In August 2004, South Africa officially legalized the practice of traditional healers. Largely in response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and limited both by the number of practitioners and by patients' access to treatment, biomedical practitioners looked toward the country's traditional healers as important agents in the development of medical education and treatment. This collaboration has not been easy. The two medical cultures embrace different ideas about the body and the origin of illness, but they do share a history of commercial and ideological competition and different relations to state power. "Healing Traditions: African Medicine, Cultural Exchange, and Competition in South Africa, 1820-1948 "provides a long-overdue historical perspective to these interactions and an understanding that is vital for the development of medical strategies to effectively deal with South Africa's healthcare challenges.
Between 1820 and 1948 traditional healers in Natal, South Africa, transformed themselves from politically powerful men and women who challenged colonial rule and law into successful entrepreneurs who competed for turf and patients with white biomedical doctors and pharmacists. To understand what is "traditional" about traditional medicine, Flint argues that we must consider the cultural actors not commonly associated with African therapeutics: white biomedical practitioners, Indian healers, and the implementing of white rule.
Carefully crafted, well written, and powerfully argued, Flint's analysis of the ways that indigenous medical knowledge and therapeutic practices were forged, contested, and transformed over two centuries is highly illuminating, as is her demonstration that many "traditional" practices changed over time. Her discussion of African and Indian medical encounters opens up a whole new way of thinking about the social basis of health and healing in South Africa. This important book will be core reading for classes and future scholarship on health and healing in South Africa.

A debilitating disease of pain, inflammation, and loss of mobility and quality of life, arthritis takes victims of all ages, from young children to seniors. Usually chronic, the broad term arthritis refers to nearly 100 distinct manifestations, each with their own etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment. With medical research getting so much attention, it is no wonder there have been recent leaps in the investigation into arthritis treatment. It is important to have a high quality, trusted compendium to capture the breadth and depth of new information in the field. Covering cutting-edge information on arthritic diseases and their treatment, Arthritis: Pathophysiology, Prevention, and Therapeutics details the intricacies of arthritis and inflammatory responses, their consequences, their economic burden, and their impact on society. Offering a mechanistic approach to pathophysiology and treatment, the book begins with an overview of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. Section Two highlights the consequences of arthritis and the link between arthritis and obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, as well as other related disabilities. The third section focuses on antiarthritic drugs, including an overview and update on antiarthritic drug development by Dr. Micheal G. Lyon from Stanford University School of Medicine, and a chapter on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Other chapters cover biologics in arthritis treatment, topical applications, and the use of hyaluronan and hyaluronic acid in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Sections Four and Five are devoted to natural therapeutic and orthopedic interventions such as glucosamine and chondroitin, MSM, capsaicin, shark cartilage, and fish oil, while Section Six discusses nonpharmacological approaches including physical exercise and acupuncture. The final section provides a commentary on the correlation between a

The popularity of Tibetan medicine plays a central role in the international market for alternative medicine and has been increasing and extending far beyond its original cultural area becoming a global phenomenon. This book analyses Tibetan medicine in the 21st century by considering the contemporary reasons that have led to its diversity and by bringing out the common orientations of this medical system. Using case studies that examine of the social, political and identity dynamics of Tibetan medicine in Nepal, India, the PRC, Mongolia, the UK and the US, the contributors to this book answer the following three, fundamental questions:

• What are the modalities and issues involved in the social and therapeutic transformations of Tibetan medicine?
• How are national policies and health reforms connected to the processes of contemporary redefinition of this medicine?
• How does Tibetan medicine fit into the present, globalized context of the medical world?

Written by experts in the field from the US, France, Canada, China and the UK this book will be invaluable to students and scholars interested in contemporary medicine, Tibetan studies, health studies and the anthropology of Asia.

'Winner of the ICAS Colleagues Choice Award 2009"

"Energy Medicine East and West: A Natural History of Qi" provides a unique, comprehensive overview of Qi or bioenergy for students and practitioners of energy medicines, Chinese and Oriental Medicine, and all disciplines of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. Mayor and Micozzi start with a comparative historical account of the ancient concepts of Qi and vital energy before covering theories of Qi, a discussion of the organized therapeutic modalities based upon Qi and its applications to specific health and medical conditions. Contributions are included from international experts in the field.

