Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy

Pharmacognosy (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.’

Covers the history, biology and chemistry of plant-based medicines

Covers pharmaceutical and neutraceuticals derived from plants

Covers the role of medicinal plants in worldwide healthcare systems

Examines the therapeutics and evidence of plant-based medicines by body system

Foreword

Preface

PART A FUNDAMENTALS OF PHARMACOGNOSY

SECTION 1 Phytotherapy and pharmacognosy

1. Importance of plants in modern pharmacy and medicine

2. Pharmacognosy and its history: people, plants and natural products

SECTION 2 Basic plant biology

3. General principles of botany: morphology and systematics

4. Families yielding important phytopharmaceuticals

5. Ethnobotany and ethnopharmacy

SECTION 3 Natural product chemistry

6. Natural product chemistry

7. Methods in natural product chemistry

8. Anticancer natural products

SECTION 4 Plant extract derived pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals

9. Production, standardization and quality control

10. Toxicity of herbal constituents

11. What makes phytomedicines unique?

SECTION 5 Medicinal plants in selected healthcare systems

12. Traditional systems of herbal medicine

13. Complementary/alternative medicine

PART B IMPORTANT NATURAL PRODUCTS AND PHYTOMEDICINES USED IN PHARMACY AND MEDICINE

14. The gastrointestinal and biliary system

15. The cardiovascular system

16. The respiratory system

17. The central nervous system

18. Infectious diseases

19. The endocrine system

20. The reproductive and urinary tracts

21. The musculoskeletal system

22. The skin

23. The eye

24. Ear, nose and orthopharynx

25. Miscellaneous supportive and protective therapies for stress, ageing, cancer and debility

Epilogue

Index