Why is this herb book different?

This book helps you visualize the molecular mechanisms by which herbs accomplish their effects on your body. This book is for nonscientists, but focuses on scientific details which are not available in other herb books for laypeople.

What you will find in each herb chapter In each herb chapter you will find a section covering current theories on the mechanism behind an herbs’ properties, in “How Scientists Think it Works”. You will also find the herb’s history, folklore, and if they are known, its active ingredients. “Good Uses...and Not So Good” informs you of the risks and benefits of taking various forms of an herb, according to current scientific thought. Although I am a PhD. scientist with a background in biochemistry and natural products, I am not an M.D., and because of this I do not prescribe herbs. I do summarize for you what the PDR for Herbal Medicine, the Pharmacist’s and Prescriber’s Letter’s Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database and the American Pharmaceutical Foundation report on commonly recommended dosages, under “Commonly Reported Uses for This Herb” in each herb chapter.

If you do have a background in science Although this book is intended for nonscientists, health professionals and scientists will find it a useful tool, too. Rather than endlessly searching and reviewing scientific abstracts until your eyes cross, or buying an expensive text on herbal pharmacology, you can use this book to find quick, easy-to-read summaries of an herb’s pharmacodynamics. If some information piques your interest, and you want to learn more, look for the references of journal articles at the end of each herb chapter. These can help you gather details concerning the designs and outcomes of experiments which provided most of the data for this book.

Contents

Introduction (the original, unedited version)

Herb Chapters

Aloe gel and Aloe latex, Arnica, Artichoke, Astragalus

Bilberry, Black Cohosh, Borage

Cascara, Catnip, Cat’s Claw, Chamomile, Chaste Tree, Cinnamon, Cranberry

Dandelion

Echinacea, Eleuthero, Evening Primrose

Feverfew, Flax

Garlic, Ginger, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Gotu Kola, Grape, Guarana

Hawthorn, Hoodia, Horse Chestnut

Kava

Lavender, Lemon Balm, Licorice

Marsh Mallow, Milk Thistle

Nettle

Parsley, Peppermint

Red Clover, Red Pepper

Sage, Saw Palmetto, Senna, Soy, St. John’s Wort

Tea Tree oil, Tea, Turmeric

Uva Ursi

Valerian

Wild Yam, Wintergreen, Witch Hazel

Yerba Mate’, Yohimbe

Further Reading

Synthetic vs. Natural: What’s the difference?

Introducing the Players: Cells, Molecules, and other Very Small Things

Nonfatal Attractions: Receptors and Enzymes

Preventive Medicine

Carcinogens

Free Radicals

Oxygen and Oxidizing agents

Inflammation

How to Avoid Getting Conned by People, Including Yourself

Warning Labels for Certain Herbs