Chinese & related North American herbs: phytopharmacology & therapeutic values

720 Pages·2009·3.243 MB·English

by  Thomas S. C. Li

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Library of Congress Cataloging‑in‑Publication Data
Li, Thomas S. C.
Chinese and related North American herbs : phytopharmacology and therapeutic
values / Thomas S.C. Li. -- 2nd ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-4200-9415-2 (hardcover : alk. paper)
1. Materia medica, Vegetable--North America. 2. Materia medica, Vegetable--China.
3. Medicine, Chinese. 4. Herbs--Therapeutic use. I. Title.
RS164.L5645 2009
615’.321--dc22 2009028980
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Foreword
Western researchers are increasingly acknowledging the importance of the
traditional herbal preparations that have been the mainstay of Eastern medicine
for millennia. Indeed, Western society in general is now consuming numerous
herbal medicines, and over-the-counter commercial herbals now compete with
prescription pharmaceuticals. Given the European origin of Western society,
it is not surprising that European plants dominate the medicinal plant industry
of the West. However, Asian medicinal plants are now enthusiastically being
incorporated into Western medical practice, most particularly Chinese herbs.
Unfortunately, while there is an incredible wealth of knowledge about Chinese
herbs, most of this information has been unavailable to Western society, and even
the accessible information has often been in obscure sources. The famous 15th-
century physician Paracelsus taught that the only difference between a medicine
and a poison was the dose, so it is critical to know not only what potentially useful
chemicals are present in a given plant species, but also the potential for toxic-
ity. Lack of knowledge of both the therapeutic and toxic properties of Chinese
medicinal herbs has doubtlessly retarded progress toward developing more effec-
tive medications.
Chinese and Related North American Herbs by Dr. Thomas Li represents a mile-
stone in educating Western society about a previously unavailable treasure chest of
medicinal knowledge.
This book is an authoritative and comprehensive reference guide to a very large
number of significant Chinese medicinal herbs. A gold mine of information is
available on their chemical constituents and therapeutic applications. This will be
extremely useful to a wide range of healthcare professionals who deal in one way or
another with medicinal plants. The current heated debate regarding the comparative
values of traditional herbal preparations and physician-prescribed pharmaceuticals
should in no way detract from the value of this book, since Chinese medicinal herbs
are not simply useful in herbal form, but also have immense potential for contribut-
ing to the development of new pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Li’s dual presentation of Chinese herbs and their close North American rela-
tives is a stroke of genius. Charles Darwin was one of the first to be puzzled by
the fact that many plants of eastern Asia are remarkably similar to many plants of
eastern North America. We now know that this phenomenon is due to the existence
of an ancient, continuous temperate flora that became separated by geological and
climatic changes. Accordingly, many Chinese herbs can be expected to have similar
chemicals and similar medicinal values to their North American counterparts, and
Dr. Li presents this extremely important information more competently than anyone
to date.
v
vi Foreword
Dr. Li, one of the world’s leading authorities on medicinal plants, has dedicated
many years of effort to acquiring and condensing the information presented in this
reference text. He is to be congratulated on this superb and invaluable synthesis.
Ernest Small, Ph.D.
Principal Research Scientist
Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Canada
Preface
The use of medicinal herbs for treating human disease started in China thou-
sands of years ago. Eighty percent of the world’s population is still using traditional
medicine, either because they have no access to Western medicine or choose not to
use it. Recently, the use of medicinal herbs, especially Chinese herbs and their prod-
ucts, has attracted considerable attention around the world and generated extensive
research on their philosophy, principles, and especially the scientific background of
the chemical components responsible for their claimed therapeutic value.
Research in Chinese medicinal herbs has been conducted for decades in China,
Japan, and Korea and recently in the West. Unfortunately, language barriers and
the unreliability of sources and herbal material have hampered progress. A basic
scientific understanding of the Chinese herbal preparations is the first step toward
building consumer confidence in herbal medications. Proper procedures to eliminate
adulteration, contamination, and toxic side effects are also urgently needed to regu-
late the use of Chinese herbs.
This book is designed to provide researchers with easy access to information on
Chinese medicinal herbs compiled from widely scattered sources in the Chinese and
Western literature. Table 1A B present current available information on the major
constituents and therapeutic values of more than 1800 species of Chinese medici-
nal herbs. The data are arranged alphabetically by the Latin name followed by the
common Chinese and English names. Tables 2 and 3 present data on a total of 700
North American herbs belonging to the same species or genus as Chinese herbs, and
a comparison of active ingredients and claimed therapeutic values. Appendices 1, 2,
and 3 cross-reference Chinese and scientific names, and major active ingredients and
their sources in the Chinese and North American herbs cited in the tables.
The information in this book is primarily for reference and education. It is not
intended to be a substitute for the advice of a physician. The uses of medicinal plants
described in this book are not recommendations, and the author is not responsible for
any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of information in this book.
vii

Acknowledgments
The author thanks Lynne Boyd and Peggy Watson, librarians, for their efforts
in the literature search. I also thank my colleagues, Drs. Tom Beveridge, Cheryl
Hampson, Dave Oomah, and Peter Sholberg, for their valuable assistance. Finally, I
would like to thank my family for their encouragement.
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