Clinical Botanical Medicine [Hardcover]

Eric Yarnell (Author), Kathy Abascal (Author), Carol G. Hooper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2003

At the heart of Clinical Botanical Medicine is a wealth of detailed information on using botanicals to prevent or treat diseases and conditions in 17 key categories. In addition to clear, step-by-step guidance on prescribing and dispensing, our authors provide expert insight on positive and negative interactions between botanicals, pharmaceuticals and body systems; potential synergies between botanicals and prescription drugs; and the clinical benefits of the "polypharmacy approach," whereby multiple herbs are used to reduced required dosages and toxicity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

" . . . offers a wide range of potentially useful botanical medicines for treatment and possible prevention of many leading health concerns." -- Mark Blumenthal, Founder and Executive Director, American Botanical Council

"Clinical Botanical Medicine provides a wealth of scientifically valid information regarding the benefits of medicinal plants. -- Roy Upton, Executive Director, American Herbal Pharmacopeia

Product Details

• Hardcover: 418 pages
• Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.; 1st edition (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0913113956
• ISBN-13: 978-0913113950
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,884,582 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Based in clinical experience, March 14, 2004

By 

Kevin Spelman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Clinical Botanical Medicine (Hardcover)

At last an herb book that is rational, well-documented, and based on true clinical experience. While there are many books on botanical medicine available, this volume is truly informed; the book is written by accomplished clinicians and not researchers who write from literature searches, without true clinical experience as a foundation. Yarnell, a Naturopathic physician and Abascal, a Registered Clinical Herbalist, discuss herbs and clinical treatment plans in their full complexity and do not simplify their approach as is so common in today's herb books. Additionally, because Hooper the editor, is a medical doctor, the truly holistic approach that shines through in this book, provides further credibility to Yarnell's and Abascal's work. While the empirical observations of clinical experience are paramount in this volume, Yarnell and Abascal also support their approach with the available research. Perhaps this is why the American Botanical Council has sourced this book for its online database.
Another positive for the book is that besides the same old tired herbs that everyone is talking about in natural food stores, the lesser known herbs that competently trained clinicians are actually using are also covered. This provides a wider range of options for clinical work and offers clinical insights into Anemopsis (Yerba Mamsa), Bupleurum, and Opuntia (Prickly Pear), and other lesser known herbs.
There is also a toxicology section that covers such herbs as Lobelia inflata, Artemesia absinthium (wormwood), Piper methysticum (kava) and the pyrolizidine containing herbs such as Symphytum officinalis (comfrey). The relative toxicity (or lack thereof) besides the political issues of such herbs are discussed. This is a unique addition to modern books on botanical medicines.
Clinical Botanical Medicines with its four parts;
I Treatment or Prevention of Specific Disorders
II Special Formulas
III Specific Herbal Medicines
IV Issues in Botanical Medicine
targets the medical professional seeking a practical but researched-based approach to using herbal medicines.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a professionals book, January 16, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Clinical Botanical Medicine (Hardcover)

I am deeply appreciative of the all-to-few sources that I can refer my students to for reliable and informative discussion of Botanical Medicine. In Clinical Botanical Medicine, we have another standard to both use and recommend. One which meets criteria that are missing from other works.

There is no doubt that the research and details of the text are reliable. It is the treatment chapters that are of particular value. Well written discussions of important disease states are imperative for students as they unravel the possibilities of herbs in therapeutics. The subjects are well chosen, the chapters on addiction most welcome. I thought the Special Formulae offered valuable insights into the thinking of those proficient in complex prescribing. The section on Specific Herbal Medicines brought me up to date with some interesting sources. The Issues in Botanical Medicine whetted my appetite for further study. Most important here where the chapters on Misunderstood "Toxic" Herbs and the St John's Wort Controversy. Thank you authors for tackling these vital topics which so many shy away from.

I realize that any work in print is as much an act of omission as inclusion. I was left wanting more. I hope the professional market will support the expanding contribution of this collaboration of experts and that they continue to share their experience and teaching.

Rowan Hamilton, Dip Phyt. MSCS. MNIMH
Chair, Botanical Medicine Department, Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, Vancouver, Canada

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent addition to the herbal library, August 3, 2005

By 

Robert A. Schulman "rschumd" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Clinical Botanical Medicine (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful, serious book. The text respects the history of herbal medicine, yet provides peer reviewed literature references for the statments made. The chapters cover important topics, such as hypertension, various cancers, and addiction. I look forward to other work from these authors that would address difficult topics such as the treatment of insomnia, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and heart disease.

The authors of this book are carrying on the traditions of received from their teachers, some of the great scholars of herbal medicine; Michael Moore, Silena Heron, and James Duke.