ABSTRACT
Complementary Therapies in Neurology: An Evidence-Based Approach Edited by Barry S.Oken ISBN 1-84214-200-3 Copyright © 2004 by The Parthenon Publishing Group, London
The use of botanical health products (herbal products), sold as dietary supplements, is becoming a common phenomenon in Western society. In a 2002 study1, total sales of dietary supplements in the USA were estimated at US$17 billion and annual sales in the nutritional market are estimated to grow in the 6% range for the next few years, although the increase in the herbal products category may be more modest. Retail channels accounted for 85% of sales, suggesting that the intervention of a complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) practitioner is uncommon in the use of botanical products by consumers.
