Novel drug delivery systems cover the approaches, formulation, technologies, and modes for transporting any pharmaceutical compound throughout the body to safely get the desired effect. A growing area of research is the use of herbal formulations for disease therapy. In combining these two areas of research, that of novel drug delivery systems and that of herbal formulations, the usefulness of herbs is not only proved but its future applications and effectiveness are studied. The move towards herbal-based novel drug delivery systems can benefit society in a multitude of advantageous ways. Enhancing the Therapeutic Efficacy of Herbal Formulations discusses and explores the ways of preparing herbal formulations loaded in novel drug delivery systems and the resultant improvement in efficacy of the effected drugs/herbs already available on the market. The chapters will highlight traditional and herbal formulations, the effects of novel drug delivery systems on herbal formulations, and the safe and effective preparation and effects of herbal formulations as a therapeutic intervention. This book is ideal for pharmacists, doctors, and researchers specializing in herbal therapeutics, along with practitioners, researchers, academicians, and students interested in how herbal-based novel drug delivery systems can benefit society.

While biotechnological advances, genomics and high throughput screenings or combinatorial and asymmetric syntheses are opening new opportunities in drug discovery, the industry is facing serious innovation deficit. The total number of new molecules registered per year has dropped in contrast to expected increase. Post marketing failures of blockbuster drugs have become major concerns of industries. On the other side, globally there is a major shift to sue of traditional medicine involving complementary and alternative therapies. Ethnopharmacology and traditional medicines have contributed in past significantly in the process of natural product drug discovery. There are two clear tracks where ethnopharmacology has potential to contribute in future drug research. First, as a discovery engine to provide new targets, leads, and second, use of quality assured and standardized traditional medicines. In this scenario, it is important to understand the mechanisms of drug discovery and pharmaceutical development with a focus on herbal drugs and neutraceutical. This book provides historical perspective, future prospects and significance of ethnopharmacology in drug research. It also provides important steps in botanical drug discovery and development including bioprospecting, quality control, standardization, pharmaceutics, stability, pharmacokinetics, and bioavailability with examples from ethnopharmacology and herbal medicine. One of the important feature of this book is to give an excellent insight to Good Laboratory and Good Clinical Practices along with very useful summary steps involved in filing IND or NDA of botanical products. The book also gives Regulators' perspective of validating claims and how ethnopharmacological or traditional medicines need different approach.

Global Perspectives on Astaxanthin: From Industrial Production to Food, Health, and Pharmaceutical Applications explores the range of practical applications for this molecule, focusing on nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical products, along with food and feed. This volume brings together the most relevant research, background and future thinking on astaxanthin, focusing on its health benefits. Chapters cover phytopharmaceuticals, industrial production, feeds, downstream processing, regulations, products, color, pigment, cosmetics, bioactive compounds, relationships to other carotenoids, and skin care. The detailed information on its production, processing, utilization and future applications will be of particular use to academic and industry researchers in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology and nutrition.

Consolidating unbiased, peer-reviewed information from many sources, this book provides a one-stop resource on the use and health benefits of 50 different herbs. While the use of herbs and herbal supplements seem an attractive alternate to man-made therapies, such use is often inspired by anecdotal evidence rather than sound clinical research. Healthy Herbs: Fact versus Fiction examines the health claims associated with 50 popular herbs and coalesces the clinical findings on these natural substances. This useful resource examines the history and use of herbs and will ultimately help readers make informed decisions regarding these natural therapies. The findings in the book are culled from credible sources such as international, peer-reviewed journals, providing nomenclature, history, common usage, effectiveness, and additional suggested reading on selected herbs and herbal supplements. Rather than advocating for or against alternative medicine or herb use, the book provides authoritative, unbiased, and evidence-based information so the health conscious can make informed decisions for themselves. Each entry contains a concise bibliography of resources and references

It's been called everything from hemp and Mary Jane, to reefer, pot, and weed. "Cannabis sativa"-marijuana-offers therapeutic applications for everything from Alzheimer's disease and AIDS to Crohn's disease and cancer, and yet it is at the center of a national debate over its medicinal uses. And although research and anecdotal evidence clearly support the benefits of "Cannabis sativa," use of the healing herb is hindered by misinformation and misunderstanding.

