A full-text database which indexes 140 publications including some peer reviewed journals but also many pamphlets, newsletters, special reports and book excerpts. Covers almost all CAM modalities. Careful filtering is necessary to obtain evidence-based information. Many patient education materials and newsletters seem ephemeral, while others, such as the Townsend Letter, have longstanding reputations. Originally published by Softline in Connecticut.

Produced by the Healthcare Information Service of the British Library, AMED indexes about 500 journals many of which are not indexed elsewhere. Abstracts are provided for citations 1995 to present. The physical and manipulative CAM modalities are a focus but also recommended for mind/body therapies. Other special topics are palliative care, physical therapy, occupational therapy and podiatry. Indexing is based on MeSH and the thesaurus can be viewed on the database website (URL below). Not much content on herbs or dietary supplements.

EMBASE is an international database indexing the biomedical literature. EMBASE is published in the Netherlands by Elsevier. It is particularly strong in drug information and pharmacology and consequently in herbs and dietary supplements. However other CAM modalities are well represented due to international interest. Over 4,500 journals from 70 countries are indexed with an average turn around of 20 days after receipt. Online coverage begins in 1974. 80% of citations have abstracts. Indexing uses a thesaurus of index terms structured much like MeSH with trees, topical subheadings, and limits. Many herbs are indexed by their European names (for example saw palmetto is sabal) so be sure to explore the thesaurus. There are also many terms that take the form of xplant extract or that are active chemical constituents.

A subscription, tertiary database with monographs on a wide spectrum of CAM therapies. A system of color-coded symbols rates the strength of evidence supporting various therapeutic uses. “Bottom Line” entries, provide a shorter summary for busy clinicians. Longer monographs are extensive and well referenced. Sample monographs can be viewed at sites which have licensed part of the database, for example, CancerSource.com.

The Information Center on the AMTA website offers current and archived citation lists on massage therapy topics. Clusters of links deal with specific therapeutic issues while a longer list groups citations on massage therapy efficacy by organ system treated. There are also links to AMTA research data.

Created by the Chiropractic Library Association. Coverage of ~40 journals extends from 1985-2004. Uses its own index terms available on the website. Indexes all chiropractic peer reviewed journals cover-to-cover and others selectively.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database contains more than 1,000 peer-reviewed, referenced monographs on herbs and dietary supplements. It is produced by the Therapeutic Research Center in Stockton California, a group well known for authoritative drug information. Access features include ability to search by brand name, inclusion of multi-ingredient products and ethnic remedies, interaction checker, effectiveness ratings and safety ratings. Information is available both formatted and written for patients as well as for health care professionals.

The premier database in biology indexes over 4,000 journals, is international in coverage and is an excellent resource of comprehensive searches on natural products. Size and detailed indexing make consultation with the thesaurus or search help advisable. Good source for related biodiversity information.

A huge database indexing over 9,000 journals, CAS should be included in comprehensive searches on natural products. Identifying a chemical registry number in the companion ChemIndex database and then transferring it to CAS is a helpful technique. It is possible to search a chemical process, a disease process or a molecular structure (the last requires special software).

ConsumerLab is an independent testing laboratory that does analytical testing of herbs, dietary supplements and other nutritional supplements. Since these products are unregulated and lack standardization, potency testing, and quality control, information on the quality of products can be difficult to find. Reports from ConsumerLab provide brand name ratings. While not all products are tested, a healthcare professional or consumer can at least see some that have passed and therefore are of good quality. Bundled with the reports are links to FDA warnings and recalls as well as the information produced by the Natural Pharmacist now titled the Natural Products Encyclopedia.

The goal of IPA is to cover all the pharmacy literature worldwide. This is a rich source of information on herbs and supplements since pharmacists are often herbalists in other countries and retail practitioners sell herbs and supplements in their stores. Searchers should use as many synonyms as possible and truncate. Produced since 1970 by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists. Indexes 800 journals and includes meeting abstracts.

A cross-disciplinary database produced by the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health. Journal citations and abstracts from AGRIS International, AGRICOLA, MEDLINE, and selected nutrition journals from CAB Abstracts and CAB Health are currently included in the IBIDS database. The full database includes citations for consumers, so choose Peer Reviewed option for scientific literature. Advanced search option allows combination of multiple terms. Printing is not possible so users must email their references to themselves. Consult keyword list and botanical search terms available through links on homepage.

A tertiary database developed by Poison Control Centers and now a component of the Micromedex system of databases. Poisondex is an excellent resource for information on the toxicology of herbs, dietary supplements, and other nutritional products. Automatic truncation. No Boolean capabilities.

Covers more than 1,900 journals as well as book chapters, and dissertations. Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms is helpful in choosing search terms. Search the descriptor “dualism” and “mind-body therapies” for mind/body therapies. Biofeedback is well represented. Also consider relaxation, meditation, prayer, faith healing, hypnotherapy and centering.

JICST is a useful place to check as it holds citations on kampo - the use of TCM in Japan.