Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices Of Herbal Medicine

by David Hoffmann

A foundational textbook on the scientific principles of therapeutic herbalism and their application in medicine

• A complete handbook for the medical practitioner

• Includes the most up-to-date information on preparations, dosage, and contraindications

• By the author of The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal

Medical Herbalism contains comprehensive information concerning the identification and use of medicinal plants by chemical structure and physiological effect, the art and science of making herbal medicine, the limitations and potential of viewing herbs chemically, and the challenge to current research paradigms posed by complex plant medicines. It also includes information on toxicology and contraindications, the issues involved in determining dosage and formulation types for an individual, guides to the different measurement systems and conversion tables, and the pros and cons of both industrial and traditional techniques.

With additional sections devoted to the principles of green medicine, the history of Western Herbalism, the variety of other medical modalities using medicinal plants, an extensive resource directory, and a discussion of treatments organized by body system, Medical Herbalism is the comprehensive textbook all students and practitioners of clinical herbalism need to develop their healing practices.

Genres: Health, Herbs, Nonfiction, Science, Medicine, Plants, Reference

672 pages, Hardcover

First published August 30, 2003

About the author

Librarian note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name


David Hoffmann is a member of Britain’s National Institute of Medical Herbalists. He has taught phytotherapy throughout the English-speaking world through his course, Therapeutic Herbalism. His numerous books nave been translated into at least eight languages and are basic references for both beginning and advanced students.

David Hoffmann has been a clinical phytotherapist since 1978 and has been teaching Herbal Medicine since 1985. He is one of the founding members and a past president of the American Herbalists Guild. He is on the advisory board of the American Botanical Council, the peer-review boards of Herbalgram and the Protocol Journal of Botanical Medicine, and the steering committee of the American Herbal Pharmacopoea. He is the author of 17 books, and teaches phytotherapy throughout the world, including places such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada. He is visiting faculty at Bastyr University, The California Institute of Integral Studies, the National College of Phytotherapy, and the Rocky Mountain School of Botanical Studies. He resides in California.

Reviews

[Irene]

This is a tome of a book, and I'm sure a lot of the information in it is valuable, but after reading the author thinks "the value of homeopathy in health care is not in question" I am going to take literally anything else he says with a massive grain of salt.

Herbalism should be about understanding plants, how they work within themselves and the ecosystem, and how they can be used to treat all sorts of ailments. Chamomile and lavender have well documented calming properties, but they will only get you so far if you have a sleep disorder. They're plants, not magic. Homeopathy is so ludicrous in its approach you're more likely to get useful information from Galen. I'll keep paging through this book and double check anything I find helpful in other sources.

[Karlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic, thorough, well-researched textbook on the subject of organic chemistry and its applications to medicine. However, if you are looking for an entry-level, accessible book of herbal knowledge: this is not that book. This text is intended for people who have studied organic chemistry. It is a balanced, evidence-based resource. There is no "plant woo" or spirituality to be found here (I'm surprised people have complained about that. It's a textbook, not a spiritual guide. )

I have not studied organic chemistry, but I do work in healthcare. I found I was not able to always follow what was being said. Which is fine, I sort of knew when I bought it that would be the case. There was still plenty of knowledge to glean from this text, including suggestions for prescriptions for common ailments.

I bought this book because I was considering taking an evidence-based course in herbalism and thought "Well, if I can ge through this and still have an interest in the subject, then perhaps its worth it to further consider that course". It has convinced me to proceed.

[Jessica Worden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really the best plant book I've ever read. It's not esoteric in the slightest and provides you with a good understanding of the chemical aspect of medical herbalism.

[Gabbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical and scientific approach to the greatly debated subject of herbs and their efficacy. David Hoffmann is a faculty member of the California School of Herbal Studies, and if you're looking for something that helps herbs make sense, or if you're a little skeptical about their potency, or perhaps a scientist looking for the science that proves the proclamation of "herbs are medicine", you should definitely consider this book.
To quote the front innerfold on the book, "Medical Herbalism is a foundational textbook on the scientific principles of therapeutic herbalism and their application in medicine. Based on the author's more than twenty-five years of herbal practice, it contains comprehensive information concerning the identification and use of medicinal plants both by chemical structure and physiological effect, the art and science of making herbal medicine, and the challenge to current research paradigms posed by complex plant medicines."

