Phytopharmacy: An Evidence-Based Guide to Herbal Medicinal Products
Healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists and nurses, are often confronted with patients who use over-the-counter (OTC) herbal medicinal products and food supplements. While taking responsibility for one's own health and treatment options is encouraged, many patients use these products based on limited (and sometimes inaccurate) information from non-scientific sources, such as the popular press and internet. There is a clear need to offer balanced, well-informed advice to patients, yet a number of studies have shown that, generally, conventionally trained health practitioners consider their knowledge about herbal medicinal products and supplements to be weak.
Phytopharmacy fills this knowledge gap, and is intended for use by the busy pharmacist, nurse, or doctor, as well as the 'expert patient' and students of pharmacy and herbal medicine. It presents clear, practical and concise monographs on over a hundred popular herbal medicines and plant-based food supplements. Information provided in each monograph includes:
- Indications
- Summary and appraisal of clinical and pre-clinical evidence
- Potential interactions
- Contraindications
- Possible adverse effects
An overview of the current regulatory framework is also outlined, notably the EU Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive. This stipulates that only licensed products or registered traditional herbal medicinal products (THRs), which have assured quality and safety, can now legally be sold OTC. Monographs are included of most of the major herbal ingredients found in THRs, and also some plant-based food supplements, which while not strictly medicines, may also have the potential to exert a physiological effect.
Table of Contents:
Preface ix
Introduction 1
The Evidence Base for Herbal Medicines 9
How to use 18
Açaí 21
Aloe Vera (Gel) 24
Arnica 27
Artichoke 29
Ashwagandha 32
Asparagus 36
Astragalus 39
Baobab 42
Bearberry 45
Bilberry; Blueberry 47
Birch, Silver and Downy 50
Bitter Gourd 54
Black Cohosh 57
Bladderwrack; Kelp 62
Boldo 67
Brahmi 69
Burdock 72
Butcher’s Broom 75
Butterbur 78
Calendula 81
Cannabis 84
Centaury 88
Centella 91
Chamomile, German 94
Chamomile, Roman 97
Chasteberry 99
Chilli/Capsicum 103
Cinnamon; Chinese Cinnamon/Cassia 106
Cola 111
Comfrey 114
Cramp Bark 118
Cranberry 120
Damiana 123
Dandelion 127
Devil’s Claw 131
Echinacea 134
Elderberry, Elderflower 138
Eucalyptus 141
Evening Primrose (Oil) 144
Fennel 149
Feverfew 152
Ganoderma 155
Garlic 158
Gentian 161
Ginger 164
Ginkgo 168
Ginseng 173
Ginseng, Siberian 177
Goldenrod 180
Goldenseal 182
Grapeseed 186
Graviola 189
Green Tea 191
Hawthorn 195
Holy Basil 198
Hoodia 202
Hops 206
Horny Goat Weed 210
Horse Chestnut 214
Horsetail 216
Ipecacuanha 219
Ispaghula Husk, Psyllium Husk 222
Ivy 227
Kalmegh 230
Lapacho 234
Lavender 237
Lemon balm 242
Linseed (Flaxseed) 246
Liquorice 251
Lobelia 255
Maca 257
Mallow 259
Maritime Pine (Bark) 261
Milk Thistle 264
Neem 268
Nettle 271
Noni 276
Norway spruce 280
Oats 283
Passionflower 287
Pelargonium 291
Peony 294
Peppermint 298
Prickly Pear 302
Pumpkin (Seed) 305
Raspberry Leaf 308
Red Clover 311
Red Vine Leaf 314
Rhodiola 317
Ribwort Plantain 320
Rosehip 322
Roselle 325
Rosemary 328
Sage 332
St. John’s Wort 335
Saw Palmetto 340
Schisandra 343
Sea Buckthorn 347
Senna 350
Shatavari 354
Skullcap 357
Slippery Elm 360
Spirulina 363
Squill 366
Tea Tree (Oil) 368
Thyme 371
Tongkat Ali 375
Turmeric 379
Valerian 383
Verbena 386
Wild Indigo 389
Wild Lettuce 391
Willow (Bark) 393
Witch Hazel 396
Yohimbe 401
About the Author :
Sarah E Edwards, UCL School of Pharmacy, UK.
Inês da Costa Rocha, UCL School of Pharmacy, UK.
Elizabeth M Williamson, School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, UK.
Michael Heinrich, UCL School of Pharmacy, UK.
Review :
“Without doubt, a copy of this book should be in every GP surgery and pharmacy.” (Chemistry & Industry, 17 November 2015)
