Evidence Based Prescribing of Herbal Medicines for Medical Curricula

Despite considerable evidence for the efficacy of a growing number of herbal medicines, that evidence is rarely included in medical school curricula. This article provides a survey of plant-derived prescriptions supported by systematic reviews of controlled and randomized clinical outcome studies, also highlighting established biochemical mechanisms of action and known risks. Herbal medicines are presented according to standard drug classes used by the United States Pharmacopeia in order to promote inclusion in pharmacology curricula for medical students, who need an introduction to those plant medications available to patients and included in electronic prescribing formularies.