Tyler’s Herbs of Choice The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals Third Edition © 2009 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC Tyler’s Herbs of Choice The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals Third Edition Dennis V.C. Awang Boca Raton London New York CRC Press is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2009 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group 6000 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300 Boca Raton, FL 33487-2742 © 2009 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC CRC Press is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business No claim to original U.S. Government works Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 International Standard Book Number-13: 978-0-7890-2809-9 (Hardcover) This book contains information obtained from authentic and highly regarded sources. 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ISBN 978-0-7890-2809-9 (hardcover : alk. paper) -- ISBN 978-0-7890-2810-5 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Herbs--Therapeutic use. I. Robbers, James E. Tyler’s herbs of choice. II. Title. RM666.H33R6 2009 615’.321--dc22 2009006363 Visit the Taylor & Francis Web site at http://www.taylorandfrancis.com and the CRC Press Web site at http://www.crcpress.com © 2009 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC Dedication This second revision of Professor Tyler’s original text is dedicated to his memory. The late Dr. Varro E. “Tip” Tyler (1926–2001) was a dear friend, a consummate gentleman, and, undoubtedly, one of the most outstanding botanical medicine scientists of the twentieth century. His contributions to aca- demia and to public education, as well as his tireless efforts in promoting sensible, effective regulation of the herbal industry, are an everlasting monument to his scientific preeminence and his generous character. © 2009 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC Contents Foreword ...........................................................................................................xv Preface ...............................................................................................................xxi The author .......................................................................................................xxv Chapter 1 Basic principles ............................................................................ 1 Definitions ........................................................................................................... 1 Differences between herbs and other drugs .................................................. 2 Herbal quality ..................................................................................................... 3 Paraherbalism ..................................................................................................... 5 Homeopathy ....................................................................................................... 7 Rational herbalism ............................................................................................. 9 General guidelines in the use of herbal medicines ..................................... 12 Herbal dosage forms ........................................................................................ 14 Herbal medicine information sources .......................................................... 15 References ......................................................................................................... 17 Chapter 2 Contents and use of subsequent chapters ........................... 19 References ......................................................................................................... 22 Chapter 3 Digestive system problems .....................................................23 Nausea and vomiting (motion sickness) ....................................................... 23 Herbal remedy for nausea and vomiting ................................................. 23 Ginger .................................................................................................. 23 Appetite loss ..................................................................................................... 27 Significant bitter herbs ................................................................................ 28 Gentian ................................................................................................ 28 Centaury.............................................................................................. 29 Minor bitter herbs ....................................................................................... 29 Bitterstick ............................................................................................ 29 Blessed thistle ..................................................................................... 29 Bogbean ............................................................................................... 29 Wormwood ......................................................................................... 30 © 2009 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC viii Contents Constipation ...................................................................................................... 30 Bulk-producing laxatives ........................................................................... 30 Psyllium seed ..................................................................................... 31 Stimulant laxatives ...................................................................................... 32 Significant stimulant laxatives .................................................................. 33 Cascara sagrada ................................................................................. 33 Buckthorn (frangula) bark ................................................................ 34 Senna ................................................................................................... 34 Other stimulant laxatives ........................................................................... 35 Aloe (aloes) ......................................................................................... 35 Rhubarb ............................................................................................... 35 Diarrhea ............................................................................................................. 36 Other antidiarrheal herbs .......................................................................... 37 Blackberry root ................................................................................... 37 Blueberries .......................................................................................... 38 Indigestion—dyspepsia .................................................................................. 38 Carminatives ................................................................................................ 39 Significant carminative herbs .................................................................... 40 Peppermint ......................................................................................... 40 Chamomile ......................................................................................... 41 Minor carminative herbs ............................................................................ 43 Anise .................................................................................................... 44 Caraway .............................................................................................. 44 Coriander ............................................................................................ 44 Fennel .................................................................................................. 44 Calamus .............................................................................................. 44 Cholagogues