5Medicinal plants and plant-derived medicine are widely used in traditional cultures all over the world, and they are becoming increasingly popular in modern society as natural alternatives to synthetic chemicals. As more and more natural remedies are being commercialized, there is a need for a user-friendly reference guide to the plants and their products.

This reference gives the reader a bird's eye view of more than 350 of the best known medicinal plants of the world and their uses, in a compact, colorful, and scientifically accurate text. It provides quick answers to the most obvious questions: Where does this plant originate? What does it look like? In which culture is it traditionally used? What is it used for? Which chemical compounds does it contain? How safe is it? What is known about its pharmacological activity? What evidence is there that it is effective?

The authors also provide short overviews of the various health conditions for which medicinal plants are used and the active compounds (secondary metabolites) found in the plants and their modes of actions.

This new edition has an additional 30 plant species and many new and improved photographs. The text has been fully updated to reflect the latest regulatory status of each plant.