WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants – Volume 3 (2007) is the third volume in the World Health Organization’s medicinal plant reference series. It contains 32 additional medicinal plant monographs, expanding upon the 28 monographs in Volume 1 and 30 monographs in Volume 2. The purpose of the series is to provide authoritative scientific information on the quality control, safety, efficacy, pharmacology, contraindications, adverse effects, and traditional uses of widely used medicinal plants.
This volume was developed through an extensive international collaboration involving approximately 170 experts from more than 65 countries, national drug regulatory authorities, researchers, pharmacists, traditional medicine specialists, and WHO collaborating centers. The monographs are intended as scientific references for governments, healthcare professionals, researchers, manufacturers, and the public.
Each monograph is divided into two major sections:
- Quality Assurance and Identification
- Botanical description
- Geographic distribution
- Macroscopic and microscopic identification
- Purity standards
- Chemical assays
- Major active constituents
- Medical and Scientific Information
- Clinical applications
- Pharmacology
- Adverse reactions
- Contraindications
- Warnings and precautions
- Drug interactions
- Dosage guidance
- References to scientific literature
Notable medicinal plants included in Volume 3 include:
- Arnica (Flos Arnicae)
- Neem Leaf and Neem Oil (Azadirachta)
- Saffron (Stigma Croci)
- Fennel (Fructus Foeniculi)
- Gentian Root
- Devil’s Claw (Radix Harpagophyti)
- Goldenseal (Rhizoma Hydrastis)
- Lavender (Lavandula)
- Myrrh (Gummi Myrrha)
- Passionflower (Herba Passiflorae)
- Dandelion (Taraxacum)
- Fenugreek (Semen Trigonellae Foenugraeci)
- Schisandra
- Skullcap (Scutellaria)
- Jujube (Fructus Zizyphi)
and many others.
The introduction emphasizes that WHO monographs are not pharmacopoeias and do not constitute official WHO treatment recommendations. Instead, they provide a structured review of available scientific evidence and traditional uses to assist governments and practitioners in making informed decisions.
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