Herbal Drugs And Phytopharmaceuticals

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Summary: A "must" for those interested in quality control of herbs
Review: This is one of those rare books that is so well researched and written that it is difficult to have any negative criticism about it! This English translation by the late Norman Bisset is a fine example of how it is possible to apply sound scientific knowledge with traditional herbal medicine. The book consists of 181 monographs on medicinal plants. What makes this collection of monographs rather special is that firstly most of the monographs contain colour pictures of each plant photographed in its natural environment. Secondly this is followed by careful photographs of the dried plant used in commerce. Along side this are chemical structures of the main phytoactives aswell an excellent section on common adulterants, pharmacology, phytochemistry, microscopy and also often included is a colour tlc plate. This is extremely helpful for quality control in small importers or herbal manufactures or for those herbalists interested in simple analytical techniques. There is also sections giving the regulatory status of the plant in different countries aswell the inclusion of trade names or proprietary medicines that include the plant material in question. For example on Angelica archangelica there includes information on its use in Euvitan ®, Carvomin®, and many others. A must for those involved in scientific research on contemporary herbal medicines, a reference source for libraries or those interested or involved in quality control.

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Summary: A detailed scientific look at herbs and their uses.
Review: Translated from the German by Professor Norman Grainger Bisset, Department of Pharmacy, King's College, University of London, this large format, illustrated reference book covers 181 herbs that are used as teas or are components of herbal mixtures. The botanicals included were chosen based on a survey carried out in 180 German pharmacies. All of the herbal "drugs" in this book are "licenced" by the German government. The book is organized alphabetically by the Latin name of the herb, with an excellent subject index, that includes the English names in bold. Each herb listing, which is an average of three pages, contains the following information: illustration and description; common English name and scientific names; synonyms; place of origin; chemical constituents; therapeutic indications and historical use; side effects; making the tea; package inserts (includes dosage, mode of administration, interactions with other remedies); list of prepared rem! edies for consumers, including teas; phytomedicines: combined remedies containing the herb; diagnostic features of the drug; adulteration; citations to research. Each herb listing contains an abstract from the German Commission E monograph, which serves as a kind of snapshot. The "indications" feature gives a detailed history of the herb's use, from the clinical and empirical point of view, and is designed to link the doctor or pharmacist with additional research. The "List of Indications" index is particularly useful, describing conditions such as Coughs, Menstrual Disorders, and Kidney and Bladder Disorders, and listing herbs that have been used to treat them. The list makes a distinction between "folk" medicines and more standard medical herbs. Hundreds of color plates illustrate both the whole plant and the dried herb. This detailed, scientific look at herbs will be useful for physicians, pharmacists, herbalists, and manufacturers. from Healt! hInform the newsletter