Herbal Supplements and the Brain: Understanding Their Health Benefits and Hazards (FT Press Science)

I expected this book to be more about herbs for the brain. What works and what does not etc. Also a easy list to read in some type of order. I did not find that in this book.There is no index in this book, which I found odd. So if I wanted to look up a herb,I could not find it again, unless I go through the book. I feel this book was to be read for Drs, or someone educated in tbis field., and not a lay person as myself!S.J. Enna is a Professor at University of Kansas Medical centers departments of Molecular and cellular physiology and of pharmacology, toxicology, and therapeutics.He is acclaimed internationally for his research in defining the pharmacological and biochemical properties of neurotransmitter reciptors, especially those for GABA.Sta Norton, Is a Emeritus professor at the University of Kansas medical centers department of pharmacology, toxicology, and therapeutics .If you have a family member,or yourself, or friend that has some problems , I think they would enjoy this book.I gave this book a 3 star, as the Authors are well educated in there field, and put allot oftime and energy into writing this book. I truthfully do not understand much of this.I will probably give this book to my Dr. friend and hope he enjoys it.

I grew up reading the likes of Euell Gibbons, Jethro Kloss, Richard Lucas and Bradford Angier. Back in the 60s and 70s, these «back to nature» gurus encouraged relearning old-time herbal folklore medicine and eating wild greens. Many were remedy books touting herbs’ healing properties. I often wondered then, and still do, about an herb’s interaction/effect within our body. What are we really ingesting? To this day, objective and scientific research remains limited, even though herbal supplement sales have skyrocketed.For as many herbals as I have read, this is the first that addresses a plant’s mechanism of action; more specifically, herbs that treat central nervous system disorders or modify brain function. The first half of the book provides pertinent historical background on plant product usage that change CNS function, including their drug discoveries and technique developments. Although very informative, it reads more like textbook material, explaining basic principles of pharmacology and the general science of drugs as it pertains to herbal supplements (their effectiveness/safety).The last half of the book is certainly more reader-friendly and less technical. Each ensuing chapter focuses on a specific plant product thought to have an effect on the central nervous system. Some highlighted herbs are more well-known, like St. John’s wort, valerian and even coffee, tea and cocoa. Others aren’t, like daffodil. I found that chapter particularly interesting as this plant clearly offers clinical benefits, but because of its many bioactive alkaloid properties, also demonstrates potentially toxic side effects.Traditional medicines undergo stringent federal rules and regulations; herbal supplements don’t. Although therapeutic plants have been recognized and eaten for thousands of years, only recently have their compounds been broken down and analyzed. This is a great companion book to general herbal guides, offering readers relevant scientific data to back up or dispute popular health claims. I hope to see more books of this type written about other herbal groups.

The information in this book is quite intense. It appears to be written more for a pharmacist or doctor than the consumer. It would be very helpful if each chapter on a specific herb or substance had a Cliff Notes like chart at the end with a reference to the page that elaborates on the issue presented, such as Contra-indications: NSAIDS, see page 45 bottom paragraph. This chart can then be used to give a quick reference to the herb and the issues of each herb. I like to learn the details but prefer to get a over-all picture before getting inundated with information.A follow up version called Herbal Supplements and the Brain for DUMMIES would probably be well received.