Meanings to Abbreviations

CAM         Complimentary & Alternative Medicine
DSHEA      Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act
NCCAM     National Center for Complimentary & Alternative Medicine
NCH         National Cancer Institute
ND            Naturopathic Doctor
NIH          National Institute of Health
NIMH        National Institute of Mental Health
OTC         Over The Counter drugs

German Commission E

The Commission E was first convened in 1978. Composed of physicians, pharmacists, toxicologists, representatives of the pharmaceutical industry and lay persons, the Commission actively researched all available information on more than 300 herbs and approved or disapproved them on the basis of whether absolute safety and reasonable efficacy of the herb's use could be established. The monographs published by the Commission include nomenclature, plant composition and chemical constituents, uses and indications, contraindications, side effects, interactions with other medicines, dosage, and medicinal action of each herb. In Germany, where medicinal herbs are an integrated facet of modern medicine, doctors and pharmacists rely on the Commission E's guidance to prescribe and dispense herbs confidently
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
4645 Reservoir Road, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20007
Phone: (202) 298-4000
Fax: (202) 298-4249