More clinical studies with herbal medicines: A requirement for the future

Within the last 20 years the use of herbal medicine, especially in the European countries, was steadily growing. However, in the recent years the sales volume remains static, or at least the growth figures were lower. This development goes in line with the number of published clinical trials with these herbs and products. The frequency distribution demonstrates that since 1990 the number of clinical trials in this field is steadily growing until 2005. After two-year stagnation the number of published clinical trails falls by 45.9% from 2007 to 2008, with a tendency to further decrease in 2009. On the other side the number of clinical trials in the functional food area is constantly increasing.

The reason for this tremendous decline is manifold. However, to strengthen the economic position of phytomedicine, and to further increase their acceptance also by consumer, pharmacists, and physicians, high quality clinical studies are necessary. Without clinical trials there will be no further success stories and PR opportunities like those of Ginkgo, Saw Palmetto, Hypericum, Pelargonium, and many others.

Herbals should not avoid the direct comparison with conventional drugs in clinical studies since many of them have the potential to demonstrate that they are as active as conventional drugs, with fewer side effects. Only high quality studies in strict accordance with the GCP guidelines will strengthen the position of herbals in medicine, and will ensure herbals the chance of further expansion and growth.