African Natural Plant Products: New Discoveries and Challenges in Chemistry and Quality. H. Rodolfo Juliani, James Simon, and Chi-Tang Ho (eds). Oxford, OH: American Chemical Society; 2010. Hardcover; 595 pages. ISBN-13: 978-0-84126987-3. $195.00 Available in ABC’s online store.This book focuses on Africa’s biodiversity and indigenous knowledge of African medicinal plants. Topics include medicinal applications of African plants and clinical research that supports traditional uses. Also explored are recent discoveries in natural plant products chemistry, case studies of African medicinal plants in pharmaceutical preparations, and the emerging efforts in developing quality control in African medicinal plants.

Evaluation of Herbal Medicinal Products: Perspectives on Quality, Safety and Efficacy. Pulok Mukherjee and Peter Houghton (eds). London: Pharmaceutical Press; 2009. Hardcover; 502 pages. ISBN-13: 978-0-85369-751-0. $199.99. Available in ABC’s online store.This book explores the current approaches and techniques used to evaluate the quality and efficacy of herbal medicine. It contains chapters on the current thinking and practices in this area. Topics include determining the mechanisms of action of herbs and their phytochemical constituents, development of standardized phytomedicines, shelf-life of herbal remedies, clinical trials, toxicology, and more.

Integrative Women’s Health. Victoria Maizes and Tieraona Low Dog (eds). New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2010. Hardcover; 688 pages. ISBN-13: 978-0-19-537881-8. $49.95,This is the fourth text in the Weil Integrative Medicine Library series. This book focuses on such topics as reproductive health (including premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy, menopause, fibroids, and endometriosis), women’s spirituality, sexuality, and attitudes about aging. Also explored are specific integrative treatment recommendations for conditions that may affect women differently than men, including cardiovascular disease, depression, and cancer. Co-editor Tieraona Low Dog, MD, is a well-known expert in herbs and women’s health, and Victoria Maizes, MD, is a leading expert in integrative medicine.

Molecular Targets and Therapeutic Uses of Spices: Modern Uses for Ancient Medicine. Bharat Aggarwal and Ajaikumar Kunnumakkara. Hackensack, NJ: World Scientific Publishing Company; 2009. Hardcover; 410 pages. ISBN-13: 978-981-283-7905. $105.00. Available in ABC’s online store.This book outlines the traditional and therapeutic uses, active constituents, health benefits, and molecular targets of many common spices. Spices explored in monographs include black pepper, mint, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and more. Also explored are the bioactive compounds isolated from spices that have led to a scientific basis for the incorporation of spices into the diet.

The Sexual Herbal: Prescriptions for Enhancing Love and Passion. Brigitte Mars. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press; 2010. Paperback; 502 pages. ISBN-13: 978-159477286-3. $24.95.Author Brigitte Mars, a founding member of the American Herbalist Guild, uses her herbal and nutritional expertise to suggest common herbs, herbal recipes, and more for improving sexual health and function. She includes advice on finding and maintaining an emotionally healthy and loving relationship.

Traditional Medicine. Steven Kayne. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 2010. Paperback; 320 pages. ISBN-13: 978-0-85369-8333. $59.99. Available in ABC’s online store.Spanning 5 continents, this study explores traditional medicine systems in Europe, North and South America, Africa, China, India, Japan, Korea, and more. Each section is written by a different expert and notes the history, philosophy, quality control, and evidence of effectiveness of traditional medicines within featured geographic locations or cultures.