Overview
There has long been a need for an authoritative source on natural products and plants and how they are used. This new volume fills this need, bringing together relevant, practical information about the various types of natural products produced by plants, why they produce them, and their importance in today's world. Natural Products from Plants provides examples of how plant products are used to benefit humans through prevention and treatment of diseases, nutritional value, pest control, dyes, fibers, foods and beverages, flavorings and fragrances, and in creating many other novel compounds.
Scientists from various disciplines-chemists, biologists, physicians, ethnobotanists, ecologists, nutritionists, and others-are interested in using natural products from plants, but must be aware of the potentially harmful effects of such compounds. Some plants are sources of poisons, addictive drugs, and hallucinogens. Anyone looking for a thorough understanding of the properties of natural plant products - both beneficial and harmful - will find the answers in Natural Products from Plants.