This book addresses the resurgence of interest in the rediscovery of ethnomedicinal plants as a source of potential ethnomedicines. In the 21st century, the pharmacological effects of medicinal plants are considered to have a promising future as drugs and medicines for the management of healthcare. Considering the extremely high cost and length of time needed for the development of new drugs, as well as the high drug attrition rate, pharmaceutical companies and researchers continue to explore new ways for drug R&D and focus more attention on the benefits of ethnomedical plants as a source of new compounds for drugs. The research provided in this timely volume examines the development and characterization of new natural drugs from medicinal plants with the aid of better screening methods. The chapters survey specific medicinal plant species and describe the characteristics of each, how the plants work, and their applications for healthcare. The authors provide research on plants from Western Ghats and adjoining areas for ethnomedicinal investigation because this area is very rich in phytodiversity and tribal traditions in phytotherapy and the plants surveyed have applications beyond this region. This book is a valuable medical compendium of plants and is intended as a guide and reference resource for professionals in the field. It reviews the current status of ethnomedicinal plants research in light of the surge in the demand for herbal medicine as a future source of new therapeutics.

This book addresses the resurgence of interest in the rediscovery of ethnomedicinal plants as a source of potential ethnomedicines. In the 21st century, the pharmacological effects of medicinal plants are considered to have a promising future as drugs and medicines for the management of healthcare. Considering the extremely high cost and length of time needed for the development of new drugs, as well as the high drug attrition rate, pharmaceutical companies and researchers continue to explore new ways for drug R&D and focus more attention on the benefits of ethnomedical plants as a source of new compounds for drugs. The research provided in this timely volume examines the development and characterization of new natural drugs from medicinal plants with the aid of better screening methods. The chapters survey specific medicinal plant species and describe the characteristics of each, how the plants work, and their applications for healthcare. The authors provide research on plants from Western Ghats and adjoining areas for ethnomedicinal investigation because this area is very rich in phytodiversity and tribal traditions in phytotherapy and the plants surveyed have applications beyond this region. This book is a valuable medical compendium of plants and is intended as a guide and reference resource for professionals in the field. It reviews the current status of ethnomedicinal plants research in light of the surge in the demand for herbal medicine as a future source of new therapeutics.

Wild Edible Underutilized Plants explores the role of wild plants in human nutrition-a topic that continues to take precedence in various fields of research. Despite the increasing evidence on past and present nutritional roles of wild edible plants, the use of these resources is often overlooked and neglected in countless policy areas. This book emphasizes the importance of these plants and explores their relevance to sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and public health in different agro-ecological regions. The book implements a conceptual approach to wild plants, focusing on the benefits of incorporating these plants into people's diets and daily lives and the advantage they will provide to future generations. The book also addresses widespread issues of scarcity, proposing solutions that promote food sovereignty and security. The book begins by first discussing the nutritional aspects of wild edible plants to explore their value as a source of vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, minerals, and other nutrients. It then continues to elaborate on the anti-nutritional elements of these plants, providing a comprehensive overview of their utility.

Ethnomedicinal Plants with Therapeutic Properties provides detailed information on locally important medicinal plants, discusses the pharmacological properties of selected medicinal plants, and looks at the phytodrug aspects of selected plants. In 24 important chapters, the volume covers ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and pharmacognosy of selected plants. Medicinal plants are an important part of our natural health. They serve as important therapeutic agents as well as valuable raw materials for manufacturing numerous traditional and modern medicines. The history of medicinal plants used for treating diseases and ailments dates back to the beginning of human civilization. Our forefathers were compelled to use any natural substance that they could find to ease their suffering caused by acute and chronic illnesses, wounds and injuries and even terminal illness. This volume highlights recent scientific evidence of therapeutic properties of traditionally used medicinal plants in relation to clinical outcomes and remedies for promotion of human well-being. The authors have endeavored to convey the therapeutic knowledge of ethnomedicinal plants clearly and concisely.

Ethnomedicinal Plants with Therapeutic Properties provides detailed information on locally important medicinal plants, discusses the pharmacological properties of selected medicinal plants, and looks at the phytodrug aspects of selected plants. In 24 important chapters, the volume covers ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and pharmacognosy of selected plants. Medicinal plants are an important part of our natural health. They serve as important therapeutic agents as well as valuable raw materials for manufacturing numerous traditional and modern medicines. The history of medicinal plants used for treating diseases and ailments dates back to the beginning of human civilization. Our forefathers were compelled to use any natural substance that they could find to ease their suffering caused by acute and chronic illnesses, wounds and injuries and even terminal illness. This volume highlights recent scientific evidence of therapeutic properties of traditionally used medicinal plants in relation to clinical outcomes and remedies for promotion of human well-being. The authors have endeavored to convey the therapeutic knowledge of ethnomedicinal plants clearly and concisely.

Wild Edible Underutilized Plants explores the role of wild plants in human nutrition-a topic that continues to take precedence in various fields of research. Despite the increasing evidence on past and present nutritional roles of wild edible plants, the use of these resources is often overlooked and neglected in countless policy areas. This book emphasizes the importance of these plants and explores their relevance to sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and public health in different agro-ecological regions. The book implements a conceptual approach to wild plants, focusing on the benefits of incorporating these plants into people's diets and daily lives and the advantage they will provide to future generations. The book also addresses widespread issues of scarcity, proposing solutions that promote food sovereignty and security. The book begins by first discussing the nutritional aspects of wild edible plants to explore their value as a source of vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, minerals, and other nutrients. It then continues to elaborate on the anti-nutritional elements of these plants, providing a comprehensive overview of their utility.

An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to collect information from traditional healers on the use of medicinal plants in the Western Ghats, Tamilnadu during 2003 to 2007. The investigation revealed that, the traditional healers used 75 species of plants distributed in 71 genera belonging to 40 families to treat various diseases. The documented medicinal plants were mostly used to cure skin disorders, poison bites, stomach ache, nervous disorders, diabetes, common cold, cancer, ulcers and wounds. Among the plants, 20 frequently used plants were selected and various studies such as Pharmacognostical, Antimicrobial and Free radical scavenging studies were performed to prove their medicinal potential. The traditional healers are dwindling in number and there is a potential danger of traditional knowledge disappearing soon, as the younger generation is not intensely interested to further this tradition. This study supports claims that the Malasar posses a rich traditional aboriginal knowledge of medicinal plants and that many aboriginals and mainstream people utilize medicinal plants of the Ayyasamy hills, situated in the Western Ghats between Tamilnadu - Kerala state borders.