Let's Learn Together - Medical Herbalism by Hoffmann

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	Full Title:	Medical Herbalism The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine
	Author(s):	David Hoffmann, FNIMH, AHG
	Publishing / Edition:	Healing Arts Press, 2003

Click here for the Table of Contents of the book

Part One: Introduction to Principles and Practices

1. Herbs, Holism, and Science

Science and Phytotherapy 17
Pharmacognosy and Ways to Assess Herb Quality 19
The Conservation of Medicinal Plants 26

2. Classification of Medicinal Plants

The Linnaean System of Classification 32
Derivation of Botanical Names 33

3. An Introduction to Phytochemistry

Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolites 37
Commonly Used Terms and Concepts 40

4. Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides 42
Polysaccharides 43
Glycoproteins 47
Glycosides 48
Gums and Mucilages 50

5. Lipids

Fatty Acids 54
Lipids Containing Glycerol 58

6. Terpenes

Monoterpenes 62
Iridoids 66
Sesquiterpenes 67
Sesquiterpene Lactones 69
Diterpenoids 71
Saponins 74
Triterpenoid Saponins 79
Cardenolides and Bufadienolides 83
Phytosterols 83
Nortriterpenoids 84
Plant Exudates 85
Resins 85
Oleoresins 86
Balsams 87
Gum Resins 87

7. Polyphenols

Simple Phenols and Phenolic Acids 92
Phenylpropanoids and Cinnamic Acids 94
Coumarins 95
Quinones 96
Xanthones 99
Stilbenoids 99
Flavonoids 100
Flavones and Flavonols 101
Isoflavonoids 106
Flavanones 107
Dihydrochalcones 107
Biflavonoids 108
Lignans and Neolignans 112
Tannins 114

8. Alkaloids

120

Pyrrolidine and Piperidine Alkaloids 122
Tropane Alkaloids 122
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids 123
Purine Alkaloids 124
Isoquinoline Alkaloids 125
Indole Alkaloids 127
Ergot Alkaloids 127
β-carboline Alkaloids 128
Quinoline Alkaloids 130
Quinolizidine Alkaloids 130
Diterpenoid Alkaloids 130
Steroid Alkaloids 131
Miscellaneous Alkaloids 131

9. Pharmacology

134

Pharmacodynamics 135
Phytoestrogens 142
Pharmacokinetics 144
Immunomodulators 152
Inflammation and Anti-Inflammatory Agents 154
Cancer and Plant Constituents 159
Antiviral Agents 164
Antioxidants and Free Radical Scavengers 165
Cardiac Glycosides 168
Nonsteroidal Cardioactive Plant Constituents 169
Cholesterol and Lipid-Lowering Activity 170
Hypertension and Hypotensive Agents 171
Platelet Function and Cardiovascular Disease 173
Herbs and the Liver 175
Hypoglycemic Agents 178

10. Toxicity, Contraindications, and Safety

186

Evaluating Causality in Adverse Events 187
Toxicology 192
Oxalic Acid 198
Terpenes 199
Glycosides 199
Polyphenolics 200
Alkaloids 202
Polypeptides 205
Lectins 206
Photosensitivity 209

11. The Formulation and Preparation of Herbal Medicines

216

Herbal Medicines 216
Infusions 219
Decoctions 221
Tinctures (Tincturae) 223
Fluid Extracts (Fluid Extracta) 224
Syrups, Elixirs, and Emulsions (Emulsiones) 225
Juices (Succi), Linctuses (Lincti), Mucilages, and Oxymels 226
Waters (Aqua) 227
Capsules, Pills, and Tablets 227
Lozenges (Trochisci) and Pastilles (Pastilli) 228
Baths (Balneotherapy) 228
Douches and Enemas 229
Ointments and Suppositories 230
Liniments 231
Gargles (Gargarisma) and Mouthwashes 231
Inhalants (Vapors) and Spray Solutions (Nebulae) 231
Oils 232
Compresses and Poultices 232
Incompatibility 232

Part Two: Treatment Approaches by Body System

12. A Model of Holistic Herbal Medicine

236

Phytotherapeutic Selection Criteria 237
Dosage and Formulation Criteria 252
Outline of Treatment Chapters 256

13. The Digestive System

258

Flatulence 262
Constipation 263
Laxatives 264
Diarrhea 266
Aphthous Ulcers 267
Periodontal Disease 268
Esophagitis and Gastroesophageal Reflux 269
Gastritis 271
Peptic Ulcers 272
Hiatus Hernia 274
Functional Dyspepsia or "Indigestion" 275
Irritable Bowel Syndrome 276
Inflammatory Bowel Disease 279
Ulcerative Colitis 279
Diverticulitis 280
Jaundice 283
Chronic Hepatitis 283
Viral Hepatitis 285
Cirrhosis 286
Cholecystitis 287
Cholelithiasis 288
Hemorrhoids 289

