Customer Reviews

Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs: A Scientific Analysis of Herbal Remedies for Psychiatric Conditions

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This is a good general introduction to psychotropic herbal medicine. Although it is becoming somewhat dated, it presents the various herbs according to the conditions for which they are generally used, e.g. for depression, anxiety, insomnia, etc. What is lacking is a general introduction to the science of pharmacology and neurology, but that would have turned it into a text book instead of a reference book. I appreciated his candor in discussing the impact of lack of regulation in the US vs Europe, and the wealth of references to good, and sometimes not so good scientific trials of various herbs. It can no longer be said that there is insufficient proof of efficacy for herbal medicine, although he is clear that more needs to be done to fully understand the mode of action(s) of some of the chemicals naturally occurring in herbs. But this is a good place to start for beginning reading in this subject. I'm glad I started with Russo's work. It would be great if he prepared a newer edition citing studies conducted in the decade since his work was prepared and published.

I was quite please to get this book. It appears to be well written. I received it in a timely fashion. It will take me some time to digest the contents. I don't agree with the use of Cannabis. That topic is a little too controversial and I would not have included that in this book. As a psychiatrist I have seen more harm than benefit from its use.

There are no many books about Phythotherapy (Fitotherapy), in the West, written by those with a shaman background or those who can have a independent eye from the Western Medicine. This book is too inside the Western Medicine, which isolates everything. As a primary information, it is ok.