A review of the pros and cons of individual herbs is impossible in this space. I'm currently preparing a comprehensive overview that will soon be available on the web site. For the short term these are the herbs thought to be effective:

• Black Cohosh--for relief of pre-menstrual symptoms and the hot flashes and mood swings associated with menopause.
• Capsicum--applied topically for chronic pain from shingles, muscle spasm and arthritis
• Echinacea--may shorten the intensity of colds, help control urinary tract infection and speed the healing of wounds (but should not be taken daily)
• Feverfew--reduces the frequency and severity of headaches
• Garlic--the freshly crushed herb or capsules containing allin lowers "bad" cholesterol and inhibits the formation of blood clots
• Ginger--for nausea--especially for "morning sickness," post surgically and in chemotherapy
• Ginkgo--to improve short term memory and concentration in people with Alzheimer's disease. (should not be used if you take blood thinners)
• Kava--facilitates sleep
• Saw Palmetto--can reduce urinary symptoms in men with enlarged prostates
• St. John's Wort--for mild depression, sedation and anti-anxiety.
• Valerian--a mild tranquilizer.

AVOID: aconite, belladonna, blue cohosh, borate, broom, chaparral, comfrey, ephedra, germander. kobucha tea, lobelia, pennyroyal, poke root, sassafras, scullcap, wormwood.

Most importantly, don't take any herb if you are on ANY prescription drug. Herbs are drugs and they interact with other drugs. Especially avoid herbs unless you are in top physical condition and have NO medical problems. The companies and people who market these products are often aggressive but ill-informed. Know you are risking your health (and sometimes your life) unless you get the appropriate recommendation from someone who understands how they work and interact with one another.

It's an almost full time job for me to keep up with the latest info on these products. If it weren't for some experts who share their knowledge and research with me and the piles of thick, heavy books that I use for resources, I couldn't ferret fiction from fact myself--and I have an advanced degree in pharmacy.

Useful books if you want to learn more ACCURATE information about herbs include:

• The Natural Pharmacy 2nd Edition from Prima Health
• The PDR for Herbal Medicines
• Anything written by Varro Tyler
• The People's Pharmacy by Graedon
• Practical Guide to Natural Medicines by American Pharmaceutical Association
• Environmental Nutrition Newsletter (the best for all nutrition info) $30/year for 12 issues: 1-800-829-5384