Medicinal Plants: Bioprospecting and Pharmacognosy

Looks at the bioprospecting of medicinal plants for potential health uses and at the pharmacognosy of a selection of medicinal and aromatic plants, such as to treat inflammation, anti-hyperglycemia, and obesity and as immunity boosters. It discusses the conservation, maintenance, and sustainable utilization of medicinal plants.

Amit Baran Sharangi, PhD, is Professor of Horticultural Science and former Head of the Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops in the Faculty of Horticulture at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (Agricultural University), India. He has been teaching for 23 years and was instrumental in the process of coconut improvement, leading to the release of a variety Kalpa Mitra from the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute. He spent time at several laboratories around the world and has published many research papers, conference papers, book chapters, and books. One of his papers was ranked among the top 25 articles by ScienceDirect. Presently he is associated with 50 international and national journals as editor-in-chief, associate editor, regional editor, technical editor, editorial board member, and reviewer. The recipient of several international awards, Dr. Sharangi has delivered invited lectures around the world on herbs and spices.

K. V. Peter, PhD, is the former Vice-Chancellor at Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), India; Director of ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut; Director of Research at KAU; and Professor of Horticulture. He is an acknowledged teacher and science manager and is associated with development of biotic stress resistant varieties in chili (Pant-CI, Pant-C2), tomato (Sakthi), and brinjal (Surya) grown throughout the Indian sub-continent. He is the author or editor of many books and is Editor (Horticulture) of Agricultural Research, published by NAAS New Delhi. Dr. Peter has received many awards for his work. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Biological Sciences, International Society of Noni Science, Indian Academy of Horticulture Science, and Confederation of Horticultural Associations of India.