This compilation is the most comprehensive and authoritative text on Chinese Herbal Medicine. With contributions by more than fifty academic, clinical, research and regulatory professionals, 670 in-depth herb monographs are accompanied by 1150 illustrations (color and black-and-white photographs, classic line drawings, and chemical structure diagrams). Contents include detailed descriptions of Oriental medicine (traditional uses, dosages and preparation), western science (pharmacological effects, clinical studies and research), and safety data (herb-drug interactions, safety index, toxicology, symptoms and treatments of overdosage). In addition, it has concise summary tables for rapid comparison and contrast of herb attributes and uses, and ten wide-ranging appendices for clinical, classroom, or research uses. An invaluable text for all healthcare professionals, students, educators and researchers.
1336 pages, 670 herbs, 1150 illustrations

USING THIS BOOK

Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology has been designed for use in the clinic, in the classroom, in research, and to preserve and convey valuable historical information that may yet prove crucial in our future. Written to empower practitioner readers to become better clinicians, it offers detailed discussion on traditional applications, dosages and preparation of herbs, cautions and/or contraindications, overdosage and its treatment, and a contemporary expansion of clinician training: potential herb-drug interactions. All of these features simultaneously serve students and faculty in academic settings. Research professionals will find chemical structures and components, in vitro information on pharmacological effects and toxicology, and in vivo information from clinical studies. Some rare or potentially lethal medicinal substances that are not in contemporary use are included and discussed strictly to illustrate important concepts or historical value in traditional Chinese medicine. Among these are endangered species such as Hu Gu (Os Tigris) and Xi Jiao (Cornu Rhinoceri) and dangerous heavy metals such as Shui Yin (Hydrargyrum) and Qian Dan (Minium). Their inclusion in no way advocates resumption of use or further destruction of species or resources.

Although pertinent to the history, practice, and research of Chinese herbal medicine, not all herbs discussed herein are commercially available. Some are prohibited as illegal substances such as Ying Su Ke (Pericarpium Papaveris), some, as mentioned above, carry excessive potential for toxicity such as Zhu Sha (Cinnabaris) or are restricted due to endangered status such as Xi Jiao (Cornu Rhinoceri). These substances are included only to offer the accurate history of their critically important usage in traditional herbal medicine, and to serve as models for appropriate usage of effective substitute substances. The readers are strongly encouraged to know and respect the rules and regulations for use of these substances in their own states and/or countries.