American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook, Second Edition
Purchasing Options
Features
- Reflects the knowledge and experience of numerous experts in the field of herbal medicine with diverse areas of specialization
- Provides information on more than 500 herbal ingredients, including those most commonly found in the market
- Includes information from contemporary and traditional sources
- Uses an easily understood classification system to address both herb safety and herb-drug interactions
- Contains specific information on adverse events that have been reported in clinical trials or case reports
- Presents specific information on use in pregnant and lactating women, along with toxicological studies and data on toxic compounds
- Supplies safety-related information on pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, including drug interactions
- Provides both a "Quick Reference Summary" and "Research Details" for each entry
Summary
Access to accurate, evidence-based, and clinically relevant information is essential to anyone who uses or recommends herbal products. With input from some of the most respected experts in herbal and integrative medicine, this completely revised edition of the American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook reviews both traditional knowledge and contemporary research on herbs to provide an authoritative resource on botanical safety. The book covers more than 500 species of herbs and provides a holistic understanding of safety through data compiled from clinical trials, pharmacological and toxicological studies, medical case reports, and historical texts.
For each species, a brief safety summary is provided for quick reference, along with a detailed review of the literature. Easily understood classification systems are used to indicate the safety of each listed species and the potential for the species to interact with drugs. Enhancements to the Second Edition include:- Classification of each herb with both a safety rating and a drug interaction rating
- More references listed for each individual herb, vetted for accuracy
- Specific information on adverse events reported in clinical trials or case reports
- Safety-related pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of each herb, including drug interactions
- Additional information on the use of herbs by pregnant or lactating women
- Toxicological studies and data on toxic compounds
Table of Contents
Preface to the First Edition
Preface
Acknowledgments
Finaincial Support
Editors
Expert Advisory Council
Introduction
A to Z Listing of Herbs
Appendix I: Herbal Constituent Profiles
Appendix 2: Herbal Action Profiles
Appendix 3: Herbal Interaction
Appendix 4: Safety of Botanicals in Pregnancy and Lactation
Appendix 5: Herb Listings by Classification
Index
Author Bio(s)
Zoë Gardner has studied, researched, and taught production, conservation, quality, safety, and appropriate use of medicinal plants since 1998. After completing her undergraduate degree in environmental studies at the Audubon Expedition Institute, Zoë helped to establish the Medicinal Plant Program at the University of Massachusetts, earning her master’s degree there in plant and soil sciences. More recently, Zoë joined the Research & Development Department at Traditional Medicinals, a leading producer of herbal dietary supplements.
Michael McGuffin
has been active in the herbal industry since 1975, having owned and managed both retail and manufacturing businesses in this field. He is the managing editor of Botanical Safety Handbook, 1st edition (1997) and of Herbs of Commerce, 2nd edition (2000). He serves on the boards of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and United Plant Savers, on the Advisory Board of the USC School of Pharmacy Regulatory Science Program, and as chair of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group for ISO/TC 249—the International Organization for Standardization’s Technical Committee on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Michael maintains active involvement with regulatory agencies. He served on FDA’s Food Advisory Committee Working Group on Good Manufacturing Practices for Dietary Supplements, FDA’s Food Advisory Committee’s Dietary Supplements Subcommittee, and California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Analysis Food Warning Workgroup.Editorial Reviews
"...a very valuable reference for anyone selling, manufacturing or using medicinal herbs and perhaps will help clear the way for setting better legal and labeling standards of herbs."
--American Herb Association
"A basic reference text which should be on every herbalist's shelf! . . . It is very complete and includes many Chinese and Ayurvedic herbs as well. Congratulations to AHPA on an excellent and much needed text. Thank you!"
--Robyn's Recommended Reading
"An absolutely necessary reference book, this book gives cautions and contraindications for more than 600 plants. Don't expect fun reading-it is strictly a reference book. BUY IT!"
--The Herbal Connection
"The Handbook is a very readable and authoritative reference for herbal products, their usage, toxicity, and contraindications."
--The Microscope
