Chapter 5: Botanical Medicines - Introduction to the Second Edition

Botanical (plant) medicines have been the basis of all medical traditions since the dawn of civilization, and their importance was reemphasized recently by President Clinton who declared the 21st century to be the “century of biological medicine.” More than 5,000 botanical plants have been extensively tested for medicinal uses. The first edition summarized 30 of the most important botanical plants, herbs, and supplements used to prevent or reverse disease. The revised chapter now adds 30 new botanicals, including black walnut husks, cat's claw, kombucha mushroom, nettles, St. John's wort, suma, and astralagus, among others.