AHPA releases seven updated entries to the online Botanical Safety Handbook 2nd Ed.

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has released updates to seven additional botanicals via the online Botanical Safety Handbook 2nd ed. The following entries have been updated:

• Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) – A May 2021 review identified additional references for a case report of a potential drug interaction, numerous clinical trials, human and animal pharmacology studies, as well as references for consumption during pregnancy.
• Valeriana spp. (various valerian species) – A June 2021 review added animal studies of potential drug interactions, clinical trial adverse event reports, case reports, and toxicity studies.
• Rosa spp. (various rose species) – A July 2021 review added “flower” as a plant part, added a section describing use of Rosa spp. in foods, and incorporated references for clinical trials; a human pharmacology study; acute, short-term, and subchronic toxicity studies; and genotoxicity studies.
• Verbascum spp. (mullein) – An August 2021 review identified two adverse event reports during clinical trials and a genotoxicity study.
• Bacopa monnieri (bacopa) – An October 2021 review identified numerous recent clinical trials, pharmacology studies, and a chronic toxicity study.
• Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s root) – A November 2021 review did not identify any new safety data for Culver’s root.
• Viburnum opulus (cramp bark) – A November 2021 review added an in vitro pharmacology study.

AHPA members can obtain a hard copy or an annual individual subscription to the online Botanical Safety Handbook for $95.00, with multi-user rates available for companies needing expanded access. Information about hard copy purchases and subscriptions can be found on the AHPA website.

Subscribers to the online Botanical Safety Handbook can review short descriptions of updated entries in the "Revisions" panel on the online version homepage when they log in. AHPA will continue to post additional updates to existing entries as well as new botanical entries. Current subscribers will be notified of these updates when they become available. The online Botanical Safety Handbook is undergoing review of existing entries and the addition of new entries to provide the latest safety information before it can be included in the next print edition of the handbook.

AHPA's Botanical Safety Handbook is an essential tool for anyone who manufactures, recommends, or uses herbal products. The handbook provides safety information on over 500 species of herbs, derived from data compiled from clinical trials, pharmacological and toxicological studies, medical case reports, and historical texts. All entries are reviewed by an Expert Advisory Council that includes some of the most renowned herbal and integrative medicine experts in the United States.