Nurse Pract. 1999 Jun; 24(6): 28, 31, 35-6 passim; quiz 47-9.

The clinical applications of Ginkgo biloba, St. John's wort, saw palmetto, and soy.

Glisson J, Crawford R, Street S.

University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA.

The use of herbal or alternative therapies continues to increase each year. This article extensively reviews four of the more commonly used herbs and dietary supplements: ginkgo biloba, St. John's wort, saw palmetto, and soy. The pharmacology, precautions, therapeutic uses, and adverse effects for each of these therapies are discussed.