The German Commission E, formed in 1978, is a scientific advisory board of the “Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte” (this is the German equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)).
Scientific experts include scientist, toxicologists, physicians and pharmacists.
The commission gives scientific expertise for the approval of substances and products previously used in traditional, folk and herbal medicine.
In the 1990’s the Commission E became known for publishing monographs on more than 300 herbs that are prescribed by physicians in German. 
The German Commission E monographs have not been updated since then but are still considered valid.
Approximately 200 herbs were determined to be useful by the panel.
The European market for herbal remedies looks quite a bit different than the United States.
For example, about 10% of pharmaceuticals in Germany are natural remedies. France is also another country that uses natural remedies.
In both France and Germany natural remedies are restricted and are to be purchased through pharmacies. In other European countries natural remedies can be sold in places of business other than pharmacies as long as they have an advisory note for consumers.
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Ask the Pharmacist, Plant Medicine
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