Indigenous Knowledge and Development: Livelihoods, Health Experiences, and Medicinal Plant Knowledge in a Mexican Biosphere Reserve provides an ethnographic account of a group of indigenous people living in a natural resource protected area in west central Mexico. The political, economic, and social history of these indigenous Nahua people is related to their cultural knowledge. As an anthropological study, the analysis presented in this book is based on household level socioeconomic data and cultural knowledge measured through the use of both structured and semi-structured interviews. The study presented here moves back and forth between the macro- and micro- to explore the relationships between three central axes-health, livelihood and cultural knowledge. The Sierra of Manantlan Biosphere Reserve is the fieldsite where this study was carried out during 2007 and 2008. This Reserve is governed by explicit goals of cultural and natural resource preservation. Exhaustive household censuses give a comprehensive view of livelihood activities, and individual health experiences are measured using a structured interview. Demonstrated through the economic activity profiles present in the study sample, the indigenous people in the Reserve subsist through low-intensity agriculture, animal husbandry, and paid labor. Political histories of Mexico and the Reserve, specifically, continually shape subsistence strategies and the agrarian communities. Medical pluralism and the health profile in Mexico influence the local-level health status and access to health care services in the Reserve, demonstrated by the persistence of medicinal plant knowledge. The interviews with medicinal plant experts and biomedical practitioners are used to illustrate the spectrum of opinions regarding usage of medicinal plants across the three study communities in the Reserve. Significantly, there is neither a direct nor linear relationship between the loss of cultural knowledge and increasing modernity. This research contributes to ethnographic knowledge about conservation and cultural heritage on protected areas in Mexico.

First published in 1983. Beginning with the period of the early expansion of Western missionary medicine, this account covers the chaotic years of Nationalist rule to the foundations of the People's Republic in 1949. It trances the major influences on health care since then and describes the conflicts of State bureaucracy, Party and medical profession in their attempts to match political objectives in health care to resources available. An outline of the theory of Chinese traditional medicine, together with detailed accounts of acupuncture and plant drugs are also discussed, as are specific features of the health care system, such as population control, medical education, nutrition and psychiatry.

This A-to-Z guide illuminates the numerous health benefits of 50 common, easy-to-grow houseplants along with detailed care instructions and beautiful illustrations of each plant. With plant-scaped rooms popping up all over Pinterest, style blogs, and home decor magazines, houseplants are the hottest home accessory right now-and for good reason. Plants are a quick and easy way to add life, color, and texture to any indoor space. But houseplants offer so much more than just visual interest to a room. They can purify the air, reduce stress, improve sleep-and much more! Houseplants for a Healthy Home explains the specific health and wellness benefits of 50 common, easy-to-grow, and popular houseplants, while introducing you to new favorites bound to brighten your life. You will find an A-to-Z guide of a variety of the plants that includes a beautiful illustration of each plant, along with the plant's health benefits and clear, detailed care instructions. Let Houseplants for a Healthy Home lead you to a life in full bloom.

Wisdom from the East ...for Living in the West. Discover the foundation behind this fascinating system of holistic health based on several thousand years of real clinical experience.Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a unique, comprehensive, and scientific system, maintaining that the root of a disease must be found, and that a patient must be treated according to their whole being as well as their surrounding natural conditions. Viewing the human as a single, integrated entity that relates with nature, TCM maintains that the human body is affected by any changes that occur in nature, and must be treated as such. Since its beginnings, not only has TCM been well preserved and documented but it has also been continuously developing and growing. Having remarkable curative abilities and few side effects, it is an effective means to prevent and treat diseases and to keep yourself strong and healthy.Principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine is systematic, concise, practical and easy to read. Originally published in China, this re-edited edition (the 3rd book in our Practical TCM series) will provide you with the principles of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases.Discover the principles of treatment and prevention of diseases.Learn essential primary theories, such as Yin and Yang and the Five Elements Theory, as well as their use in clinical applications.Discover the foundations for diagnostic methods.Essential for today's alternative health library.

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.

There's an old Chinese proverb which states, "Optimism will help you forget sorrow." It is widely believed that an optimistic, stable mood and mental balance calms the body's vital energies and spirit, aiding in the circulation of blood and Qi, thus improving health. Throughout China's long history, ancient medical texts provided valuable advice on the subject of health: physical, emotional and spiritual. Isn't it time you made use of this wisdom of the sages in your everyday life? Now you can with this user-friendly guide (a re-edited edition originally published by a university press in China). to maintaining your health through Qigong and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Learn to lead a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life not only for yourself, but for your entire family. Traditional Chinese Health Secrets can show you the way. * Includes Easy-to-Follow Remedies & Herbal Recipes for General Health, and Healing Specific Ailments & Injuries.* Add Years to your Life and Expand your Mental & Physical Capabilities.* Learn to Apply Yin/Yang, Five Flavors and Six Sensations Theory to your Diet.* Simple to Practice and Easy to Learn!

