2nd Edition

Pharmacodynamic Basis of Herbal Medicine

By Manuchair Ebadi Copyright 2007
    699 Pages 170 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Continuing in the tradition of the acclaimed first edition, Pharmacodynamic Basis of Herbal Medicine, Second Edition examines in extensive detail the physiologic effects of complimentary and alternative therapies, foods, supplements, vitamins, and traditional herbal remedies. The author considers the site, mode, and mechanism of action to explain the desired and adverse effects and interactions of each herb, drug, and food in an encyclopedic volume.

    Today’s Questions

    Devoting entire chapters to the most influential herbal remedies, the text either endorses or debunks popular conceptions with pure scientific data. The author provides answers to today’s naturopathic questions by paying particular attention to the chronic diseases engendered by obesity, as well as Alzheimer’s, cancer, imbalances of neurotransmitters such as Parkinson’s, and depression.

    The Latest Research

    Incorporating current research on the devastating role of chronic systemic inflammation and the cumulative effect of poor oxygen metabolism and free radicals on changes in mitochondrial DNA, enzyme activity, and accelerations in the aging process, the text bridges the gap between ancient remedies and modern knowledge.

    Effective Treatment

    Deconstructing the molecular mystery that is the interaction among herbal properties, physiology, and disease, Pharmacodynamic Basis of Herbal Medicine, Second Edition opens the door to successful herbal treatment.

    The Pharmacokinetic Basis of Therapeutics
    Pharmacodynamics
    Adverse Reactions and Drug–Drug Interactions
    Herb–Drug Interactions
    Natural Products as a Resource for Established and New Drugs
    Alternative Therapies
    Herbal Therapeutics Then and Now
    Dietary Antioxidants
    Herbal Drugs and Their High Demand in Treating Diseases
    Algae
    Alkaloids
    Aloe and Colon Function
    Banisterine, Selegiline, and Parkinson’s Disease
    Belladonna Alkaloids: Autonomic Drugs
    Blueberry (Vaccinium)
    Botulinum Toxin
    Brussels Sprouts
    Cannabis
    Capsicum, Rosemary, and Turmeric
    Carotenoids
    Chocolate
    Cinchona Tree
    Coca
    Colchicine and Gout
    Compositae
    Curare and Neuromuscular Blockade
    Daffodil and Alzheimer’s Disease
    Eggplant
    Ephedrine (Ma Huang): A Decongestant and Vasopressor
    Ergot, Its Alkaloids, and Headache
    Flavonoids
    Flaxseed
    Folate in Fruit
    Food–Drug Interactions
    Foxglove, Cardiac Glycosides, and Congestive Heart Failure
    Ginkgo biloba
    Ginseng and Cholinergic Transmission
    Green, White, and Black Teas
    Herbal Plants and Tuberculosis
    Herbal Products for the Chemotherapy of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
    Honey: The Nectar of Life
    Horseradish and Antiplatelet Actions
    Hypericum (St. John’s Wort) and Depression
    Ipecac
    Manuka and Fungal Disease
    Marine Therapeutics
    Morphine:Papaver somniferum
    Oats (Avena sativa L.) and Their Antioxidant Activity
    Olives and Olive Oil
    Onion and Garlic
    Immunoenhancing Actions of Plantain
    Plants and Diabetes
    Pomegranate
    Pycnogenol
    Pygeum africanum and Permixon for the Treatment of Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
    Reserpine
    Rhubarb
    Saffron
    Salicylate
    Sex Herbs
    Sponges and Steroids
    Taxol (Paclitaxel) and Cancer Chemotherapy
    Tomatoes
    Ulcer Therapy with Herbal Medicine
    Valerian
    Vitamins and Diet
    Wheat Germ
    Wine
    Yogurt and the Immune System
    Specific References
    General References
    Index

    Biography

    Manuchair Ebadi

    Praise for the first edition:
     “I was impressed by the scope and presentation of the material and would recommend it to anyone who wanted a good overall introduction to the pharmacology of herbs and plants”
    — Peter L. Bonate, Pharmaceutical Research
    praise for the first edition

    “…offers a balanced approach that spans the gap between the hype in many popular herb books and the wariness of most scientific texts…Very helpful diagrams with charts explaining physiological actions accompany almost every section.”
    — American Herb Association
    praise for the first edition

    “The author is well qualified to undertake such a challenging and important task to bridge the knowledge gap for herbal medicines by providing pharmacodynamic information that is currently available. …useful for both students of allopathic and traditional medicine.”
    — Grace M. Kuo, PharmD, The Annals of Pharmacology
    praise for the first edition

    “Ebadi successfully catalogs and describes the most important of alternative health care practices in use today. … The content is often part folklore, tradition, or legend in addition to detailed scientific hypotheses and facts regarding the active constituents and mechanism(s) of action. One might expect the cover of this book to become well worn due to the number of people that would browse its pages. In that regard, the book is recommended for all readers desiring a general source of information about herbal medications. All levels.”
    — P.W. Baures, Kansas State University, in CHOICE