?The book moves from anatomical and bioenergetic complementarity of Western vital energy and Eastern Qi, through convergence of perspectives and models to demonstrations of how the traditional therapies are being melded together in a new, original and creative synthesis.

?David Mayor and Marc Micozzi are experienced medical practitioners, authors and editors. David Mayor has been actively involved in bioenergy research, practice and publishing for over 30 years, and is author/editor of Electroacupuncture: A practical manual and resource (2007), as well as other acupuncture texts and studies. Marc Micozzi is Professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. As author/editor of Fundamentals of Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 4E (2011), and 25 other books, he has been writing, editing and teaching on bioenergy, Qi and related topics for 20 years.

Endorsements

"This wonderful book has assembled some 25 authors expressing well a view of qi which entirely does justice to its nature. Meticulously referenced, it is a milestone to set beside Maciocias Foundations of Chinese Medicine and Deadmans Manual of Acupuncture. Here at last are the beginnings of a true science of qi...There is truly nothing like it in contemporary literature. Alone, it lays the foundation for the beginnings of a modern science of qi."Richard Bertschinger, Acupuncturist and translator, Somerset, UK.

"This book offers a timely and thorough examination of the experience and nature of qi, including a series of fascinating philosophical discussions with a direct application to our patients. Required reading for acupuncture practitioners seeking to justify and clarify their clinical reasoning."Val Hopwood PhD FCSP, Physiotherapist, acupuncturist, researcher and educator; Course director, MSc Acupuncture, Coventry University, UK.

"Over the last decade most books on Asian medicine paid tribute to the aura of evidence-based medicine - experience counted little, RCTs were convincing. This book, at last, returns to an old tradition of debate, opening up quite a few new horizons. Reading it, my striving for knowledge was married with enjoyment and happiness. This book made me happy " Thomas Ots MD PhD, Medical acupuncturist specialising in psychiatry, Graz, Austria; Editor-in-Chief, Deutsche Zeitschrift f?r Akupunktur.

"To simply review the chapter headings is to know the truly remarkable expanse of this book...a wonderful bridge between the mysteries of the East and the sciences of the West...well documented, well written, and enlarging both. Enlightening...nicely depicts outstanding advances in energy psychotherapeutics, thus ultimately helping to move forward the human condition."Maurie D Pressman MD, Emeritus Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA; Emeritus Chairman of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia PA; past President, International Society for the Study of Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine, Lafayette, CO, USA.

..".a major advance in the study of qi and related forms of 'energy medicine, ' both in and beyond the East Asian cultural context...bringing together such a wide range of scholars and practitioners, providing much the most serious and thorough overview of the area yet available in English."Professor Geoffrey Samuel, Director, Research Group on the Body, Health and Religion (BAHAR), Cardiff University, UK.

Originally published in 1986, this volume deals with the historical, philosophical and psychological concepts found in Islamic medical practices, and covers Islamic ideas on physiological, pathological, curative and preventative medicine. This was the first systematic study of Islamic medicine to be published in the English language and continues to have much relevance at a time when interest both in Islamic thought and in alternatives to conventional medicine is strong.

In Walking with Trees, Glennie Kindred takes us on an intimate and profoundly connecting walk with thirteen of our native trees. She leads us into their worlds and opens our hearts to their wonders, their qualities and their potential to heal. This is a book about relationships and inter-relationships: Our relationship with the trees, their relationships with each other and with the natural world around them, and the flow of our communal relationship, past and present, which affects us all as the web of life on Earth. Illustrated with the authors exquisite pencil drawings, Glennie's passion for trees is infectious, and inspires us to look more closely, listen more intently and walk with trees more often. She shares her stories and encounters with trees and weaves together many ways to deepen our engagement with them, from growing them, harvesting and using them for medicine, food, and craftwork. She also encourages us to find our way into a more subtle and intuitive relationship with the trees, as part of our journey to heal our fractured relationship with the Earth. As with all of Glennie's books, the seasonal cycles and the Earth festivals are interwoven and provide further ways to deepen our journey with trees. This is a book about possibilities, for those who care for our environment. This is a book that reminds you of what you might have missed or forgotten, and reminds you of your power. This is a book of our time, where we recognise our deep interconnectivity with the trees, with all of life and with the Earth herself. It inspires us to open our arms and hearts wide, and joyfully embrace the changes.

