A half century ago, acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy, Chinese herbs, Christian exorcisms, dietary supplements, chiropractic manipulations, and ayurvedic remedies were considered on the fringe of medicine. Now these practices--known variably as alternative, complementary, holistic, or integrative medicine--have become mainstream, used by half of all Americans today to treat a variety of conditions, from excess weight to cancer.

But alternative medicine is an unregulated industry under no legal obligation to prove its claims or admit its risks, and many popular alternative therapies are ineffective, expensive, or even deadly. In Do You Believe in Magic? Dr. Offit debunks the treatments that don't work and tells us why, and takes on the media celebrities who promote alternative medicine. Using dramatic real-life stories, he separates the sense from the nonsense, explaining why any therapy--alternative or traditional--should be scrutinized. As Dr. Offit explains, some popular therapies are remarkably helpful due to the placebo response, but "there's no such thing as alternative medicine. There's only medicine that works and medicine that doesn't."

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.

Withania is a genus of the nightshade family of flowering plants distributed in the subtropical regions from the Mediterranean to South East Asia. Only two species, W. somnifera and W. coagulans, are found in India. The most common species is W. somnifera (WS), which occurs naturally in the subtropical regions from the Mediterranean through Africa to the Middle East, the Indian Continent, Sri Lanka, South East Asia, subtropical America and Australia. It is a perennial shrub that grows to 75 cm (.75 m) tall with tomentose branches, oval yellowish green leaves, orange red berries and a papery calyx, and it survives harsher climatic conditions. In Ayurveda it is believed the plants which survive harsh conditions have strong healing and tonification properties. The main bioactive phytoconstituents of WS are withanolides (steroidal lactones), alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols, phenolics and others. Among the various withanolides, withanolide A, withaferin A, withanone and withanolide D are the most abundant, having various activities. WS is a wonder herb with a broad spectrum of pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, antiulcerogenic, antivenom, anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, anticancer, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, anticancerous, antidiabetic, antitumor, hemopoetic neuroregenerative, immunomodulatory, cardioprotective, radio-sensitizing, rejuvenating, antistress, sedative, hypoglycemic, thyroprotective, adaptogenic, antispasmodic, immunomodulatory, immunostimulant and antiaging properties. The simultaneous quantitative analysis of six major bioactive withanolides in five varieties of WS and in different plant parts (root, stem and leaf) of WS was accomplished. This method is also applicable to control the quality of commercially formulated products which contain WS bioactive compounds. Results indicated the WS variety NMITLI-135 showed the maximum abundance of withanolides at pH 8.5, EC-0.5 dS m 1, ESP-13 in sodic soil. Our results showed this readily available, rapid and reliable method is suitable for the routine analysis and effective quality control of raw materials and finished products. FEATURES Presents a collection of Ayurvedic features and scientific analytical and pharmacological evidence of important medicinal plants of Withania somnifera Useful for natural product researchers, faculty, students and herbal product manufacturers Uses advanced hyphenated techniques for assessing phytoconstituents

Stockley's Herbal Medicines Interactions is now in its second edition and remains a unique collaboration between a team of experts in the fields of drug interactions, clinical herbal medicines, phytopharmacovigilance and regulation of herbal medicinal products. It provides an invaluable reference text for all healthcare professionals who require evidence-based information on the interactions of conventional medicines with herbal medicines, dietary supplements and nutraceuticals. Stockley's Herbal Medicines Interactions brings together available data on over 180 of the most commonly used herbal medicines, dietary supplements and nutraceuticals in highly structured, rigorously researched, and fully referenced monographs. Extensively updated for this second edition over 40 new monographs have been added for herbal medicines and dietary supplements, including Blue cohosh, Bergamot, Carnitine derivatives, Goat's rue, Hibiscus, Holy basil, Juniper, Kava and Squill. Substantial updates have been undertaken to the standing content, including revisions of the interactions of St John's wort, Milk thistle, Evening primrose oil, Ginkgo and many others. Key features include: Ease of use - structured format allows user to target key information at-a-glance. Clinically relevant - each monograph contains a concise summary on the available evidence and guidance on how the interaction can be managed. Ratings system - simple and intuitively understood, familiar to users of key drug interactions reference works. Worldwide appeal - as well as commonly used synonyms nomenclature includes approved pharmacopoeial names from Europe and the US. Indexing - full, comprehensive interactions indexing, with lead-ins from appropriate synonyms.

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.

