Natural product chemistry
Chapter 6 Natural product chemistry This chapter looks briefly at the chemistry of natural products. This is the study of chemicals produced by the many diverse organisms of nature, including…
Families yielding important phytopharmaceuticals
Chapter 4 Families yielding important phytopharmaceuticals Systematics has always been an important tool in pharmacognostical practice and research. Related families often contain similar types of compounds and, therefore, may have…
The respiratory system
Chapter 16 The respiratory system Minor common disorders of the respiratory system can often be successfully treated with phytotherapy and it can be helpful as a supportive measure in more…
The gastrointestinal and biliary system
Chapter 14 The gastrointestinal and biliary system Gastrointestinal (GI) and liver disorders account for minor, everyday complaints as well as major health problems. Dietary measures can improve symptoms that are…
The central nervous system
Chapter 17 The central nervous system Drugs acting on the central nervous system (CNS) include the centrally acting (mainly opioid) analgesics, anti-epileptics and anti-Parkinson agents, as well as those for…
Pharmacognosy and its history: people, plants and natural products
Chapter 2 Pharmacognosy and its history people, plants and natural products The history of pharmacy was for centuries identical to that of pharmacognosy, or the study of materia medica, which…
Infectious diseases
Chapter 18 Infectious diseases Plants have been a central part of traditional medicines to cure topical and systemic infections caused by microbes, in particular bacteria. These preparations form the basis…
Methods in natural product chemistry
Chapter 7 Methods in natural product chemistry In Chapter 6 we looked at the initial process in the selection of biomass (plant or microbe), its extraction and screening in different…
Anticancer natural products
Chapter 8 Anticancer natural products Plants have been the basis of sophisticated medical systems for thousands of years, particularly in China and India, and they have an essential role in…
Production, standardization and quality control
Chapter 9 Production, standardization and quality control Most people look at herbal medicines and the products derived from them from the perspective of the benefits they expect to receive. However,…