This issue of Rheumatic Disease Clinics brings the rheumatologist up to date on the latest complimentary and alternative treatments for their patients. Therapies such as tai chi, yoga, mindfulness meditation, fish oil, herbal medicine, and glucosamine are covered. Numerous clinical conditions are addressed, notably fibromyalgia and lupus. The scope of use of alternative treatments is explored, and both adult and pediatric patients are covered.

This book offers an array of yoga, mind-body and attachment-based skills for therapists to use with, and teach their clients. The skills are organised around key trauma issues and symptoms, such as how to introduce somatic work for safe and secure therapy, working with dissociation, understanding trauma triggers and developing boundaries.

World production of citrus fruits is still growing. At present, about 30 percent of that yield is devoted to industrial production, mostly on those essential oils and juices used in foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Covering research reported in the literature over the past ten years, this book presents the most current research available on the analysis, composition, and biological activity of citrus products, as well as concerns with adulteration and contaminants. The research group currently coordinated by the editors at the University of Messina has been investigating citrus essential oils since the 80s and is known worldwide for its development of chromatographic investigation methods.

"Clinical Reflexology" takes the practitioner on a journey of examination, critical review and debate prior to making recommendations for best practice in reflexology. ? The phenomenal rise in interest by health professionals in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), and in particular touch therapies, has led to a need for texts that relate and integrate theory and practice to health care settings. Clinical Reflexology does this, expanding and exploring concepts introduced in the first edition. Many CAM books have been written for therapists working in private practice but many of these practitioners are also now working in healthcare settings. This book allows both groups to facilitate the greater integration of clinical reflexology in clinical practice.

The book is divided into two sections. The first deals with key themes, including an up-to-date review of the research evidence and appropriate methodology, safe and supported practice and integration issues. All these themes are explored and discussed utilizing the available literature, analysis of models and concepts and are related specifically to health care practice. The second section focuses on the clinical application of reflexology and how it can be best adapted to the context. The contributors are committed pioneers in their field with a track record of integrating reflexology within clinical settings. Many are teachers, coordinators of therapy services and supervisors.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Dr Peter?Mackereth is the Clinical Lead for Complementary Therapies and Smoking Cessation?Services at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust Manchester. He is a registered nurse, and has worked in intensive care, neurology and oncology. Peter has an MA in Medical Ethics and has completed a PhD project examining reflexology vs. relaxation training for people with Multiple Sclerosis.? An author and renowned speaker, Peter has held academic post in number of universities, most recently as Reader in Integrative Health at the University of Derby.

Denise Tiran, a midwife, lecturer and reflex zone therapist, is an internationally aclaimed authority on complementary therapies in pregnancy and childbirth. She is Director of Expectancy, the leading provider of professional education on the safe use of complementary therapies in maternity care, including a special pregnancy course for reflexologists. Her latest book, Reflexology for Pregnancy and Childbirth, was published in January 2010.

Pengelly's user friendly text will encourage educators in medical science to consider using this material in the complementary medicine/nutraceuticals areas May I congratulate Andrew Pengelly for writing this text as it is going to be very popular with undergraduate students as well as more experienced readers.' D. Green, London Metropolitan University, UK This unique book explains in simple terms the commonly occurring chemical constituents of medicinal plants. The major classes of plant constituents such as phenols, terpenes and polysaccharides, are described both in terms of their chemical structures and their pharmacological activities. Identifying specific chemical compounds provides insights into traditional and clinical use of these herbs, as well as potential for adverse reactions. Features include: * Over 100 diagrams of chemical structures * References to original research studies and clinical trials * References to plants commonly used throughout Europe, North America and Australasia. Written by an experienced herbal practitioner, The Constituents of Medicinal Plants seriously challenges any suggestion that herbal medicine remains untested and unproven, including as it does hundreds of references to original research studies and trials. Designed as an undergraduate text, the first edition of this book became an essential desktop reference for health practitioners, lecturers, researchers, producers and anyone with an interest in how medicinal herbs work. This edition has been extensively revised to incorporate up-to-date research and additional sections, including an expanded introduction to plant molecular structures, and is destined to become a classic in the literature of herbal medicine.

