Records cataloging the healing powers of natural substances - plants, minerals, and animal byproducts - date back more than 4,000 years. There is no denying the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine, yet - until recently - the roots of this knowledge were largely lost in superstition and folklore. However, the use of herbs as an alternative medical treatment for many illnesses has increased steadily over the last decade, particularly since such herbs are categorized as 'Natural Food Products' and are not yet subject to strict control by the FDA. Reports published in 1996 indicate that more than 10 percent of the US population has used herbal remedies. This book does not debate the value of Eastern or Western medicine but brings together Chinese herbal lore and Western scientific methods in a current, comprehensive treatise on the pharmacology of Chinese herbs.This second edition of "The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs" presents the chemical composition, pharmacological action, toxicity, and therapeutic value of 473 herbs. The book classifies herbs according to their therapeutic value; informs how active ingredients in herbs may adversely interact with other herbs or drugs; evaluates which herbs have the potential for more investigation and possible use as drugs; describes the pharmacological action of each herb based on recent scientific study and describes each herb according to Chinese pharmacopoeia and folk medicine; provides a review of Chinese medical history; and, presents information on how to use modern chemical techniques for enhancing or modifying herbal ingredients into better agents with more strength and activity.What's new in the Second Edition: Discussions on herbs and their specific effects on the immune system; herbs and fertility/infertility; anti-cancer herbs; anti-HIV herbs; anti-malarial herbs; ginseng and ginsenosides; anti-alzheimer herbs; and herbs affecting the nervous system.