The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants: A Practical Reference Guide to over 550 Key Herbs and Their Medicinal Uses

Medicinal plants have been identified and used throughout human history. Plants make many chemical compounds that are for biological functions, including defence against insects, fungi and herbivorous mammals. At least 12,000 such compounds have been isolated so far a number estimated to be less than 10% of the total. Chemical compounds in plants mediate their effect on the human body through processes identical to those already well understood for the chemical compounds in conventional drugs thus herbal medicines do not differ greatly from conventional drugs in terms of how they work. This enables herbal medicines to have beneficial pharmacology, but also gives them the same potential as conventional pharmaceutical drugs to cause harmful side effects. Moreover, plant material comes with a variety of compounds which may have undesired effects, though these can be reduced by processing. Based On The Latest Scientific Research, The Encyclopedia Of Medicinal Plants Provides A Fascinating Insight Into The Chemistry Of Herbs And Their Healing Properties, Explaining How And Why They Work As Medicines Within The Body. The Major Herbal Traditions Practiced In Different Regions Of The World - Europe, India, China, Africa, Australia, And The Americas - Are Vividly Described And Reviewed From A Historical Perspective, Revealing The Intimate Connection Between The Growth Of Herbal Medicine And The Culture In Which It Is Used. A Unique Photographic Index Profiles More Than 550 Plants With Detailed Information On Habitat And Cultivation, Parts Used, Active Constituents, Therapeutic Properties, Research, And Traditional And Current Uses. The Profiles Of The 100 Most Commonly Used Plants Also Explain Herbal Preparations And Give Recommendations For Self-treatment. A Practical Section Outlines How To Grow, Harvest, And Store Medicinal Plants. The Easy-to-follow Photographic Guide Shows How To Make Different Types Of Remedies For Home Use, With Expert Guidance On The Self-treatment Of More Than 60 Common Ailments. Development Of Herbal Medicine -- Herbal Traditions Of The World -- Key Medicinal Plants -- Other Medicinal Plants -- Herbal Remedies For Home Use. Andrew Chevallier. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 322) And Indexes. A very handy reference guide to which plants do what. I find this as a go-to for researching the effects that common plants in my area have. I do appreciate the warnings that are included, so a person doesn't willy-nilly eat a flower pod from a Datura Stramonium and have a bad afternoon! All-in-all it is a very well written reference guide. I own the hardcover book and I find the pictures are bright, and the text laid out in an easy to read fashion. Praktische informatie over allerlei geneeskrachtige kruiden en planten