Herb-Drug Interactions: A Medicinal Approach

Editor: Pratichi Singh

Herb-Drug Interactions: A Medicinal Approach

ISBN: 9979-8-89881-154-9
eISBN: 979-8-89881-153-2 (Online)

Introduction

With the global rise in use of herbal medicine alongside conventional drugs, understanding the interactions between them has become critical to ensuring therapeutic effectiveness and patient safety. Herb-Drug Interactions: A Medicinal Approach integrates traditional knowledge, modern pharmacology, and computational tools to provide a holistic perspective on herb–drug interactions.

The book covers the historical evolution of herbal medicine, chemistry and mechanisms of herb–drug interactions, pharmacodynamics in metabolic diseases, and clinical implications. It also explores transport mechanisms, healthcare applications, and advanced computational approaches, including databases and bioinformatics tools. Special attention is given to vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and pregnant women, offering practical clinical insights.

By combining mechanistic understanding with real-world applications, the book serves as both a reference and a guide for advancing safe, evidence-based integrative healthcare.

Key Features

  • - Integrates traditional herbal knowledge with modern pharmacology and computational approaches.
  • - Explains mechanisms, pharmacodynamics, and clinical implications of herb–drug interactions.
  • - Highlights therapeutic potential, drug–herb synergy, and safety considerations.
  • - Focuses on vulnerable populations: paediatrics, geriatrics, and pregnancy.
  • - Provides practical guidance for evidence-based integrative healthcare.

Target Readership:

Primarily for researchers, clinicians, pharmacists, and students in pharmacology, bioinformatics, and traditional medicine.

Foreword

Herbal medicine represents one of humanity's oldest and most enduring therapeutic traditions. For centuries, it has been at the forefront of healthcare systems across cultures, offering remedies that have shaped the foundation of modern pharmacology. As scientific advancements continue to unlock the biochemical secrets of herbs, their integration into contemporary medicine provides extraordinary opportunities and profound challenges. The intricate interplay between herbal remedies and pharmaceutical drugs—known as herb-drug interactions—is at the heart of these complexities and is a subject that demands our utmost attention.

In recent years, as the global population increasingly turns to complementary and alternative medicine, the need for a systematic understanding of herb-drug interactions has become paramount. These interactions can profoundly influence the safety and effectiveness of treatments, often in ways that remain poorly understood by both healthcare professionals and patients. In this context, “Herb-Drug Interactions: A Medicinal Approach” emerges as a timely and essential contribution to the field.

Dr. Pratichi Singh and her collaborators have undertaken a monumental task in bridging the gap between traditional herbal knowledge and the scientific rigor of modern pharmacology. This book is not just an exploration of herb-drug interactions; it is a comprehensive guide that spans historical perspectives, biochemical mechanisms, clinical implications, and the transformative potential of emerging technologies. It provides a solid foundation for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to navigate the complexities of integrating herbal and pharmaceutical therapies.

One of the book’s most compelling aspects is its focus on innovation. The exploration of bioinformatics tools and predictive databases signals a forward-thinking approach that embraces cutting-edge technologies to address age-old challenges. The discussion on drug-herb synergy offers a visionary glimpse into the possibilities of collaborative therapeutics, where the strengths of both paradigms are harnessed to improve patient outcomes.

This work is a testament to the power of collaboration. By bringing together expertise from diverse disciplines, it ensures that the topic is examined from multiple perspectives, enriching our understanding and expanding the potential for practical applications. It is a book that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on integrative medicine. I commend “Herb-Drug Interactions: A Medicinal Approach” to its readers. May it inspire a new wave of research, collaboration, and innovation in the quest for safer and more effective healthcare solutions.

Pandiyan Raghuraman
Department of Life Sciences
Yeungnam University
Gyeongsang-buk do
South Korea - 38541