Recent advances in modern medicine have contributed to a longer lifespan for human beings. However, this does not directly translate to healthy living. Modern medicine's major success lies in specifically targeting orientated pathologies. It, however, does not promise healthy longevity.Healthy longevity requires an absence of life-threatening diseases and maintenance of good quality of life. Oriental medicine emphasizes on the promotion of physiological balance and internal harmony, which are integral for longevity in life. This book defines aging, approaching from the perspective of the frontier bioscientist as well as that of the traditional practitioner. On the international front, Oriental practices are extensively recommended, including herbal supplements and specific training exercises. This book, compiled with the aim of offering solutions to healthy aging, provides an excellent reference for both the elderly and their caregivers.

* What is complementary medicine? * What evidence is there to support its use? * What can orthodox medicine learn from holistic practices? Providing a sound introduction to the range of treatments and philosophies usually termed 'complementary and alternative medicine', this book offers a systematic explanation of the philosophies and practices that underpin contemporary complementary medicine. Introduction to Complementary Medicine examines the rise in popularity of complementary medicine and discusses the challenges of developing a more integrated system of health care. Drawing on recent research, this book explores the development, application, evidence, contraindications and appropriateness of a wide range of traditional systems of medicine and healing modalities, including Herbal Medicine, Massage, Osteopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Aromatherapy, Chiropractic, Ayurveda, Yoga and Meditation. Written by leading academics, researchers and experienced practitioners, Introduction to Complementary Medicine is designed to be used as a reference for students and practitioners in a range of health professions. With a foreword by Dr Joseph Pizzorno ND

Syzygium is a well-known source of the globally traded clove as well as the widely cultivated jambolan, water apple, rose apple, wax apple, mountain apple, and several other underutilized species. These plants have multiple uses as edible fruits, medicine, spice, food colorants, and flavorings. The Genus Syzygium: Syzygium cumini and Other Underutilized Species provides an updated, comprehensive account of S. cumini and other underutilized species from a multidisciplinary perspective. This book covers all relevant aspects including the botany, systematics, phylogeny, life history, traditional medicinal uses, phytochemical constituents, pharmacology, pharmacopeia standards, horticulture, genetic resource conservation, biocontrol, and bioremediation values. It demonstrates how Syzygium cumini and other underutilized species hold great prospect for global pharmaceutical and horticultural trade. The Genus Syzygium will serve as the standard reference for a broad range of researchers interested in the various uses of S. cumini and eight underutilized Indo-Malaysian and Australasian species of Syzygium.

Addressing the increasing popularity of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, and functional foods, this comprehensive and timely book presents an abundance of information on herbal products and their applications. The chapter authors-highly skilled, experienced, and renowned scientists and researchers from around the globe-offer up-to-date knowledge on the uses of herbal products in health management, in cancer treatment, in mental health therapy, and more. Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements: Advances and Applications begins with an introduction, the nomenclature, and characteristics of nutraceuticals and goes on to discuss in-depth applications for specific health issues, including cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, alcoholism, and more. It also looks at the pros and cons as well as the analytical techniques used for the production of nutraceuticals. Chapters cover market size, regulatory perspectives, manufacturing, and in silico drug design. The book incorporates a wide diversity of case studies, research, and theories pertaining to natural products employed by developers and content experts in the field.

In this extraordinary book Josephine Peters, a respected northern California Indian elder and Native healer, shares her vast, lifelong cultural and plant knowledge. The book begins with Josephine's personal and tribal history and gathering ethics. Josephine then instructs the reader in medicinal and plant food preparations and offers an illustrated catalog of the uses and doses of over 160 plants. At a time of the commercialization of traditional ecological knowledge, Peters presents her rich tradition on her own terms, and according to her spiritual convictions about how her knowledge should be shared. This volume is essential for anyone working in ethnobotany, ethnomedicine, environmental anthropology, Native American studies, and Western and California culture and history.

The definitive text on Reiki-for students, practitioners, and Masters alike-from one of the most respected Reiki teachers today.

Reiki is a holistic system for balancing, healing, and harmonizing all aspects of the person-body, mind, emotions, and spirit-encouraging deep relaxation and the release of stress and tension, and promoting awareness and spiritual growth. This comprehensive manual provides much-needed support for students and teachers who want to follow the best practices.

Covering Reiki levels 1, 2, and 3, this book conveys information in an accessible, structured, and interactive way to enhance the reader's understanding, knowledge, and experience of the practice. The final section of the manual contains reference material specifically for students who wish to become professional practitioners, and for Masters who want to broaden their training. This section also offers the foundation for additional courses or workshops on topics such as health and safety and managing a successful practice.

