Medical Herbalism

by Hoffmann, David

• ISBN13: 9780892817498
• ISBN10: 0892817496
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-10-24
• Publisher: SIMON & SCHUSTER

Summary

A foundational textbook on the scientific principles of therapeutic herbalism and their application in medicine

• A complete handbook for the medical practitioner

• Includes the most up-to-date information on preparations, dosage, and contraindications

• By the author of The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal

Medical Herbalism contains comprehensive information concerning the identification and use of medicinal plants by chemical structure and physiological effect, the art and science of making herbal medicine, the limitations and potential of viewing herbs chemically, and the challenge to current research paradigms posed by complex plant medicines. It also includes information on toxicology and contraindications, the issues involved in determining dosage and formulation types for an individual, guides to the different measurement systems and conversion tables, and the pros and cons of both industrial and traditional techniques.

With additional sections devoted to the principles of green medicine, the history of Western Herbalism, the variety of other medical modalities using medicinal plants, an extensive resource directory, and a discussion of treatments organized by body system, Medical Herbalism is the comprehensive textbook all students and practitioners of clinical herbalism need to develop their healing practices.

Author Biography

David Hoffmann is a visiting faculty member at Bastyr University, the California Institute of Integral Studies, the National College of Phytotherapy, and the Rocky Mountain School of Botanical Studies.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
Introduction to principles and practices
Herbs, holism, and science	p. 6
Classification of medicinal plants	p. 30
An introduction to phytochemistry	p. 36
Carbohydrates	p. 41
Lipids	p. 54
Terpenes	p. 62
Polyphenols	p. 90
Alkaloids	p. 120
Pharmacology	p. 134
Toxicity, contraindications, and safety	p. 186
The formulation and preparation of herbal medicines	p. 216
Treatment approaches by body system
A model of holistic herbal medicine	p. 236
The digestive system	p. 258
The cardiovascular system	p. 291
The respiratory system	p. 316
The nervous system	p. 344
The urinary system	p. 375
The reproductive system	p. 384
The musculoskeletal system	p. 408
The skin	p. 430
The immune system	p. 441
The endocrine system	p. 461
Phytotherapy and the elderly	p. 467
Phytotherapy and children	p. 473
Herbal actions	p. 483
Materia medica	p. 522
App. 1 : glossary	p. 604
Selected examples of binomial meanings	p. 622
Herbs by latin and common names	p. 626
Pharmacy terms	p. 636
Weight and measure conversion	p. 638
Herbal information sources	p. 639
Taxonomy hierarchy	p. 646
Bibliography	p. 652
Index	p. 655
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.