Medicinal plants are accumulating impurities from increasing environmental pollution. Pollutants have altered growth features, gas exchange parameters, biochemical attributes, bioactive substances, antioxidant activity, and gene expression. This book brings to light these conditions and a need to alter them. Plants are the natural source of medicines mainly due to the presence of secondary metabolites and have been used as medicine in crude extract form. They have been used to isolate the bioactive compounds in modern medicine as well as in herbal medicine systems and are used worldwide as a valuable source for new drug formulations. This book focuses on secondary metabolites, phytochemicals, and bioactive compounds associated with medicinal plants growing in contamination conditions. There is no existing book on this topic.

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.

This important volume provides a comprehensive overview of hepatotoxicity and medicinal plants used for protecting the liver and for curing liver toxicity and liver diseases. To date, there has been no extensive resource on the plants that are used in this capacity, both in traditional medicine and in modern medicine. This book fills that gap. It presents information on the medicinal plants used in traditional medicine (both codified and noncodified) and in ethnomedicine, including the plant parts used and methods of use and dosages. The phytochemicals extracted from medicinal plants,screened and used in modern medicine for liver protection and curing liver problems, are given in detail, and the methods of screening are given as well. Methods of assay for screening the medicinal plants are also presented. Key features: * Provides complete information on plants that show hepatoprotective properties * Lists and discusses the phytochemicals useful for liver protection and cures * Considers traditional uses and ethnomedicinal plants for liver protection * Details the plant parts and the extracts that have protection properties and the active principles showing hepatoprotection

The genus Phyllanthus has over 1,000 species distributed worldwide, many of which have been used indigenously for the treatment of a variety of ailments for generations. Researchers have developed ways to analyze the potential of these plants and demonstrated the pharmacological action and various chemical entities present in each of them. They have validated the folklore claims and used this knowledge to design cost-effective and reliable sources of medicine.

The first book to exclusively examine the genus Phyllanthus, Phyllanthus Species: Scientific Evaluation and Medicinal Applications begins with a systematic classification and identification manual for various plants in the genus, followed by the scientific evaluation of the species for modern medicinal use. This reference compiles cutting edge research from countries around the world, including the UK, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Spain, Cuba, and China. Topics covered include phylogenetic analysis of Phyllanthus, chemistry of the genus, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and chemo- protective effects, genotoxicity, clinical trials involving Phyllanthus, and various formulations containing different plants from the genus Phyllanthus.

Phyllanthus Species: Scientific Evaluation and Medicinal Applications describes in detail the taxonomy, cultivation, and marketing, identification of geographic and genetic hot spots, chemistry, scientific evaluation, and clinical trials of various species of Phyllanthus. Written for researchers and educators in academia, industry, agriculture, and the interested general public, this book's up-to-date references make it a powerful resource providing first-hand information on Phyllanthus.

A compendium of remedies and cures handed down from mother to daughter from the beginning of time, this work presents a challenge to orthodox medicine and a history of female wisdom which goes back to the earliest times. What are old wives' tales? Where do they come from? It answers these questions, and more.

Botanicals, which have been part of human food and medicine for thousands of years, are perceived as being safer than synthetic pharmaceuticals. The global botanical drug market was expected to reach $26.6 billion by 2017. In terms of FDA regulations, botanical drugs are no different from non-botanical products, having to meet the safety and effectiveness standards of a new drug in accordance. This book comprises a complete start-to-end process from drug-idea conception, to drug development process. Key Features: Provides a complete compendium for botanical drug products Describes what BDP is and how it differs from Pharma, Biopharma, and Nutraceuticals Compiles all critical regulatory steps in a variety of countries Discusses clinical trial management for BDP development and how it differs from conventional chemical-based drugs and biopharmaceutics

Following on from Healing Power of Celtic Plants, Angela Paine's latest book covers a new range of Celtic medicinal plants which are native to Britain, as well as a few plants, such as Sage and Rosemary, which were introduced by the Romans. Combining the latest scientific data on the healing properties of the herbs used by the ancient Celts with recent archaeological discoveries, written in a jargon-free, easy to understand narrative style and offering a botanical description of each plant, an outline of their chemical constituents, and advice on ways to grow, harvest, preserve and use each plant, Healing Plants of the Celtic Druids is an essential guide.

