The book provides an informative overview of diabetes mellitus in conjunction with current plant-based treatments for this disease and available methods for studying the antidiabetic activities of scientifically developed plant products, mechanisms of action, their therapeutic superiority, and current genome editing research perspectives and biotechnological approaches. The book begins with an introduction to diabetes, giving an overview of the history, diagnosis, classification, pathophysiology, and risk factors. It goes on to review traditional uses of plants for diabetes along with some ethnobotanical information as well. The results of scientific studies on the various modes of action of antidiabetic plants are discussed, such as the molecular aspects active plant-based antidiabetic drug molecules. A section featuring recent biotechnological advancements of antidiabetic plants and plant-based antidiabetic drugs covers advances in molecular breeding and application of molecular markers, biotechnologically engineered transgenic medicinal plants, and advances in genomic editing tools and techniques. This volume will be helpful for researchers, medical practitioners, academicians, students in the study of plant-based treatments for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

This master-class-in-a-book is designed to guide teachers of mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) in continuing to develop more competence while raising global standards of practice and pedagogy. Starting with the central yet elusive concept of stewardship, it then expands upon the core components of MBI pedagogy. A series of reflective essays by MBI teachers from around the world foregrounds differences and challenges in meeting participants "where they are." Such reflections are both inspiring and thought-provoking for teachers -wherever they are. The book also provides practical guidance and tools for adjusting teaching style and content for special populations, from chronic pain patients to trauma survivors, from health care professionals to clergy, and including many others. Detailed scripts and practices, ready to adopt and adapt, offer opportunities to explore new directions in the classroom, and to continue the life-long development of the teacher. Included in the coverage: Deepening teachers' skills of guidance of meditation practices Insights into the essential practice of inquiry and dialogue with participants New practices that allow participants to explore mindfulness together in a spoken encounter How to keep up with, review, and make clear to participants the range of scientific evidence supporting the MBIs The breadth of practical insights and hands-on strategies makes Resources for Teaching Mindfulness a unique developmental asset for a wide range of practitioners around the world. Among those who will benefit are physicians and other medical practitioners, health and clinical psychologists, marriage and family therapists, nurses, clinical social workers, physical and occupational therapists, health educators, and organizational development specialists.

A collection of essays focused largely on the 19th century when alternative medicine as opposed to orthodox medicine was not accepted as "professional". Historians in this book explore the dissent which arose in various local and national contexts.

Mushrooms have been used as medicine for thousands of years and their value in boosting immunity, improving memory, and even fighting cancer is being recognised and documented in scientific research. Christopher Hobbs, a mycologist and herbalist at the forefront of contemporary research, profiles the most powerful medicinal mushrooms and explains the nutritional and medicinal compounds in each one. Detailed instructions cover how to select, store, and prepare each variety for use. Whether readers are growing or foraging their own mushrooms, or sourcing them from a local provider, this essential handbook will guide them in making health-boosting medicine.

This book offers a fresh look on a variety of issues concerning herbal medicine - the methods of growing and harvesting various medicinal plants; their phytochemical content; medicinal usage; regulatory issues; and mechanism of action against myriad of human and animal ailments. 'Medicinal Plants: From Farm to Pharmacy' comprises chapters authored by renowned experts from academics and industry from all over the world. It provides timely, in-depth study/analysis of medicinal plants that are already available in the market as supplements or drug components, while also introducing several traditional herbs with potential medicinal applications from various regions of the world. The book caters to the needs of a diverse group of readers: plant growers, who are looking for ways to enhance the value of their crops by increasing phytochemical content of plant products; biomedical scientists who are studying newer applications for crude herbal extracts or isolated phytochemicals; clinicians and pharmacologists who are studying interactions of herbal compounds with conventional treatment modalities; entrepreneurs who are navigating ways to bring novel herbal supplements to the market; and finally, natural medicine enthusiasts and end-users who want to learn how herbal compounds are produced in nature, how do they work and how are they used in traditional or modern medicine for various disease indications.

This book represents the first comprehensive compilation of information on all aspects of the medicinal plant Panax ginseng, ranging from its botany to applied aspects in medicine and molecular breeding. In contributions by respected experts, it also discusses the genetic background and biochemical profile of this important medicinal plant. Ginsenoside biosynthesis and metabolic dynamics are also described in detail. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable guide for students, educators and scientists in academia and industry interested in medicinal plants and pharmacy.