Due to their educational framework, physicians are conditioned to understand the effects of pharmaceutical medications, drugs, and have little or no training in working with herbal preparations. This limits their understanding of how cannabis operates in the body, especially regarding risks and benefits. This books explains this information to healthcare practitioners. The era of cannabis use by consumers worldwide is ever increasing. To date almost fifty countries worldwide have approved some form of cannabis as a medical therapy, and legalization for all adults is now approved in 10 states in the US, and Canada. That's close to 200 million people worldwide, with up to 100 million in the US. 50 million US citizens are using cannabis currently. Knowing how to use it safely is a much-needed form of health promotion. Opioid use declines in states which have approved "medical marijuana." Use of cannabis to reduce opiate consumption is a current harm reduction method. Serves as a resource text for the newly emerging college level courses on medical cannabis.

This groundbreaking work calls for the overhaul of traditional Ayurveda and its transformation into a progressive, evidence-based practice. This book begins by looking back at the research of the last three centuries, Indian medicinal plants, and Ayurveda in a twenty-first-century context. The first part of this book explores the limitations of contemporary Ayurvedic pharmacognosy and pharmacology, discussing the challenges the practice faces from research and clinical trials. It makes a compelling argument for the necessity of change. The second part of the book defines and elaborates upon a new, scientific path, taking the reader from identification of the herb through all stages of drug development. An essential tool for herbal drug development, this text is designed for knowledgeable students, practitioners, and scholars of Ayurveda, pharmacy, and herbal medicine.

This is the first comprehensive guide to the design of behavioral randomized clinical trials (RCT) for chronic diseases. It includes the scientific foundations for behavioral trial methods, problems that have been encountered in past behavioral trials, advances in design that have evolved, and promising trends and opportunities for the future. The value of this book lies in its potential to foster an ability to "speak the language of medicine" through the conduct of high-quality behavioral clinical trials that match the rigor commonly seen in double-blind drug trials. It is relevant for testing any treatment aimed at improving a behavioral, social, psychosocial, environmental, or policy-level risk factor for a chronic disease including, for example, obesity, sedentary behavior, adherence to treatment, psychosocial stress, food deserts, and fragmented care. Outcomes of interest are those that are of clinical significance in the treatment of chronic diseases, including standard risk factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose, and clinical outcomes such as hospitalizations, functional limitations, excess morbidity, quality of life, and mortality. This link between behavior and chronic disease requires innovative clinical trial methods not only from the behavioral sciences but also from medicine, epidemiology, and biostatistics. This integration does not exist in any current book, or in any training program, in either the behavioral sciences or medicine.

Increased oxidative stress due to the production of excessive amounts of free radicals along with the effects of chronic inflammation plays a major role in the initiation and progression of most chronic diseases. In addition, increased release of glutamate plays a central role in the pathogenesis of various disorders. This second edition of Micronutrients in Health and Disease proposes a novel concept that in order to simultaneously and optimally reduce oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and glutamate, it is essential to increase levels of antioxidant enzymes as well as levels of dietary and endogenous antioxidant compounds at the same time. This is accomplished by activating the Nrf2 pathways and by increasing the levels of antioxidant compounds and B-vitamins through supplementation. This book proposes a mixture of micronutrients that achieves this above goal. The mixture of micronutrients together with modification in diet and lifestyle may reduce the risk of chronic diseases and in combination with standard care, may improve the management of these diseases. KEY FEATURES * Provides evidence in support of the idea that increased oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and glutamate are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases. * Contains three new chapters on Huntington's disease, Autism spectra, and Prion disease. * Discusses the role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases. * Presents information on regulation of the expression of microRNAs by reactive oxygen species and antioxidants. Micronutrients in Health and Disease, Second Edition serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to promote healthy aging and prevent and improved management of chronic diseases.

Australian Native Plants: Cultivation and Uses in the Health and Food Industries provides a comprehensive overview of native food crops commercially grown in Australia that possess nutritional and health properties largely unknown on a global basis. These native foods have been consumed traditionally, have a unique flavor diversity, offer significant health promoting effects, and contain useful functional properties. Australian native plant foods have also been identified for their promising antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that have considerable commercial potential. This book is divided into three parts: The first part reviews the cultivation and production of many Australian native plants (ANP), including Anise Myrtle, Bush Tomato, Desert Raisin, Davidson's Plum, Desert Limes, Australian Finger Lime, Kakadu Plum, Lemon Aspen, Lemon Myrtle, Muntries, Native Pepper, Quandong, Riberry, and Wattle Seed. It then examines the food and health applications of ANP and discusses alternative medicines based on aboriginal traditional knowledge and culture, nutritional characteristics, and bioactive compounds in ANP. In addition, it reviews the anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory properties of ANP and discusses food preservation, antimicrobial activity of ANP, and unique flavors from Australian native plants. The third section covers the commercial applications of ANP. It focuses on native Australian plant extracts and cosmetic applications, processing of native plant foods and ingredients, quality changes during packaging, and storage of Australian native herbs. The final few chapters look into the importance of value chains that connect producers and consumers of native plant foods, new market opportunities for Australian indigenous food plants, and the safety of using native foods as ingredients in the health and food sectors.

