Microscopic Characterization of Botanical Medicines

November 8, 2010

1 Min Read
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SCOTS VALLEY, Calif.The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP), a non-profit research organization, has reported its AHP Botanical Pharmacognosy Microscopic Characterization of Botanical Medicines reference book will be released in February 2011. Citing a lack of  authoritative microscopic descriptions of those medicinal plant species currently in trade, AHP said it designed the reference guide to meet the needs of the herbal products industry, regulatory agencies, and academic researchers. The book includes information on plant anatomy at a level appropriate for the pharmacognostic analysis of plant tissues; the history and importance of botanical microscopy; and how to set up a microscopy lab and prepare, view, and archive whole and powdered plant parts for microscopic analysis.

More specifically, the book:

  • Covers more than 140 medicinal plant species.

  • Addresses plant nomenclature, plant anatomy, and adulterations.

  • Provides authoritative microscopic descriptions of the major botanicals being used in herbal products today.

  • Provides a description of the microscopic anatomy of plant parts used (both whole and powdered) for each  species.

  • Contains a huge number of halftone illustrations within the book.

  • Invaluable tool for GMP compliance and documentation.

  • Training tool for quality control personnel.

According to AHP, the botanicals covered in this volume represent 90 percent of the dollar value of botanical sales in the United States. They focused on high-use species, as well as those commonly adulterated. In fact, the book will feature an atlas providing detailed text and graphic descriptions of more than 140 medicinal plant species and their adulterants. Also, the first English language descriptions for a number of popular Asian botanicals are also included.

For more information, email [email protected] or call (831) 461-6318.

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