Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine [Hardcover]

A foundational textbook on the scientific principles of therapeutic herbalism and their application in medicine

• A complete handbook for the medical practitioner

• Includes the most up-to-date information on preparations, dosage, and contraindications

• By the author ofThe Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal

Medical Herbalismcontains comprehensive information concerning the identification and use of medicinal plants by chemical structure and physiological effect, the art and science of making herbal medicine, the limitations and potential of viewing herbs chemically, and the challenge to current research paradigms posed by complex plant medicines. It also includes information on toxicology and contraindications, the issues involved in determining dosage and formulation types for an individual, guides to the different measurement systems and conversion tables, and the pros and cons of both industrial and traditional techniques.

With additional sections devoted to the principles of green medicine, the history of Western Herbalism, the variety of other medical modalities using medicinal plants, an extensive resource directory, and a discussion of treatments organized by body system,Medical Herbalismis the comprehensive textbook all students and practitioners of clinical herbalism need to develop their healing practices.David Hoffmann, a Fellow of Britain’s National Institute of Medical Herbalists, has been a clinical phytotherapist for more than twenty-five years. He started his herbal practice in Wales, continuing at the Findhorn community in Scotland, and has been practicing in California since 1986. A long time activist in the environmental and peace movements, he ran for parliament in Britain for the Green party in 1983. He is one of the founding members and a past president of the American Herbalists Guild and is on the advisory boards of the American Botanical Council and HerbalGram. Tl32