| The relevance of pharmacognosy to research and teaching, as well as
the practice of phytotherapy, has increased significantly in the past
20 years. From its origins as largely a botanical discipline, pharmacognosy
has expanded to encompass the study of plant- and animal-based bioactive
compounds, phytotherapy and nutraceuticals. This book therefore is a
timely addition to the growing body of work in this field.
As the title suggests, the book is divided into two main parts. Part
A, which is titled “Fundamentals of pharmacognosy”, begins
with a brief but informative overview of the basic principles of phytotherapy
and pharmacognosy. Drawing on their wealth of experience and knowledge
in this field, the authors, who are without doubt among the finest minds
in pharmacognosy today, provide useful and fascinating insights into
the history, botany, chemistry, phytotherapy and importance of medicinal
plants in some of today’s health care systems. As an innovation,
this part also provides, in an accessible format, useful information
on methods for isolating and analysing the active ingredients present
in medicinal plants, standardisation and quality control, valuable bioassays
used in plant and drug analysis as well as natural products used in the
treatment of cancer.
The second part of the book, Part B, uses a unique and easily comprehensible
systems-based approach to highlight important natural products and phytomedicines
used in pharmacy and medicine. Here monographs of many of the most popular
herbal remedies currently available on the market are presented in the
context of the conditions for which they are indicated. Included in these
monographs are the most up-to-date research on the in vivo and in
vitro phytopharmacological actions of these medicinal plants on the various
systems of the body, ie, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal,
nervous system, endocrine system, etc.
This is a landmark textbook, which carefully brings together relevant
data from numerous sources and provides in an authoritative and exhaustive
manner, cutting edge information that is relevant to
pharmacists, pharmacognocists, complementary practitioners, doctors and
nurses alike.
My only reservation is the use of the term “rational phytotherapy”.
It is not clear from the book what the authors mean by this and I am
sure many complementary therapists, who routinely use time-tested herbal
remedies which have not been subjected to scientific scrutiny, will find
it a little uncomfortable.
However, I agree with Douglas Kinghorn when he writes in the foreword: “This
is the first comprehensive pharmacognosy textbook in the English language
to have appeared in the 21st century to integrate so effectively the
traditional elements from the late 20th century and phytotherapy.”
Kofi Busia |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal