Blog
AHPA updates four entries in the online Botanical Safety Handbook 2nd ed.
May 14, 2026New updates include top-selling herbs such as guarana, horsetail, and fenugreek
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is pleased to announce updates to four botanicals via the online Botanical Safety Handbook 2nd ed. in this May 2026 release of revised entries. As of this release, 200 entries in the online Botanical Safety Handbook 2nd ed. have been updated or added.
The following online entries have been updated in this release:
-
Equisetum hyemale (scouring rush) - A recent review identified a cytotoxicity assay for scouring rush.
-
Equisetum spp. (horsetail) - A literature review added case reports and clinical trials for adverse event reports, animal and in vitro pharmacology studies, and toxicity studies.
-
Paullinia cupana (guarana) - Recent review of this entry updated the Editors' Notes, added drug interaction studies, adverse event reports from clinical trials, and additional pharmacology and toxicity studies.
-
Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) - A September 2025 literature review added additional information to the Standard Dose, drug and supplement interactions, adverse events in clinical trials and case reports, human and animal pharmacology studies, pregnancy and lactation studies, and toxicity studies.
As of 2026, AHPA members have access to the online Botanical Safety Handbook as part of the library of digital reference materials made available as a benefit of AHPA membership. For non-members, information about subscriptions and hard copy purchases can be found on the AHPA website.
Subscribers to the online Botanical Safety Handbook can review short descriptions of updated entries in the "Revisions" panel on the online version homepage when they log in. The online Botanical Safety Handbook is undergoing review of existing entries and the addition of new entries to provide the latest safety information before it can be included in the next print edition of the handbook. AHPA continues to post additional updates to existing entries as well as develop new botanical entries.
AHPA's Botanical Safety Handbook is an essential tool for anyone who manufactures, recommends, or uses herbal products. The handbook provides safety information on over 500 species of herbs, derived from data compiled from clinical trials, pharmacological and toxicological studies, medical case reports, and historical texts. All entries are reviewed by an Expert Advisory Council that includes some of the most renowned herbal and integrative medicine experts in the United States.
