For centuries, Chinese medicinal materials have been used for therapeutic purposes. Chinese medicinal materials are traditionally identified by their organoleptic characteristics, such as the texture or the odor. With the advancement of DNA technology, a molecular approach has become an important tool to complement organoleptic, morphological, anatomical and chemical techniques for the authentication and quality assurance of Chinese medicinal materials.In 2002, the authors published Authentication of Chinese Medicinal Materials by DNA Technology which is the first international reference in this field. After 20 years, this new edition updates the various useful techniques and describes the new techniques developed for molecular authentication. The procedures of each DNA technique are provided in detail for 'step-by-step' experiments.This book is divided into 5 parts with 18 chapters. Part I reviews the current status of molecular authentication and introduces a wide range of DNA techniques. Part II lists the experimental procedures for molecular authentication. Part III describes the DNA fingerprinting-based techniques. Part IV describes the DNA sequencing-based techniques. Finally, Part V provides an account on the recent advancement in molecular authentication, including guidelines for setting up a proper DNA laboratory and concluding remarks.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a type of functional bowel disorder causing symptoms of abdominal pain and altered bowel habits such as diarrhoea (IBS-D) and constipation (IBS-C). This book uses the 'whole evidence' approach to give an overview of the available evidence for Chinese medicine treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, particularly subtypes IBS-D and IBS-C.The book starts by summarising the conventional understanding of irritable bowel syndrome, including its subtypes, aetiology, diagnosis and current available treatments. Data from Chinese medicine classical literature and clinical studies are then discussed. Evidence from clinical studies are evaluated using high-quality and rigorous scientific methodology. For IBS-D and IBS-C, evidence from treatment modalities including Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture and combination Chinese medicine therapies are presented. The findings are analysed and potential implications for clinical practice and research are explored. Experimental studies that describe the potential mechanisms of action of key herbs are summarised. In the final chapter, current evidence of Chinese medicine for IBS-D and IBS-C are synthesised, recommendations for contemporary clinical practice and future research are also offered.The book is a helpful guide for clinicians and students of Chinese and integrative medicine, offering a comprehensive synthesis of both classical and contemporary knowledge that can integrated into their clinical practice for people with irritable bowel syndrome.

Essentials of Chinese Materia Medica and Medical Formulas: New Century Traditional Chinese Medicine presents specific knowledge about the source, medicinal nature, action and application of more than 800 commonly-used Chinese materia medica, as well as the efficacy and application of more than 740 kinds of commonly-used Chinese medical formulas. Notably, all of the content is presented in table form, making the information easier to access, understand and apply. Each primary herbal medicine is introduced with color pictures, and each primary formula is presented with efficacy analysis pictures. The book provides readers with essential information on Chinese materia medica and formulas and how to use them accurately, including the most common Chinese materia medica used in clinics and in commonly used clinical formulas. This is an essential reference for traditional medical professionals and those interested in traditional Chinese medicine, including advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Serum Pharmacochemistry of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Technologies, Strategies and Applications provides a valuable and indispensable guide on the latest methods, research advances, and applications in this area. Chapters offer cutting-edge information on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, analytical chemistry, traditional medicine, natural products, bioinformatics, new technologies, therapeutic applications, and more. For researchers and students in academia and industry, this book provides a hands-on description of experimental techniques, along with beneficial guidelines to help advance research in the fields of Traditional Chinese Medicine and drug development.

The medical world creates its own culture. This culture, however, would not continue if it were not for our participation. As consumers of health care, the way in which we talk, too, maintains the medical culture as it is. This culture frequently dismisses the wisdom of parents and talks them out of their own sense. We, as parents, co-create a culture that continually diminishes us. This collaboration has disastrous consequences for our children. How many times have you heard about a parent having a particular insight into his/her child only to be dissuaded from the truth by the doctor? What Do the Doctors Say? provides stories from the author's own experience as a mother. As a scholar of communication, she has identified twelve language patterns that are used to create medical culture. The book is written particularly for parents of children with disabilities but may be a useful tool for all consumers of health care.