Functional Foods for Cardiovascular Diseases. Danik M. Martirosyan, PhD, ed. Richardson, TX: D&A Inc.; 2005. 267 pp., softcover, contents, charts, tables, illustrations, author index. $58.95. ISBN 0-9767535-0-2.
Research contributions from international experts, some of which were presented at the international “Functional Foods for the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases” conference in Dallas, Texas, November 16-17, 2004 [see related article in HerbalGram #66, pp. 68-69; available online at http://www.herbalgram.org/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=2818]. Addresses modern approaches in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases by using the newest achievements in herbal remedies, natural food additives, functional foods, nutraceuticals, non-traditional plants, and new computerized methods. Discusses clinical nutrition during ischemic heart disease, which promotes recovery, restoration of the heart, and reduction of the burden on the cardiovascular system.
Handbook of Medicinal Plants. Zohara Yaniv, PhD, and Uriel Bachroach, PhD, eds. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press; 2005. 500 pp., softcover, contents, b/w photos, tables, figures, references, index. $59.95. ISBN 1-56022-995-0.
Comprehensive review of medicinal plants written by 19 experts explores numerous recent developments in the field of botanical medicine. Covers herbal use throughout history in various countries, modern technologies in medicinal plant research, and the latest advances in medicinal applications. Considers the challenges, threats, trends, and future of medicinal plant research. Includes chapters on production, breeding and in vitro cultivation of medicinal plants, and medicinal plants in the prevention and therapy of cancer, coronary heart disease, CNS disorders, endocrinology and metabolic disease, and the gastrointestinal tract.
Chamomile Industrial Profiles. Rolf Franke and Heinz Schilcher, eds. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis; 2005. 289 pp., hardcover, contents, b/w photos, tables, figures, illustrations, references, index. $128.95. ISBN 0-415-33463-2.
Focuses on German (Matricaria) and Roman (Anthemis) chamomiles. Discusses chemical constituents, analysis, pharmacology, toxicology, therapeutic uses and indications, experimental studies, breeding, cultivation, harvest, and processing of chamomile. Includes monographs and pharmacopeias dealing with chamomile.
Handbook of Analytical Methods for Dietary Supplements. Frank Jaksch, Mingfu Wang, PhD, and Mark Roman, PhD. Washington, DC: American Pharmacists Association; 2005. 215 pp., hardcover, contents, references, index. $179.95. ISBN 1-58212-055-2.
A reference of select current analytical methods for laboratory validation of dietary supplement ingredients. Includes monographs of 38 dietary supplements and validation data when known. Monographs contain descriptions of the supplements, uses, reference standards or marker compounds, validation methods, and chromatography specifications when available.
Common Mushrooms of the Talamanca Mountains, Costa Rica. Roy E. Halling and Gregory M. Mueller. Bronx, NY: The New York Botanical Garden Press; 2005. 195 pp., softcover, spiral bound, contents, color photos, bibliography, glossary, index. $19.95. ISBN 0-89327-460-7.
Field guide of the neotropical fungi in the Talamanca Mountains of Costa Rica. Details recommendations for collecting mushrooms for scientific study. Includes color photographs, descriptive commentaries and identification aids categorized by family, genera, and species.
The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants: Ethnopharmacology and Its Applications. Christian Ratsch. John R. Baker, Annabel Lee, and Cornelia Ballent, trans. Rochester, VT: Park Street Press; 1998. 942 pp., hardcover, contents, b/w and color photos, bibliography, index. $125.00. ISBN 0-89281-978-2.
Text is separated into psychoactive plants, psychoactive fungi, psychoactive products, and active constituents of plants. Covers botany, history, distribution, cultivation, preparation, dosage, ritual and medicinal usage, and cultural artifacts. Full monographs are available for most plants.
Concise Handbook of Psychoactive Herbs: Medicinal Herbs for Treating Psychological and Neurological Problems. Marcello Spinella, PhD. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press; 2005. 288 pp., softcover, contents, figures, tables, glossary, bibliography, index. $24.95. ISBN 0-7890-1858-6.
Explores how the brain and drugs work, as well as use, abuse, and addiction. Covers herbs by categories of stimulant, cognition-enhancing, sedative and anti-anxiety, mental illness, painkillers, hallucinogens, and cannabis. Focuses on mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety.