MEDICINAL PLANTS IN AUSTRALIA

Volume 4 An Antipodean Apothecary

by CHERYLL WILLIAMS

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New hardcover book, 552 pages, lots of full-colour photos. Published 2013.

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.

Many have withstood the test of time - and the generations of scientists and clinicians that followed have build upon these pioneering works. The search continues to evailate the Australian flora and there is plenty to choose from. In particular the need for anti-viral, antibacterial and antifungal drugs is great. An entirely new era of discovery has begun, with natural resources once again in the spotlight, provicding the inspiration for innovative discoveries. Indeed, unique microbes have been unearthed that are intimately linked with the medicinal properties of plants.

This work shows how traditional medicine has paved the way for modern medical breakthroughs. The plants of Australia have not yet yielded up all their secrets, with exciting and innovative opportunities awaiting those who undertake the challenge.

Contents include:

• Flowers of the Materia Medica
• Asteracea: Daisies of the Apothecary
• Validating Bush Medicines
• New Roles for Old Remedies
• Earth Medicine: A Mineral Pharmacy
• A Desire for Dirt?
• Arid Landscapes: Medicinals and Aromatics from the Desert
• Ancient Drugs in a Modern World
• Pituri: A Mysterious Narcotic
• Tobacco Tales
• Steriods from Yams
• Kangaroo Apples and Blackberry Nightshades
• Resources and index

The other books in the 4-volume series are: Medicinal Plants in Australia Volume 1: Bush Pharmacy, which presents the medicinal history of Australia's flora, its contributions to everyday life, and its future potential. Medicinal Plants in Australia Volume 2 : Gums, Resins, Tannin and Essential Oils looks in greater detail at the main products of commercial and medicinal value from the Australian flora. Medicinal Plants in Australia Volume 3 : Plants, Potions and Poisons deals with toxic plants and medicines. Volume 4 moves to a unique aspect of the flora - ancient species from the rainforests and tropical regions.

About the author

Cheryll Williams has over 25 years of clinical experience in herbal and nutritional medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. She holds a diploma in Herbal Medicine and post-graduate diploma in Nutritional Medicine, two diplomas in Homoeopathy, and a Bachelor's degree in Acupuncture. She has previously published a series of articles on medicinal plants in Australian Wellbeing magazine, and is currently working with Wildlife Rescue in the tropical rainforest. Cheryll's other books in the Medicinal Plants in Australia series are also available - click on each title below for more information

Medicinal Plants in Australia Volume 1: Bush Pharmacy

Medicinal Plants in Australia Volume 2 : Gums, Resins, Tannin and Essential Oils

Medicinal Plants in Australia Volume 3 : Plants, Potions and Poisons

See other Australian books click here

Medicinal Plants in Australia Vol 4: An Antipodean Apothecary by Cheryll Williams