Synopsis
The therapeutic effects of herbs are examined here with a critical, scientific, and evidence-based approach. Geared toward physicians advising patients on self-selected herbal remedies, and clinicians looking to incorporate herbs into their formulary, the book covers about 65 herbal medicines, most of them well known. Not only are Western herbs addressed, but herbs of Chinese, Indian (Ayurvedic), and Mexican provenance. Boxes provide general information at a glance, and bold-faced headings guide readers to specific information on uses, pharmacology, clinical trials, adverse effects, interactions, cautions, preparations and doses, and an extensive bibliography. The appendix lists sources for information on medicinal herbs. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Marie Londrigan, PhD(Pace University)
Description:In this is a well researched and timely book, the authors use an evidence-based approach in an attempt to assist healthcare practitioners make sound, safe, efficient and effective recommendations about herbal therapeutics in clinical practice.
Purpose:The purpose is to provide the healthcare practitioner with reputable sources of evidence in the field of herbal medicine. Meeting this objective raises the standards of herbal therapeutics and validates the inclusion of such modalities within the standards of practice. The book meets the authors' stated objectives. Considering the growing popularity and use of herbs, this book is critical and welcomed by healthcare practitioners who face multiple daunting questions daily. These questions may include: What is this herb? How does it work? Is it safe? What are the potential benefits? What are the potential risks? What are the potential reactions with other treatments? Has there been scientific research that demonstrates the safe, efficient, and effective nature of the herbal remedy?
Audience:This book has been written for healthcare practitioners who are searching for scientifically based information that will assist them with decision making in the area of herbal remedies rather than making decisions based on "folklore" and "tradition." Such scientifically based information will also assist healthcare practitioners who wishes to confidently discuss these remedies with their clients. This book may also be a useful tool for educators. Both authors are credible in the subject matter of this book as are the multiple contributors.
Features:The field of herbal medicine has grown in recent years. Today healthcare practitioners are frequently bombarded by their clients who come into their offices making requests to start a particular remedy or to notify the practitioner that they have already started an herbal modality. Traditionally, the use of certain herbal modalities have been handed down from generation to generation with stories as to their effectiveness with little reliable clinical data to back these claims. This book attempts to take herbal medicine from these subjective stories to an organized body of scientific literature. The highlight of the book is the 65 herbal medicines that the authors chose to focus on. Each herbal medicine is review and defined with historical points of interest followed by sections critical for practice and include: uses, pharmacology, clinical trials, adverse effects, interactions, cautions, preparations, and doses. For each herb an extensive literature search was conducted including Medline, the Cochrane Collaboration, and relevant published articles. All available evidence was assessed, analyzed, and evaluated and given a "Benefit Rating" of one to three leaves and a "Safety Rating" indicated by a plus or a minus. The ratings are based on the evidence presented and are meant to assist the healthcare practitioner in determining the efficacy and safety of the herbal medicine.
Assessment:This book is both timely and necessary. Considering that herbal remedies have traditionally been passed down from generation to generation in the oral tradition it is time to bring evidence-based practice to the field. Reliable clinical data must back up claims as to the usefulness of herbal remedies. This book is extremely useful as it brings another dimension to the field of herbal medicine. The authors not only provide descriptive information but highlight another approach to understanding and validating this old tradition.