Seeking to separate scientific evidence from anecdotal, the "PDR for Herbal Medicines" provides professionals with information so they can better advise patients about specific herbal remedies.

Profiles more than seven hundred herbal medicines, discussing their names, uses, contraindications, side effects, and dosage; with seven indexes, and drug/herb interactions and safety guides.

New, Expanded, Improved, Comprehensive Building on its best–selling predecessors, the PDR for Herbal Medicines, Third Edition has left no resource unturned to bring together the latest scientific data in the most comprehensive herbal reference compiled. The third edition goes far beyond the original source, adding a new section on Nutritional Supplements and new information aimed at greatly enhancing patient management by medical practitioners. All monographs have been updated to include recent scientific findings on efficacy, safety and potential interactions; clinical trials (including abstracts); case reports; and meta–analysis results. This new information has resulted in greatly expanded Effects, Contraindications, Precautions and Adverse Reactions, and Dosage sections of each monograph.

Mainstream medicine's first guide to safe and effective modes of alternative healing The world of natural and alternative medicine offers an amazing array of effective, inexpensive, but still controversial health-care choices. Now in this milestone book, America's most trusted provider of medical information, the Physicians' Desk Reference®, cuts through the controversy and tells you what you need to know about your healing options. - Which widely available herbs, vitamins, and minerals act like potent prescription medication - Fifty alternative therapy options--how they work, what they strive for, and potential side effects - Self-help techniques to stave off--and even reverse--chronic problems and disease - The latest findings on acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic adjustment, homeopathy, and much more - How certain natural remedies interact with conventional drugs - Easy-to-use indexes that will enable you to find treatment options for hundreds of ailments, identify the most effective herbal remedies, and research natural medicines by both common and Latin names - A sixteen-page herb identification portfolio featuring more than one hundred medicinal herbs, photographed in full color

Considerable progress has been made in our healthcare system, in particular with respect to sensitive diagnostic tools, reagents and very effective and precise drugs. On the other hand, high-throughput screening technology can screen vast numbers of compounds against an array of targets in a very short time, and leads thus - tained can be further explored. In developing countries, the exploding population exerts pressure not only on natural resources but also on the human population - self, whose members strive to become successful and advance in society. This leads to increased blood pressure, anxiety, obesity-associated lipid disorders, cardiov- cular diseases and diabetes. Most of these diseases result in disturbed family life, including sexual behaviour. Despite technological developments, herbal drugs still occupy a preferential place in a majority of the population in the Third World and terminal patients in the West. Herbal drugs, in addition to being cost effective and easily accessible, have been used since time immemorial and have passed the test of time without having any side effects. The multitarget effects of herbs (holistic approaches) are the fun- mental basis of their utilization. This approach is already used in traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda, which has become more popular in the West in recent years. However, the integration of modern science with traditional uses of herbal drugs is of the utmost importance if ones wishes to use ancient knowledge for the betterment of humanity.

Physicians can use this fact-filled second edition to advise patients in their quest to learn about proper use of supplements and functional foods. Now updated and including new information on functional foods.

This richly illustrated 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. A great deal of pathology and therapeutic information is also included. Numerous tables as well as figures clarify complex mechanisms and other information. The most important medicinal plants and drugs are illustrated with exceptional color plates.