Herbal Medicine 2 provides a thorough foundation to the study of pharmacognosy. Major phytochemicals are covered and selected herbs are presented as representative examples of plants with these constituents. Possible adverse reactions, toxicity, drug and xenobiotic interactions and idiosyncratic effects are explored. The therapeutic actions of isolated plant constituents compared with whole plant medicines are examined. This unit builds on the knowledge obtained in Herbal Medicine 1 (HB1) (concerned primarily with the therapeutic actions of common medicinal herbs) and Biochemistry (BIO) and prepares the student for the requirements of Herbal Medicine 3 (HB3).

1. Understand the major phytochemical constituents and analyse how they contribute to the pharmacology of medicinal herbs.
2. Compare the toxicity potential of isolated chemical constituents from common medicinal herbs and contrast that with the toxicity potential of whole plant preparations.
3. Critically evaluate the contribution of major phytochemicals to the therapeutic action of commonly used herbal medicines.
4. Identify the need for on going sound research in pharmacokinetics and pharmacognosy.

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