Healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists and nurses, are often confronted with patients who use over-the-counter (OTC) herbal medicinal products and food supplements. While taking responsibility for one's own health and treatment options is encouraged, many patients use these products based on limited (and sometimes inaccurate) information from non-scientific sources, such as the popular press and internet. There is a clear need to offer balanced, well-informed advice to patients, yet a number of studies have shown that, generally, conventionally trained health practitioners consider their knowledge about herbal medicinal products and supplements to be weak. Phytopharmacy fills this knowledge gap, and is intended for use by the busy pharmacist, nurse, or doctor, as well as the 'expert patient' and students of pharmacy and herbal medicine. It presents clear, practical and concise monographs on over a hundred popular herbal medicines and plant-based food supplements. Information provided in each monograph includes: * Indications * Summary and appraisal of clinical and pre-clinical evidence * Potential interactions * Contraindications * Possible adverse effects An overview of the current regulatory framework is also outlined, notably the EU Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive. This stipulates that only licensed products or registered traditional herbal medicinal products (THRs), which have assured quality and safety, can now legally be sold OTC. Monographs are included of most of the major herbal ingredients found in THRs, and also some plant-based food supplements, which while not strictly medicines, may also have the potential to exert a physiological effect.

Darryl Edwards is a Movement Coach, author of the best-selling book "Animal Moves" and a thought leader in the area of creativity and innovation in fitness and health. Darryl developed the Primal Play Method to inspire others to make physical activity fun while getting healthier in the process. He blogs at PrimalPlay.com

Preface ix Introduction 1 The Evidence Base for Herbal Medicines 9 How to use 18 Açaí 21 Aloe Vera (Gel) 24 Arnica 27 Artichoke 29 Ashwagandha 32 Asparagus 36 Astragalus 39 Baobab 42 Bearberry 45 Bilberry; Blueberry 47 Birch, Silver and Downy 50 Bitter Gourd 54 Black Cohosh 57 Bladderwrack; Kelp 62 Boldo 67 Brahmi 69 Burdock 72 Butcher's Broom 75 Butterbur 78 Calendula 81 Cannabis 84 Centaury 88 Centella 91 Chamomile, German 94 Chamomile, Roman 97 Chasteberry 99 Chilli/Capsicum 103 Cinnamon; Chinese Cinnamon/Cassia 106 Cola 111 Comfrey 114 Cramp Bark 118 Cranberry 120 Damiana 123 Dandelion 127 Devil's Claw 131 Echinacea 134 Elderberry, Elderflower 138 Eucalyptus 141 Evening Primrose (Oil) 144 Fennel 149 Feverfew 152 Ganoderma 155 Garlic 158 Gentian 161 Ginger 164 Ginkgo 168 Ginseng 173 Ginseng, Siberian 177 Goldenrod 180 Goldenseal 182 Grapeseed 186 Graviola 189 Green Tea 191 Hawthorn 195 Holy Basil 198 Hoodia 202 Hops 206 Horny Goat Weed 210 Horse Chestnut 214 Horsetail 216 Ipecacuanha 219 Ispaghula Husk, Psyllium Husk 222 Ivy 227 Kalmegh 230 Lapacho 234 Lavender 237 Lemon balm 242 Linseed (Flaxseed) 246 Liquorice 251 Lobelia 255 Maca 257 Mallow 259 Maritime Pine (Bark) 261 Milk Thistle 264 Neem 268 Nettle 271 Noni 276 Norway spruce 280 Oats 283 Passionflower 287 Pelargonium 291 Peony 294 Peppermint 298 Prickly Pear 302 Pumpkin (Seed) 305 Raspberry Leaf 308 Red Clover 311 Red Vine Leaf 314 Rhodiola 317 Ribwort Plantain 320 Rosehip 322 Roselle 325 Rosemary 328 Sage 332 St. John's Wort 335 Saw Palmetto 340 Schisandra 343 Sea Buckthorn 347 Senna 350 Shatavari 354 Skullcap 357 Slippery Elm 360 Spirulina 363 Squill 366 Tea Tree (Oil) 368 Thyme 371 Tongkat Ali 375 Turmeric 379 Valerian 383 Verbena 386 Wild Indigo 389 Wild Lettuce 391 Willow (Bark) 393 Witch Hazel 396 Yohimbe 401