The Reiki Manual can be used:
-as student preparation before a Reiki class;
-as a textbook during Reiki courses;
-as post-course reading, or for reviewing what has already been learned (it includes revision questions and revision activities);
-by Reiki practitioners to help them practice in the best, most professional way;
-and by Reiki Masters as a guide to devise and deliver a Reiki course.

More extensive than any other Reiki book on the market, "The Reiki Manual" will be referred to by lay readers as well as devoted students for many years to come

Written by widely respected acupuncture expert Yun-tao Ma, PhD, LAc, Biomedical Acupuncture for Sports and Trauma Rehabilitation shows techniques that will enhance athletic performance, accelerate recovery after intensive workouts, and speed trauma rehabilitation after injuries or surgeries. Evidence-based research is used to support the best and most effective techniques, with over 100 illustrations showing anatomy, injury, and clinical procedures. Unlike many other acupuncture books, this book uses a Western approach to make it easier to understand rationales, master techniques, and integrate biomedical acupuncture into your practice. Unique! Explores acupuncture treatments for sports injuries in the acute phase, rehabilitation, and prevention. Includes acupuncture for performance enhancement and injury prevention, emphasizing pre-event acupuncture used to help increase muscle output, assist with pre-competition stress, and prevent soft tissue injury. Provides evidence-based research to show the science behind the best and most effective techniques, based on the author's background in neuroscience and cell biology and his 35 years of clinical acupuncture experience. Offers an overview of the science of biomedical acupuncture including the mechanisms of acupuncture, anatomy and physiology of acupoints, and discussion of human healing potential. Uses terminology and concepts familiar to Western-trained health professionals, making the material easier to understand and incorporate into practice. Includes more than 100 illustrations showing anatomy, injury, and clinical procedures. Covers useful techniques including those that increase muscle force output, joint flexibility and stability; prevent sports injuries like muscle sprain, tendonitis, bone strain, stress/fatigue fracture and bone spurs; reinforce muscle output for specific sports; normalize physiology of dysfunctional soft tissues; predict treatment response; reduce physiological stress; use the new Vacuum Therapy for deep tissue dysfunctions; and balance the biomechanics of musculoskeletal system.

Most people attending a Reiki workshop are taught the basics of self-treatment with Reiki, but few discover Reiki's real potential for self-healing. It is an amazing tool for healing mind, body, emotions and spirit to create wholeness and harmony, personal peace and a sense of purpose. This book is packed with innovative yet easy-to-use techniques and is aimed at everyone who has worked with Reiki at any level. This book includes: New ways of using Reiki to heal the whole person, from the subtle energies of the aura to the physical body, for a healthier and more balanced life; a 'whole life' approach to self-healing, including psychological, emotional, social and environmental issues; unique methods of using Reiki more creatively for spiritual development and self-understanding; techniques from both Eastern and Western Reiki traditions; exclusive special meditations; easy-to-follow diagrams; accessible text, and clear explanations and examples.

Pregnancy and childbirth brings together, for the first time, western and eastern approaches providing a sound amalgamation of theoretical and practical information for bodywork practitioners world-wide. It describes in detail the application of massage and shiatsu from early pregnancy, including work during labour and for the first year postnatally for the mother. This is a useful source of information for massage therapists, shiatsu practitioners, osteopaths, physical therapists, chiropractors, reflexologists, aromatherapists, acupuncturists, yoga and Pilates instructors. For Students and practitioners to use as a learning manual and reference tool, the text provides: Clarity of information Full text referencing Clear diagrams, photographs, and summary boxes Clinical accuracy: reviewed by, and with contributions from, international specialists including midwives, obstetricians, osteopaths, chiropractors, acupuncturists, aromatherapists and massage therapists.