Mistletoe is a parasitic evergreen plant that lives on trees such apple and elm. Modern complementary therapies for cancer increasingly make use of mistletoe preparations. However, because mistletoe grows on many different trees, the properties of the plant vary according to the host tree. For the first time, this book presents an important reference for practitioners on the characteristics of each type of mistletoe, and what kind of cancers they are best suited to treat. Thirteen host trees are described, covering all aspects from mythology and botany to homeopathy and flower essences. The author then pulls the various characteristics together to provide a unique guide to which patients might benefit most from the different types of mistletoe. The results will be useful not only in treating cancer but also in prevention. The book includes specific case-studies as well as notes on supplementary therapies using metals.

Best-selling author and popular herbalist Rosemary Gladstar is a one-woman crusader for the benefits of apple cider vinegar remedies, including the popular fire cider, made by infusing vinegar with garlic, horseradish, onions, ginger, and other immune-boosting herbs. She shares her recipes for making and using fire cider along with favorite variations from 77 other herbalists. From Fire Cider Dark Moonshine to Black Currant Fire Cider, Bloody Mary Fire Cider, and Triple Goddess Vinegar, this collection explores the wide range of possibilities for making healing tonics, all with an apple cider vinegar base.

Herbs are quite literally everywhere; it is only our ability to recognise their value that has been lost. Vicky and Kim explore the traditional uses of herbs combined with a modern and scientific understanding of a truly holistic approach so that you can use herbs to treat ailments and improve your general wellbeing. The book contains fascinating information about herbs with suggestions of what each herb can be used for. Did you know that daisies infused in oil can be used to reduce bruises? That roses can help grieving and anxiety? Or that elderflower cordial can bring down a temperature? There is also an introduction to each of the body's systems (nervous, respiratory etc.) and which herbs are best for treatments. And of course, the book is peppered with vinegars, balms, oils, tinctures, creams, lotions and syrups to create your own little herbal health kit. Vicky and Kim also encourage people to reconnect with their local environment in addition to growing herbs in their gardens or windowsills. An all-encompassing guide for the beginner, The Handmade Apothecary is filled with guidance, useful tips and tried-and-tested recipes that will inspire people to make their own remedies. Also by Vicky Chown and Kim Walker: The Herbal Remedy Handbook

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 demand for medicinal plants is increasing, and this leads to unscrupulous collection from the wild and adulteration of supplies. Providing high-quality planting material for sustainable use and thereby saving the genetic diversity of plants in the wild is important. In this regard, the methods of propagation of some important medicinal plants are provided along with the traditional methods of propagation. Indian Medicinal Plants: Uses and Propagation Aspects offers a unique compendium of more than 270 medicinal plant species from India with detailed taxonomic classifications based on the Bentham and Hooker system of classification. Salient Features: Provides traditional methods of propagation and discusses the propagation of medicinal plants Presents plant properties, plant parts and chemical constituents Describes the medicinal uses of more than 270 medicinal plant species from India This book is of special interest to practitioners of alternative medicine, students of Ayurveda, researchers and industrialists associated with medical botany, pharmacologists, sociologists and medical herbalists.

In this book, close to one hundred men and women from all over southwest Alaska share knowledge of their homeland and the plants that grow there. They speak eloquently about time spent gathering and storing plants and plant material during snow-free months, including gathering greens during spring, picking berries each summer, harvesting tubers from the caches of tundra voles, and gathering a variety of medicinal plants. The book is intended as a guide to the identification and use of edible and medicinal plants in southwest Alaska, but also as an enduring record of what Yup'ik men and women know and value about plants and the roles plants continue to play in Yup'ik lives.

"The prominence of the Bupleurum species cannot be overstated. Across China and Japan, it serves as a main or supplementary ingredient in over two thirds of traditional medications. For over 2000 years, it has been used to treat fevers, intestinal maladies, malaria, and countless other afflictions. Modern research indicates that it may possess anti-tumor qualities, and researchers continue to report its impact on a wide range of ailments, from hepatitis and epilepsy, to irregularity and menopause, as well as psychosis and schizophrenia. Bupleurum Species: Scientific Evaluation and Clinical Applications brings together the work of leading researchers from Asia and Europe who examine this remarkable genus of plants. Providing a comprehensive look at all aspects relevant to the species, this historic volume- q