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.

I

1 Introduction
2 Definitions
3 History
4 The Complexity of Herbal Medicines
5 Are the Herbal Medicines Safe?
6 The Herbal Medicines and the Importance of the Scientific Research
7 Parts of the Plant to be used, Nomenc1ature, Drug Acquisition and Preservation
8 Active Principles
9 Therapeutic Overview of Galenical Preparations
10 Uses of Herbal Medicines in Specific Situations
11 Sources of Herbal Medicine Information
12 Herbal Product Regulations
II
13 Plants and the Nervous System
14 Plants and the Cardiovascular System
15 Plants and Metabolie Diseases
16 Plants and the Renal System
17 Anti-inflammatory Plants
18 Plants and the Respiratory System
19 Adaptogenic Plants
20 Plants and the Reproductive System
21 Plants and the Digestive System
22 Plants, Liver and Biliary System
23 Plants and the Cutaneous System
Identification Guide.