WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants – Volume 1 (1999) is an official publication of the World Health Organization that provides scientific evaluations of 28 widely used medicinal plants. The purpose of the book is to provide governments, healthcare professionals, researchers, and regulators with authoritative information on the safety, efficacy, quality control, pharmacology, contraindications, dosage, and traditional uses of medicinal plants.
The publication was developed through an international review process involving over 100 experts from more than 40 countries and was endorsed through WHO consultations and international drug regulatory authorities. Each monograph contains detailed botanical descriptions, quality-control standards, chemical constituents, medicinal uses, pharmacology, clinical evidence, contraindications, adverse reactions, and dosage recommendations.
Plants covered include:
- Onion (Allium cepa)
- Garlic (Allium sativum)
- Aloe
- Aloe Vera
- Astragalus
- Chamomile
- Cinnamon
- Turmeric
- Echinacea
- Ephedra
- Ginkgo
- Ginseng
- Licorice
- Senna
- Thyme
- Ginger
- Valerian
- Rauwolfia
and many others.
For example, the garlic monograph discusses its traditional use for respiratory infections, digestive complaints, cardiovascular health, cholesterol management, and mild hypertension, while also reviewing laboratory and clinical evidence supporting some of these applications. The onion monograph similarly reviews evidence related to vascular health, antimicrobial activity, blood sugar regulation, inflammation, and traditional medicinal uses.
The document is essentially a scientific reference manual rather than a home remedy guide. It emphasizes evidence-based evaluation and clearly separates:
Uses reported in folk medicine without sufficient scientific support
Uses supported by clinical evidence
Uses supported by traditional medicine
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