This unique volume provides the latest information on secondary metabolites obtained from selected organisms (plants or microorganisms) that have beneficial effects in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and an ability to offer protection against their progress. A detailed description of their source, chemistry and mechanism of action is provided, together with results of clinical studies. Here, a clear connection is made between chemical structures, in vitro studies and their clinical significance.The topic is extensive and the audience gains an understanding of the medicinal applications of these groups of secondary metabolites that have the potential to improve cardiovascular health. Features: The latest information on secondary metabolites with beneficial effects in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Written by an outstanding team of authors, their work provides new insights into the beneficial effects of different components present in well known plant products, evidencing their impressive cardiovascular effects. This volume discusses novel targets to screen for new drugs and the need for data obtained from clinical studies using natural products in order to better analyze the significance of in vitro experimental data. Here the reader will find a unique and timely volume with an international flavor. This book describes the source, chemistry and mechanism of action of natural products with the potential to improve cardiovascular health.

Illness is a matter of concern in every society. Social responses to it depend both on the nature of the illness and on cultural interpretation of its significance. This study of the occurrence, recognition and explanation of illness amongst the Gnau makes use of its author's dual training in medicine and anthropology to show why, how far, and in what respects these people of a forest village in New Guinea turn to their religious and magical knowledge in the distress of illness. The analyis shows how a study of ilness can reveal belief and open an illummatlng and crucial perspective on a society's view of its world.

The cause of cancer and its many manifestations is at present unknown. Since many of its manifestations, including is control of cell division, appear to represent abnormal patterns of gene expression, studies of the regulation of gene expression nwill provide important insights in the understanding and treatment of cancer. This volume attempts to present some of the recent work on regulation of gene expression in eukaryotic cells.

First Published in 1983, this book offers a full, comprehensive guide into proteins and their functions. Carefully compiled and filled with a vast repertoire of notes, diagrams, and references this book serves as a useful reference for Students of Alternative Medicine, and other practitioners in their respective fields.

Everything you need to know about plant medicine: the history, how it works, how to grow, gather and prepare herbs, and how to use them to create a herbal prescription. Herbal medicines have been used for many centuries to treat illnesses and restore health, and today herbalism still remains the most widely-practised form of medicine around the world. Written by a leading medical herbalist, this new revised edition of The Complete Herbal Tutor provides in-depth knowledge of the practice and theory of herbal medicine. The illustrated materia medica contains over 150 herbs, with thorough descriptions of their properties and active ingredients. There is also a clear explanation of how herbs can be used to treat each of the body's systems, with advice on using remedies for healing a range of specific conditions. This revised edition of Anne McIntyre's popular classic will be invaluable to all herbalists and students of herbal medicine. It is beautifully illustrated with a series of colour photographs, many taken by the author in her own garden.

The Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic Oils offers a practical approach to understanding the chemical functional groups and pharmacological actions of essential oils. Incorporating up to date research findings, The Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic Oils takes you, step by step, through the fundamental chemistry of aromatherapy and explains the powerful effects of essential oils on the body at a molecular level. Including: * Useful chemical diagrams and easy to follow explanations * Essential oil extraction methods and techniques for quality control * Reference charts of the effects of essential oils on pharmacological targets and the major compounds of 89 essential oils This book helps to make sense of the chemistry of aromatherapy for those who need to understand the science and efficacy of this healing art. Ideal for students and practitioners of holistic therapies, this book will also appeal to nurses, doctors, pharmacists and other allied health practitioners.

The return to holistic therapies is one of the most important developments in health over the past two decades. With preventative medicine being taken more seriously by conventional health practitioners, and the increasing popularity of natural and complementary therapies among consumers, it is clear that a holistic approach will be integral to health care in the future. Holism and Complementary Medicine offers a systematic overview of traditional healing practices, the development of the Western biomedical model from the ancient Egyptians and Greeks to the present, and the holistic philosophy which is the basis of complementary and alternative medicine in the West. The book explores the differences between holistic and conventional biomedical traditions and approaches, acknowledging the strengths of each. It also addresses key practice issues, examining the role holistic principles have to play in today's health system and explaining their place in the therapeutic relationship. Holism and Complementary Medicine is an accessible guide for students, practitioners and anyone interested in the origins and core principles of natural therapies. 'This scholarly exploration of the conceptual evolution of holistic medicine is a fascinating read. Di Stefano is to be congratulated for his articulate insights into healing relationships and how our health paradigms enhance or inhibit our understanding of health and disease.' - Joseph Pizzorno, ND, President Emeritus, Bastyr University 'This is a magnificent read for students of natural and complementary medicine, as well as health professionals and lay public who have often wondered where the movement towards holism in medicine began and is headed.' - Paul Orrock, Head of the School of Natural and Complementary Medicine, Southern Cross University '. . . brings together many threads that link the health of body, mind and society, drawing richly from a larger corpus of intellectual inquiry into history, philosophy, and human endeavor, including clinical medicine.' - Bruce Barrett MD PhD, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison

