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| BOOK REVIEW |
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| Year : 2005 | Volume
: 37
| Issue : 5 | Page : 343 |
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Book Review
E Sukumar
Central Research Institute for Siddha (CCRAS), Arumbakkam, Chennai - 600 106, India
Correspondence Address:
E Sukumar
Central Research Institute for Siddha (CCRAS), Arumbakkam, Chennai - 600 106
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
How to cite this article:
Sukumar E. Book Review. Indian J Pharmacol 2005;37:343 |
Glossary of Indian Herbs by Gyan C. Jain. Published by Dr. Herbal, New Delhi, India. First Edition, 2005. ISBN 81-8333-099-1. Pages 410 (Price: Rs. 999/-).
'Glossary of Indian Herbs' is an attempt by the author to bring out the botanical and vernacular names (mostly Sanskrit and Hindi) of about 6000 medicinal plants of India and China in single compilation. The long years of experience in the field has helped him to come out with this book. Perfect compilation of botanical names for all vernacular names in many different languages is a difficult task. Though of limited use, the book can be an additional reference material to those who deal with medicinal plants research, teaching and trade.
The book is divided into six sections dealing with botanical names against vernacular, English and Chinese names and vice-versa. The presentation of the book and quality of printing are good. The attractive cover contains colour photographs of some medicinal plants.
The book would be of better utility had it included the habitat and one or two medicinal uses for each herb. An indication about the controversial plants would have given more value to the book. The synonymous names would have been given in the parentheses instead of separately as it gives an impression they are two different plants (Examples: Eclipta alba and E. prostrata; Ehretia buxifolia and E. microphylla; Commiphora mukul and C. wightii etc.).
In p.151, under the column 'botanical name', only English names are mentioned. This type of mistake is found in some pages. The author can consider bringing out a paperback edition for a lesser price incorporating additional information and rectifying the errors that have crept into the first edition so that it can reach a larger section of the interested people.
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