Phytotherapy Desk Reference - 5th Edition

This book has been designed as a reliable desk reference for the busy herbalist/phytotherapist. It contains short, precise descriptions of over 237 of most commonly used herbs in Australia. It is not an exhaustive materia medica describing the herbs in great detail. Practitioners not familiar with the herbs, should seek additional information elsewhere. The intention is to provide practitioners with a limited number of reliable therapeutic actions with some reliable indications for each herb and with the information organised in such a way as to be a valuable clinical tool. The short monographs also provide the main active constituents, the qualities of the herbs, known drug interactions and any caution or contraindications as well as the recommended dosage for liquid extracts. As a quick reference index, the herbs have been grouped together under their therapeutic actions and indications. These lists are of course not exhaustive and may be expanded with time. They do, however, include the actions and indications on which most authors seem to agree on. Information about the herbs has come from accepted textbooks (see bibliography) and other published material.

Dosages

The dosages listed are adult dosages. It is recommended that the lower end of the dosage range be used initially, especially if the particular herb is unfamiliar to you. As a rule of thumb, use 20% of the adult dose for infants, 30% for children 2 to 6 years of age and 50% for children under 12. Of course, if you are unsure about using a particular herb in children - don’t. Not all herbs are suitable for children. To improve the flavour, add 10% liquorice or flavouring mixture to the formulation. Essential oils or extracts of peppermint and fennel can also be used to improve the flavour greatly as can the use of marshmallow glycerol extract.

Energetics

For many herbalists, the introduction of Chinese and Indian herbs into the modern practice of phytotherapy has renewed the interest in the energetics of herbs. To further support the exploration of the energetics of herbal medicine, the qualities and occasionally tastes of the herbs have been included in the monographs. The information about the energetics of the herbs has come primarily from Culpeper, Bensky and Holmes (see bibliography below). Culpeper and others grade the degree of intensity: Zingiber officinale (ginger) is thus hot in the third degree, whereas Achillea millifolium (yarrow) is only warm in the first degree. It has not always been possible to access such information, and any suggestions are welcome. It is not easy to reconcile various writers’ interpretations of the energetics of a particular herb, and for some herbs the qualities are not included. We welcome any suggestions from the reader that may help to clarify the whole issue of qualities or energetics of herbs.

Phytotherapy Desk Reference 5th Edition

Phytotherapy Desk Reference 5th Edition ISBN: 978-0-646-82443-7 Soft-cover, spiral bound. 200 pages. 233 Monographs.

Australia and New Zealand

$65 includes delivery by standard post.

Rest of the World

Updated and expanded UK edition of The Phytotherapy Desk Reference published by Aeon Book, UK

About the author

Michael Thomsen PhD scholar, MSc, ND

Michael Thomsen is a Naturopath with over 30 years’ experience. Originally from Denmark, Michael completed studies in Naturopathy and Herbal Medicine in Sydney, graduating in 1986. He has a Master of Science, from the Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, Swinburne University and is currently completing a PhD at Sydney University Medical School.

Michael has extensive industry experience as past technical manager of leading herbal medicine companies in Australia. He is the original author of the popular Phytotherapy Desk Reference now in its fourth edition having sold 16,000 copies worldwide.

Michael specialises in integrative oncology supporting patients with lifestyle and dietary advice, nutritional and herbal medicines and medical hyperthermia via allied clinics. His company, Eusano Healthcare, has pioneered whole body and local hyperthermia and water-filtered Infrared A (wIRA) in Australia, importing and distributing TGA listed medical infrared and hyperthermia devices made in Germany.

My focus is on fasting with the ProLon Fasting Mimicking Diet, herbal medicine, sustainable and ethical supply of medicinal plants, innovative medical devices, research and education. I am also very interested in epigenetics, microbiome, and cancer testing, support and research.

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Presentations

1. Michael Thomsen, Fasting for health and longevity – from calorie restriction to intermittent fasting and the fasting-mimicking diet, 11th Herbal and Naturopathic International Conference, 29-23 March, 2019, Melbourne, Australia
2. Michael Thomsen, Fasting for health and longevity – from calorie restriction to intermittent fasting and the fasting-mimicking diet. Australasian College for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. Webinar April 2019
3. Michael Thomsen, Fasting-mimicking diet: Case presentaion. Australasian College for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. Annual Conference, Melbourne May 2018
4. Michael Thomsen, The Efficacy and Safety of Probiotics in Chemoradiotherapy-induced Mucositis. Poster NIIM Integrative Medicine: The art & science, 4th Annual Symposium 2017. Friday 24th November. Richmond, Melbourne
5. Michael Thomsen, The Intestinal Microbiome, Chemotherapy and Adjuvant Treatments with Probiotics November 2017 Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA) 44th Annual Scientific Meeting, Enhanced Supportive Care, Preconference Workshop, 13–15 November 2017, In: Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology Volume: 13 Supplement 4:98
6. Michael Thomsen, Know Your Options Annual Conference, Hyperthermia in the Australian Setting, Sydney, November 11-12, 2017
7. Michael Thomsen, Know Your Options Annual Conference, Hyperthermia in Cancer Therapy, Sydney, September 24-25, 2016
8. Thomsen, M, Schmidt, M Commercialisation of Saffron, 3rd International Symposium on Medicinal Plants, Their Cultivation and Aspects of Uses, 2013
9. Epigenetics, Nutrigenomics and Cancer, Danish Association for Phytotherapy, Copenhagen, May 2012
10. Epigenetics and Cancer, NHAA, Hobart Chapter Meetings 2011
11. Nutrigenomics and herbal medicine, NHAA, Hobart Chapter Meetings, 2011
12. John’s wort Interactions, 7th International Conference on Phytotherapeutics, 21-23 September, 2010, Tweed Heads, Australia

