PDR for Herbal Medicines, 4th ed. (Physician's Desk Reference (Pdr) for Herbal Medicines)

"In my interest in learning and understanding the medicinal qualities and uses of herbs for my own personal use (and without any formal medical training), I've purchased many books on 'herbal medicine' and 'homeopathic medicines/remedies'. While there are some good books out there, there is NOTHING I've come across that is as complete as this reference book (4th Edition, 2007).

Some of the most exciting parts of this book for me have been the color photos of the plants (and not just a black and white sketch, or lack thereof, included with some of my other books), the description of the medicinal PARTS of the plant, the pharmacology of plant, and the references (or literature citations) provided that allow me to research further on my own.

This PDR provides you with:

1) An ALPHABETICAL INDEX (in the front): Lists all scientific and common names found in the herbal monographs.

2) THERAPEUTIC CATEGORY INDEX (i.e. acne preparations. migraine preparations, to wound care products): Groups herbs by therapeutic or medicinal category. Listings are alphabetical by category and accepted common name. Herbs deemed effective by Commission E are flagged for quick reference.

3) INDICIATIONS INDEX (i.e. abdominal cramps, relief of flatulance, to superficial wounds): Lists herbs by their primary indications. Entries are alphabetical by indication and accepted common name. Herbs deemed effective by Commission E are specially flagged.

4) HOMEOPATHIC INDICATIONS INDEX(i.e. aches, muscular, induction of sleep, to relief of symptomatic wheezing): Catalogs herbal applications in homepathy. Entries are alphabetical by indication and scientific name.

5) ASIAN INDICATIONS INDEX: Groups herbs by their thereuptic uses in Chinese and Indian medicine. Listings are alphabetical by indication and accepted common name, with the scientific name shown in parentheses.

6) SIDE EFFECTS INDEX: Groups herbs by the adverse reactions with which they have been associated. Listings are alphabetical by indication and accepted common name, with the scientific name shown in parentheses.

7) DRUG/HERB INTERACTIONS GUIDE: Lists problem combinations alphabetically by the name of the drug and the name of the interacting herb, and provides a brief description of each combination's potential effect.

8) SAFETY GUIDE: Lists herbs that must be avoided while pregnant or nursing, and herbs that should be used only under professional supervision. Includes scientific and common names.

9) COMMON HERBAL TERMINOLOGY: Provides familiar, as well as less common terms that appear in scientific literature regarding herbal medicines.

10) HERB IDENTIFICATION GUIDE: Permits rapid, positive identification of botanicals. Includes over 300 full-color photos.

11) HERBAL MONOGRAPHS: Profiles of more than 700 medicinal herbs, including description, actions, clinical trials, indications, contraindications, precautions, drug interactions, adverse effects, overdosage, dosage, and literature citations. Organized alphabetically by accepted common name and cross-referenced with scientific name.

12) NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT MONOGRAPHS: Profiles some of the most common supplements, including description, actions, clinical trials, indications, contraindications, precautions, drug interactions, adverse effects, overdosage, dosage, and literature citations. Organized alphabetically by accepted common name.

Anyone serious about learning and understanding the wonderful amd natural healing properties of herbs, NEEDS to include this reference manual in your library. The foreward by David Herber, Professor of Medicine an dPublic Health, Director, UCLA Center for Human Nutrition and UCKA Botanical Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA) explains it all.

I hope this book is as helpful for you as it has been for me."
~ Written on 2008-01-03

"This PDR is really good info for Herbals, but I was expecting some recent info on supplements as well. It seems there isnt really one reliable source for Herbals and Supplements, so be prepared to buy an additional book. "
~ Written on 2007-10-25

"This book has a lot of good research in it. For instance, the herb milk thistle has a "renoprotective effect on kidney cells damaged by acetaminophen..." It has not however been proven to help with cirrhosis of the liver. It can also cause side effects such as severe sweating, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The study on aloe and psoriasis showed that 83% the patients that applied the cream topically 3 times a day for 5 consecutive days for 4 weeks had reduced or no psoriasis signs while only 6.6% of the placebo groups did.

Bilberry patients with diabetic retinopathy improved 77% to 90%. This study did not make a comparison to the placebo group unfortunately. High doses and prolonged use have lead to chronic intoxication, and high doses to animals have been fatal.

A study with black cohosh showed that 80% of women experiencing menopausal symptoms improved or resolved. Adverse reactions for black cohosh have included gastroenteritis, nausea, and vomiting.

It was found that treatment with capsicum (same as cayenne) prior to aspirin administration significantly decreased gastric mucosal damage as compared with aspirin alone. There is however significant correlation between consumption of hot pepper and gastric cancer. They recommend usage be kept at 2 days and should only be used again after two weeks. This is an example where most herablist would disagree. So they provided some good research (the information on asprin) but I question their recommendation.

Goldenseal showed an average cancer cell kill of 91% for malignant brain tumors compared to 43% for the standard chemotherapeutic agent for brain tumors.

There are numerous other studies providing interesting information, this is just a few of them.

I was not sure if I would like this mainstream reference book. But I have been pleasantly surprised. It has a lot of good research in it, enough that I started tearing out pages of my most commonly used herbs. I highlight them, then place them in a binder for quick reference.

It is very critical of ephedra, which is no doubt a controversial herb. But like all things, when used carefully and correctly it can be a powerful herb for certain indications.

It is also highly critical of bladderwrack, saying it shouldn't be used because of the possible heavy metal contamination. Any seaweed, just like any fish, can have that problem. But iodine is extremely important for healthy thyroid function and the best source is seaweed. Bladderwrack is one source of seaweed, but there's also Irish moss, dulse, kelp, and chlorella to name a few others.

Today I was looking for pau d'arco, and it's not in the book. I looked under lapacho, taheebo, ipe roxo, and tecoma. I was really surprised they had not included such an important cancer and tumor herb.

But, all that being said, it is an excellent reference book, it just isn't the only reference book. I have yet to find a reference book that gives me all the information I need on herbs and supplements. But the ones I keep on my shelf, such as this one, do provide interesting and educational information.
"
~ Written on 2007-10-19

"Here it is in a form that can be used for scientific papers! No longer can all the "other" drugs (you know: The ones that have been used for centuries before Pfizer.)claim legitimacy via the PDR. Now there is room for what has worked in the rest of the world.

Great reference and takes the voodoo out of some of the "Natural cure" claims."
~ Written on 2007-09-06

"Great book for your library"
~ Written on 2007-05-15