14. The Cardiovascular System

291

Tonics for the Cardiovascular System 292
Cholesterol 300
Hypertension 302
Ateriosclerosis 307
Congestive Heart Failure 309
Angina Pectoris 310
Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease 311
Varicose Veins 312

15. The Respiratory System

316

Coughs 322
Acute Bronchitis 323
Chronic Bronchitis 326
Pertussis 329
Asthma 330
Emphysema 334
The Common Cold 336
Influenza 338
Hay Fever 339
Sinusitis 340
Laryngitis 341
Tonsillitis 342

16. The Nervous System

344

Managing Stress: An Overview 349
Depression 354
Insomnia 355
Withdrawal from Benzodiazepines 361
Anorexia Nervosa 363
Headache 364
Migraine 367
Neuritis 371
Tinnitus 372
Motion Sickness 373
Shingles 373

17. The Urinary System

375

Frequency 377
Dysuria 378
Hematuria 378
Edema 379
Cystitis 379
Urinary Calculus 381

18. The Reproductive System

384

Emmenagogues 385
Amenorrhea 386
Dysmenorrhea 387
Premenstural Syndrome 388
Menopause 391
Pregnancy 393
Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy 394
Uterine Fibroids 403
Endometriosis 404
Fibrocystic Breast Disease 405
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy 406

19. The Musculoskeletal System

408

External Applications for Musculoskeletal Problems 416
Myalgia 417
Osteoarthritis 418
Rheumatoid Arthritis 421
Osteoporosis 424
Gout 426
Bursitis and Tendinitis 427
Restless Leg Syndrome 428

20. The Skin

430

Herbs for Topical Application
Eczema and Dermatitis 432
Psoriasis 435
Acne 438

21. The Immune System

441

General Support Protocols 446
Detoxification 446
Postoperative Recovery 448
General Guidelines for Treating Infection 451
Vaginitis 452
Prostatitis 454
Boils 455
Fungal Skin Infection 455
Cancer 456

22. The Endocrine System

461

Hypothyroidism 461
Hyperthyroidism 462
Diabetes Mellitus 463
The Adrenal Glands 465

23. Phytotherapy and the Elderly

467

Toning and Nuturing Health in Elders 468
Prevention and Treatment of Disease in Elders 469
Disease in Elders 469

24. Phytotherapy and Children

473

Measles 474
Mumps 474
Colic 475
Constipation 476
Diarrhea 477
Indigestion 477
Nausea 478
Otitis Media 478
Attention Deficit Disorder 479
Diaper Rash 480
Cradle Cap 481
Impetigo 481

25. Herbal Actions

483

Adaptogen 483
Alterative 484
Anticatarrhal 485
Anti-Inflammatory 487
Antimicrobial 491
Antirheumatic 493
Antispasmodic 494
Astringent 496
Bitter 498
Cardiac Remedies 501
Carminative 502
Cholagogue 503
Demulcent 505
Diuretic 506
Emmenagogue 509
Expectorant 511
Hepatic 513
Hypnotic 515
Hypotensive 516
Nervine 517
Stimulant 519

26. Materia Medica

522

Appendices

1. Glossary

604

2. Selected Examples of Binomial Meanings

622

3. Herbs by Latin and Common Names

626

4. Pharmacy Terms

636

5. Weight and Measure Conversion

638

6. Herbal Information Sources

639

7. Taxonomy Hierarchy

646

Bibliography

652

Index

655

Content Review

This is akin to an in-depth scientific textbook on herbalism, with particularly emphasis on phytochemistry (i.e.: the chemicals derived from plants). If there was such a thing as a "standard work" on the subject, this would probably qualify. It ends up on many a "recommended reading" list for those attempting to get a foundation in the healing arts. Despite the technical presentation, there is a holistic viewpoint and sensitivity to life that is evident throughout.

[In Progress...]

Related Resources

• A Call to Herbs: From Rhizotomoi to Radicle

This is a speech given by the author on November 5, 2005 at the American Herbalist Guild Symposium in Portland, Oregon and shared through The American Botanical Council's HerbTV. While the introduction of the book briefly touches upon similar issues, this places herbalism within a greater historical and social context in order to keep it from getting co-opted for purposes other than healing everyone. Incredibly precient.