Publications

1. Thomsen M, Vitetta L. Zinc deficits, mucositis, and mucosal macrophage perturbation: is there a relationship? Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2019 Sep;22(5):365-370. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000588.
2. K. Kuchta, M. Thomsen, T. Scior, M. Schmidt Interaction with St. John’s wort due to exposure with blackcurrant aroma? How not to present a case report of an adverse event Pharmazie 74 (2019)
3. Thomsen, M., S. Clarke and L. Vitetta (2018). "The role of adjuvant probiotics to attenuate intestinal inflammatory responses due to cancer treatments." Benef Microbes: 1-18.
4. Thomsen, M. and L. Vitetta (2018). "Adjunctive Treatments for the Prevention of Chemotherapy- and Radiotherapy-Induced Mucositis." Integr Cancer Ther: 1534735418794885.
5. Saltzman, E.T. Palacios, T. Thomsen, M. Vitetta, L. Intestinal microbiome shifts, dysbiosis, inflammation and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease Frontier Immunology. Front. Microbiol. | doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00061
6. Vitetta L, Saltzman ET, Thomsen M, Nikov T, Hall S.Adjuvant Probiotics and the Intestinal Microbiome: Enhancing Vaccines and Immunotherapy Outcomes. Vaccines (Basel). 2017 Dec 11;5(4). pii: E50. doi: 10.3390/vaccines5040050. Review. Erratum in: Vaccines (Basel). 2018 May 15;6(2)
7. Saltzman E.T, Thomsen, M., Hall, S. Vitetta, L. Mar Drugs. Perna canaliculus and the Intestinal Microbiome. (2017) 15 (7)
8. Coulson, S. Thomsen, M. Vitetta, L. Clinical research with probiotics: methodological and regulatory Probiotics, D–Lactic Acidosis, Oxidative Stress and Strain Specificity. Gut Microbes. Gut Microbes. 2017 Jan 12:1-12
9. Thomsen, Michael Integrative oncology in Australia E-poster presentation 2014 World Cancer Congress (#1095)
10. Schmidt M, Thomsen M, Kelber O, Kraft K Myths and facts in herbal medicines: Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) and its contraindication in hypertensive patients Botanics: Target and Therapy 2014:4 Pages 27—32
11. Schmidt M, Thomsen M, Schmidt U. Suitability of Ivy Extract for the Treatment of Paediatric Cough. Phytother Res. 2012 Apr 25.
12. Schmidt M, Thomsen M, Bone, K Tribulus terrestis-induced nephrotoxicity? Nephrol Dial Transplant (2011) 0: 1–2
13. Thomsen M, Gennat, H. Phytotherapy Desk Reference, 4^th Edition, 2010, published by Global Natural Medicine
14. Thomsen M, Schmidt M, Vitetta L, Sali A Do herbs increase the risk of herb–drug interactions for patients with arthritis? Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2005;64:1527-1528
15. Thomsen M, Flannery G, Vitetta L, Schmidt M Herbal preparation – ginseng and dang gui ten combination (PS10) and immune response in humans. Poster presentation International Congress on Natural Products Research July 31 – August 4, 2004 Phoenix, Arizona USA
16. Thomsen M, Schmidt M: Hepatotoxicity from Cimicifuga racemosa? Recent Australian case report not sufficiently substantiated. Alt. Compl. Med. 9(3), in press (2003).
17. Thomsen M, Schmidt M: Hepatotoxizität durch Cimicifuga racemosa? Die Kausalität in einem aktuellen Verdachtsfall aus Australien ist nicht ausreichend begründet [Hepatotoxicity from Cimicifuga racemosa? Recent Australian case report not sufficiently substantiated]. Phytother. 24: 11-14 (2003).
18. Vitetta L, Thomsen M, Sali: A Black cohosh and other herbal remedicies associated with acute hepatitis MJA 2003; 178 (8): 411-412
19. Thomsen M: Andrographis paniculata. Natural Pharmacy 2003; July/Aug 10-11
20. Thomsen M: John’s wort, Turmeric and Olive leaf extracts. Natural Pharmacy 2003; Sept/Oct 18-19
21. Thomsen M, Vitetta L, Sali A: Acute liver failure associated with the use of herbal preparations containing black cohosh MJA 2004; 180 (11): 598-600
22. Thomsen M, Vitetta L, Sali A Fatal fulminant hepatic failure induced by a natural therapy containing kava. Med J Aust. 2004 Feb 16;180(4):198-9
23. Schmidt M, Betti G, Thomsen M: The WHO guideline on Traceability: A chance for the amelioration of quality and safety of medicinal plant raw material
24. Thomsen M, Schmidt M, Betti G, Casabiancad H, Omidbaigie V: Ferula gumosa: phytochemical variability in iran R: Poster presentation International Congress on Natural Products Research July 31 – August 4, 2004 Phoenix, Arizona USA
25. Thomsen, M: In the surgery — working with a complementary therapist. J Comp Med 2(1): 2003
26. Thomsen M: Quality Control in Herbal Products. Natural Pharmacy 2001; Oct 16-19
27. Thomsen M: Herbs for Infants. Natural Pharmacy 2000; May 6-9
28. Thomsen M: Botanical Brain Boosters. Natural Pharmacy 2000; June 10-11
29. Thomsen M: The Herb-Nutrient Connection. Natural Pharmacy 2000; March 13-15