Most people I have talked to in covering herbal supplements do respect his objectivity. I should mention that the publisher of the US edition of the German Commission E reports is the American Botanical Council. They have a website and also publish a newsletter called Herbalgram. They tend to be pretty pro-herb in my opinion but they are another source of product reviews that often contain further references on medical studies. Consumer Reports has a medical newsletter that also does good reviews of dietary supplements.
People seem to have lost faith in modern medicine.
No wait a miniute that does not really work. Science moves along through the process of testing and refutation, and much of scientific discovery hinges on finding that what you used to think ain't so. The impression that many stories give is of a flibbergibbity scientific community that can't get it right and can't make up its mind. So medical science looks confused while the herbal folks look like they have all the answers. I also understand people's frustration with mainstream medicine and their desire to do what they can to stay healthy and preserve their memories, immune systems, libido, etc.