Medicinal plants in Australia. Volume 2, Gums, Resins, Tannin and Essential Oils

This book is designed to enhance the appreciation of the medicinal history of Australia's flora, its unique contributions to everyday life, and its extraordinary future potential. Author Cheryll Williams previously published a series of articles on medicinal plants in Australian Wellbeing magazine and is currently working with Wildlife Rescue in the tropical rainforest. Chapters include: Plants of the Pioneers: First Impressions and Improvisations • Herbal Inspiration: Remedies from the Bush • Sarsaparilla and Sassafras: Old Remedies in a New Colony • Xanthorrhoea: Grass-Tree Medicine • Floral Emissaries • Bush Beverages • Bush Tucker Bugs • A Sweet Surprise: Medicinal and Toxic Honeys • Uniquely Australian: Flowers, Flavors, and Fragrance • Sandalwood: The Aromatic Export • The Famous Australian Gum-tree. Many plants have natural ways of defending themselves against predators, including man. Some plants use obvious defenses, such as stinging nettle-like strategies and burning or blistering latex resins. Other plants use different methods to incapacitate a predator, which include gastrointestinal distress (vomiting or purgation), blindness, neurological disability, or even asphyxia. This clearly illustrates the ingenuity of plant chemistry which, while daunting, has lead to some rather extraordinary discoveries. In Australia, the flora was largely unknown to the early explorers. Much of it was simply unfathomable, which made comparisons with more familiar plants somewhat risky. In the search for food, early inhabitants of Australia utilized poisonous plants that contained fish poisons (piscicides). A need to find staple dietary items - notably root crops with low toxicity, such as starchy yam tubers - was imperative. Under cultivation, certain species gradually survived a selection process that sought less toxic varieties and high-yielding crop candidates. Some plants were found to yield palatable fruits when they ripened, although not all plants, even if they looked the same, lost their toxicity during the process. The poisonous potential of numerous plants coincided with a medicinal effect that could not be ignored. What was the difference between a poisonous, an edible, or a therapeutic effect? These discoveries were not only pivotal for the remedial use of many plants, they were to open up entire new realms of chemical discovery that have had enormous ramifications for the worlds of medicine and the culinary arts. This invaluable book is meticulously researched and is designed to enhance the appreciation of the medicinal history of Australia's flora, as well as its unique contributions to everyday life and its possible future potential. ( Medicinal Plants in Australia - Vol. 3) *** The age-old knowledge enshrined in folk medicine across the world has been a remarkable resource which continues to have immense value. This is equally true in Australia, where a fusion has developed, based on old European wisdom, of innovative discoveries regarding the native flora and local Aboriginal knowledge. A whole new era of microbial discovery has begun, with natural resources once again providing the inspiration for innovative discoveries. In particular, the need for antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal drugs is high. Microbes have been unearthed that are intimately linked with the medicinal properties of plants. This fourth volume of Medicinal Plants in Australia, written by Cheryll Williams, is the summation of her work, drawing together all the research and information in the previous volumes. Williams shows how traditional medicine has paved the way to modern scientific breakthroughs in medicine. Contents Flowers of the Materia Medica * Daisies of the Apothecary * Validating Bush Medicines * New Roles for Old Remedies * Earth A Mineral Pharmacy * A Desire for Dirt? * Arid Medicinals and Aromatics from the Desert * Ancient Drugs in a Modern World * A Mysterious Narcotic * Tobacco Tales * Steroids from Yams * Kangaroo Apples and Blackberry Nightshades *** This is a book designed to enhance the appreciation of the medicinal history of Australia's flora, as well as its unique medicinal contributions to everyday life and its possible future potential. Renewed attention to the medical importance of Australian plants is discussed, particularly in relation to the advent of drug-resistant strains of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. For instance, new Eucalypts can yield higher grade oils, and essential oils from the Melaleuca and Leptospermum show excellent therapeutic potential. The book also covers the commercial value of resins, gums, and tannins. *** ..".an excellent follow-up to the first volume of this series.... Highly recommended." - Choice, November 2011 *** "Williams, a clinical herbalist and acupuncturist, has done a beautiful job in writing a technical book that offers very accessible reading. Sections are nicely organized according to the type of plants or their uses." - The American Herb Association 27:4, 2012 The age-old knowledge enshrined in folk medicine across the world has been a remarkable resource which continues to have immense value. This is equally true in Australia, where a fusion developed based on old European wisdom, innovative discoveries regarding the native flora, and local Aboriginal knowledge. Ancient herbal remedies may not have had the advantages of modern chemical analysis, but the practitioners of herbal arts were very familiar with the practical deployment of plant-derived drugs. Traditions such as these have underpinned the development of numerous modern drugs – and continue to be a resource that inspires medical discovery to this day. Plants defend themselves against predators, including man. There are obvious defences such as stinging nettle-like strategies, and burning or blistering latex resins. Others use different methods to incapacitate. They include gastrointestinal distress (vomiting or purgation), blindness, neurological disability, or even asphyxia. This clearly illustrates the ingenuity of plant chemistry which, while daunting, has lead to some rather extraordinary discoveries. The poisonous potential of numerous plants coincides with a medicinal effect that can not be ignored. What is the difference between a poisonous, edible or therapeutic effect? This is a book designed to enhance our appreciation of the medicinal history of Australia's flora, its unique contributions to everyday life, and its extraordinary future potential. The renewed importance of the medical importance of Australian Plants is discussed particularly in relation to the advent of drug-resistant strains of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. New Eucalypts that can yield higher grade oils, essential oils from the Melaleuca and Leptospermum show excellent therapeutic potential, and the success of Tea Tree oil in the international market is also discussed. Commercial value of resins, gums and tannins is covered. America's hamburger expert George Motz returns with a completely updated edition of Hamburger America, now with 150 establishments where readers can find the best burgers in the country. George Motz has made it his personal mission to preserve America's hamburger heritage, and his travelogue spotlights the nation's best roadside stands, nostalgic diners, mom-n-pop shops, and college town favorites--all with George's photographs and commentary throughout. Whether you're an armchair traveler, a serious connoisseur, or curious adventurer, Hamburger America is an essential resource for reclaiming this precious slice of Americana. It Has Taken Centuries To Truly Appreciate The Healing Attributes Of Much Of The Australian Flora. This Book Tells About The Influential Role The Early Discoveries Had On Medicinal Practice In Australia, And The Role These Traditional Medicines Are Fulfilling. Vol. 1. Bush Pharmacy -- V. 2. Gums, Resins, Tannin,and Essential Oils -- V. 3. Plants, Potions And Poisons. Cheryll J. Williams. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Profiles one hundred and fifty of the best hamburger joints in the country and documents the rich history of the hamburger itself Brings you 150 hamburger establishments where readers can find the best burgers outside of the fast-food mainstream. Content: v. 1. Bush pharmacy -- v. 2 Gums, resins, tannin,and essential oils.