This volume brings together basic research on the nature of stress reactivity with up-to-date research on the effectiveness and mechanisms of mindfulness interventions. The chapters review the major research areas that elucidate the impact of stress reactivity on health, and explore the mechanisms and effectiveness of mindfulness-based approaches for stress reduction and improved physical and emotional health. The first section examines biopsychosocial mechanisms of stress reactivity such as allostasis and allostatic load, neurobiology of stress, biology of the "fight-or-flight" and "tend-and-befriend" responses, and psychoneuroimmunology. This section concludes by addressing the roles of perception and appraisal, including the role of perceived threat in stress reactivity as well as the role that negative perceptions of the stress response itself play in compromising health. The second section opens with review of leading psychological models of mindfulness, including self-regulation, reperceiving, and the Intention, Attention, Attitude (IAA) triaxiomatic model. Subsequent chapters discuss mindfulness-based interventions and mechanisms of change for stress and related clinical conditions including chronic pain, traumatic stress, anxiety and related disorders, and clinical depression. The final chapter reviews possible neural networks and brain mechanisms associated with mindfulness meditation practice. As the research on stress reactivity and mindfulness-based stress reduction continues to proliferate, this book offers readers a single volume covering the most relevant information across this vast terrain. Other available volumes offer in-depth coverage of stress research with little mention of mindfulness and stress reduction. Conversely, many texts on the topic of mindfulness and mindfulness-based interventions do not adequately cover the biopsychosocial processes of stress reactivity.

Drawing on indigenous and scientific knowledge of medicinal plants, Traditional Herbal Therapy for the Human Immune System presents the protective and therapeutic potential of plant-based drinks, supplements, nutraceuticals, synergy food, superfoods, and other products. Medicinal plants and their products can affect the immune system and act as immunomodulators. Medicinal plants are popularly used in folk medicine to accelerate the human immune defence and improve body reactions against infectious or exogenous injuries, as well as to suppress the abnormal immune response occurring in immune disorders. This book explains how medicinal plants can act as a source of vitamins and improve body functions such as enhanced oxygen circulation, maintained blood pressure and improved mood. It also outlines how specific properties of certain plants can help boost the immune system of humans with cancer, HIV, and COVID-19. Key features: Provides specific information on how to accelerate and or fortify the human immune system by using medicinal plants. Presents scientific understanding of herbs, shrubs, climbers and trees and their potential uses in conventional and herbal medicine systems. Discusses the specific role of herbal plants that act as antiviral and antibacterial agents and offer boosted immunity for cancer, H1N1 virus, relieving swine flu, HIV and COVID-19 patients. Part of the Exploring Medicinal Plants series, this book is useful for researchers and students, as well as policy makers and people working in industry, who have an interest in plant-derived medications.

This book describes the essential and cutting-edge concepts based on the frontier of pharmaceutical research in TCM, underlying scientific principles, and current advancements of drug delivery systems for Chinese medicines, including sustained-release drug delivery systems, trans-nasal drug delivery systems, dermal and transdermal drug delivery systems, etc. Novel carriers and emerging technologies (such as 3D printing) are also covered. The book provides readers with an overall picture of drug delivery systems for Chinese medicines and also yields benefits for the pharmaceutical industry with regard to TCM-based drug development.

Unique ready reference for all complementary medicine, massage, therapy and manual therapy practitioners and students alerting them to 'red flag' symptoms which should be referred for Western medical investigation or emergency medical treatment.

When can a patient be safely reassured and when do they need further investigation or treatment? 'Red flags' are clinical signs that suggest a patient needs prompt investigation and treatment for a potentially dangerous situation. Therapists increasingly find themselves working alongside conventionally trained doctors and nurses and it is vital for them to understand conventional medical diagnoses, symptoms and treatments and, crucially, to recognise warning signs of serious disease. This is essential in order to be a safe practitioner.

Clare Stephenson's "The Complementary Therapist's Guide to Red Flags and Referrals "meets this need by providing an easily accessible reference to 'red flag'symptoms, designed especially for therapists. It offers guidance on how best to respond to those symptoms and signs of disease which can be readily discerned through routine history taking and basic examination of the body. The guidance is in language which is accessible to therapists, and clear advice is offered on when to refer patients to conventional medicine practitioners and how to communicate with doctors when making a referral. Clinical syndromes which merit rapid response are summarised for ease of reference.