Reflexology in Pregnancy and Childbirth is a definitive text on the safe and appropriate use of reflex zone therapy in pregnancy, labour and the puerperium, focusing on evidence-based practice, professional accountability and application of a comprehensive knowledge of the therapy related to reproductive physiology. Denise Tiran, an experienced midwife, reflex zone therapist, university lecturer and Director of Expectancy - the Expectant Parents' Complementary Therapies Consultancy - has an international reputation in the field of maternity complementary therapies, has researched and written extensively on reflexology, and has treated nearly 5000 pregnant women with structural reflex zone therapy. KEY FEATURES Case histories to ease application of theory to practice Charts, tables and diagrams are used throughout for ease of learning Includes a section on conception, infertility and sub-fertility Covers legalities and ethical issues. Fully evidence-based Focuses on safety Academic Includes Case histories to illustrate points discussed in the text Charts, Tables and diagrams used throughout for ease of learning Relevant anatomy, physiology and conventional care covered Section on conception, infertility and sub-fertility Legalities and ethical issues Professional accountability

Leading bioethicists and philosophers examine and debate the question of how the health care system should deal with using complimentary and alternative medicines. The distinguished authorities writing here both defend and criticize alternative medicine, with some arguing that the medical system should change substantially in order to accommodate alternative medicine, and others claiming that virtually all alternative treatments are worthless. In the heat of the debate many fundamental issues are raised concerning our health care system, among them the questions of therapeutic effectiveness, media truthfulness, the patient's freedom to choose among treatment options, health insurance coverage, the ability of the current healthcare delivery system to meet patients' needs, and government approval of alternative medicines.

Globally, natural medicine has been considered as an important alternative to modern allopathic medicine. Although natural medicines are popular in society, only limited medicinal herbs have been scientifically evaluated for their potential in medical treatment. This book connects various aspects of the complex journey from traditional medicine to modern medicine. It provides information on topics including global regulations and regulatory hurdles, diverse nutritional challenges and potential health benefits, novel food innovations especially seed-to-clinic approaches, and future trends. FEATURES * Provides information on sustainable use of natural products in the development of new drugs and clinically validated herbal remedies * Discusses issues on evaluation and clinical aspects of herbal medicine, promotion and development, safety evaluation, metabolite profiling, biomarker analysis, formulation, and stability testing * Describes traditional uses of natural medicine through identification, isolation and structural characterization of their active components * Elucidates mechanisms of biological action, adverse effects and identification of their molecular targets of natural medicine * Multidisciplinary appeal including chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacognosy and cell and molecular biology, as well as integration with clinical medicine This book serves as an essential guide for individuals researching natural medicines, and industry employees in areas including drug development, pharmacology, natural products chemistry, clinical efficacy, ethnopharmacology, pharmacognosy, phytotherapy, phyto-technology and herbal science.

Students and practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine must learn hundreds of commonly used herbs as the first step in studying Chinese herbal medicine. Additionally, junior practitioners lack the clinical experience required to ensure that they can skilfully select the appropriate herbs to use in the formulas. This presents them with a major challenge. Chinese Herbal Medicines: Comparisons and Characteristics presents a method of learning individual herbs through vivid and clear discussion of their characteristics and through a comparison with other herbs of their characteristics and strengths. This clear and logical approach makes it easy for the user to understand and memorize the functions of specific herbs. It also enables experienced practitioners to improve their therapeutic results through the use of better formulas. Key features of the new edition Retains the same easy to follow format as the first edition Presents detailed comparisons and discussions of commonly used Chinese herbs Provides a series of thought-provoking questions with very detailed answers Structured to help the reader to learn and memorize the content more easily The easy-to-use question-andanswer format is convenient to apply in the consulting room Includes discussion of clinical applications to help with the practical use of the information in clinical setting Revised and updated with particular emphasis on the safe use of Chinese herbal medicines New appendices provide information on safe dosages, commonly used herbal combinations and the meanings of Chinese words used in herbal names Provides a sound foundation for the study and practice of Chinese herbal medicine. Chinese Herbal Medicinse: Comparisons and Characteristics is already wellknown to students and practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine. This new, improved edition will continue to be of value to students and practitioners alike. It is now supported by a new companion volume by the same author entitled Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Together these two books provide a sound foundation for the study and practice of Chinese herbal medicine. Retains the same easy to follow format as the first edition Presents detailed comparisons and discussions of commonly used Chinese herbs Provides a series of thought-provoking questions with very detailed answers Structured to help the reader to learn and memorize the content more easily The easy-to-use question-andanswer format is convenient to apply in the consulting room Includes discussion of clinical applications to help with the practical use of the information in clinical setting Revised and updated with particular emphasis on the safe use of Chinese herbal medicines New appendices provide information on safe dosages, commonly used herbal combinations and the meanings of Chinese words used in herbal names Provides a sound foundation for the study and practice of Chinese herbal medicine.