A photographic guide to the most commonly used and best known South African plant medicines, including their botany, main traditional uses and active ingredients. This edition has been fully updated to incorporate the latest research findings. The title includes: detailed species descriptions of more than 150 medicinal plants and their close relatives, or other species used in a similar way. Each entry includes the following information: a description of the plant, the plant parts used, medicinal uses, preparation and dosage, active ingredients and pharmacological effects. In addition, each entry includes a distribution map and a diagram of the chemical structure of the main active ingredient. More than 500 excellent photographs of the plants, plant parts used and products. Introductory chapters on, among others, cultural aspects of healing, methods of collection and storage, methods of preparation and administration. A plant list according to ailments. A glossary, detailed index and comprehensive references for further reading. This title is a must for anyone with an interest or involvement in health care and botany.

Poisonous plants of South Africa is a guide to the most commonly occurring poisonous plants in South Africa. The title includes: Detailed species descriptions of 135 poisonous plants. Each entry includes the following information: a description of the plant, the type of toxin, the potential toxicity of the plant and its importance in human or livestock poisoning, the poisonous ingredients and their pharmacological effects. Distribution maps for poisonous plants that occur naturally in the wild. More than 450 full-colour photographs that will assist in the identification of poisonous plants and plant parts. Introductory chapters on human and animal poisoning in South Africa, first aid treatment, methods of testing for toxicity, extraction and isolation of toxins and poisonous principles and their effects. Plant lists according to class of toxin and type of livestock poisoning as well as a useful checklist of poisonous plants and a glossary of medical terms.