Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World: Scientific, Production, Commercial and Utilization Aspects (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World (1))

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) have accompanied mankind from its very early beginnings. Their utilization has co-evolved with homo sapiens itself bringing about a profound increase in our scientific knowledge of these species enabling them to be used in many facets of our life (e.g. pharmaceutical products, feed- and food additives, cosmetics, etc.). Remarkably, despite the new renaissance of MAPs usage, ca. 80 % of the world’s population is relying on natural substances of plant origin, with most of these botanicals sourced from the wild state. This first volume and ultimately the series, provides readers with a wealth of information on medicinal and aromatic plants. Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) have accompanied mankind from its very early beginnings. Their utilization has co-evolved with homo sapiens itself. Evolution has brought about a profound increase in our scientific knowledge about these species, so that, to date, they find utilization in many facets of our life (eg. pharmaceutical products, feed- and food additives, cosmetics, etc.). Remarkably today, despite the new renaissance of MAPs usage, ca. 80 % of the world's population relies upon natural substances of plant origin, with most of these botanicals sourced from the wild state. This huge increase in demand has put an unparalleled large burden on the natural resources of MAPs endangering their existence. The first volume of the series Medicinal Plants of the World, will briefly summarize the most essential current scientific knowledge about the sustainable sourcing of botanicals from both wild-crafting and cultivation. In these 21 chapters, eminent researchers of the topic will summarize latest scientific knowledge from the versatile and most varied scientific disciplines involved: botany, phytochemistry, plant breeding, biotechnology, agrotechnology, mechanization and economics. Individual chapters will deal with the essentials of phytomedical utilization, as well as utilization in the form of animal feed-additives. The volume concludes with a chapter on the poisonous MAPs in our homes, offices and modern everyday environments. The aim of this volume is to offer basic scientific information on MAPs. It will also enable readers of subsequent volumes to digest and interpret the other volumes in the series, that will deal with important and characteristic wild-crafted and cultivated MAPs of the different geographic and climatic regions of the world. Thus, the series is meant to be a storehouse of up-to-date information on our global wealth of medicinal and aromatic plants on the basis of which MAPs will be collected, cultivated, traded and utilized in a sustainable way Front Matter....Pages i-viii Introduction: Utilization/Significance of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants....Pages 1-12 Botanical Aspects of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants....Pages 13-33 Chemical Diversity of Medicinal Plants....Pages 35-60 Application of Spectroscopic Methods and Hyphenated Techniques to the Analysis of Complex Plant Extracts....Pages 61-85 Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAP): How Do They Adapt to the Environment?....Pages 87-112 Breeding and Germplasm Preservation....Pages 113-130 Conservation of Wild Crafted Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and Their Habitats....Pages 131-144 Challenges and Decision Making in Cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants....Pages 145-164 Cultivation and Breeding of Cannabis sativa L. for Preparation of Standardized Extracts for Medicinal Purposes....Pages 165-186 Sustainable Fertilization in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants....Pages 187-203 Sustainable Weed, Disease and Pest Management in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants....Pages 205-235 Introduction to the Precision Medicinal Plant Production....Pages 237-255 Medicinal Plants to Control Diseases and Pests....Pages 257-271 Quality Assurance of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants- Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GAP & GCP)....Pages 273-303 Herbal Medicinal Preparations in Different Parts of the World....Pages 305-336 Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Scientific Databases....Pages 337-358 International Trade of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants....Pages 359-373 Medicinal Plants Conservation Strategies for Primary-Healthcare and Livelihood at Local Level: An Examination of Initiatives in South Asia....Pages 375-382 Phytogenic Feed Additives in Animal Nutrition....Pages 383-402 Multipurpose Herbs: Hidden Potentials and Dangers in the Garden....Pages 403-423 Back Matter....Pages 425-434 ....Pages 435-460 This volume in the series is devoted to Africa, a continent that possesses a vast treasure of medicinal plants and has produced some exclusive materials for the world market. This book is expected to strengthen the medicinal plant sector in African countries by providing comprehensive information on medicinal and aromatic plants available to policy-makers and entrepreneurs to frame effective policies and create an environment conducive to the growth of the plant-based medicine industry, bringing economic benefit to African nations from the rising world demand for medicinal plants. It will help health organizations to improve the health of their people by using their own resources and a less expensive system of medicine, which is accepted by African society. It could also lead scientific communities to increase R & D activities in the field This volume in the series is devoted to Africa, a continent that possesses a vast treasure of medicinal plants and has produced some exclusive materials for the world market. This volume is expected to strengthen the medicinal plant sector in African countries by making comprehensive information on medicinal and aromatic plants available to policy-makers and entrepreneurs. It can be used to frame effective policies and create an environment conducive to the growth of the plant-based medicine industry, bringing economic benefit to African nations. It will help health organizations to improve the health of their people by using their own resources and a less expensive system of medicine, which is accepted by African society. It could also lead scientific communities to increase R&D activities in the field.