CONTEXT Widespread use of herbal medications among the presurgical population may have a negative impact on perioperative patient care. OBJECTIVES To review the literature on commonly used herbal medications in the context of the perioperative period and provide rational strategies for managing their preoperative use. DATA SOURCES The MEDLINE and Cochrane Collaboration databases were search...

BACKGROUND Patients who undergo surgery appear to use dietary supplements significantly more frequently than the general population. Because they contain pharmacologically active compounds, dietary supplements may affect coagulation and platelet function during the perioperative period through direct effects, pharmacodynamic interactions, and pharmacokinetic interactions. However, in this regar...

Quantitative and qualitative data are presented for wood anatomy of 35 collections representing 22 Old World species of Ephedra; the survey of bark and pith anatomy is based on some of these species. Character-state ranges similar to those of the New World species are reported, although more numerous species show vessel absence in latewood. Little diminution in vessel diameter or density occurs...