Phytotherapy

by Capasso, Francesco; Gaginella, Timothy S.; Grandolini, Giuliano; Izzo, Angelo A.

• ISBN13: 9783540000525
• ISBN10: 3540000526
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-09-01
• Publisher: Springer Verlag

Summary

About 30% of all prescriptions issued in the USA, Canada and Europe contain either a herb, a purified extract or an active component derived from herbs. However, medical practitioners are often confused by conflicting information available on the safety and efficacy of herbs; herbal medicines are often co-prescribed without proper attention to adjustment of dosages. This reference guide treats the subject of herbal medicines in an integrated fashion with reference to pharmacognosy, pharmacology and toxicology. It will help to enable internists, phytotherapists, physicians, healthcare practitioners as well as students to understand why, when and how herbal medicines can be used in the treatment of diseases. Clinical and toxicological findings of herbs and their dosages are described. A great deal of pathology and therapeutic information is included. A large iconographic section can be of help when the identification of a herbal drug is in doubt. Many 2c tables as well as figures are included to clarify complex mechanisms and other information. The most important medicinal plants and drugs are illustrated with exceptional 4c plates.

Author Biography

 The authors are leading American and Italian scientists of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Technology who have for a long time researched the application of medicinal plants. They teach at the Universities of Wisconsin, Naples and Perugia.

Table of Contents

Part I	1	(86)
1 Introduction	3	(4)
2 Definitions	7	(2)
3 History	9	(2)
4 The Complexity of Herbal Medicines	11	(2)
5 Are the Herbal Medicines Safe?	13	(8)
6 The Herbal Medicines and the Importance of the Scientific Research	21	(4)
7 Parts of the Plant to be used, Nomenclature, Drug Acquisition and Preservation	25	(6)
8 Active Principles	31	(14)
9 Therapeutic Overview of Galenical Preparations	45	(16)
10 Uses of Herbal Medicines in Specific Situations	61	(10)
11 Sources of Herbal Medicine Information	71	(2)
12 Herbal Product Regulations	73	(14)
Part II	87	(246)
13 Plants and the Nervous System	89	(20)
14 Plants and the Cardiovascular System	109	(26)
15 Plants and Metabolic Diseases	135	(24)
16 Plants and the Renal System	159	(14)
17 Anti-inflammatory Plants	173	(20)
18 Plants and the Respiratory System	193	(24)
19 Adaptogenic Plants	217	(14)
20 Plants and the Reproductive System	231	(20)
21 Plants and the Digestive System	251	(44)
22 Plants, Liver and Biliary System	295	(14)
23 Plants and the Cutaneous System	309	(24)
Identification Guide	333	(30)
Plants	337	(10)
Crude Drugs	347	(16)
Appendix	363	(36)
A: Nutraceutical and Herbal Supplements	365	(6)
B: Herbal Medicines and Cancer Prevention	371	(6)
C: Herbs in Traditional Chinese and Indian Medicine	377	(8)
D: Summary of the Clinical Efficacy of Herbal Medicines	385	(14)
Glossary of Botanical Terms	399	(4)
Subject Index	403