Five dietary supplement research centres focusing on studies of botanical products have been jointly funded by the National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), both components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Research conducted by these centres will advance the scientific base of knowledge about the safety, effectiveness, and mechanisms of action of botanicals.

Botanical products are widely used by many Americans despite a lack of evidence for most regarding whether they are safe or effective. The 2002 National Health Interview Survey conducted by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that 38.2 million American adults (about 19 per cent) use nonvitamin, nonmineral natural products, primarily botanical supplements.

"Given that millions of Americans are using natural products, these research centres are critical to helping us determine whether and by what mechanisms botanicals may serve as effective treatments or preventive approaches," said Stephen E. Straus, NCCAM director. "The five centres we are funding will investigate the use of a variety of widely consumed botanicals, from flaxseed to tarragon, for a range of diseases and conditions that affect many Americans, such as asthma, atherosclerosis, cataracts, and cancer," he added.

The mission of the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) is to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, stimulating and supporting research, disseminating research results, and educating the public to foster an enhanced quality of life and health for the U.S. population.