Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology of Herbal Products

The herbai medicine industry is growing at an astounding rate. Trade group estimates suggest that total sales exceeded $4 billion dollars in 1999. Herbai remedies are for sale not just in health food stores, but in supermar­ kets, drug stores, and even discount warehouses. Along with the proliferation in sales has come a proliferation ofinformation sources. Not all ofthe sources are equally reliable, or even intelligible. Traditional herbalists c1assify thistle and mugwort as "cholagogues," substances used to make the gallbladder con­ tract and release bile. Medical school graduates are unlikely to have ever heard the term, or even accept the notion that most right-sided abdominal pain is a result of diminished bile flow. Heroin and cocaine may not be the only drugs to come from plants, but a practicing physician or toxicologist might be forgiven for thinking so. In 1998, 1264 papers were published about cocaine and only 17 about kava kava, an abused herb that is not without toxic side effects. Unfortunately, the majority of the papers about kava kava were published in journals not found in ordi­ nary hospitallibraries. In recognition ofthis fact, and ofthe obvious need for a reliable reference work on herbai toxicology, The Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology 0/ Herbal Products was an early addition to our new series in Forensie Science and Medicine. It is very badly needed.

"This book is designed to fill an important gap in the study of herbal medicines and the editor achieves this goal very well. There are few, if any, sources that are both as objective and comprehensive in their coverage... I really liked the comprehensive and referenced coverage of each herb...The beginning chapter on legal issues is very good. 4 Stars!" -Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal

"a timely book on a controversial topic...Chapter one is "Legal/Regulatory Aspects of Herbal Products" written by Dr. Cupp. This chapter is essential reading for any pharmacist, physician or other professional with an interest in herbal products. Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology of Herbal Products would benefit a variety of forensic and clinical professionals including physicians, pharmacists, pharmacologists, and toxicologists. This book would be a good text for an elective course in herbal products in pharmacy schools and as a supplemental text for a course in pharmacognosy...Clinical Pharmacists would find it useful when seeking detailed clinical information on a particular herbal product for patient care or when reviewing a case of a suspected adverse reaction from a botanical. Specialists in Poison Information and clinical toxicologists may find this book helpful when treating cases of overdoses from herbal products...a resource for detailed product information for community pharmacists...Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology of Herbal Products would be a welcome addition to the reference collections of drug information centers and hospital pharmacies." -Journal of Pharmacy Practice

" Forensic toxicologists and pathologists will find this book extremely useful in situations where herbal remedies may be implicated in poisoning, as the toxicological effects of each herb are described in detail as are previous reported cases of toxicity. Those with a special interest in herbal medicine will also be interested in this book as the proven pharmacological effects of each herb are discussed in some depth...This is an excellent book...I'll refer to it often" -Science and Justice

" ...Dr. Cupp and her co-authors from the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy have compiled reliable, peer-reviewed information from the scientific literature to help close the gap....this book is a gold mine of well-organized scientific information...Although information on herbal products is available everywhere, much of it is subjective promotional material from the industry; the reliability of the information varies considerably. This objective, comprehensive reference book cuts through much of the confusion. It is a very good beginning...will become indispensable in every toxicologist's library." - Journal of the Canadian Society of Forensic Science

"This books is an excellent buy for anyone involved in drug development, risk assessment or within drug licensing agencies and in academic research. The editors have put together a textbook with international contribution representing many major laboratories that have invested in the technique of continuous infusion and all at a very reasonable price. This book represents a benchmark achievement for this technique and I am sure that it will become the standard for many years to come." -British Toxicology Society Newsletter

"...the volume is well written, reviewing important scientific information and providing a fundamental knowledge of commonly used herbal products. The information is presented in such a way that it is easily accessible to pharmacologists, toxicologists, pathologists, medical physicians, graduate and postgraduate students, and health care providers....will appeal a wide range of researchers and health care professionals who are keen to expand their knowledge into the rapidly developing area of herbal medicines." -Human Phsychopharmacology

"The editor has really accomplished a wonderful job in combining and presenting authentic scientific information on some widely used herbal products...this self-contained book, which provides readers with a wealth of information on 28 herbal products, is well written and easy to read. This book should be "highly recommended reading" for those who are dealing with an aspect of herbal products. I, without any reservation, thoroughly recommend this book." -Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

"...this is a valuable text with thorough explanations of many of the most popular herbal remedies presently available on the market. It provides easily accessible and comprehensive information and will be an important source of herbal remedies for physicians, toxicologists, pharmacologists, pathologists and all interested students." - Toxicology

"...giving health care providers, medical examiners, and toxicologists a source of objective and accurate information on popular herbs....represent a source of valuable information for the interested scientist or health care professional." - Journal Natural Product