This is a comprehensive handbook for food processors covering over 30 major herbs and spices. It is introduced with general information about the spices trade, and quality and safety issues, followed by details on individual herbs and spices.

The development of medical drug therapy in medieval times can be seen as an interplay between tradition and innovation. This book follows the changes in the therapy from the Arabic medicine of Ibn Sīnā (Avicenna) to Latin medical scholasticism, aiming to trace both the continuity and the development in the theory and practice of medieval drug therapy. In this delicate balance between change and continuity a crucial role was played by the scientific community through critical rejection or acceptance of new ideas. The drug choices were in most cases rational also from the point of view of contemporary medical theory. The method used in the book for studying these choices could promote the development of a novel methodology for historical ethnopharmacology.

Bioactive Phytochemicals from Himalayas: A Phytotherapeutic Approach covers herbal medicines from the Himalayan mountains. Chapters in this book detail molecular mechanisms and experimental tools and techniques for research on plants in this region. Phytochemical experts guide the readers through the role of Himalayan plants in therapy for metabolic diseases like cancer and diabetes, hepatic diseases, inflammatory diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. Some chapters focus on diseases and how various plants from Himalayan origin are beneficial in these diseases. This compilation,with professional contributors, aims to inform a wide scientific community from various research fields about basic research on medicinal plants with a focus on Himalayan herbs. The book also serves as a handbook for pharmacologists working on the broad therapeutic aspects of these plants.

This unique volume presents new understandings of the neurochemical nature of major depression, and how herbs and their constituent flavonoids and terpenes appear to address some of the mechanisms now thought to be involved. It explores how recent studies of the rapid antidepressant effects of ketamine inform neuroscientists about deep intracellular mechanisms of antidepressant action that have little to do with simple enhancement of monoaminergic activity. These mechanisms include actions on PI3K, Akt, mTOR, GSK3, BDNF, and other intracellular pathways. New theories of the pathophysiology underlying major depression, such as oxidative damage, inflammation, stress and insulin resistance are then explored. Key Features: Focuses on oxidative damage, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome. Explains that a significant percentage of people treated for major depression obtain little if any relief from standard antidepressant medications. These facts lead to discussion of herbs that can be used to treat major depression, as well as consideration of the scientific basis for how these herbs act. The antidepressant properties of 66 herbs are discussed, along with dosing and safety information.

Lavender is one of the most versatile and beneficial plants known to herbalists. It is one of the most ancient herbal remedies known, packed with medicinal and therapeutic properties that can benefit every aspect of life. This informative and practical book describes the plant's manifold uses--medicinal, cosmetic, therapeutic, cleansing and culinary--and outlines its extensive history and folklore. The many varieties of lavender are described, with advice on how to grow it. Philippa Waring provides detailed instructions on harvesting and processing lavender to extract the essential oil, as well as advice on how to store and use the oil. Fully illustrated and packed with recipes, herbal remedies and an informative resource section, this informative book outlines the many uses of this plant. Discover how lavender can help to combat stress, depression and anxiety disorders. Its sedative qualities can help with insomnia, especially in the elderly as it has fewer side-effects than prescribed medication. Not only an ideal cosmetic for the skin, its anti-inflammatory properties can ease burns, heal scar tissue and clear up skin problems. Lavender is the essential guide for anyone who wants to make the most out of nature's own remedies. Revealing the sundry benefits behind one of the most ancient herbal remedies, this study demonstrates the medicinal and therapeutic properties of the lavender plant. Exploring lavender s many uses, this survey outlines how it is used to achieve emotional well-being through its calming, uplifting, and antidepressant qualities, treat a range of injuries and illnesses, and flavor many culinary delights. Detailed instructions on harvesting and processing the plant to extract the valuable oil are provided along with advice on how to store and use it. With a wealth of illustrations and a comprehensive resource section, this guide is essential for utilizing this versatile plant s rejuvenating qualities. Information on growing the various types of lavender as well as its history and folklore are also included."

From unusual tropical spices to temperate herbs to native species, this guide covers plants that will succeed in every region with a focus on plants with culinary uses. *Detailed profiles of nearly 100 plants, ranging from unusual tropical species, to temperate herbs, to native species. *Range maps for each species and covers every region of the state. *Information on cultivation, harvest, and use of the plants. *Broad assortment of scent plants and describes growth habits and landscape uses and flowering characteristics for adding interest and color to the garden.

This reference provides an up-to-date compilation of background scientific information that advocates the application of currently developed clinical studies of the effects of aromatherapy to the treatment of human diseases such as mild, stress-induced mood disorders, infectious diseases, and age-related disturbances. It presents a rational basis for clinical translations of aromatherapy for treating human diseases in need of safer or more effective therapies and discusses the need for further clinical development in areas where therapy is lacking.

Essential Oils: Contact Allergy and Chemical Composition provides a full review of contact allergy to essential oils along with detailed analyses of the chemical composition of essential oils known to cause contact allergy. In addition to literature data, this book presents the results of nearly 6,400 previously unpublished sample analyses, by far the largest set of essential oils analyses ever reported in a single source of scientific literature. Covering 91 essential oils and two absolutes, the book presents an alphabetical list of all 4,350 ingredients that have been identified in them, a list of chemicals known to cause contact allergy and allergic contact dermatitis, and tabular indications of the ingredients that can be found in each essential oil. The book discusses contact allergy and allergic contact dermatitis for each of the oils and absolutes, sometimes able to provide only one or two reports but drawing upon considerable amounts of literature in other cases, such as with tea tree oil, ylang-ylang oil, lavender oil, rose oil, turpentine oil, jasmine absolute, and sandalwood oil. While limited information on the main components and their concentrations would be enough for most dermatologists, this book gives extensive coverage not only to improve levels of medical knowledge and quality of patient care, but also for the benefit of professionals beyond clinical study and practice, such as chemists in the perfume and cosmetics industries, perfumers, academic scientists working with essential oils and fragrances, aromatherapists, legislators, and those involved in the production, sale, and acquisition of essential oils.

Medicinal and aromatic plants are beneficial to human health. Plant-derived molecules possess biological activities that can be used to prevent many infectious diseases and metabolic disorders. Ethnobotany and Ethnopharmacology of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants summarizes techniques and methods used to study the biological activities of plant-derived extracts and compounds to study ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological features of medicinal and aromatic plants. This book: Includes computational approaches to study the pharmacological properties of biomolecules in medicinal and aromatic plants. Details methods in ethnopharmacology including chromatographical and analytical techniques. Demonstrates trends in sustainable use and management of medicinal and aromatic plants. Features information on databases and tools used in computational phytochemistry for drug designing and discovery. Elucidates the importance of phytochemicals as immunomodulators in herbal drug development including their nanoformulations. A volume in the Exploring Medicinal Plants series, Ethnobotany and Ethnopharmacology of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants will be of interest to those working with plant extracts, including botanists and ethnobotanists, pharmacologists and ethnopharmacologists, as well as scientists and researchers interested in natural compounds and their potential applications.