Ayurvedic Herbs

A single-source reference on the most important and best-investigated Ayurvedic herbs This book examines the clinical information available on more than 60 Ayurvedic herbs to determine how their use in traditional Indian medicine is supported by modern scientific study. Plants are grouped according to body systems and each entry includes a description, information on the source plant, distribution and traditional use, active chemical constituents, relevant pharmacology, and details of clinical studies and safety findings. This unique book also includes a brief history of Ayurveda, examines the history of drug development and evaluation in ancient India, and identifies current trends resulting from scientific investigation. Worldwide interest in Ayurveda is growing quickly, especially in the United States, Europe, and Japan. But until now, information on Western-style clinical trials on Ayurveda herbs has been scattered and no single source for descriptions, comments, and references has existed. Ayurvedic Herbs presents the first critical validation of Ayurvedic medicine, extensively referenced for physicians and clinicians interested in alternative and adjunctive therapies. This unique book is essential for making informed choices on herb use, offering clinical trial data, results of pharmacological studies, and safety information. Ayurvedic Herbs examines: - gastrointestinal agents - hepatoprotective agents - respiratory tract agents - cardiovascular drugs - urinary tract drugs - antirheumatic agents - skin and trauma care agents - gynecological agents - antidiabetic agents - CNS agents - rasayana drugs - dental and ophthamological agents - and much more Ayurvedic Herbs includes cross-references to chapters when a particular plant has more than one indication and watercolor illustrations of twelve major herbs.

- Foreword (H. Wagner) - Preface - Acknowledgments - Chapter 1. Drug Development and Evaluation in Ancient India - Origins of Ayurveda - History of Drug Evaluation - Plant Use in Ayurveda - Chapter 2. Scientific Investigation of Indian Medicinal Plants - History of Research - Results of Scientific Investigation - Chapter 3. Gastrointestinal Agents - Malabsorption Syndrome - Dyspepsia - Antiulcer Plants - Other Antiulcer Plants - Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Antiemetic Agents - Laxatives - Other Laxative Plants - Diarrhea - Chapter 4. Hepatoprotective Agents - Plant Use in Ayurveda - Scientific Studies - Viral Hepatitis - Other Antiviral Plants - Ascites - Chronic Cholecystitis - Chapter 5. Respiratory Tract Drugs - Plants for Bronchial Asthma - Upper-Respiratory Tract Infections - Other Plants - Tropical Pulmonary Eosinophilia - Chapter 6. Cardiovascular Drugs - Cardioprotective Plants - Hypolipidemic Plants - Other Hypolipidemic Plants - Antihypertensive Plants - Venous Disorders - Chapter 7. Urinary Tract Drugs - Diuretics - Plants for Urinary Tract Disorders - Chapter 8. Antirheumatic Agents - Rheumatoid Arthritis - Chapter 9. Skin and Trauma Care Agents - Skin Diseases - Leukoderma/Follicular Eczema - Psoriasis - Wound Healing Plants - Other Wound Healing Plants - Fracture Healing Plants - Chapter 10. Gynecological Agents - Galactagogue - Antileukorrheal Plants - Antimenorrhagial Plants - Chapter 11. Antidiabetic Agents - Main Plants - Other Plants - Diabetic Complications - Chapter 12. Central Nervous System Agents - Memory and Learning Enhancers - Parkinson's Disease - Sedative Plants - Chapter 13. Rasayana Drugs: Antiaging Agents, Adaptogens, and Immunostimulants - Tonic/Antiaging Effects - Other Tonic/Antiaging Plants - Immunostimulant Effects Against Infection - Other Immunostimulant Plants - Cancer Therapy - Other Plants Used in Cancer Therapy - Chapter 14: Dental and Ophthalmological Agents - Dental Health - Other Dental Conditions - Ophthalmological Agents - Appendix: List of Single Plants, Indications, and Chapters - Index - Reference Notes Included