Herbal Supplements and the Brain: Understanding Their Health Benefits and Hazards
- By S.J. Enna, Stata Norton
- Published May 4, 2012 by FT Press. Part of the FT Press Science series.
- Copyright 2012
- Dimensions: 6" x 9"
- Pages: 272
- Edition: 1st
- Book
- ISBN-10: 0-13-282497-3
- ISBN-13: 978-0-13-282497-2
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Product Author Bios
S.J. Enna (Kansas City, KS) is Professor at University of Kansas Medical Center's Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology. He has made significant contributions in defining pharmacological and biochemical properties of neurotransmitter receptors, especially those for GABA. Dr. Enna's research is described in 200+ published research reports, reviews, and book chapters.
Stata Norton (Kansas City, KS), Emeritus Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center's Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics has published extensively in Molecular Interventions and elsewhere.
Today, many manufacturers of plant-based "neuroceuticals" claim their products can offer powerful benefits in brain function. However, the US government does not require these manufacturers to demonstrate their products’ effectiveness, leaving it difficult for consumers and health professionals to make decisions about the benefits and risks. In Herbal Supplements and the Brain: Understanding their Health Benefits and Hazards, two leading researchers provide this crucial information in clear language any intelligent reader can understand and use. They begin by introducing the fundamental principles of pharmacology, explaining how drugs and natural products can affect the body’s organs and organ systems. Using examples, they show how to determine whether an ingested substance can enter the bloodstream and reach its target at a concentration sufficient to have an effect. They also explain how natural products may influence blood levels of other substances, and discuss whether such interactions may diminish the effectiveness of prescription medications or alter normal body chemistry. Throughout, the authors emphasize factors relating especially to neuroceuticals and the brain. Individual chapters are devoted to nutritional supplements which promise to enhance memory, relieve pain, safely promote sleep, and aid in the treatment of depression or anxiety. Specifically, readers will find research-based coverage of Ginkgo biloba; St. John’s Wort; Valerian; Lemon Balm; Kava; Lavender; Kudzu, Daffodil, Passion Flower, and Camellia Tea and other caffeinated beverages.
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Not what I was expecting., By
This review is from: Herbal Supplements and the Brain: Understanding Their Health Benefits and Hazards (FT Press Science) (Hardcover)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
In their preface the authors say "the primary audience for this book is consumers interested in determining the value of herbal products purported to influence brain function." The jacket copy says it is "written in plain English and brings together all the scientific information you need to decide for yourself how the use of plant products affect the brain to enhance memory, relieve pain, promote sleep and treat depression or anxiety." That's a pretty tall order for a book of 193 pages (plus 40 pages of source notes) that covers only 10 supplements. "Written in plain English" is NOT how this reader would describe it. (I noticed that those quoted as describing it as such appear to be pharmacology professors.) This book reads to me much more like something written for an audience of scientists, academics and students of pharmacology.The 10 herbal supplements discussed in this book are: Ginkgo, St. Johns Wort, Valerian, Lemon Balm, Kava, Lavender, Kudzu, Daffodil, Passion... Read more
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Its Ok, By
This review is from: Herbal Supplements and the Brain: Understanding Their Health Benefits and Hazards (FT Press Science) (Hardcover)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I was excited to acquire this book. Unfortunately, I wan't too excited after reading it.It is a very limited view of supplements for the brain. Having seen the film "Limitless", I started researching nootropics on the internet. So much more information is available on the web, that my knowledge already exceeded what was contained within the pages of this book. Granted, "Limitless" is fantasy, but there are supplements that boost your mental abilities...One very common one is caffeine. This book covers Ginko, St. John's Wort, Valerian, Lemon Balm, Kava, Lavender, Kudzu, Daffodil, Passion Flower, Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa. Most of the above are available as teas in your local grocery store and most of these are stress reducers/calming agents. Perhaps the limitations of this book are due to its focus on "herbal" supplements. I am not sure why though, because most nootropics I know of are plant-based or vitamins. Some, though, are synthetic compounds... Read more
