Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs

Discover herbal alternatives for the treatment of psychological disorders!Reliable and fact-filled, the Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs: A Scientific Analysis of Natural Treatments for Psychiatric Conditions offers psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, physicians, and students in these fields a comprehensive review of the history, pharmacology, chemistry, and uses of medicinal herbs. A valuable resource for understanding today's unregulated herbal marketplace, this essential guide examines such herbs as ginkgo, ginseng, kava kava, linden, German chamomile, St. John's wort, and valerian, among others. The Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs will help you make a well-informed decision on what herbal treatments may be effective and safe for patients, or for you!Figures show that 30 percent of American adults use herbs. The Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs investigates the medical value of over 30 well-known herbs through in-depth evaluations that will give you a fuller understanding of the uses and misuses of these natural remedies. This invaluable guide examines the history, use, and research findings of each herb. The Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs lists the effectiveness of each herb, guidelines for its use, and any precautions you need to be aware of, and also includes the author's recommendations on approved dosages. Containing cutting-edge information about herbal medicine, the Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs will assist readers in making intelligent choices about buying and using herbs.Some of the herbs discussed in this reliable and fact-filled book include: - California poppy - Chinese and American ginseng - kava - linden - German and Roman chamomile - St. John's wort - lavender - damiana - passion flower plus many more! The Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs contains the history, use, phytochemistry, laboratory and clinical studies, and consumer and physician information for each of these widely-used herbs. This important book will help you better understand the role of plants in human psychopathophysiology and its treatment, enlightening you about alternative and proven herbal options for medical care. A Behavioral Science Book Club Main Selection!

Ethan B Russo, Virgina M. Tyler

Contents - About the Author - Contributors - Foreword - Acknowledgments - Part I: Introductory Material - Chapter 1. Introduction: Why Herbs? - An Archetypal Scene - Facts and Figures - Drug Design - About This Book - Herbs, Active Ingredients, Botanicals, and Phytomedicines - Helpful Hints - Safety - How About Homeopathy? - A Word About Wildcrafting - Disclaimer - Chapter 2. Regulation of Botanicals in the United States - Introduction - Herbs As Foods - The Birth of DSHEA - DSHEA Explained - DSHEA Five Years Later: Herbs on the Rise - The Future of Herbs in America - Chapter 3. Research Methodology: Probability, Statistics, and Psychometric Tests Employed in Herbal Medicine Studies - Introduction - Validity and Reliability of Measures - General Psychological Measures - Measures of Behavior and Cognitive Functioning - Diagnostic Classifications - Research Design - Animal Studies - Conclusions - Part II: Psychiatric Conditions and Herbs Employed in Their Treatment - Chapter 4. Depression - St. John's Wort: Hypericum perforatum (ital) L. Hypericaceae or Clusiaceae (Previously Guttifereae) - 5-Hydroxytryptophan: Griffonia simplicifolia (ital) (Vahl ex DC.) Baill. Fabaceae (Caesalpiniaceae) - Licorice: Glycyrrhiza glabra (ital) L. Fabaceae - Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) - Chapter 5. Insomnia - Valerian: Valeriana officinalis (ital) L. Valerianaceae - Passion Flower: Passiflora incarnata (ital) L. Passifloraceae - German Chamomile: Matricaria recutita (ital) L. Asteraceae - Roman (English) Chamomile: Chamaemelum nobile (ital) (L.) Allioni Asteraceae - California Poppy: Eschscholzia californica (ital) Cham. Papaveraceae - Hops: Humulus lupulus (ital) L. Cannabinaceae - Lemon Balm: Melissa officinalis (ital) L. Lamiaceae - Linden: Tilia (ital) ssp. Tiliaceae - Scullcap: Scutellaria lateriflora (ital) L. Lamiaceae - Oats: Avena sativa (ital) L. Poaceae - Chapter 6. Dementia and Cognitive Impairment - Ginkgo: Ginkgo biloba (ital) L. Ginkgoaceae - Gotu Kola: Centella asiatica (ital) (L.) Urban Apiaceae - Huperzine: Huperzia serrata (ital) (Thunb.) Trev. Lycopodiaceae - Chapter 7. Anxiety - Kava-Kava: Piper methysticum (ital) Forest. f. Piperaceae - Chapter 8. Adaptogens - Chinese Ginseng: Panax ginseng (ital) C. A. Meyer Araliaceae - American Ginseng: Panax quinquefoluis (ital) L. Araliaceae - Eleuthero: Eleutherococcus senticosus (ital) Ruprecht et Maximowica Araliaceae - Chapter 9. Miscellaneous Herbal Psychotropic Agents - Damiana: Turnera diffusa (ital) Willdenow Turneraceae - Aromatherapy and Essential Oils - Cannabis: A Breed Apart - Part III: Clinical Case Studies - Case Study 1. Episodic Use of Kava - Case Study 2. Case of Dementia Treated with Ginkgo biloba (ital) - Case Study 3. Head Injury Treated with Ginkgo - Case Study 4. Head Injury Treated with Ginkgo - Case Study 5. Treatment of Varied Symptoms with 5-HTP - Case Study 6. Dementia Treated with Ginkgo - Case Study 7. Treatment with a Variety of Herbal Agents - Case Study 8. Managing Mania and Obsessive-Complusive Disorder - Case Study 9. Cases of Treatment with Ginkgo and Kava - Afterword - Glossary - Bibliography - Index - Reference Notes Included