A Guide to Medicinal Plants and their Uses

About the Book
Ayurvedic medicine, as such, is a significant subject, in today’s academic world. Even today, the majority of India’s population uses Ayurvedic medicines, exclusively or combined with conventional (Western) ones, and it is practised in varying forms, throughout Southeast Asia. This Indian medical science is now known, all over, particularly, the Western world. Before the evolution of various facilities, the knowledge of Ayurveda was passed on orally, through a lineage of sages in India, until it was collated, into text, more than five thousand years ago. The oldest known texts on Ayurveda are the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and the Ashtanga Hrudaya. These texts detail the effect that the five elements found in the cosmic system—earth, water, air, fire, ether—have on individual systems, and expound on the importance of keeping these elements, balanced for a healthy and happy life. Ayurveda places great importance on one’s lifestyle (pathya), i.e. eating habits and daily routine. Ayurveda also provides guidance, on how to adjust our lifestyle, based on the change of seasons. Ayurveda’s basic philosophy is that a happy mind lets one stay calm; makes better decisions and improves the overall quality of life.
This exclusive handbook encompasses almost all significant herbs and shrubs, used in Ayurveda, in one cover. This comprehensive and authentic book is an asset for all educationists, teachers, teacher-students and of course general readers. Enlightening comments and wise suggestions are heartly solicited and a warm response is awaited from concerned circles. May this ambitious endeavour prove its worth.

About the Author
Dr. Pramod Kumar, a medical doctor, scientist and an esteemed scholar in the domain of herbal medicines, is a respected name in academic circles. He has evolved himself, into a specialist on Public Health, particularly Drugs, their effects and side effects. A qualified Doctor, he has obtained BAMS degree from SBD College, Gandhi Vidya Mandir, Sardarshahar, Churu, Rajasthan, affiliation with Rajasthan Ayurveda University. He is BAMS and other courses in various fields of Ayurvedic medicines. He has now emerged, as an expert in Ayurvedic Medical Services. Currently, he is a Senior Medical Officer in Government Ayurvedic Hospital Dhirasar, Churu, in Rajasthan Government.
He is a profound author and researcher in his own right. He has dozens of research papers to his credit, which all have got, published in reputed journals. Stealing some leisurely hours, from his hectic schedules, he devotes his attention to research in his private laboratory, where he works for preventing counter effects of herbal drugs. He also has a few medical guides to his credit. Present work is the fruit of his decade long research and toilsome labour. Now, he is engaged in giving final touches to his next venture: Good and Bad Effects of Herbal Medicines.