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Well-researched and informative look at the top brain supplements, By
This review is from: Herbal Supplements and the Brain: Understanding Their Health Benefits and Hazards (FT Press Science) (Hardcover)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I love my herbs and I love my brain, so the book Herbal Supplements and the Brain: Understanding Their Health Benefits and Hazards, had immediate appeal to me. Authors S.J. Enna and Stata Norton do a remarkable job providing ample background into ten different herbal supplements and their effects on the brain, as well as presenting the information in a thorough, if not academic, fashion. As noted, the herbs covered in this book are: Gingko, St. John's Wort, Valerian, Lemon Balm, Kava, Lavender, Kudzu, Daffodil, Passion Flower, and the triumvirate of Coffee, Tea and Cocoa.The book starts with a surprisingly fascinating account of herbal use throughout history which, if history does not appeal to you, may be skimmed or skipped altogether, if one so desires. The next two chapters cover pharmacology, and the biology and inner-workings of the brain itself. Each subsequent chapter then focuses on one herb, and is broken down into the following sections: * Botany... Read more |
Online Sample Chapter
Herbal Supplements and the Brain: Understanding Their Health Benefits and Hazards
Table of Contents
Preface xvi
Chapter 1 The Gifts of Eden 1
Chapter 2 Transforming Plants into Gold 7
Prehistoric Evidence 8
Early Documentation 9
Western Culture 11
Alchemy 13
Chemistry 15
Chapter 3 Thinking Like a Pharmacologist 17
The Origins of Pharmacology 19
Pharmacodynamics 21
Pharmacokinetics 24
In Vitro and In Vivo Studies 27
Pharmacology and Herbal Supplements 27
Herbal Supplement Pharmacology Checklist 28
Chapter 4 The Brain as a Drug Target 33
The Human Brain 36
Chemical Neurotransmission 39
Neurotransmitter Systems 41
Behavioral Assays 45
Clinical Studies 49
Chapter 5 Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) 53
Botany 55
Therapeutic Uses 55
Constituents 57
Pharmacokinetics 59
Pharmacodynamics 61
Adverse Effects 65
Pharmacological Perspective 66
Chapter 6 St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) 67
Botany 69
Therapeutic Uses 70
Constituents 71
Pharmacokinetics 74
Pharmacodynamics 75
Adverse Effects 80
Pharmacological Perspective 81
Chapter 7 Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) 83
Botany 84
Therapeutic Uses 85
Constituents 86
Pharmacokinetics 88
Pharmacodynamics 90
Adverse Effects 93
Pharmacological Perspective 94
Chapter 8 Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) 97
Botany 98
Therapeutic Uses 99
Constituents 99
Pharmacokinetics 100
Pharmacodynamics 102
Adverse Effects 106
Pharmacological Perspective 106
Chapter 9 Kava (Piper methysticum) 109
Botany 110
Therapeutic Uses 111
Constituents 112
Pharmacokinetics 112
Pharmacodynamics 114
Adverse Effects 118
Pharmacological Perspective 120
Chapter 10 Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) 123
Botany 124
Therapeutic Uses 125
Constituents 126
Pharmacokinetics 127
Pharmacodynamics 129
Adverse Effects 134
Pharmacological Perspective 135
Chapter 11 Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) 137
Botany 138
Therapeutic Uses 139
Constituents 140
Pharmacokinetics 141
Pharmacodynamics 143
Adverse Effects 146
Pharmacological Perspective 147
Chapter 12 Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) 149
Botany 151
Therapeutic Uses 152
Constituents 153
Pharmacokinetics 154
Pharmacodynamics 155
Adverse Effects 158
Pharmacological Perspective 159
Chapter 13 Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) 161
Botany 162
Therapeutic Uses 163
Constituents 164
Pharmacokinetics 166
Pharmacodynamics 168
Adverse Effects 173
Pharmacological Perspective 173
Chapter 14 Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa 175
Botany 177
Therapeutic Uses 178
Constituents 180
Pharmacokinetics 182
Pharmacodynamics 184
Adverse Effects 186
Pharmacological Perspective 187
Chapter 15 Epilogue 189
Endnotes 195
Index 237
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