Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine (Spiral Bound)

Jacket Description/Back:
MEDICINE / HOLISTIC HEALTH Medical Herbalism is a foundational textbook on the scientific principles of therapeutic herbalism and their application in medicine. Based on the author's more than twenty-five years of herbal practice, it contains comprehensive information concerning the identification and use of medicinal plants both by chemical structure and physiological effect, the art and science of making herbal medicine, and the challenge to current research paradigms posed by complex plant medicines. The author details the intricate chemistry behind herbalism, providing for the first time important background and insights into how herbal remedies are able to achieve their results and the limitations and potential of viewing herbs chemically. He then presents in-depth discussions of specific ailments and treatments organized by each of the major body systems, as well as delving into the special needs of children and the elderly. He includes the most up-to-date information on preparations, dosage, and contraindications; information on toxicology and the issues involved in determining dosage and formulation types for an individual; and the pros and cons of both commercial and traditional techniques. His materia medica presents 150 of the most beneficial herbs used in treatment practices, identifying not only their present uses but also their historical derivations. With additional sections devoted to the principles of green medicine, the history of Western herbalism, the variety of other medical modalities using medicinal plants, and an extensive resource directory, Medical Herbalism is the comprehensive textbook all students and practitioners of clinical herbalism need to develop their healing practices. It is also a complete handbook for the medical practitioner looking to bring herbal treatments into his or her practice. 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. The author of seventeen books, including the highly regarded The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal, An Elders' Herbal, and The Herbal Handbook, Hoffmann teaches phytotherapy throughout the English-speaking world and is currently a faculty member of the California School of Herbal Studies. He is also a visiting faculty member at Bastyr University, the California Institute of Integral Studies, the National College of Phytotherapy, and the Rocky Mountain School of Botanical Studies.

Review Quotes:
"David Hoffmann has produced an herbal reference masterpiece. This is one of the most comprehensive and detailed reference books to be produced in many years and will become one of the standard texts for professionals and researchers. I will place it next to my desk with my most often-used books."-- "Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council, editor of HerbalG"

Review Quotes:
"Hoffmann beautifully blends science with his very holistic approach to herbal healing, displaying a true gift for making chemistry and physiology easy to understand. He not only suggests herbs and dietary changes to treat many conditions but explains why they work. Such knowledge aids both practitioner and herb user in understanding how they can choose the most effective and safe herbs. I applaud this as an important book for herbalism in the modern world."-- "Kathi Keville, director of the American Herb Association"

Review Quotes:
"I consider David Hoffmann one of the most original and brilliant herbalists of our time, who dwells 'on the cutting edge' of thought and is often paving the way for others. The author of one of our finest herbal classics, The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal, David's ambitious undertaking of his -brilliant new book provides us with yet another exceptional textbook on herbs that merges art, -science, and conservation into a system of holistic herbalism for the future. This will be a valuable book for practitioners of herbal medicine as well as for other medical professionals."-- "Rosemary Gladstar, president of United Plant Savers and author of Rosemary Gladstar's Family H"

Review Quotes:
"David Hoffmann has outdone himself. This text provides a depth of knowledge that is truly needed by the herbalist, the physician, and the pharmacist in order to understand how to use herbal -medicine safely and effectively. Also an excellent resource to educate patients about the many -herbal remedies possible."-- "David Winston, AHG, dean of the Herbal Therapeutics School of Botanical Medicine and chair of the Ad"

Review Quotes:
" Medical Herbalism provides a clinically oriented, systematic approach to Western herbal medicine missing from most texts. A great contribution to the herbal literature. "-- "Roy Upton, herbalist and executive director of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia"

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Contributor Bio:Hoffmann, David
David Hoffmann, FNIMH, AHG, has been a clinical medical herbalist since 1979. A Fellow of Britain's National Institute of Medical Herbalists, he is one of the founding members of the American Herbalists Guild and the author of 17 books, including Herbs for Healthy Aging, Medical Herbalism, The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal, and The Herbal Handbook. He teaches herbal medicine throughout the English-speaking world and lives in California.