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About The Book
Considering the resurgence of global interest of medicinal plants in dietary supplements, traditional medicines and discovery of modern drugs as Phytopharmaceutical drugs/single novel molecules, the content of the present edition of this book is updated as per the latest Education Regulations 2020 of Pharmacy Council of India. The book is also proving of interest to students of Ayurvedic institutions and to those having interest in Indian medicinal plants and herbal remedies.
A new chapter on Nutraceuticals is added. Chapters on phytoconstituents of therapeutic importance and trends in use of herbal drugs including the regulatory aspects, plants with antiulcer activity, plants for mental health, and plant sweeteners are included.
Drugs from natural sources can be classified following any of the four systems of classification viz. chemical, morphological, taxonomical and pharmacological (or therapeutic). Each of these systems of classification has its own merits and demerits. The book adopts pharmacological (therapeutic) classification of drugs.
Accordingly the plants that find use in medicine have been described under broader therapeutic categories such as drugs affecting digestive system, cardiovascular drugs, anticancer drugs, adaptogens etc. Chapters on antibiotics, enzymes, hormones, vitamins, and also on counter-irritants and antiseptic-disinfectants, have been written. The subject of pharmacognosy does not limit its scope to the naturally occurring substances with medicinal value but also covers ancillary substances used in practice of medicine. Keeping this in mind chapters on perfumes and flavouring agents, fibres, surgical dressings and sutures, technical products and pharmaceutical aids have been included. Drug evaluation and standardization, adverse reactions and interaction of some herbal drugs are other useful additions. Looking into the resurgence of interest in traditional systems of medicine, a special chapter on Ayurvedic dosage forms has been incorporated to familiarize the pharmacists with the commonly used dosage forms and the basic methods employed for their preparation as per Ayurvedic classics. Useful appendices on Therapeutic drug classification, Chemical classification, Morphological classification, Different plant parts used as drugs and a Glossary of medical terms have been included.
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