Handbook of Medicinal Plants »

Stay up-to-date with this important contribution to rationalized botanical medicine

The Handbook of Medicinal Plants explores state-of-the-art developments in the field of botanical medicine. Nineteen experts from around the world provide vital information on natural products and herbal medicines—from their earliest relevance in various cultures to today’s cutting-edge biotechnologies. Educated readers, practitioners, and academics of natural sciences will benefit from the text’s rich list of references as well as numerous tables, figures, and color photographs and illustrations.

The Handbook of Medicinal Plants is divided into three main sections. The first section covers the use of herbal medicines throughout history in China, Australia, the Americas, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean, emphasizing the need for future medicinal plant research. The second section discusses the latest technologies in production and breeding, crop improvement, farming, and plant research. The third section focuses on groundbreaking advances in the medicinal application of therapeutic herbs.

In the Handbook of Medicinal Plants, you will gain new knowledge about:

• recent research and development in Chinese herbal medicine
  
• modern methods of evaluating the efficacy of medicinal plants by “screening”
  
• the newest developments of in vitro cultivation
  
• prevention and therapy of cancer and other diseases using medicinal plants
  
• the challenges and threats to medicinal plant research today
  
• trends in phytomedicine in the new millennium

The Handbook of Medicinal Plants demonstrates the global relevance of sharing local knowledge about phytomedicines, and highlights the need to make information on plants available on a worldwide basis. With this book, you can help meet the challenge to find scientifically rationalized medicines that are safer, more effective, and readily available to patients from all walks of life.

About the Editors

Contributors

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

PART I. INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1. Trends and Challenges in Phytomedicine: Research in the New Millennium

Introduction

Quality Assurance of Medicinal Drugs and Phytopreparations

Search for New Bioactive Compounds and Chemical Modifications of Leading Compounds

Molecular-Biological Screening: Overall Pharmacological Profiles and Synergistic Effects

Clinical Trials, Pharmacokinetic Studies, and Bioavailability Studies

Scope and Aim of Phytomedicine in the Near Future

Conclusion

PART II. THE USE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS THROUGHOUT HISTORY

CHINESE MEDICINAL PLANTS

Chapter 2. History of Application of Medicinal Plants in China

Introduction

Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs

Brief History of Application of Medicinal Plants

Medicinal Plants in China in the Past Century

Development of Resources

Chapter 3. Ethnopharmacology of Traditional Chinese Drugs from Medicinal Plants

Introduction

Diaphoretics

Antitussive Expectorants and Antiasthmatics

Drugs Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness

Purgative Drugs

Drugs Expelling Wind and Dampness

Aromatic Drugs Transforming Dampness

Drugs Benefiting Urination and Draining Dampness

Drugs Warming the Interior

Drugs Regulating Qi

Drugs Relieving Food Stagnation

Drugs Expelling Parasites

Drugs Stopping Bleeding

Drugs Regulating Blood Conditions

Drugs Tranquilizing the Mind

Drugs Pacifying the Liver and Subduing Endogenous Wind

Drugs That Open Orifices

Tonics

Astringent Drugs

Chapter 4. Research and Development of New Drugs Originating from Chinese Medicinal Plants

Introduction

Pathways of Research and Development from Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs

The Treatment Principles of Chinese Traditional Medicine

Valuable Clinical Results of the Application of National Minority Drugs

Active Compounds Isolated from Chinese Medicinal Plants

Types of Pharmacological Activities

The Challenges Faced in Modern Research and the Development of Medicinal Plants

Conclusion

MEDICINAL PLANTS IN NATIVE CULTURES

Chapter 5. African Medicinal Plants

Introduction

Strophantus spp., Apocynaceae

Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don, Apocynacace

Rauwolfia vomitoria Azfel (Apocynaceae)

