New Frotiers in Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy

The branch of pharmacy which studies the medicinal drugs derived from plants and other natural sources is known as pharmacognosy. It is the scientific study of the clinical use of herbal medicines and their effects. Phytotherapy is a field involving the study of alternative medical practices in which unrefined plant or animal extracts are used for treatment purposes in place of conventional medicine. Many of the modern drugs in the pharmacopoeia today are derived from plants. Quinine, aspirin, digitalis and opium are some herbal remedies that have a long history of use. Herbal remedies are quite prevalently used in patients with chronic illnesses, such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, etc. Herbal dietary supplements also fall under the field of phytotherapy. This book unfolds the innovative aspects of pharmacognosy and phytotherapy which will be crucial for the progress of these fields in the future. It presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. The readers would gain knowledge that would broaden their perspective about pharmacognosy and phytotherapy.