The quest for good health and immortality has been a continuous human endeavour since the beginning of civilisation throughout the world. Plants have been used as a source of medicine by men from ancient times. Initially, these formed the bulk of folk or ethnomedicine, practised in India and some other parts of the world. Later, a considerable part of this indigenous knowledge was formulated, documented and eventually passed into the organised systems of medicine, such as Ayurveda, Unani, Sidha or some other systems outside India. Subsequently, with the advance in techniques of phytochemistry and pharmacology, a number of active principles of medicinal plants were isolated and introduced as valuable drugs in modern medicine. The present book, Medicinal Plants: Conservation and Utilisation, contains 20 chapters covering holistic information on medicinal plants, their utilisation, conservation, cultivation and diseases with special reference to the Indian scenario. Articles on medicinal pteridophytes and ethnomedicinal plants have been included. A comprehensive account of ‘current advances in herbal based contraceptive research’ and plants with anti-oxidative properties in radio-protection have added to the value of the book. Excellent account of intellectual property rights, growth and competitiveness of Indian pharmaceutical industries have been given in the book. This book provides adequate background and current information on medicinal plants. It will be very useful for a variety of scholars–historians and practitioners of medicine, researchers in botany, phytochemistry and pharmacology and also phytogeographers and conservationists.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Pravin Chandra Trivedi
Dr. Pravin Chandra Trivedi (born 3 March 1953), Ph.D., F.B.S., F.P.S.I., F.N.S.I., F.L.S. (London), F.B.R.S., F.M.A., F.E.S.; Professor of Botany; Director, College Development Council and Vice-Principal of Maharaja's College, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India, has a brilliant academic career, standing first in all examinations. He joined Rajasthan University as Lecturer in Botany in 1974. Dr. Trivedi worked as Post-Doctoral Fellow at the North Carolina State University. Raleigh, U.S.A. in 1983-84. He has published more than 170 research papers and review articles in journals of repute. He has edited and written 27 books. Dr. Trivedi has guided 24 Ph.D. students. He has been the Principal Investigator of 17 major research projects funded by D.S.T., I.C.A.R., U.G.C., C.S.I.R. and D.B.T. He is an elected Fellow of Seven reputed academic bodies. Dr, Trivedi has visited several major research laboratories and delivered invited talks in many international conferences held in the U.S.A., Canada, the U.K., Germany, The Netherlands, Italy, Japan, Denmark, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Singapore, Austria and Belgium. Presently, he is an elected President of the Indian Phytopathological Society, New Delhi (Central Zoe); Councillor and Convenor, Jaipur Cahpter of Indian Science Congress Association; Councillor of Indian Botanical and Honorary Secretary-General of the Rajasthan Academy of Sciences. Dr. Trivedi is a recipient of Scientist of the Year Award 2001, Bioved Fellowship Award and Young Scientist Project Award. He is a member of the editorial and advisory board of seven reputed journals. He has organized seven national seminars and participated in many at national and international levels. He is also a member of the expert panels of many national organizations including U.P.S.C. His major research interest includes nematode biology, biological control of pests, biotechnology, medicinal plants, ethnobotany and biodiversity conservation.
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