Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the Indian Ocean Islands

In spite of their unique and important biodiversity, the plants of the Indian Ocean islands region are under-represented in the current literature. Filling this gap, this book provides a scientific evaluation of 350 medicinal plants indigenous to the main Indian Ocean Islands. Some of these plants, especially those found in the Seychelles and Comoros, are monographed here for the first time.

For each plant the following data are given:Botanical description, distribution, and ecology
Chemistry of active compounds
Pharmacological studies
Use in traditional medicine
Color photographs and chemical structures

An authoritative reference, the book reflects current interest in traditional medicine and its potential for the development of new drugs. A rich source of ancient local knowledge, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the Indian Ocean Islands: Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles, and Mascarenes takes a western approach to preserving both the knowledge and environment of the region.