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Reviews on Indian medicinal plants (Vol. 1-3), A.K. Gupta, Neeraj Tandon, editors (Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi) 2004. Vol. 1 (Abe-Alle), 543 pages; Vol. 2 (Alli-Ard), 508 pages; Vol. 3 (Are-Azi), 496 pages. Price: Rs. 620.00; US$ 40.00 each volume; ISSN 0972-7957
Recent year have witnessed many publications on different aspects of medicinal plants in general and Indian medicinal plants in particular, at both national and international levels. The present publication reminds the earlier efforts made by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), for the publication of two volumes on "Indian Medicinal Plants" in 1976 and 1987 respectively, covering plant species of alphabet A to P as per their botanical names. From the readers' and reviewers' point of view, the monographs on individual plant in the present series are more comprehensive in the related areas of reviews and references are covered up to year 2000 and included in the present publication (Abe-Azi). However, if consecutive volumes of such publications are not brought out timely, they may lose their importance in the present time of information technology (IT) revolution.
The present publication is in three volumes. The first volume covers over 223 plant species arranged by their botanical names in alphabetical order from Abe to Alle. The second and third volumes comprise 206 (Alli-Ard) and 163 species (Are-Azi) respectively. Contents of monograph on each plant species have been dealt under major headings-general information, pharmacognostic, chemical, pharmacological/biological, clinical and toxicological studies with references cited in the texts. Colour photographs of plant species available so far have also been provided. At the end, various appendices and indices are given, dealing with, plants reported for only ethnobotanical/traditional uses, list of some important books, treatises and encyclopedias referred; botanical names, bioactive phytoconstituents, pharmacological and biological activities, regional and other names, etc.
Admittedly, selection and prioritization of medicinal plants for undertaking such work is a herculean task in view of rich and varied taxa found in India. Judicious screening of old and new Indian classical texts, treatise, lexicons and pertinent published literatures are warranted for selection and prioritization of medicinal plants so that no important Indian plant of medicinal value should remain un-described in such endeavour.
As the title implies, there should be complete and relevant information at...