Bookr e v i e w s

R h i a n n o n H a r r i s

B o b H a r r i s

S a n d r i n e D o d s o n

G l e e n D . C r i s t i n a

J a n e t t a B e n s o u i l a h

Eucalyptus. The genus

Eucalyptus

Medicinal and Aromatic

Plants - Industrial Profiles

Edited by John J.W. Coppen

Published by

Taylor and Francis, 2002

£75

450 pages; Hardback

ISBN: 0 415 27879 1

T his book continues the excel-

lent series of Medicinal and

Aromatic Plant – Industrial Profiles

amassing a wealth of information on

a single genus and publishing it in a

single volume. Each chapter is writ-

ten by an expert in their particular

field and thus the whole volume

presents comprehensive factual data

on all aspects of a selected genus

from botany through cultivation,

chemistry, bioactivity to end use. Any

person involved in the field of es-

sential oils, extracts or medicinal

plants will find this fascinating series

invaluable.

This volume (number 22 in the

series) takes an in-depth look at the

Eucalyptus genus. Originally native

to Australia and its surrounding is-

lands and represented by over 800

species, this fast growing genus is

now cultivated worldwide for timber,

pulp and essential oil production.

Aromatherapists use an increasing

number of eucalyptus species in their

practice and this book addresses

them all from a botanical, chemical

and bioactivity perspective. In addi-

tion to his considerable professional

experience whilst working for the

Natural Resources Institute, editor

John Coppen has direct hands-on

experience in researching the oil-

bearing eucalyptus especially in

countries of the developing world.

The book is divided into three

sections: General aspects – including

botany, cultivation, chemistry and

distillation, Cultivation and Produc-

tion – accounts written from all the

major producing regions such as

China, Australia, India, Africa and

South America and Biological and

end use aspects – including chapters

on essential oil antimicrobial activity

of eucalyptus, the chemistry and bio-

activity of non-volatile components of

eucalyptus as well as regulatory issues,

insect and plant pest control and

production, trade and markets.

152

Each of these sections contains

information of relevance to the aro-

matherapist and essential oil re-

searcher. Numerous interesting

snippets are found throughout the

book, for example: in the first section

it was reassuring to find a chapter ex-

ploring the ecological concerns of

growing eucalyptus plantations in de-

veloping countries. Holistic resource

management approaches explore

how to minimise potential negative

ecological impacts (such as erosion

and the hydrological impact in low-

ering the water table by plantations of

these ‘thirsty’ trees) whilst maximis-

ing economic and social benefits.

In the second section I learned

that in China (the leading producer of

1,8-cineole rich eucalyptus oil), whilst

most eucalyptus essential oil is genu-

inely derived from eucalyptus species,

the Chinese Pharmacopoeia permits

1,8-cineole fractions of Cinnamomum

camphora to also be called eucalyptus!

Elsewhere, I discovered that in cur-

rent Ayurvedic medicine, eucalyptus

is a major ingredient in preparations

for painful conditions as well as being

used in the treatment of typhoid and

wound healing amongst others.

In the last section there is a

comprehensive account of the inclu-

sion of eucalyptus oil in products

available to the consumer. Products

commonly found in pharmacies and

supermarkets, such as Tiger Balm and

Vick Vaporub are discussed as well as a

large range of medicinal and personal

care products. Detailed information

from a formulation, safety and legis-

lative viewpoint is given. For the

aromatherapist, this chapter is partic-

ularly relevant as it summarises both

traditional and evidence-based infor-

mation concerning eucalyptus species

as well as demonstrating the potential

and sheer diversity of products con-

taining Eucalyptus essential oil.

In all, this is a gem of a book that

has much to offer across a broad range

of disciplines connected to the essen-

tial oil and medicinal plant world.

RH

DOI:10.1016/S0962-4562(03)00073-0

Mosby’s Handbook of

Herbs and Supplements and

their Therapeutic Uses

Steven Bratman

Andrea M. Girman

Published by

Mosby HealthGate, 2003

£24.99

1334 pages; Softback

ISBN: 0 323 02015 1

Mosby’s Handbook of

Drug-Herb and

Drug-Supplement

Interactions

Richard Harkness and

Steven Bratman

Published by

Mosby HealthGate, 2003

£21.99

478 pages; Softback

ISBN: 0 323 02014 3

T his complementary two-volume

set (that may also be obtained

independently) is designed as a

quick access guide, giving the

healthcare practitioner at-a-glance

concise, objective and reliable infor-

mation on herbs, supplements,

common conditions and potential

drug interactions. Compiled and

written by authors with considerable

experience in evidence-based medi-

cine, these proponents and critics of

alternative medicine have amassed

an enormous amount of information

that enables the practitioner to im-

prove their clinical practice in a safe

manner.

The largest volume on herbs,

supplements and their uses covers 85

herbs, 80 supplements and 76 com-

mon conditions. It uses a ‘strength of

evidence’ scale from +4 to –4. Thus

for example, one can look up Alz-

heimer’s disease and from the list of

herbs and supplements (7 in all)

described as having varying evidence

for efficacy, go on to look up the se-

lected herbs and supplements indi-

vidually for more comprehensive

information and safety data. This all

comes complete with full biblio-

graphic referencing for further re-

search. Due to the quick access style,

there is inevitably a degree of repe-

tition in the text but this does not

detract from its value.

153

The second volume on potential

drug–herb and drug–supplement

interaction is usefully arranged by

drug name (usually American, thus

occasionally limiting access to infor-

mation). Thus during a client con-

sultation one can check the

medications the person is taking for

potential adverse interactions with

herbs or supplements. The informa-

tion is presented along with an

‘interaction rating’ scale of 1–4

(1¼ significant interaction; 4¼ in-

significant interaction) allowing the

practitioner to judge for themselves

the level of risk to the client. To take

a few examples, it was interesting to

note that with persons taking iron

salts supplementation (rating of 3)

concomitantly with both regular

black tea and numerous herbal teas,

the level of iron absorption may be

diminished. A further point of in-

terest specifically to the aromathera-

pist is the potential of interaction

between eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) and

pentobarbital (rating of 2) and other

barbiturates. Advice includes dis-

couraging eucalyptol use (even via

inhalation) prior to surgery.

Overall, I believe the two texts are

an invaluable tool for all healthcare

practitioners including aromathera-

pists. To quote the authors of the