Towseef Ahmad Bhat

Ethnomedicine: Medicinal Plants Towseef Ahmad Bhat

Ethnomedicinal investigations particularly during last two decades have attracted people from diverse fields. It is a kind of resurgence of traditional wisdom which helps to understand the exact nature of man-plant interactions, more precisely the nature and mode of utilization of plant resources by natural peoples. Ethnomedicinal investigations in the century have led to the development of important drugs such as reserpine (a treatment for hypertension), podophyllotoxin (the base of an important anti-cancer drug) and vinblastine (used in the treatment of certain cancers). This book has been ventured for the students as well as for the interested people in general to give an idea of ethnomedicinal inquiries. Plants described in the book have been selected due to their high traditional medicinal importance and excessive exploitation. It is never claimed by the authors that the information given for each plant is exhaustive, rather, it is expected that the outline information will inspire further researchers.