Current research lays emphasis on exploring natural products for use in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals to overcome various side effects of synthetic drugs. Fungi occupy an eminent position among natural sources of food and medicinal importance since ancient times. Many fungal species have been eaten as food and used in folk medicine for the treatment of many human ailments as mentioned in traditional medical literature. However, scanty information is available pertaining to the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical importance of fungi which merits an extensive review. This book spotlights the use value macrofungi in human health. Macrofungi with health benefitting properties largely belong to Basidiomycota followed by Ascomycota growing indoor (cultivated) and outdoor (wild). We endeavoured to throw light on the benefits of macrofungal taxa in relation to their food and medicinal significance in human life. We provided knowledge pertaining to the ethnomycological significance of macrofungi with respect to their uses as food and medicine by the people inhabiting different parts of the world. This book highlights the nutritional composition and bioactive compounds present in macrofungi. We also focused on the pharmacological activities of macrofungi contributing towards their medicinal value against several human disorders. We cited many commercially available nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products of macrofungal origin. This work will hopefully serve as a basic reference for general public, mycologists, researches and industry men, interested in consumption, research and marketing of macrofungi.

From meditation to reciting mantras or praying, spirituality is more and more often being recognized for its beneficial effects on health. In this volume, a team of experts from across disciplines including psychology, medicine, nursing, public health, and pastoral care offer reader-friendly chapters showing the state of the art in understanding this connection. Chapters include attention to special populations such as youth, HIV/AIDS patients, cancer patients, and those in hospice care. Contributors, all members of the Spirituality and Health Institute at Santa Clara University, aim to use the scientific understanding of the spirituality/health connection to promote better health for the general public. From meditation to reciting mantras or praying, spirituality is more and more often being recognized for its beneficial effects on health. In this volume, a team of experts from across disciplines including psychology, medicine, nursing, public health, and pastoral care offer reader-friendly chapters showing the state of the art in understanding this connection. Chapters include attention to special populations such as youth, HIV/AIDS patients, cancer patients, and those in hospice care. Contributors, all members of the Spirituality and Health Institute at Santa Clara University, aim to use the scientific understanding of the spirituality/health connection to promote better health for the general public. One focus of this volume is to show easy ways to incorporate spiritual practices in an environment that is often multicultural, multi-religious, stressful, hurried, and secular.

Bronze Winner - 2010 IP's Living Now AwardFinalist - 2010 USA Best Book Award Written for those new to natural healing, Simple Chinese Medicine gives you tools that you can use today to improve your quality of life and begin your healing journey. Based upon centuries old practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), readers are provided simple-to-do exercises for stress relief, health maintenance, and cancer prevention. Additional sections include guidance on using food for healing and for weight control. Careful attention is given to explaining the differences between Eastern healing methods and Western treatment methods, as well as an insightful discussion of TCM's concept of 'prevention' for health maintenance. A final section shares the personal experiences of some of Dr. Kuhn's patients. Contents include:* Healing in Traditional Chinese Medicine* Differences in Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine* TCM Diagnostic Method* Seeking the Right Medical Care* Food Healing in Chinese Medicine* Food Balance* Healthy Balanced Diet and Weight Reduction* Weight Control ProgramFood and Exercise Log* Exercises for Healing, Disease Prevention, and Good Health* Cancer Prevention and Healing* Exercise Routines for Healing Cancer* Chinese Medicine's Secrets of Good Health and Longevity* Trends in Longevity

With chapters written by scientists from respected institutes and universities around the world, this book looks at the bioprospecting of medicinal plants for potential health uses and at the pharmacognosy of a selection of medicinal and aromatic plants. The book touches on a diverse selection of topics related to medicinal plants. Chapters look at the use of medicinal plants in healthcare and disease management, such as to treat inflammation, anti-hyperglycemia, and obesity and as immunity boosters. The authors also address the conservation, maintenance, and sustainable utilization of medicinal plants along with postharvest management issues. A chapter discusses the use of synthetic seeds in relation to cryopreservation, and a chapter is devoted to the use of microcomputed tomography and image processing tools in medicinal and aromatic plants. Other topics include consumption, supply chain, marketing, trade, and future directions of research. Some specific plants discussed include fennel, basil, clove, ginger, lavender, turmeric, ginsing, and asparagus in connection with their various therapeutic properties, including anti-rheumatic, anti-asthmatic, anti-diabetic, carminative, diuretic, fever-reducing, and hypotensive. Medicinal Plants: Bioprospecting and Pharmacognosy will prove informative for scientists and researchers in medicinal plants as well as for faculty and students, pharmaceutical researchers, and others.

