Wild Medicinal Plants of India (With Ethnomedicinal Uses)

Contents: Preface. Synopsis of plant species discussed. List of plates, line drawings and figures. 1. Introduction. 2. Fundamental of Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine. 3. India : its geography, climate and vegetation. 4. Plant species: description and discussions. Bibliography and references. Appendices: 1. Ancient systems of plant classification. 2. Common bazar medicines. 3. Glossary of medical terms. Index of families and plant species. Index of vernacular names.

"Since antiquity, India possesses a rich heritage of plant wealth. According to an estimate, there are over 2500 plant species in India which are used as a medicine and it is interested that Indian system of medicine utilize 80 per cent of the material derived out of plants. The present book Wild Medicinal Plants of India (With Ethnomedicinal Uses) contains information on about 270 plant species which are used as a medicine and are found distributed wild throughout the country.

The origin of generic names, description, vernacular names, general distribution, parts used, medicinal uses and folk uses of each plant species are given besides, the important Ayurvedic and Unani preparations. The work is appended with ancient classification systems of medicinal plants including Vedic classification, Charaka's classification, Susruta's classification and Vagbhatta's classification; a list on common bazar drugs sold in the market and the glossary on medical terms are also provided.

It is hoped that this monograph will be useful for research workers, plant taxonomists, medical students and to common man and the persons engaged in pharmaceutical concerns besides, agricultural scientists who are interested to start cultivation of important medicinal plants and forestry people, interested in conservation of endangered biotas." (jacket)