Himalayan Edible Medicinal Plants: Science and Traditional Wisdom

The book has four chapters in the beginning followed by description on about 150 plants with coloured photographs, traditionally used by the people of the Himalayas including N-E Himalaya. The main focus of this book is on establishing scientific validation of traditional wisdom on the plants, which people living in the Himalayas had inherited since the immemorial past. But certainly much of this wisdom has been coming down of the ages. These people, through their intuitive power, had known the value of various plants and revealed the benefits of consuming these plants from natural and man-made habitats for the welfare of the people but without according any explanation to the benefits. One of the most interesting aspects of this traditional knowledge had been that wherever needed, there was development of wisdom for applying some kind of processing method in order to avoid any adverse effects on being consumed as raw. Almost all the traditionally consumed plants have a distinct effect on health.

In the modern times, when the knowledge base of people all over the world has already enlarged to a great level through scientific research and new discoveries. The quest for knowledge has been growing globally on account of easy access to computers and internet facilities. In such times therefore, queries of inquisitive minds about nutritional, medicinal and pharmacological benefits before consumption of these traditionally collected from their natural habitats, processed plants is a natural response. The book also highlights the related aspects involving traditional ways of nutrition to changing consumerism in the world in future. The book has also some worth to create awareness about these plants for conservation because when one knows the value addition. The coloured photographs will facilitate their ease in identification and use by all those who cherish their utilization in right perspective. Hopefully the attempt will stand rewarded if it serves the cause of people living in Himalayas and all those who are interested in the culture and traditional wisdom of Himalayan people.