This book presents an in-depth analysis of issues in trade law and EU pharmaceutical law concerning market access for traditional Chinese medicinal products. It discusses these issues from the standpoints of fundamental law, international law and EU law, so to offer a comprehensive perspective. Specifically, it points out the core legislative issues for EU policymakers who deal with market access for traditional medicinal products; describes the relation between law and science; and offers essential information on herbal medicinal product registration in the EU. Further, it compares EU law and Chinese law in this regard, which can offer inspirations for readers from other counties that have similar medicinal products. The book uses straightforward, accessible language to break down the key issues involved.

Cancer is a leading cause of death among adults. Although about 250f Americans develop cancer in their lifetime, in some populations this rate has been reduced by lifestyle changes. Increasing numbers of people are turning to the use of dietary vegetables, medicinal herbs, and plant extracts to prevent or treat cancer. Their ready availability as "over the counter" supplements has contributed to an explosion in the use of herbal extracts and related compounds for health enhancement.

The spectacular growth of the multi-billion dollar functional food and nutraceutical business, touting health claims sometimes based upon limited research data, underscores the need for this up-to-date reference. "Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals in Cancer Prevention" brings together a leading group of experts on the different aspects of nutrient supplementation, foods, and plant extracts in cancer prevention and treatment. Their conclusions and recommendations present the most current knowledge from which to springboard future research and create a scientific database for accurate health claims.

. This up-to-date resource is a must-have for research professionals, both basic and applied, and marketers in the worldwide functional foods/nutritional supplements industry. It is an essential reference for hospital-based dietitians and nutritionists, physicians specializing in oncology, and cancer researchers. Food and drug officials who determine allowable health claims need this information as well, as do academics in all of these fields

This is a contributed text on traditional medicines throughout the world. Almost 20 years ago the World Health Organization estimated that 'In many countries, 80 per cent or more of the population living in rural areas are cared for by traditional practitioners and birth attendants'. It has since revised its view, adopting a rather safer position, now stating: 'most of the population of most developing countries regularly use traditional medicine'. Whereas most people use traditional medicine in developing countries, only a minority have regular access to reliable modern medical services. Countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America use traditional medicine (TM) to help meet some of their primary health care needs. In Africa, up to 80 per cent of the population uses traditional medicine for primary health care. In industrialized countries, adaptations of traditional medicine are termed 'Complementary' or 'Alternative' (CAM). Over one-third of the population in developing countries lack access to essential medicines. The provision of safe and effective traditional medicine therapies could become a critical tool to increase access to health care.

Modern medicine has penetrated Bedouin tribes in the course of rapid urbanization and education, but when serious illnesses strike, particularly in the case of incurable diseases, even educated people turn to traditional medicine for a remedy. Over the course of 30 years, the author gathered data on traditional Bedouin medicine among pastoral-nomadic, semi-nomadic, and settled tribes. Based on interviews with healers, clients, and other active participants in treatments, this book will contribute to renewed thinking about a synthesis between traditional and modern medicine - to their reciprocal enrichment.

The number of individuals diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder has increased in the past decade, not only in the military and veteran population but within the civilian population as well. Traditional treatments such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy have provided less-than-ideal results proving to be less effective when used alone to treat the disorder. Complementary and Alternative Medicine for PTSD supplements these traditional treatments, using new and effective techniques to fill the therapeutic void. The alternative therapies covered include acceptance and commitment therapy, acupuncture, alternative pharmacology, canine assistive therapy, family focused interventions, internet and computer-based therapy, meditation techniques, mobile applications, recreational therapy, resilience training, transracial magnetic stimulation, virtual reality exposure therapy, and yoga. Each chapter delivers the most up-to-date understanding of neurobiology, best practices, and key points for clinicians and patients considering inclusion of these treatments in patient care. COL David Benedek and LTC Gary Wynn offer insight into the future of complementary and alternative medicine, shining a light onto how these techniques fit into clinical practice to create the most beneficial treatments for the patient. This book is both an essential resource and practical guide to everyday clinical interactions. It is a necessary addition to the medical library for students and senior clinicians alike.