Mind-Altering and Poisonous Plants of the World [Hardcover]

Michael Wink (Author), Ben-Erik van Wyk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 24, 2008

Written by respected professors of botany and pharmaceutical biology, this is the definitive account of plants and mushrooms used for poison darts, traditional medicine, ceremonial and spiritual purposes, and recreational drugs. Hazardous plants are commonly used as garden ornamentals, potted plants, or florist flowers, yet many people are unaware of the dangers posed by the toxins derived from them. In addition to exploring plants that are ingested, the authors also treat plants that cause irritation and inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes. A special focus is given to psychoactive plants, which can have stimulant, sedative, hypnotic, narcotic, or hallucinogenic properties. These include coca, opium, cannabis, and scopolamine. Mind-Altering and Poisonous Plants of the World is a must for gardeners, farmers, veterinarians, botanists, pharmacists, chemists, doctors, and poison control centers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Mind-Altering and Poisonous Plants of the World is recommended to anyone who is interested in poisonous plants and their components. The extensive illustrations and cogent explanations make this book a good reference work for natural scientists, and a particularly good textbook for pharmaceutical professionals and students who are interested in toxicology.”

(The Organic Chemistry Portal )

"An intriguing (and inexpensive) book to browse, both for the usual suspects (cannabis) and unsuspected ones (grape)."

(CHOICE: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries )

About the Author

Michael Wink is a professor of pharmaceutical biology and a director of the Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology at the University of Heidelberg in Germany. He is an authority on secondary metabolites of plants and their pharmacological effects.

Ben-Erik van Wyk is a professor of botany at the Rand Afrikaans University, Johannesburg, South Africa. His research interest is in systematic botany and plant utilization.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press; 1 edition (September 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881929522
• ISBN-13: 978-0881929522
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,416 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #74 in Books > Medical Books > Pharmacology > Toxicology

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Reference Book!, January 27, 2011

By 

DJ Martin "Author of Herbs: Medicinal, Magica... (Morganton, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mind-Altering and Poisonous Plants of the World (Hardcover)

Not for the faint of heart! This is truly a scientific reference book. The authors did a wonderful job with their monographs of a little over 200 plants known to be poisonous to not only humans but four-legged animals, as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed their discussion of poisonous plants in past times, as well as current medicinal usages. The color plates, especially on the monographs, are well done, making identification quite easy. I am not a scientist by any means, so I glossed over 98% of the scientific discussions. However, those that need to know such things (such as doctors, nurses and veterinarians) will find this information invaluable.

Although it's a scientific book, it could easily be used as a reference for writers, a la Jessica Fletcher.