Phytotherapy research starts to bloom

Abstract

Phytopharmaceuticals were a major focus at the 4th Annual Symposium on Complementary Health Care [ Exeter, UK; December 1997 ]. Serenoa repens appears to be a budding treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Results from a comparative study of this agent with finasteride suggest that the 2 preparations are clinically equivalent. And the Chinese herbal medicine NPI-028 may be a potential treatment for alcoholism, according to the results of preclinical investigations. However, the future does not look so rosy for Echinacea as disappointing results were presented on its use in prophylaxis against upper respiratory tract infections.