Jaenicke, Christof; Gruenwald, Joerg; Brendler, Thomas: Handbuch Phytotherapie. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, 2003. ISBN 3-8047-1950-3

Gebunden, 591 Seiten, € 49,– (Advance sales price € 42,– until 30th Sep 2003).

The book can be ordered directly in the internet at the Wissenschaftlichen Verlagsgesellschaft.

Medicinal plants have had a secure place in the medical practice of Asia and Europe for centuries, particularly in Germany. With the development of modern medicine and the increased use of synthetic ingredients, phyto-therapeutic practices from previous centuries have fallen out of favor. In the last few decades, on the other hand, we have again come to respect the knowledge of the efficacy of traditionally used medicinal plants. Many patients, responsible physicians and natural healers now want to use effective alternatives to the common synthetic preparations, because their continual use gives rise to a great number of side effects. Phyto-therapeutic medicines can, for specific indications with correct dosages, fulfill these desires. However, it should not be forgotten that “Natural” and “Safe” medicines are not the same and should not be confused. Medicinal plant preparations are potent drugs and can, in some circumstances – as does food – influence the efficacy of other medications, cause allergies, or in the case of over dosage show symptoms of poisoning.

There are over 1300 registered mono and combination preparations made from plants, as well as more than 2400 existing phytopharmaceutical preparations awaiting registration. It is difficult for patients as well as for practicing physicians, alternative healers and pharmacists to keep an overview of what is available and separate the wheat from the chaff.

The Handbuch Phytotherapie gives the interested reader a medical guideline for herbal medicines, listing more than 500 herbal drugs, made from more than 400 medicinal plants. The descriptions of the medicinal drugs are mainly based on the Commission E and the ESCOP monographs. This information, built on the solid foundation of these monographs, has been updated with the results of intensive researched in many scientific databases. This makes for a reference work especially made for the requirements of physicians, pharmacists and alternative healers. All of the monographs to all the listed plants, including exotic and newly discovered ones, have the latest phytochemical, medicinal, pharmacological and toxicological information.

Layout of the Handbuch Phytotherapie

Index In front of the main section, with alphabetically listed monographs of the plants, there are five indexes. These make it easier for the reader to search for particular medicinal plants (under the German or Latin name), drugs or herbal medicines. Further possibilities are provided by the two indication indexes (arranged alphabetically and by group). An overview of the indications, of the described medicinal plants, offers the possibility to find information on the application limitations, side effects and warnings.

Layout of the Monographs To make the Handbuch Phytotherapie as easy as possible to use, the monographs are all laid out using the same format.

• The part of the plant used
  A description of the plant parts used in drug manufacture
• Ingredients
  A list of the pharmacologically active and indication specific ingredients, as well as other known ingredients, with the percentages of content if they are known
• Pharmacology
  An overview of the pharmacological properties with information concerning the results of preclinical trials and a summary of all clinical studies and drug monitoring trials published to date.
• Application range
  A list of recommended applications from the Commission E, ESCOP or in some cases also from the WHO. The application ranges based on empirical evidence, homeopathic indications, folk medicine and other sources, which are not scientifically documented, are clearly marked and separated from the rational phyto-therapeutic indications.
• Dosage
  This section contains proven information about the galenic forms, type of usage, recommended daily dosage and duration of treatment, partially also for homeopathic applications and where possible information about the extracts which are the bases for the evaluations. The dosages mainly refer to the drugs. Particular importance is given to comprehensible dosages for (dry) extracts.
• Application limitations
  Here, based on the known pharmacological and toxicological data, as well as other sources, possible side effects, interactions and contraindications are noted. Additionally, possible symptoms of over dosage and instructions for treatment of intoxication or serious side effects are given.
• Patient information
  In an understandable form for the layman, here the fundamental application ranges of the drugs are described with possible side effects and contraindications noted.
• Evaluation of the efficacy
  In paragraph, based on the available scientific data, the efficacy and the benefit/risk ratio is critically evaluated. The evaluation follows is either the recommendations of the Commission E or ESCOP monographs or is based on the results of valid clinical studies.
• Trade preparations
  Here is the possibility to get information about the most important phyto-therapeutics, most with information on the galenic form and recommended dosages. Combination preparations have not been included unless otherwise noted.
• Literature
  Bibliographic information about a selection of the most important original works and relevant secondary literature (Reviews and summaries), which were the basis of the monographs. Frequently used tertiary literature (scientific books, reference works) is cited in the section “Weiterführende Literatur”.

Home

Contact
Search

Our Team