Medical Herbalism – The Science And Practices OF Herbal Medicine

Course Overview

1. Herbs, Holism, and Science 6 Science and Phytotherapy, 17 • Pharmacognosy and Ways to Assess Herb Quality, 19 • The Conservation of Medicinal Plants, 26

2. Classification of Medicinal Plants 30 The Linnaean System of Classification, 32 • Derivation of Botanical Names, 33

3. An Introduction to Phytochemistry 36 Primary and Secondary Plant Metabolites, 37* Commonly Used Terms and Concepts, 40

4. Carbohydrates 41 Monosaccharides, 42 • Polysaccharides, 43 • Glycoproteins, 47 • Glycosides, 48 • Gums and Mucilages, SO

5. Lipids 54 Fatty Acids, 54 • Lipids Containing Glycerol, 58

6. Terpenes 62 Monoterpenes, 62 • Iridoids, 66 • Sesquiterpenes, 67 • Sesquiterpene Lactones, 69 • Diterpenoids, 71 • Saponins, 74 • Triterpenoid Saponins, 79 • Cardenolides and Bufadienolides, 83 • Phytosterols, 83 • Nortriterpenoids, 84 • Plant Exudates, 85 • Resins, 85 • Oleoresins, 86 • Balsams, 87 • Gum Resins, 87

7. Polyphenols 90 Simple Phenols and Phenolic Acids, 92 • Phenylpropanoids and Cinnamic Acids, 94 • Coumarins, 95 • Quinones, 96 • Xanthones, 99 • Stilbenoids, 99 • Flavonoids, 100 • Flavones and Flavonols, 101 • Isoflavonoids, 106 • Flavanones, 107 • Dihydrochalcones, 107 • Biflavonoids, 108 • Lignans and Neolignans, 112 • Tannins, 114

8. Alkaloids 120 Pyrrolidine and Piperidine Alkaloids, 122 • Tropane Alkaloids, 122 • Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids, 123 • Purine Alkaloids, 124 • Isoquinoline Alkaloids, 125 • Indole Alkaloids, 127 • Ergot Alkaloids, 127 • |3-carboline Alkaloids, 128 • Quinoline Alkaloids, 130 • Quinolizidine Alkaloids, 130 • Diterpenoid Alkaloids, 130 • Steroid Alkaloids, 131 • Miscellaneous Alkaloids, 131

9. Pharmacology 134 Pharmacodynamics, 135 • Phytoestrogens, 142 • Pharmacokinetics, 144 • Immunomodulators, 152 • Inflammation and Anti-Inflammatory Agents, 154 • Cancer and Plant Constituents, 159 • Antiviral Agents, 164 • Antioxidants and Free Radical Scavengers, 165 • Cardiac Glycosides, 168 • Nonsteroidal Cardioactive Plant Constituents, 169 • Cholesterol and Lipid-Lowering Activity, 170 • Hypertension and Hypotensive Agents, 171 • Platelet Function and Cardiovascular Disease, 173 • Herbs and the Liver, 175 • Hypoglycemic Agents, 178

10. Toxicity, Contraindications, and Safety 186 Evaluating Causality in Adverse Events, 187 • Toxicology, 192 • Oxalic Acid, 198 • Terpenes, 199 • Glycosides, 199 • Polyphenols, 200 • Alkaloids, 202 • Polypeptides, 205 • Lectins, 206 • Photosensitivity, 209

11. The Formulation and Preparation of Herbal Medicines 216 Herbal Medicines, 216 • Infusions, 219 • Decoctions, 221 • Tinctures (Tincturae), 223 • Fluid Extracts (Fluid Extracta), 224 • Syrups, Elixirs, and Emulsions (Emulsiones), 225 • Juices (Succi), Linctuses (Lincti), Mucilages, and Oxymels, 226 • Waters (Aqua), 227 • Capsules, Pills, and Tablets, 227 • Lozenges (Trochisci) and Pastilles (Pastilli), 228 • Baths (Balneotherapy), 228 • Douches and Enemas, 229 • Ointments and Suppositories, 230 • Liniments, 231 • Gargles (Gargarisma) and Mouthwashes, 231 • Inhalants (Vapors) and Spray Solutions (Nebulae), 231 • Oils, 232 • Compresses and Poultices, 232 • Incompatibility , 232