Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs / Edition 1

by Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Overview

This book series gives a comprehensive overview of the adverse effects of botanical medicines. It provides introductory information on Botany, Chemistry, Pharmacology and Uses, followed by an Adverse Reaction Profile subdivided according to organ and function. The third contribution to the series gives important information about eighteen specific medicinal herbs and important plant constituents. The herbs and constituents have been selected for several reasons, such as a prominent place in phytotherapy, clinical expectations about therapeutic potential and recent concern about a serious adverse reaction. The World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (Copenhagen) has supported the book in the form of an acknowledgement that has been prepared by this Office.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783540601814
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	12/23/1996
Series:	Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs , #3
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	250
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

De Smet, Peter A.G.M.; Keller, Konstantin; Hansel, Rudolf; Chandler, R. Frank (Dalhousie Univ)

The contributors represent the specialties of pharmaceutical biology and pharmacy. Most are from universities in the Netherlands, the U.K., Germany, Canada, and Ireland. Institutions prominently represented include Univ of Groningen and Univ of Sunderland.

Table of Contents

An Introduction to Herbal Pharmacovigilance.- Artemisia Cina.- Aspalathus Linearis.- Citrullus Colocynthis.- Fucus Vesiculosus and Allied Brown Algae.- Ginkgo Biloba.- Glycyrrhiza Glabra.- Linum Usitatissimum.- Phoradendron Flavescens.- Safrole - General Discussion.- Safrole - Sassafras Albidum.- Spirulina Species.- Teucrium Chamaedrys.- Tripterygium Species.- Valeriana Species.- Yohimbe Alkaloids - General Discussion.- Yohimbe Alkaloids - Corynanthe Species.- Yohimbe Alkaloids - Pausinystalia Species.- Zingiber Officinale.- Notes Added in Proof.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Mary Louise Quinn, MS (University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy)
Description: This book is the third in a series discussing herbal drugs and plant constituents.
Purpose: Being a fairly complete compilation of information on 16 herbals and two plant compounds, it is meant to provide source material on current and potentially therapeutic herbals.
Audience: The audience includes pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists.
Features: The book serves its purpose very well. The title is, in fact, misleading. Although the volume does discuss in detail the adverse effects reported in the literature for the various herbals, it provides much more useful information. Each chapter contains detailed information on botany, chemistry, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, as well as complete information on adverse reactions on a systematic basis. Although there are no illustrations and one or two tables are somewhat confusing, this is a very well-written book. The table of contents and the index are more than adequate. In addition, an impressive list of references completes each chapter.
Assessment: The need for this type of information is becoming more obvious, especially in the United States. An article on alternative medicine published recently in a popular magazine resulted in nearly 1000 requests for information on various herbal "medications." As more patients are introduced to herbal drugs and dietary supplements, requests for information on efficacy and safety are sure to become more common. This volume, although limited in scope, is a welcome addition to the first two volumes. The final chapter, notes added in proof, is a pleasant surprise for the updated information it provides to topics already discussed in volumes one and two.

Doody's Review Service

4 Stars! from Doody

This book is the third in a series discussing herbal drugs and plant constituents. Being a fairly complete compilation of information on 16 herbals and two plant compounds, it is meant to provide source material on current and potentially therapeutic herbals. The audience includes pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. The book serves its purpose very well. The title is, in fact, misleading. Although the volume does discuss in detail the adverse effects reported in the literature for the various herbals, it provides much more useful information. Each chapter contains detailed information on botany, chemistry, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, as well as complete information on adverse reactions on a systematic basis. Although there are no illustrations and one or two tables are somewhat confusing, this is a very well-written book. The table of contents and the index are more than adequate. In addition, an impressive list of references completes each chapter. The need for this type of information is becoming more obvious, especially in the United States. An article on alternative medicine published recently in a popular magazine resulted in nearly 1000 requests for information on various herbal "medications." As more patients are introduced to herbal drugs and dietary supplements, requests for information on efficacy and safety are sure to become more common. This volume, although limited in scope, is a welcome addition to the first two volumes. The final chapter, notes added in proof, is a pleasant surprise for the updated information it provides to topics already discussed in volumes one and two.

Mary Louise Quinn