About 30% of all prescriptions issued in the USA, Canada and Europe contain either a herb, a purified extract or an active component derived from herbs. However, medical practitioners are often confused by conflicting information available on the safety and efficacy of herbs; herbal medicines are often co-prescribed without proper attention to adjustment of dosages.

This reference guide treats the subject of herbal medicines in an integrated fashion with reference to pharmacognosy, pharmacology and toxicology. It will help to enable internists, phytotherapists, physicians,...