Carol S. Bott, a nurse and chemical dependency specialist, addresses the false claims about marijuana and provides a compelling case for using the herb to provide relief to innocent, suffering, and dying patients. With a clear and concise question-and-answer format, she provides a detailed guide for growing cannabis, instructions for cooking with it, and advice for preparing topical applications. Bott emphasizes the appropriate medical uses of marijuana and urges that patient use be informed by local and state law. Most importantly, she presents extensive research to support her position that marijuana is one of the most healing and balancing herbs available today.

Whether you support the legalization of cannabis or are adamantly opposed to it, "How-To Marijuana" will give you invaluable insight into its uses and benefits.

The twelve volume in the Evidence-based Clinical Chinese Medicine series is a must read for Chinese medicine practitioners interested in neurology or rehabilitation. Using a 'whole evidence' approach, this book aims to provide an analysis of the management of post-stroke shoulder complications with Chinese and integrative medicine.This book describes the understanding and management of post-stroke shoulder complications with conventional medicine and Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine treatments used in past eras are analysed through data mining of classical Chinese medicine books. Several treatments are identified that are still used in contemporary clinical practice.Attention is then turned to evaluating the current state of evidence from clinical studies using an evidence-based medicine approach. Scientific techniques are employed to evaluate the results from studies of Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture and other Chinese medicine therapies. The findings from these reviews are discussed in terms of the implications for clinical practice and research.Chinese medicine practitioners and students can use this book as a desktop reference to support clinical decision making. Having ready access to the current state of evidence for herbal formulas and acupuncture treatments allows practitioners to be confident in providing evidence-based health care. This book is an easy to use reference, thus allowing practitioners to focus on providing high quality care supported by the best available evidence.This book links formulas, herbs and acupuncture points with treatment efficacy, providing the reader with potential for creating new formulas. Several of the most frequently used herbs from randomized controlled trials were investigated to identify their pharmacological actions in animal and cell-line studies. This gives the reader insight into the potential actions of herbs and their chemical constituents that are relevant to the pathogenesis of post-stroke shoulder complications, and may provide leads for drug discovery.The editors of this series are internationally recognized, well-respected leaders in the field of Chinese medicine and evidence-based medicine with strong track records in research.

The eleventh volume in the Evidence-based Clinical Chinese Medicine series is a must read for Chinese medicine practitioners interested in dermatology. Using a 'whole evidence' approach, this book aims to provide an analysis of the management of acne vulgaris with Chinese and integrative medicine.This book describes the understanding and management of acne vulgaris with conventional medicine and Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine treatments used in past eras are analysed through data mining of classical Chinese medicine books. Several treatments are identified that are still used in contemporary clinical practice. Attention is then turned to evaluating the current state of evidence from clinical studies using an evidence-based medicine approach. Scientific techniques are employed to evaluate the results from studies of Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture and other Chinese medicine therapies. The findings from these reviews are discussed in terms of the implications for clinical practice and research.Chinese medicine practitioners and students can use this book as a desktop reference to support clinical decision making. Having ready access to the current state of evidence for herbal formulas and acupuncture treatments allows practitioners to be confident in providing evidence-based health care.This book provides an innovative 'whole evidence' approach to the management of acne vulgaris. Multiple types of evidence from different sources are reviewed and synthesized to provide a summary of the available evidence.Interventions, including oral and topical Chinese herbal medicine, body and ear acupuncture and combinations of these therapies, are evaluated for their effect on acne lesion count and severity, and impact on health-related quality of life.Chinese medicine treatments that have been frequently used in clinical studies provide guidance for patient care. This book links formulas, herbs and acupuncture points with treatment efficacy, providing the reader with potential for creating new formulas.The editors of this series are internationally recognised, well-respected leaders in the field of Chinese medicine and evidence-based medicine with strong track records in research.