Medicinal Botany and Mycology: From Potions To Pills Hardcover – January 6, 2026

This book covers the use and history of some famous medical plants and fungi. Each organism discussed includes information about the plant/fungus, history, an explanation of the conditions it is used for, proposed mechanism covering how it works on the condition and a pharmacological statement by a Doctor of Pharmacy.The contents follow-ContentsSo the story begins-IntroductionWhat is a plant?DefinitionDesignLife cyclesClassificationZoopharmacognosyMedicine and herbal use in prehistory through the start of western science-PrehistoryMesopotamia (Sumerians/Assyrians/Babylonians)EgyptGreeceRome and the Dark Ages-The transition to RomeThe Dark (Middle) Ages in EuropeThe Middle EastThe Renaissance and modern times in the west-Two other well-known important medicinal cultures-IndiaChinaHerbalism today-A little chemistry (very little)-Types of chemicalsNitrogen containingAlkaloidsCyanogenic glycosidesGlucosinolatesNon-protein amino acidsAlkaminesLectinsNon-nitrogen containingTerpensCardiac glucosidesPhenolsExtraction of chemicalsHerbal application techniquesVignettes of some important plant and fungally derived medicines-*The Nightshades (The Solanaceae)-Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade) – Atropa belladonnaJimson Weed (Thornapple) – Datura stramoniumMandrake – Mandragora officinarumHenbane (Stinking nightshade) – Hyoscyamus nigerCorkwood Tree (Pituri bush) – Duboisia sp. *Plants Used For Pain And Surgery-Chili/Cayenne Peppers- Capsicum annuumWillow- Salix albaOpium Poppy- Papaver somniferum Coca Bush- Erythoxylum cocaPareira (The Curare plants) - Chondrodendron tomentosum *Plants Used in Treating Cancer- Bloodroot Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center?Autumn Crocus (Meadow Saffron) - Colchicum autumnaleMadagascar Periwinkle (Rosy Periwinkle) – Catharanthus roseus Pacific Yew -Taxus brevifoliaMayapple (American Mandrake) - Podophyllum peltatum*Plants Used To Treat Diseases-Quina or Feverbark Tree- Cinchona sp.The Kalaw Tree- Hydnocarpus sp.*Plants Used for other Health Concerns-Purple Foxglove- Digitalis purpureaIndian Snakeroot (Sarpagandha) – Rauwolfia serpentine Wild Yams (Mexican) – Dioscorea villosa Ephedra (Ma Huang) – Ephedra sinicaJaborandi Tree (Indian Hemp) - Pilocarpus microphyllus Common Snow Drop- Galanthus nivalisCalabar Bean (Ordeal bean) - Physostigma venenosum*Fungal Derived Medicines-Hemorrhagic Sweet Clover Disease and WarfarinClaviceps purpurea and ErgotamineTolypocladium inflatum and CyclosporineAspergillus terreus and LovastatinAcremonium and CephalosporinsPenicillium chrysogenum (notatum) and Penicillin Read more