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Professor Ernst's newsworthy report* on herbal medicine published in the Journal of Postgraduate Medicine (Oct 2007) is limited, flawed and misleading commented a spokesman from the Irish Institute of Medical Herbalists (IIMH) today.

Alleging that herbal medicine is ineffective and possibly harmful, his conclusions were drawn from a mere 3 Random Controlled Trials which contrary to Ernst's allegations saw significant improvement in several symptoms studied. The most credible trial analysed individualised herbal medicine used for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

"Dr Clare, a qualified Medical Herbalist, GP and Chair of the IIMH reports 4 out of 5 symptom scores improved in this study. Only the individualised medicine group showed continued improvement 14 weeks after treatment."

Of the two remaining trials one is an unpublished pilot study.

More significantly none of the studies found evidence of harm.

Allegations by Professor Ernst that herbal medicine "may do more harm than good" and may amount to "abuse" are unfounded. It is Professor Ernst's global conclusion made from limited data which is harmful to patients.

The Irish Institute of Medical Herbalists (IIMH) is a BSc Herbal Medicine entry level professional organisation.

Submitted by Sarah Hughes, BSc Herbal Medicine, IIMH, NIMH.

Telephone 087 060 6458

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