Handbook of Medicinal Herbs

By James A. Duke

Book Overview

Still considered the definitive work on medicinal herbs and their uses after two decades, the Handbook of Medicinal Herbs has undergone a long-anticipated revision. In the second edition, world-renowned ethnobotanist James A. Duke provides up-to-date data on over 800 of the world's most important medicinal plant species. The book contains more species, phytochemicals, proven indications, folk indications, and dosage data than the first edition in a new easier to use format. The in-depth content, the addition of color plates and over 200 black and white illustrations makes this book the most comprehensive resource on medicinal herbs available. NEW IN THE SECOND EDITION: - Over 100 color plates, 4 color maps - Over 200 black and white illustrations - Over 800 medicinal plants -- more than twice as many as the previous edition organized alphabetically by common name - More herbs from the African, Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Jamu traditions EASY ACCESS TO INFORMATION YOU NEED Designed to give you fast access to the information you need on a regular basis, this new edition is organized more systematically than any other medicinal herb publication. The entries are now arranged alphabetically by common name with the scientific name in parenthesis. Major synonyms are also provided. - It has become increasingly clear that there are hundreds of biologically active compounds, often additive or synergistic, in all our plants, foods, spices, herbs, medicinal, and poisonous plants. The debate continues on how these plants work and how they should be used. Blending scientific fact with folk uses and the author's personal experience, Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition provides the most well rounded discussions of safety, efficacy, toxicity, and rational use found in any herbal reference.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0849312841
• ISBN13: 9780849312847
• Release Date: June 2002
• Publisher: CRC Press
• Length: 920 Pages
• Weight: 3.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.8" x 7.2" x 10.4"

Customer Reviews

Essential Reference for Medicinal Herbs and Their Use

This book is the defining standard by which other publications dealing with herbal medicine should be judged by. This a valuable resource book for anyone doing research in phytochemicals. Duke has written in a style that can be understood by individuals with limited scientific background and yet is still be a valuable reference text. Not only does this text cover the actual chemicals responsible for some of the activities observed, Duke also gives a significant reference to the herb's ethnobotanical history (how various societies have used this in the past). Unlike other books on 'medicinal herbs' Duke not only points out their benefits and the various phytochemicals credited with these effects, he also points out various poisons, phytotoxins, that are also found in the herb and can cause deleterious effects. Overall, it is an excellent reference book.

a definitive herbal reference book

Duke has compiled a comprehensive review of a number of plants which delves extensively into the literature that is out there on these plants. This is a list of the medical properties of these plants that goes far beyond a casual herbal, and should be considered by anybody seriously trying to advance the medical use of plants