Book excerpt: Access the most reliable information on herbs and alternative medicines from trusted author, Linda Skidmore-Roth, in Mosby's Handbook of Herbs and Natural Supplements! Reviewed by nurses and herbalists alike, this authoritative resource presents herb and supplement profiles in a convenient, A-Z format for fast reference. This edition's updated, streamlined design helps you find information quickly, and a new systematic pregnancy and breastfeeding classification offers the latest guidelines for this special client population. - Detailed monographs for 300 commonly used herbal products and natural supplements include vital information on the products you'll encounter with your clients. - Updated references and information from new studies make this a reliable source for herbal content. - Alert icons warn you of potentially dangerous reactions that could threaten your clients' health. - Popular Herb, Pregnancy, and Pediatric icons help you find relevant content quickly for common herbs and herbs for special populations. - Quick-reference format presents consistent monographs for each herb and makes it easy to find the information you need. - Herbal Resource appendix, Drug/Herb Interaction appendix, Pediatric Herbal Use appendix, and a list of abbreviations provide essential resources and expanded herbal material in one convenient spot. - A comprehensive index of herbal terms allows you to look up an herb by its common or scientific name, as well as by condition. - A pregnancy classification system from the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration allows you to analyze herbs individually and provides a consistent formula to decide which herbs should be used. - Updated content throughout includes the latest uses, actions, dosages, contraindications, side effects/adverse reactions, interactions, pharmacology, alerts, and references. - Pediatric Herbal Use appendix covers uses, guidelines, and expanded pediatric and adolescent information for 32 herbs. - Drug/Herb Interaction appendix lists known drug and herb interactions for herbs included in the handbook to ensure client safety.