A major advantage of this book is that it offers in one volume, the most relevant and up to date data on this subject. Moreover it displays a remarkable and deep synthesis of the wealth of bibliographic information available.


The various aspects and parts of plants are described as well as the biosynthetic aspects, the geographical dispersion, the cultivation and official quality control parameters. The use of the herbs and the preparations made from them are presented in great detail. Molecular structures, physicochemical properties of substances, the means to identify them properly – quite a complex area – but also everything relating to the pharmacokinetics and the numerous pharmacotoxic and clinical mechanisms is treated with the utmost scientific rigour. The pharmacodynamic properties and the large number of toxicological studies available are described. The section on clinical aspects deals with the conditions of use, potential risks and limitations but also the benefits which anthranoid containing plants can offer to people faced with the problem of constipation in their everyday life. In short, this book offers a unique overview of the best scientific data and knowledge available.