Traditional Medicinal Plants

The term "medicinal plant" include various types of plants used in herbalism which include the plants for medicinal purposes, and the study of such uses. Plants have been used for medicinal purposes long for over 4000 years before prehistoric period which can be reflected in ancient Unani, Egyptian papyrus and Chinese manuscript where practice of using medicinal plants have been seen in various therapies. With time, increase in population size, insufficient supply of drugs, expensive treatments, side effects and drug resistance have emphasis on the use of plant materials as a source of medicines for a wide variety of ailments. This book provides an insight on some selected medicinal plants and the compunds which impart them medicinal properties.