This book introduces the methodology for collection and identification of herbal materials, extraction and isolation of compounds from herbs, in vitro bioassay, in vivo animal test, toxicology, and clinical trials of herbal research. To fully understand and make the best use of herbal medicines requires the close combination of chemistry, biochemistry, biology, pharmacology, and clinical science. Although there are many books about traditional medicines research, they mostly focus on either chemical or pharmacological study results of certain plants. This book, however, covers the systematic study and analysis of herbal medicines in general – including chemical isolation and identification, bioassay and mechanism study, pharmacological experiment, and quality control of the raw plant material and end products.

Willow J. H. Liu is the owner of 21st Century Herbs & Health, Inc. Dr. Liu has been working on traditional Chinese herbs and Western herbal medicines for twenty-five years. She has research experience on herbs using the methodologies of modern chemistry, biology, and pharmacology in China, Germany, and the United States. Dr. Liu has also worked in both product development and clinical application of herbal medicines. Her papers on isolation and identification, chemical analysis, bioassay screening, animal studies, and studies of the mechanisms of herbal medicines have been published in different international journals.