WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants – Volume 4 (2009) is the fourth and final volume in the World Health Organization’s major medicinal plant monograph series. This volume adds 28 new medicinal plant monographs, bringing the total across all four volumes to 118 medicinal plant monographs. The publication was developed to provide scientifically reviewed information on the quality, safety, efficacy, pharmacology, traditional uses, contraindications, adverse effects, and quality control standards for medicinal plants used worldwide.
The book was created through a global collaboration involving approximately 200 experts and 81 national health authorities, making it one of the most comprehensive international references on medicinal plants. WHO notes that one of the goals of the series is to help countries develop their own national herbal medicine monographs and formularies.
Volume 4 contains monographs for plants including:
- Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus)
- Barberry Bark (Berberis spp.)
- Frankincense (Boswellia)
- Cardamom
- Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
- Pumpkin Seed
- Artichoke Leaf
- Pomegranate Bark and Pericarp
- Guava Leaf
- Iceland Moss
- Cranberry
- Magnolia Bark
- Yarrow
- Bitter Melon
- Bilberry
- American Ginseng
- Phellodendron Bark
- Picrorhiza
- Castor Oil
- Rosemary Oil and Leaf
- Willow Bark
- Tribulus
- Red Clover
- Cat’s Claw
- Black Haw
- Ashwagandha
among others.
Each monograph follows a standardized format including:
- Botanical identification
- Geographic distribution
- Microscopic characteristics
- Purity testing
- Chemical assays
- Major active constituents
- Clinical uses
- Traditional uses
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Adverse reactions
- Contraindications
- Dosage information
- Scientific references
WHO specifically emphasizes that these monographs are scientific references, not treatment recommendations or pharmacopoeias. The medicinal uses described are presented as a compilation of available evidence and traditional knowledge rather than official WHO endorsements.
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