Customer Reviews

Clinical Botanical Medicine

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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.

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

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.

This is a treasured new resource for me. When I want some practical advice on herbal remedies, and not the same old echoes, this is my favorite. It is as the title implies, a great source book on herbal medicine for the clinician. And it doesn't shy away from specific dosing details. There are lots of interesting new herbal suggestions here. I'll be citing it frequently, in my teaching and writing. Jim Duke, retired USDA medical botanist.

There have been more books written on botanical medicine than any other subject, including religion. These books run the full spectrum of usefulness, approach, and accuracy. As a clinical herbalist and passionate student of botanical medicine, I have found this book to certainly rank within the top three. It is very easy to spend arm loads of money when studing and researching herbs while attempting to sorce solid/practical knowledge which will ally with clinicians and students alike. The key to saving money is to target the most well deserved educational tools. This book is a finely cut gem that is put forth by authors who really know their stuff. It looms together a blend of the traditional and scientific aspects of medicine. Truly a post mark book for the continually emerging sophistication of Naturopathy. This clearly written source can be of value to students, teachers, and practitioners who are involved with botanical medicine.

This book does a great job at providing information for clinicians by clinicians! Being a student of botanical medicine I also found the reccommendations of some quality educational programs in the Appendix useful. I have found this book to be stimulating and inspiring.

In short, if you are interested in botanical medicine, it is in your best interests to make an effort in obtaining this awesome book.

Herbaceously,

Gabriel Maroney

In the preface the authors thank those who inspired them and the writing of this text, we thank Yarnell, Abascal and Hooper for bringing this body of knowledge to us. This work has been an in-depth resource in our practices of clinical aromatherapy and dentistry. A wealth of botanical information including specific conditions, their prevention and treatment with botanicals; the text is well-referenced, indexed and has useful appendices. We higly recommend this be used by healthcare practioners interested in the use of botanical medicine and read by anyone interested in natural pathways for health and healing.

This book should be part of any botanical medicine lovers library. What a practical preventative and holistic guide to common conditions. I really like that a few herbs are thuroughly covered rather than a many herbs just touched on. The botanical issues section is awsome, it was like histroy, botany, medicine, and creativity all tossed in the mix. There are great reference charts that are easy to read and interpert. A definate must have. :-)