The Comparisons of the Food and Drug Administration with the German Commission E

  FDA evaluates drugs that are presented to them for approval whereas the Commission E systematically evaluates herbs  and does not wait for a company to seek them out.

  Commission E list herbs that are found to be safe and effective and also list herbs that are not. 

  Commission E provides "reasonable certainly" of safety but not "absolute certainly" that US consumers expect from the FDA.

  Commission E monographs do not include references because they are based on unpublished studies.

  Monographs are intended to inform the consumers not provide a scientific bases for safety.

  The President's Commission on Dietary Supplement Labeling (DSC) made a recommendation to FDA to create a over the counter (OTC) drug advisory panel just for herbs.  However, there has been no progress.