The aim of this volume is to promote a bio-behavioral focus for indigenous plant research.

Based on 25 years of research that combed every historical and anthropological record of Native American ways, this unprecedented culinary dictionary documents the food uses of 1500 plants by 220 Native American tribes from early times to the present. Like anthropologist Daniel E. Moerman’s previous volume, Native American Medicinal Plants, this extensive compilation draws on the same research as his monumental Native American Ethnobotany, this time culling 32 categories of food uses from an extraordinary range of species. Hundreds of plants, both native and introduced, are described. The usage categories include beverages, breads, fruits, spices, desserts, snacks, dried foods, and condiments, as well as curdling agents, dietary aids, preservatives, and even foods specifically for emergencies. Each example of tribal use includes a brief description of how the food was prepared. In addition, multiple indexes are arranged by tribe, type of food, and common names to make it easy to pursue specific research. An essential reference for anthropologists, ethnobotanists, and food scientists, this will also make fascinating reading for anyone interested in the history of wild and cultivated local foods and the remarkable practical botanical knowledge of Native American forbears.

First published in 1991, Traditional Plant Foods of Canadian Indigenous Peoples details the nutritional properties, botanical characteristics and ethnic uses of a wide variety of traditional plant foods used by the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. Comprehensive and detailed, this volume explores both the technical use of plants and their cultural connections. It will be of interest to scholars from a variety of backgrounds, including Indigenous Peoples with their specific cultural worldviews; nutritionists and other health professionals who work with Indigenous Peoples and other rural people; other biologists, ethnologists, and organizations that address understanding of the resources of the natural world; and academic audiences from a variety of disciplines.

Medicinal Plants for Holistic Health and Well-Being discusses, in depth, the use of South African plants to treat a variety of ailments, including tuberculosis, cancer, periodontal diseases, acne, postmacular hypomelanosis, and more. Plants were selected on the basis of their traditional use, and the book details the scientific evidence that supports their pharmacological and therapeutic potential to safely and effectively treat each disease. Thus, this book is a valuable resource for all researchers, students and professors involved in advancing global medicinal plant research. Many plants found in South Africa are also found in other parts of the world. Each chapter highlights plants from other worldwide locations so that scientists can study which plants belong to the same family, and how similar qualities can be used to treat a specific disease. - The book details the scientific evidence that supports their pharmacological and therapeutic potential to safely and effectively treat each disease - Each chapter highlights plants from worldwide locations so that scientists can study plants belonging to the same family, and how similar species can be used to treat a specific disease - Use of traditional medicine as an efficient means to identify and further investigate South African, similar plants and plant-derived compounds in modern drug discovery - Includes a number of chapters dedicated to using medicinal plants to treat various skin disorders, which is often not covered in other books on medicinal plants - Organized by specific diseases, with vital evidence-based data related to the bioactivity, pharmacological potential, chemical structure and safety information

At a time when interest in herbs and natural medicine has never been higher, the second edition of this essential guide shows how to identify more than 500 healing plants. 300+ color photos.

Phytonutrients in Food: From Traditional to Rational Usage offers an overview of phytonutrients and reveals techniques related to the extraction, separation, identification and quantification of these compounds. The book focuses on the connection between the discovery and characterization of new molecules, explores new applications of well-known compounds and their relative effects for human health, analyses the processes of extraction, identification and production, and explains the protocols and precautions to avoid degradation, significant loss, or production of secondary reactions during production. Intended for researchers, product developers, nutritionists, food chemists, pharmacologists, pharmacists and students studying these topics, this book provides an invaluable reference. - Focuses on the connection between the discovery and characterization of new molecules in phytonutrients - Explores new applications of well-known compounds and their relative effects on human health - Analyzes the processes of extraction, identification and production - Explains the protocols and precautions to avoid degradation, significant loss, and the production of secondary reactions during production

Abstract: This reference work aims to promote the biobehavioral focus for indigenous plant research by reviewing multidisciplinary perspectives in the evaluation of plants used in ethnomedicine and diet. Discussions include: biological and cultural parameters to illustrate the dynamics of plant selection and use in a variety of contexts; implications of such behaviors on human health; and highlights special cases of plants which, regardless of their contemporary notoriety, are better understood through objective review of the available data and sensitivity to cultural and ecological dimensions of human-plant interactions.