This book examines the literary, religious, and political aspects of the radical movements and various sects of the English Civil War. Featuring a chapter on John Milton, this book also addresses the legal problems that engaged the early modern radical reformers, the issue of radical religion as a negotiating tool and the limits of radical liberal thought.

Photography is ubiquitous. The visual image is the predominant form of communication. Arguably it is a very democratic medium, since billions of people all over the planet take photographs on their phones, and digital storage means that expensive printing is not necessary and therefore the practice is not prohibitive. Photography is important to political and social movements and connects people in emotionally meaningful relationships. This book explores the myriad ways in which photographs can be used: to document events, places or things; to consolidate personal identity; to pose a challenge to an idea or regime; to animate the inanimate (in other words, to breathe life into objects); to capture the fleeting and transitory; to create stories; to reveal what may be taken for granted, including seeing social practices; to enhance our perception and allow us to notice previously unnoticed details; to consolidate relationships; to represent the overlooked or marginalised; to commemorate; to authenticate; to tantalise. All these modes of photography have different possibilities, different intentions and different effects.

Alzheimer's disease, one of the most rapidly growing neurodegenerative disorders, is characterized by a progressive loss of memory. Despite several advances in the field of medical therapeutics, a viable treatment for Alzheimer's disease would be of great importance. Medicinal plants represent a largely untapped reservoir of natural medicines and potential sources of anti-Alzheimer’s drugs. The structural diversity of their phytoconstituents makes these plants a valuable source of novel lead compounds in the quest for drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease. Based on traditional literature and up-to-date research, various new therapeutically active compounds have been identified from phytoextracts, which could be useful in the treatment of cognitive disorders. Phytomedicine and Alzheimer’s Disease presents information on Mechanistic aspects of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease and the role of phytochemicals as restorative agents Understanding the complex biochemical aspects of Alzheimer’s disease Pre-clinical approaches to evaluating drugs to target Alzheimer’s disease Assessing alternative approaches to treating Alzheimer’s disease and the role of alternative medicine to delay the symptomatic progression of this disease Epigenetic changes in Alzheimer’s disease and possible therapeutic or dietary interventions This book serves as an excellent resource for scientific investigators, academics, biochemists, botanists, and alternative medicine practitioners who work to advance the role of phytomedicines in treating Alzheimer’s disease.

Piper betle (betel vine) a pan-Asiatic, tropical plant, which can also grow under mild subtropical areas, is essentially grown for leaves which are chewed with array of additives besides slaked lime. The plant is cultivated widely in India and its surrounding areas. Phytochemistry of Piper betel landraces presents a brief on the distribution, historical and cultural aspects, and properties ascribed to this plant in the ancient texts. Phytochemical and pharmacological information has also been included to underscore the importance of this plant in the present time. A detailed account on metabolic profiling employing modern methods is included, such as real-time, direct analysis of the flight mass spectrometric method and chemometric analysis for characterization of the available biodiversity and signatures specific to gender and geographical location. It was also possible to identify the gender of unknown landraces, with the help of principal component analysis. Features: Elaborates on the chemical diversity within Piper betle. Piper betle leaves have mouth freshening antimicrobial compounds. Use of chemical signatures for the identification of different Piper betle landraces, their gender and geographical locations.

Several Phyllanthus species are widely used in traditional medicine and herbal formulation for the treatment of a variety of ailments such as flu, dropsy, diabetes, jaundice and bladder calculus. The medicinal properties of these species are due to the presence of lignans, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and terpenoids. Phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin are the major lignans from Phyllanthus species having estrogenic properties that reduce toxicity and vascular tension, and protect hepatocytes. This book deals with the importance of separation techniques in screening of major lignans, flavonoids and terpenoids in Phyllanthus species using HPLC/UPLC coupled with mass spectrometric techniques. Features: Collection of Ayurvedic features and scientific evidence of important medicinal plants. Screening of major lignans, flavonoids and terpenoids in plant parts/whole plant extracts and their geographical variations in Phyllanthus amarus. Easy-to-use analytical procedure for the quality control of Phyllanthus and its products.

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.