ESCOP MONOGRAPHS

The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products

Second edition

Completely revised and expanded

This book marks a new authority on herbal medicine. Following the indispensable pioneering work of the Commission E in Germany, ESCOP has taken the lead role across Europe over the past decade in reviewing the therapeutic uses of herbal medicinal products. This is now recognized by the European Medicines Evaluation Agency, which formally receives ESCOP monographs as a basis for core dossiers on herbal medicines. Initial funding for the enterprise was provided by the European Commission.

ESCOP, representing national phytotherapy associations across Europe, is uniquely placed to provide an international consensus. Preparation of the monographs by the ESCOP Scientific Committee has involved delegates from 15 countries with the assistance of numerous external experts on herbal medicine and an eminent Board of Supervising Editors.

Sixty ESCOP monographs were published during the late 1990s. All have been updated and expanded, and this second edition includes a further twenty monographs. The text constitutes an up-to-date review of scientific information on the therapeutic uses of herbal medicines, including indications, dosage, contra-indications, interactions and undesirable effects, together with summaries of pharmacological, clinical and toxicological data. It is extensively referenced to scientific literature - almost 5000 full citations appear in the book.

ESCOP Chairman Professor Fritz H. Kemper has written

ESCOP is an organisation of volunteers. All members of the Scientific Committee, guest experts, the panel of Supervising Editors, and Board of ESCOP give their time freely to their work in pursuit of the highest standards for herbal medicinal products. This book really is a labour of love. We at the Board of ESCOP are very proud of the many who have contributed to these monographs and are most grateful to them.

The ESCOP monographs are an invaluable resource for health professionals, regulators, manufacturers and many others. They provide the evidence base for the clinical use of herbal medicinal products.

Click here for list of 80 monographs in 2nd edition ESCOP book 2003

Ordering information

ESCOP is pleased to announce that it has published the second edition of its monographs in association with leading medical and scientific publishers Thieme, in Stuttgart and New York. Copies of the book can therefore be obtained through booksellers and on-line retailers in the usual way.

For individual purchasers living in countries of the European Union or European Free Trade Association it is also possible to order the book directly from the ESCOP office.  Click here for an order form which can be downloaded and faxed through to the the ESCOP office on ..44 1392 424 864.

ESCOP are currently working on 24 new monographs and a revision of 5 monographs. Click here for further details.