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Herbal Supplements and the Brain
Understanding Their Health Benefits and Hazards
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Main description:

Today, many manufacturers of plant-based "neuroceuticals" claim their products can offer powerful benefits in brain function. However, the US government does not require these manufacturers to demonstrate their products' effectiveness, leaving it difficult for consumers and health professionals to make decisions about the benefits and risks. In Herbal Supplements and the Brain: Understanding their Health Benefits and Hazards, two leading researchers provide this crucial information in clear language any intelligent reader can understand and use. They begin by introducing the fundamental principles of pharmacology, explaining how drugs and natural products can affect the body's organs and organ systems. Using examples, they show how to determine whether an ingested substance can enter the bloodstream and reach its target at a concentration sufficient to have an effect. They also explain how natural products may influence blood levels of other substances, and discuss whether such interactions may diminish the effectiveness of prescription medications or alter normal body chemistry. Throughout, the authors emphasize factors relating especially to neuroceuticals and the brain.
Individual chapters are devoted to nutritional supplements which promise to enhance memory, relieve pain, safely promote sleep, and aid in the treatment of depression or anxiety. Specifically, readers will find research-based coverage of Ginkgo biloba; St. John's Wort; Valerian; Lemon Balm; Kava; Lavender; Kudzu, Daffodil, Passion Flower, and Camellia Tea and other caffeinated beverages.


Contents:

Preface xvi Chapter 1 The Gifts of Eden 1 Chapter 2 Transforming Plants into Gold 7 Prehistoric Evidence 8 Early Documentation 9 Western Culture 11 Alchemy 13 Chemistry 15 Chapter 3 Thinking Like a Pharmacologist 17 The Origins of Pharmacology 19 Pharmacodynamics 21 Pharmacokinetics 24 In Vitro and In Vivo Studies 27 Pharmacology and Herbal Supplements 27 Herbal Supplement Pharmacology Checklist 28 Chapter 4 The Brain as a Drug Target 33 The Human Brain 36 Chemical Neurotransmission 39 Neurotransmitter Systems 41 Behavioral Assays 45 Clinical Studies 49 Chapter 5 Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) 53 Botany 55 Therapeutic Uses 55 Constituents 57 Pharmacokinetics 59 Pharmacodynamics 61 Adverse Effects 65 Pharmacological Perspective 66 Chapter 6 St. John'sWort (Hypericum perforatum) 67 Botany 69 Therapeutic Uses 70 Constituents 71 Pharmacokinetics 74 Pharmacodynamics 75 Adverse Effects 80 Pharmacological Perspective 81 Chapter 7 Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) 83 Botany 84 Therapeutic Uses 85 Constituents 86 Pharmacokinetics 88 Pharmacodynamics 90 Adverse Effects 93 Pharmacological Perspective 94 Chapter 8 Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) 97 Botany 98 Therapeutic Uses 99 Constituents 99 Pharmacokinetics 100 Pharmacodynamics 102 Adverse Effects 106 Pharmacological Perspective 106 Chapter 9 Kava (Piper methysticum) 109 Botany 110 Therapeutic Uses 111 Constituents 112 Pharmacokinetics 112 Pharmacodynamics 114 Adverse Effects 118 Pharmacological Perspective 120 Chapter 10 Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) 123 Botany 124 Therapeutic Uses 125 Constituents 126 Pharmacokinetics 127 Pharmacodynamics 129 Adverse Effects 134 Pharmacological Perspective 135 Chapter 11 Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) 137 Botany 138 Therapeutic Uses 139 Constituents 140 Pharmacokinetics 141 Pharmacodynamics 143 Adverse Effects 146 Pharmacological Perspective 147 Chapter 12 Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) 149 Botany 151 Therapeutic Uses 152 Constituents 153 Pharmacokinetics 154 Pharmacodynamics 155 Adverse Effects 158 Pharmacological Perspective 159 Chapter 13 Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) 161 Botany 162 Therapeutic Uses 163 Constituents 164 Pharmacokinetics 166 Pharmacodynamics 168 Adverse Effects 173 Pharmacological Perspective 173 Chapter 14 Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa 175 Botany 177 Therapeutic Uses 178 Constituents 180 Pharmacokinetics 182 Pharmacodynamics 184 Adverse Effects 186 Pharmacological Perspective 187 Chapter 15 Epilogue 189 Endnotes 195 Index 237


PRODUCT DETAILS

ISBN-13: 9780132824972
Publisher: Financial TImes Prentice Hall
Publication date: May, 2012
Pages: 272
Dimensions: 162.00 x 235.00 x 20.00
Weight: 484g
Availability: Not available (reason unspecified)
Subcategories: Biomedical Engineering, Nutrition, Pharmacology

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