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Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, 3rd Edition

Authors :
Michael Heinrich & Joanne Barnes & José Prieto-Garcia & Simon Gibbons & Elizabeth M. Williamson
Date of Publication: 12/2017
New Edition Coming Soon
Pharmacognosy (the science of biogenic or nature-derived pharmaceuticals and poisons) has been an established basic pharmaceutical science taught in institutions of pharmacy education for over two centuries. Over the past 20 years though it has becom ...view more

Pharmacognosy (the science of biogenic or nature-derived pharmaceuticals and poisons) has been an established basic pharmaceutical science taught in institutions of pharmacy education for over two centuries. Over the past 20 years though it has become increasingly important given the explosion of new drugs, phytomedicines (plant medicines), nutraceuticals and dietary supplements – all of which need to be fully understood, tested and regulated.

From a review of the previous edition:

‘Drawing on their wealth of experience and knowledge in this field, the authors, who are without doubt among the finest minds in pharmacognosy today, provide useful and fascinating insights into the history, botany, chemistry, phytotherapy and importance of medicinal plants in some of today’s healthcare systems. This is a landmark textbook, which carefully brings together relevant data from numerous sources and provides, in an authoritative and exhaustive manner, cutting-edge information that is relevant to pharmacists, pharmacognocists, complementary practitioners, doctors and nurses alike.’ The Pharmaceutical Journal

‘This is an excellent text book which provides fascinating insights into the world of pharmacognosy and the authors masterfully integrated elements of orthodox pharmacognosy and phytotherapy. Both the science student and the non-scientific person interested in phytotherapy will greatly benefit from reading this publication. It is comprehensive, easy to follow and after having read this book, one is so much more aware of the uniqueness of phytomedicines. A must read for any healthcare practitioner.’

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Pharmacognosy (the science of biogenic or nature-derived pharmaceuticals and poisons) has been an established basic pharmaceutical science taught in institutions of pharmacy education for over two centuries. Over the past 20 years though it has become increasingly important given the explosion of new drugs, phytomedicines (plant medicines), nutraceuticals and dietary supplements – all of which need to be fully understood, tested and regulated.

From a review of the previous edition:

‘Drawing on their wealth of experience and knowledge in this field, the authors, who are without doubt among the finest minds in pharmacognosy today, provide useful and fascinating insights into the history, botany, chemistry, phytotherapy and importance of medicinal plants in some of today’s healthcare systems. This is a landmark textbook, which carefully brings together relevant data from numerous sources and provides, in an authoritative and exhaustive manner, cutting-edge information that is relevant to pharmacists, pharmacognocists, complementary practitioners, doctors and nurses alike.’ The Pharmaceutical Journal

‘This is an excellent text book which provides fascinating insights into the world of pharmacognosy and the authors masterfully integrated elements of orthodox pharmacognosy and phytotherapy. Both the science student and the non-scientific person interested in phytotherapy will greatly benefit from reading this publication. It is comprehensive, easy to follow and after having read this book, one is so much more aware of the uniqueness of phytomedicines. A must read for any healthcare practitioner.’


New to this edition

Sections on regulatory information expanded

New evidence updates throughout

New material covering non-medical supplements

Therapeutics updated throughout

Now on StudentConsult


Key Features

Covers the history, biology and chemistry of plant-based medicines

Covers pharmaceutical and neutraceuticals derived from plants

Covers the role of medicinal plants in worldwide healthcare systems

Examines the therapeutics and evidence of plant-based medicines by body system


Author Information
By Michael Heinrich, Dr rer nat habil MA(WSU) Dipl. Biol. FLS, Professor and Head of Centre for Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of London, UK; Joanne Barnes, BPharm PhD MRPharmS FLS, Associate Professor in Herbal Medicines, School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, New Zealand; José Prieto-Garcia, Lecturer in Pharmacognosy, UCL School of Pharmacy, London, UK; Simon Gibbons, BSc MRSC CChem PhD FLS, Professor of Natural Product Chemistry at the University of East Anglia School of Pharmacy UK Simon Gibbons, BSc MRSC CChem PhD FLS, Professor of Natural Product Chemistry at the University of East Anglia School of Pharmacy UK; Elizabeth M. Williamson, BSc(Pharm) PhD MRPharmS FLS, Professor of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, UK; Editor-in-chief of Phytotherapy Research and Member of the Herbal Drugs Committees for The British Pharmacopoeia and The European Pharmacopoeia Professor of Pharmacy and Director of Pharmacy Practice