Herbal supplements and the brain: understanding their health benefits and hazards

1. The gifts of Eden

2. Transforming plants into gold : Prehistoric evidence ; Early documentation ; Western culture ; Alchemy ; Chemistry

3. Thinking like a pharmacologist : The origins of pharmacology ; Pharmacodynamics ; Pharmacokinetics ; In vitro and in vivo studies ; Pharmacology and herbal supplements ; Herbal supplement pharmacology checklist

4. The brain as a drug target : The human brain ; Chemical neurotransmission ; Neurotransmitter systems ; Behavioral assays ; Clinical studies

5. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) : Botany ; Therapeutic uses ; Constituents ; Pharmacokinetics ; Pharmacodynamics ; Adverse effects ; Pharmacological perspective

6. St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) : Botany ; Therapeutic uses ; Constituents ; Pharmacokinetics ; Pharmacodynamics ; Adverse effects ; Pharmacological perspective

7. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) : Botany ; Therapeutic uses ; Constituents ; Pharmacokinetics ; Pharmacodynamics ; Adverse effects ; Pharmacological perspective

8. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) : Botany ; Therapeutic uses ; Constituents ; Pharmacokinetics ; Pharmacodynamics ; Adverse effects ; Pharmacological perspective

9. Kava (Piper methysticum) : Botany ; Therapeutic uses ; Constituents ; Pharmacokinetics ; Pharmacodynamics ; Adverse effects ; Pharmacological perspective

10. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) : Botany ; Therapeutic uses ; Constituents ; Pharmacokinetics ; Pharmacodynamics ; Adverse effects ; Pharmacological perspective

11. Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) : Botany ; Therapeutic uses ; Constituents ; Pharmacokinetics ; Pharmacodynamics ; Adverse effects ; Pharmacological perspective

12. Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) : Botany ; Therapeutic uses ; Constituents ; Pharmacokinetics ; Pharmacodynamics ; Adverse effects ; Pharmacological perspective

13. Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) : Botany ; Therapeutic uses ; Constituents ; Pharmacokinetics ; Pharmacodynamics ; Adverse effects ; Pharmacological perspective

14. Coffee, tea, and cocoa : Botany ; Therapeutic uses ; Constituents ; Pharmacokinetics ; Pharmacodynamics ; Adverse effects ; Pharmacological perspective

15. Epilogue.