PLANTS as MEDICINE  (English, Paperback, V. Alphonse Amalraj Ph.d.)

Plants are known to synthesize hundreds of chemical compounds for functions like defence against pests, internal and external pathogens, diseases and herbivores. Numerous phytochemicals with biological activity have been identified. In modern medicine, around a quarter of the drugs prescribed to patients are derived from medicinal plants after clinical trials in animals and human subjects for efficacy and side effects. Some of the findings have led to the production of plant-based medicines. The global market value of medicinal plant products exceeds $100 billion per annum. This is the reason why the World Health Organization initiated the Traditional Medicine Program some years ago, to help Member States to make a critical examination of their traditional medicine systems and practices and to see what should be retained and adapted to today's needs and what should be discarded as useless or harmful. In some Asian and African countries, up to 80% of the population relies on traditional medicine for their Primary health care needs. Hence, countries like China, India have combined traditional and modern medicine in the health services. In this publication, the medicinal uses of more medicinally significant tropical and temperate plants, algae and fungi (mushrooms) have been explained. And special mentions are made on the medicinal importance of garlic, turmeric and marijuana and plants with anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, cardio-protective activity.