Natural Product Drugs: Truths and Myths and The Art and Science of Pharmacognosy
by Scott C. Hartsel
Around the world and more recently in the U.S. consumers are turning to herbal remedies for a variety of health problems. Americans spend billions on alternative therapies and herbal supplements, sometimes with unreasonable expectations. The popularity of pomegranate juice, gingko, spirulina, saw palmetto and acai berries are recent examples. There is a general impression based partly on fact and partly on mysticism that these remedies are completely safe and at least as effective as "Western medicine". Is this true? In this presentation I will discuss some common misconceptions about natural product drugs and herbs and introduce the science of pharmacognosy which, at its best, combines a knowledge of and respect for folk medical practices and treatments with the analytical tools of chemistry and the discerning edge of the scientific method. Case studies will be offered.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Pharmacognosy and Pharmacobiotechnology, 2nd Edition by A. Kar (2008)
ISBN-10: 1905740735.
2. Two popular books by pharmacognosy professor, Varro Tyler. Both are very readable.
a. An Honest Herbal. V.E. Tyler. 442 pages 4rd edition (1999)
Routledge; ISBN-10: 0789008750
b. Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals by Varro E. Tyler . 209 pages (September 1994) Haworth Pr; ISBN: 1560248955 (NEW Edition due soon).
3. Prevention Magazine's Herbal Homepage. A good quick reference to herbal drugs. This herbal remedy reference is fairly well balanced between pharmacognosy and traditional herbal knowledge. But beware! There are some unsubstantiated claims here. http://www.prevention.com/cda/categorypage.do?channel=health&category=herb.encyclopedia
4. Medline Plus- Herbs and Supplements. Good reliable information on the most thoroughly tested supplements and herbs. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html