A guide to Medicinal Plants of Asian Origin and Culture

By Usha R. Palaniswamy

Frequent readers of Lokvani will remember a column ‘Purlsane” by Dr Usha Palaniswamy which deals with the culture, origin and usage of Asian Medicinal plants. Now a compilation of her research of more than one hundred important plant species of Asian origin is presented in a comprehensive and detailed book form.

The popularization of herbal therapy has produced a bounty of general resources, but few recent works focus on the genesis of the plants. Medicinal herb enthusiasts and alternative-therapies as well as the general audience can now turn to this guide for information on this aspect. This easy-to-read book is written by Dr Usha. R. Palaniswamy whose background and experience with native Asian plants and her research in phytochemicals led to the writing of this book.

From the more popular and well known plants like ginger, garlic, coconut, dill, drumstick, mustard, saffron and sandalwood to the exotic Amla, Asoka tree, banyan, Kadamba tree Mudakkathan, Rudraksha, Thoothuvalai and Vasa, there is an intriguing and interesting mix of information. For instance Dr Palaniswamy talks of ‘the Flame of the Forest’ as one of India’s sacred trees dating to 400 AD! She then elaborates on the variety of its use. Often used in the production of Lac, it is widely used in gramophone records, furniture and paints. Ayurvedic medicine proposes that leaves, flowers and seeds are antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, tonic and aphrodisiac. Its current uses include the decoction of the flowers in treating diarrhea and show anti fertility and anti implantation.

The author is careful to stress the importance of the complementary nature of herbal therapy, and each text includes a brief introduction, botanical description, historical and traditional uses in all aspects of human life including culture, religion and health and summarizes it current uses. Each entry is also illustrated with a hand painted plant drawing by Archana Sambandan who is an undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut.

The book includes a CD Rom as well as a glossary and resource list. Herbal data and highlighted health tips accompany the general information presented, all of which is referenced by an impressive array of clinical research articles.

A book to definitely add to your collection.

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