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R. CLEMENS, Dept. of Food Science & Nutrition, Calif. Polytechnic Univ., San Luis Obispo, Agricultural Sci. Bldg., San Luis Obispo, CA 93407

The safe and healthy use of a cornucopia of contemporary botanics is frequently overshadowed by unsubstantiated product claims. Standardized safety assessment of medicinal herbs and plants does not exist. Genetic consistency, proper identification, quality assessment, and the absence of adulteration are just a few important factors to assure control and herbal quality. NIH and the American public seeks "valid" alternative health aids and have turned their attention to nontraditional dietary supplements. The safety limits and standardized quality of extracts of ginkgo, ginseng, milk thistle, fever-few, St. John's worst and several medicinal herbs and plants will be discussed. The therapeutic dose and potential toxicity of their active components will be compared with the clinical literature and anecedotal evidence.