Book DescriptionPharmacognosy (the science of biogenic or nature-derived pharmaceuticals and poisons) has been an established basic pharmaceutical science taught in institutions of pharmacy education for over two centuries. Over the past 20 years though it has become increasingly important given the explosion of new drugs, phytomedicines (plant medicines), nutraceuticals and dietary supplements - all of which need to be fully understood, tested and regulated.
From a review of the previous edition:'Drawing on their wealth of experience and knowledge in this field, the authors, who are without doubt among the finest minds in pharmacognosy today, provide useful and fascinating insights into the history, botany, chemistry, phytotherapy and importance of medicinal plants in some of today's healthcare systems. This is a landmark textbook, which carefully brings together relevant data from numerous sources and provides, in an authoritative and exhaustive manner, cutting-edge information that is relevant to pharmacists, pharmacognocists, complementary practitioners, doctors and nurses alike.' The Pharmaceutical Journal'This is an excellent text book which provides fascinating insights into the world of pharmacognosy and the authors masterfully integrated elements of orthodox pharmacognosy and phytotherapy. Both the science student and the non-scientific person interested in phytotherapy will greatly benefit from reading this publication. It is comprehensive, easy to follow and after having read this book, one is so much more aware of the uniqueness of phytomedicines. A must read for any healthcare practitioner.'Key Features Covers the history, biology and chemistry of plant-based medicinesCovers pharmaceutical and neutraceuticals derived from plantsCovers the role of medicinal plants in worldwide healthcare systemsExamines the therapeutics and evidence of plant-based medicines by body systemNew to this Edition Sections on regulatory information expandedNew evidence updates throughoutNew material covering non-medical supplementsTherapeutics updated throughoutNow on StudentConsultTable of ContentsPART A FUNDAMENTALS OF PHARMACOGNOSYSECTION 1 Phytotherapy and pharmacognosy1. Importance of plants in modern pharmacy and medicine2. Pharmacognosy and its history: people, plants and natural productsSECTION 2 Basic plant biology3. General principles of botany: morphology and systematics4. Families yielding important phytopharmaceuticals5. Ethnobotany and ethnopharmacySECTION 3 Natural product chemistry6. Natural product chemistry7. Methods in natural product chemistry8. Anticancer natural productsSECTION 4 Plant extract derived pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals9. Production, standardization and quality control10. Toxicity of herbal constituents11. What makes phytomedicines unique? SECTION 5 Medicinal plants in selected healthcare systems12. Traditional systems of herbal medicine13. Complementary/alternative medicinePART B IMPORTANT NATURAL PRODUCTS AND PHYTOMEDICINES USED IN PHARMACY AND MEDICINE14. The gastrointestinal and biliary system15. The cardiovascular system16. The respiratory system17. The central nervous system18. Infectious diseases19. The endocrine system20. The reproductive and urinary tracts21. The musculoskeletal system22. The skin23. The eye24. Ear, nose and orthopharynx25. Miscellaneous supportive and protective therapies for stress, ageing, cancer and debility