed;
indexed in MEDLINE.
HerbalGram Professional journal co-published by the
Herb Research Foundation and the American Botanical
Council, with a scientific focus on medicinal herbs.
Peer-reviewed.
Integrative Cancer Therapies A new journal with an impressive advisory
board that includes James Gordon, MD, Center for
Mind-Body Medicine; Wayne Jonas, MD, former director
of NCCAM; and Mark Blumenthal, of the American
Botanical Council. Peer-reviewed; indexed in MEDLINE.
Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal Provides clinicians with scientific information
about the integration of conventional and natural
medicine; produced by NDs and other CAM practitioners.
Peer-reviewed.
Journal of Alternative & Complementary
Medicine Professional and scientific, containing
original research, and updates on activities at
the NIH and NCCAM (National Center for Complementary
and Alternative Medicine). Abstracts, references,
book reviews. One of the best journals in the field.
Peer-reviewed; indexed in MEDLINE.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Definitive. Traditional medicine uses
as well as laboratory studies. Photo essays occasionally
accompany the detailed presentations of plants
and their activities. Peer-reviewed; indexed in
MEDLINE.
Phytotherapy Research Professional journal with reviews, original
papers, extensive references and in-depth studies
concerning the chemical activities of plants. Laboratory
and animal studies primarily. Peer-reviewed; indexed
in MEDLINE.
Planta Medica Specific studies of medicinal plant research,
as well as chemical analysis and molecular biology.
Peer-reviewed; indexed in MEDLINE.
III. DATABASES
Note: The following
databases are available via subscription only.
Cochrane Library (http://www.cochrane.org/)
provides systematic reviews of a wide range of
therapies to assist with clinical decision-making.
Cochrane is a biomedical database, but their definition
of complementary and alternative medicine has a
broad, international flavor and it includes CAM-related
reviews as the research base allows. For further
information about the Cochrane Collaboration's
Complementary Medicine Field, and a list of current
reviews, see http://www.compmed.umm.edu/cochrane.asp.
Consumerlab.com (www.consumerlab.com)
is the only source providing independent test results
for brand-name health, wellness, and nutrition
products. Consumerlab is useful for advising patients
on which over-the-counter supplements to purchase.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (www.naturaldatabase.com)
is an international database of herbal and dietary
supplements produced by pharmacists. It provides
scientific information on safety and effectiveness,
mechanism of action, contraindications and other
topics. The detailed information for potential
drug interactions with herbs, nutrients, lab tests
and health conditions is especially useful.
Natural Standard (www.naturalstandard.com)
provides research reviews
on botanical and dietary supplements, as well as
other complementary and alternative medicine therapeutics
to aid the clinical decision-making process. Though
most editorial board members are M.D.s and Pharm.D.s,
it does include some NDs and other CAM professionals.
IV. INTERNET RESOURCES
American Association of Naturopathic
Physicians www.naturopathic.org
"Founded in 1985, the American Association of Naturopathic
Physicians (AANP) is the national professional society representing
naturopathic physicians who are licensed or eligible for licensing
as primary care providers." Overview of naturopathic medicine,
history, education/licensing, and a directory of practitioners.
American Botanical Council http://www.herbalgram.org/
The American Botanical Council, incorporated in
1988, is the leading nonprofit educational and
research organization disseminating science-based
information that promotes the safe and effective
use of medicinal plants and phytomedicines. This
site provides an Herb Reference Guide for commonly
used herbs, educational resources for professionals,
subscription information and sample articles from
the HerbalGram publication, and an extensive
catalog featuring over 300 books, monographs and
software in the fields of botany, ethnobotany,
research, food/nutrition and herbal education literature.
HerbMed.org www.herbmed.org
This database provides links, primarily to MEDLINE
abstracts, to existing scientific data on therapeutic
action, interactions and methods of preparation
of herbal medicines. Also links to photographs
of the various herbs.
IBIDS (NIH) http://ods.od.nih.gov/databases/ibids.html
IBIDS contains citations with abstracts to articles
published in international scientific journals
relating to dietary supplements. Users can search
either the peer-reviewed or the full database using
keywords. Produced by the Office of Dietary Supplements,
National Institutes of Health, in conjunction with
the USDA.
The Linus Pauling Institute http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/
The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University
is an NIH/NCCAM Center of Excellence for Research
on Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Their
mission is to determine the function and role of
vitamins, minerals and medicinal plant chemicals
in promoting health and preventing and treating
conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative
disorders.
National Center for
Homeopathy http://homeopathic.org/
Information for the general public and the practitioner.
Professional associations, resources, and a directory
for locating homeopaths. The Introduction to Homeopathy
page is a good starting point for people who are
new to this system of medicine. Research has citations
for meta analyses, peer-reviewed journal articles,
and books on research.
National Center of Complementary and Alternative
Medicine (NCCAM) http://nccam.nih.gov
NCCAM, at the National Institutes of Health, conducts
and supports basic and applied research and training
and disseminates information on complementary and
alternative medicine to practitioners and the public.
PubMed's Complementary Medicine subset,
developed by NCCAM and the National Library of
Medicine, allows searchers to limit their query
to CAM-related citations from 1963 through the
present.
Southwest School of Botanical Medicine http://www.swsbm.com/HOMEPAGE/HomePage.html
Created by Michael Moore, well-known herbalist
and prolific author, this site contains extensive
botanical woodcuts, images, and illustrations.
The Master Genus Index integrates monographs, illustrations,
constituents, maps, major papers and folios by
genus and species. Notable on this site are classic
works by the Eclectics not found elsewhere. Issues
of several Eclectic and pharmaceutical journals
are also available. Historical books include Fenner's
Complete Formulary and Handbook (1888), The
Dispensatory of the USA, 20th ed. (1918),
several British herbal manuals, Thomsonian Medicine
classic texts, and others. Manuals and texts by
Moore include Herb Manuals, Herb Folios,
and Lectures in Botanical Materia Medica.
World's Healthiest Foods (George Mateljan
Foundation) http://www.whfoods.org/
The non-profit George Mateljan Foundation publicizes
scientific information about the benefits of healthy
eating. The World's Healthiest Foods: A-Z list,
found under Eating Healthy, contains a
wealth of referenced nutritional detail for specific
foods, and is just one of many highly useful features
provided here.