[Daniel Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

An all in debt, scientifically backed herbal textbook. The first chapter emphasizes the importance of holistic medicine, and what it is. Then the rest of the book is an amazing reference point to many different ailments, herbs,and recipies. However, the books main advantage is the knowledge, and courage it gives a medical practitioner to make their own choices based on your patients, knowledge, and intuition, leaving behind dogmatic medical practices. From philosophies to sciences this is a must have for any herbalist, even more so to any health practitioner interested in a more holistic approach to medicine. David Hoffman, is all I need to say. His science of healing is by far one of the best, and if you like any of his works, this is the one to get

[Tami Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hands down one of the best herbalism books out there! I read this for my HERB 201 class an it is full of all the information you need to know about using herbs for medical issues or improving health. I highly recommend this book!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously a good foundation from a scientific approach to herbalism! Period.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for herbal students or anyone interested in herbal medicine. This book is more advanced so if you are just starting with herbal medicine it may not be the best one for you.
Included in the book are chapters on the philosophy of herbal treatment, the approach to various ailments, the major groups of active constituents in plants and short and concise monograhps on herbs.
I use this book all the time for my herbal studies, it is a great reference book. I like it as it covers a lot of plants. The index is very useful to quickly search for what you are looking for.
I have both a physiacl copy and the electronic, the latter comes handy especially for searching through the text or for the occasions that i can't carry the book around with me.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent textbook and reference for anyone wanting to learn herbalism. It was my textbook in herb school and after reading and collecting so many other herb books, it is the one that I teach from as well. I still refer to back to it, so the date "finished" is a bit of a stretch!

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

While full of information, completely indigestible to the average reader as limited "how this applies" information. Great as a textbook companion to a learning environment, but not a resource for self learning.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reference.

[Amanda Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a book for beginners. This a fantastic resource for both student and professional medical herbalists. There some minor errors in places which could always be fixed with a second edition.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great resource for herbal medicine with studies to make it up. This book will always be useful

[Jen Kangas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scientific, legitimate information. There is so much I didn’t know…the best book to read if interested in alternative medicines

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Densely packed with information. Difficult to get through, but worth it. You will want to have page makers ready for future reference.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great deal of information here. There are many sections describing body systems (e.g. musculoskeletal), a nice materia medica, and sections describing common constituents (e.g. pyrrolizidine alkaloids). A great deal of this was over my head, but it is a necessary book for herbalist as it allows you to take look at a herb's constituent and see if they are safe. For example, if you were considering taking mugwort you could lookup thujone and learn about its toxicity and know that there is some risk involved. True, you would be being rather reductionist (the author thinks mugwort is fine) and perhaps wrong but I'd rather be safe than sorry until I have an expert to consult or know more.

[Joolie · Rating 3 out of 5]

ahhh, herb school versions of text books. its a little intimidating, but so far is satisfies my nerdy scientific mind as well as the closet goddess. He's pretty technical but also the worlds biggest hippie - he moved from the UK where he was a licensed herbalist to Sebastapol if that tells you anything.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has almost too much info, and all of it is worthwhile. It is an excellent reference book for when you have plenty of time to just sit and study it. Not something I would drag out every day, but the info is really useful and good to know. I think it belongs on every herbalist's book shelf.

[Theresa Girolami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like David's book but its very allopathic in its approach, for instance if you have X use this formula. Having been trained in Chinese Medicine I like to find the clients pattern of dysfunction and build the formula around that not make the client fit the formula.

So if you don't that much about herbal medicine its a good reference.

[Chanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great guide to phytomedicine
Hoffmann wrote an excellent guide to understanding the world of medicinal plants. I enjoyed learning about the different classes of compounds responsible for bioactivity in plants, as well as the pharmacology and toxicology involved. I’ll certainly be referring back to this book many times in the future.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book which focuses on the science behind herbalism. A must have for anyone truly interested in healing herbs.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this books. Great tomb for the western herbalist. Only downfall is that in doesn't get into energetic medicine but never claims to either. Lots of info and clinical advice.

[Claudia]

GCNM Book

[Alaxeria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great explanations, from the science of phytomedicine and herbalism, fantastic references and great writing.

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of a kind, includes actions, properties, formulation, phytochemistry, etc. great reference.

[Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super interesting and going to take me a long time to fully grasp, going to take a lot of reading and note taking.

[Lana Roach · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully laid out, scientific herbal medica.

[Mie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of the textbooks at herbal medicine class. I love this book! It is well organized and understandable and easy to check.

[Faustina Owusu]

It important

[Shamsu Osman]

Book 1