(Ebook) Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy by Michael Heinrich, Joanne Barnes, José Prieto-Garcia, Simon Gibbons, Elizabeth M. Williamson ISBN 9780323834384, 0323834388

(Ebook) Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy by Michael Heinrich, Joanne Barnes, José Prieto-Garcia, Simon Gibbons, Elizabeth M. Williamson ISBN 9780323834384, 0323834388

The first edition of this unique book was published in 2004 and, today,almost 20 years on, the focus of the publication with this fourth edition haschanged substantially. An innovative feature of the first edition was to bringtogether the scientific basis of medicinal-plant and natural-product researchwith a therapy-oriented introduction to the uses of medicinal plants andnatural products in healthcare. The fourth edition upholds this approachthrough retaining content on traditional studies of the identification andquality of plant-based medicines: these aspects remain fundamental tounderstanding the therapeutic properties of natural products, and areintrinsic to their safety, including compatibility and interactions when usedwith prescribed drugs. This new edition also provides readers with anunderstanding of the role of natural products in the drug discovery process,the analysis and isolation of active molecules, and their structureelucidation, and these aspects are illustrated with chemical structures,chromatograms and spectra where appropriate.In keeping with our original aim, we trust that this new edition willenable health professionals, particularly pharmacists, medical practitioners,nurses and others, as well as students and readers interested generally inpharmacognosy and phytotherapy, to gain a basic understanding ofimportant aspects relating to the use of medicinal plants and other naturalproducts. Beyond this, we hope this volume aids in the consideration of thepotential benefits and harms of plant-based medicines, whether as part ofregulatory processes or where health professionals provide advice topatients.