Physostigma venenosum Balf. Fabaceae

Future Prospects

Chapter 6. Dilemmas and Solutions: Native American Plant Knowledge

A Mother s Dilemma

A Plant s Dilemma

Two Dilemmas Yield a Solution

An Example: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Final Words

Chapter 7. Ethnobotany and Ethnomedicine of the Amazonian Indians

Introduction

The Yanomami

Arrow Poisons

Narcotics and Stimulants

Fish Poisons

Conclusion

Chapter 8. Healers and Physicians in Ancient and Medieval Mediterranean Cultures

Traditional Historiography

Two Main Works

The Range of Materia Medica

Transformations of Texts over Time

Plant Representations

Conclusion

Chapter 9. Remedies from the Bush: Traditional Medicine Among the Australian Aborigines

Introduction

The Dreamtime

Plants and People

Treatment of Common Ailments

Women s Medicine

Two Remarkable Plants

Other Uses of Medicinal Plants

Nonplant Materia Medica

Conclusion

PART III. TECHNOLOGIES IN MEDICINAL PLANT RESEARCH

Chapter 10. Production and Breeding of Medicinal Plants

Short History of Medicinal Plant Production

The Present Situation and Characteristics of Medicinal Plant Cultivation in Europe

The Role and Significance of Harvesting from Wild Habitats

Characteristics of Breeding Medicinal Plants

Chapter 11. Biological Screening of Medicinal Plants

Introduction

Drug Discovery in Ancient Times

Random Drug Screening Using Animal Models

High-Throughput Screening Technologies

Future Prospects

Chapter 12. Biotechnology in Medicinal Crop Improvement

Introduction

Utilization of DNA Markers in Medicinal Plants

Construction of Genetic Maps Utilizing DNA Markers

Utilization of Genetic Engineering in Medicinal Plants

Conclusion

Chapter 13. In Vitro Cultivation of Medicinal Plants

Introduction

Plant Tissue Culture Techniques

In Vitro Plant Propagation

In Vitro Production of Secondary Metabolites

Conclusion

PART IV. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN MEDICINAL APPLICATIONS

Chapter 14. Medicinal Plants in the Prevention and Therapy of Cancer

Introduction

Mistletoe

Ginseng

Garlic

Chapter 15. Phytochemicals and Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease

Introduction

Plant-Derived Phenols

Soy

Cocoa

Tea

Wine

Olive Oil

Conclusion

Chapter 16. A Modern Look at Folkloric Use of Anti-Infective Agents

Introduction

Berberine

Sanguinarine

Quinine

Emetine

Individual Antimicrobial Medicinal Plants of Lesser Prominence

Conclusion

Chapter 17. Use of Medicinal Plants in CNS Disorders

Introduction

Disorders of the CNS

Plants and Derived Compounds Used to Treat Neurodegenerative Diseases

Plants and Derived Compounds Used As Anxiolytics, Tranquilizers, and Sedatives

Plants and Derived Compounds with Narcotic Effects

Plants and Derived Compounds Used As CNS Stimulants

Plants and Derived Compounds Used in Depression

Plants Used for Conditions That Display Excessive Aspects of Normal Function

Adaptogens

Conclusion

Chapter 18. Herbal Medicine in Endocrinology and Metabolic Disease

Gout

Diabetes Mellitus

Obesity

Hyperlipidemia

Menopause

Toxicity

Conclusion

Chapter 19. Bioactive Saponins from Plants: Recent Developments

Introduction

Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Hepatoprotective Activity

Cardiovascular Activity

Activity on the Central Nervous System

Hypoglycemic Activity

Antifungal Activity

Antiviral Activities

Anticancer and Immune System Related Activity

Conclusion

Chapter 20. Natural Products and Herbal Medicines in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Introduction

Antimicrobial Activities of Herbal Products

GI Immunoregulation

Chemical Considerations in the GI Tract

Herbal-Induced Drug Interactions in the GI Tract

Conclusion

PART V. HOPES AND DANGERS

Chapter 21. Challenges and Threats to Interdisciplinary Medicinal Plant Research

Introduction: Patients Dilemmas in 2005

Medicinal Plants and Their Modern and Historical Uses

New Methodological Developments

Medical Applications: Pharmacology and Clinical Use

Future Needs: Phytotherapy and the Concept of Ethnopharmacy

Conclusion

Index

Reference Notes Included