The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs, Second Edition

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Book Description:
Records cataloging the healing powers of natural substances - plants, minerals, and animal byproducts - date back more than 4,000 years. There is no denying the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine, yet - until recently - the roots of this knowledge were largely lost in superstition and folklore. However, the use of herbs as an alternative medical treatment for many illnesses has increased steadily over the last decade, particularly since such herbs are categorized as "Natural Food Products" and are not yet subject to strict control by the FDA.Reports published in 1996 indicate that more than 10% of the US population has used herbal remedies.This book does not debate the value of Eastern or Western medicine but brings together Chinese herbal lore and Western scientific methods in a current, comprehensive treatise on the pharmacology of Chinese herbs. This second edition of The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs presents the chemical composition, pharmacological action, toxicity, and therapeutic value of 473 herbs. The book: · Classifies herbs according to their therapeutic value · Informs how active ingredients in herbs may adversely interact with other herbs or drugs · Evaluates which herbs have the potential for more investigation and possible use as drugs · Describes the pharmacological action of each herb based on recent scientific study and describes each herb according to Chinese pharmacopoeia and folk medicine · Provides a review of Chinese medical history · Presents information on how to use modern chemical techniques for enhancing or modifying herbal ingredients into better agents with more strength and activity What's New in the Second Edition Discussions on: · Herbs and their specific effects on the immune system · Herbs and fertility/infertility · Anti-cancer herbs · Anti-HIV herbs · Anti-malarial herbs · Ginseng and ginsenosides · Anti-Alzheimer herbs · Herbs affecting the nervous system.

As a Ph.D. student in biochemistry I have sought out critical references that would be accurate and legitimate treatises on the biochemistry and pharmacology of herbs. If one is truly interested in understanding the biochemistry and pharmacology of Chinese herbs, then this is the reference to purchase. Very intelligently presented in a concise scientific journal format, presenting critical and relevant studies on the herbs as they are currently understood with many references to the original research papers. I would certainly purchase other titles similar to this if their coverage of other herbs (e.g. South American, Ayurvedic) were as comprehensive, relevant, and credible as this one. Not for the herbologist interested in a hokey metaphysical distortion of truth. Ideal for the intelligent and/or educated layman that really wants to know what compounds are present in various Chinese herbs and what their activities are. Pitfalls: Some listings are very brief (less than a page) For instance the discussion of Centella asiatica is only 1/2 page and listed under antipyretic herbs and makes no mention of nootropic effects if they, in fact, exist-Nobody's perfect.

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