The Data Sheets

Each sheet presents a product (often a plant) listed under its English name. Whenever relevant, its Latin (i.e. its scientific) name and its synonyms are also given. The following information is included:

Part(s) used

These are specified in the case of plants.

Source

This is specified in the case of manmade products. An explanation is provided of the processes used in developing the product.

Principal constituents

These are specified in the case of plants. The product’s active ingredients (those that act on the organism) are listed. Please note: many products now specify a guaranteed concentration of one or more active ingredients.

Recognized therapeutic effects

This section describes the results that can be expected from the product. These results are documented and supported by clinical studies.

Traditional use

This section covers some of the uses that the product has been put to based on traditional empirical knowledge that often dates back a very long time (in China, for example) and whose validation by official scientific studies has not yet been carried out or completed.

Contraindications

This relates to instances (situations or people) in which consumption of the product should be avoided.

Drug interactions

This section lists the medications (or categories of medications) that the product interacts with in one way or another.

Please note: In the interests of clarity, we have as far as possible listed only the trade name used in Canada.

Drug interactions are divided into two easily distinguishable categories, using the following symbols:

Known interactions in humans
Interactions documented and supported by studies on human subjects and/or clinical cases.

Known interactions in animals
Interactions documented and supported by laboratory tests on animals.

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