4th Phytotherapy Congress
The Committee for Research into Natural Medicine (CRNM), an EPHA member organisation, participated in the 4th Phytotherapy Congress which took place in Berlin. During the three-day Congress, the participants at the Berlin Charité listened to more than 50 lectures which gave an overview of the wide range of topics currently being researched. Scientists presented the latest results of their research work, ranging from studies into the mode of action of St. John’s wort or ivy, clinical studies with extracts of gingko, to questions of drug safety and a report on a European Union research project into the medical benefits of cannabis.
Even if the quality of the papers presented was excellent and more than 200 participants were present, the situation regarding phytotherapy research is not exactly rosy. Despite the successes, it risks losing its base, particularly in Germany. In a memorandum approved by the participants, the political authorities responsible were therefore urged to ensure the provision of better general conditions.
Phytotherapic treatment of menopause
Since hormone treatment of menopausal symptoms has come under criticism, some alternative products have been very intensively promoted. The often vociferously praised products obtained from soya or red clover are, however, exclusively dietary supplements. Professor Wolfgang Wuttke from the Göttingen University Gynaecological Hospital examined the results from 28 trials in which menopausal women were treated either with soya or red clover products or with a dummy medicine (placebo). He concluded that “Soya and red clover have little or no effects on psychovegetative menopausal symptoms”.
However, extracts of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) have long been successfully used in Germany to treat menopausal complaints. The favourable effect of the phytopharmaceutical agent has also been the subject of intensive scientific research. The latest Cimicifuga study, which has just been concluded in Switzerland, showed that the effect of the phytopharmaceutical agent can be significantly increased by doubling the daily dose.
