Our intention with this book was to present the reader with the most accurate, significant, and up-to-date background and knowledge in the areas of ethnomedicinal and nutraceutical vegetation for the Lesser Himalayas in a comprehensive text. Wild Edible Vegetables of Lesser Himalayas provides a complete review of over 50 important plants of this region and details each species including photographs, botanical name, local name, family, flowering and fruiting period, status and habitat, parts used, distribution, ethnobotanical uses, cultural aspects, medicinal uses, and nutraceutical aspects. Medicinal uses include mode of preparation, method of application and diseases studied; cultural aspects and index; nutraceutical data provides analysis of fats, proteins, fibers, carbohydrates, ash, moisture content, dry matter, and energy value; elemental analysis includes various essential and toxic metals; phytochemical screening includes total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols and ascorbic acid, and antioxidant potential in terms of DPPH scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, H2O2 scavenging activity, Fe2+ chelating activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and phosphomolybdenum assay for each species. Wild Edible Vegetables of Lesser Himalayas is a concise and handy guide for scientists, scholars, and students interested in the study of agriculture, food science, nutraceutical science, bioscience, biodiversity, applied ethnobotany, ethnoecology, and ecology.

Wild Plants, Mushrooms and Nuts: Functional Properties and Food Applications is a compendium of current and novel research on the chemistry, biochemistry, nutritional and pharmaceutical value of traditional food products, namely wild mushrooms, plants and nuts, which are becoming more relevant in diets, and are especially useful for developing novel health foods and in modern natural food therapies. Topics covered will range from their nutritional value, chemical and biochemical characterization, to their multifunctional applications as food with beneficial effects on health, though their biological and pharmacological properties (antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antitumor capacity, among others).

Himachal Pradesh, which is located in the Western Himalayas, is a part of the world that has been bestowed with an abundance of biodiversity, including a wide variety of plants that can be eaten wild. These plants have been an essential part of the lives of the people who live in the surrounding communities, as they have offered subsistence, nutrition, and a profound connection to nature. From the lower valleys to the high mountain slopes, Himachal Pradesh is home to a broad range of wild edible plants and animals, each of which has its own distinctive tastes, textures, and applications. The Kafal fruit, also known as Myrica esculenta, is an evergreen tree-borne fruit that is highly appreciated for its culinary qualities in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Small and round these berries have a flavor that is both sweet and sour, and they are frequently employed in the preparation of jams, jellies, and syrups. In a similar vein, the Hisalu fruit (Rubus ellipticus), which resembles a raspberry and is enjoyed for its sweetness and utilized in a wide variety of culinary applications, can be found in some South American countries. In addition, Himachal Pradesh is home to a wide range of leafy greens, many of which are wildcrafted due to the high nutritional value they have. Pahari Palak, also called Himalayan Dock (Rumex nepalensis), is a leafy green vegetable that is used in saag, soups, and stir-fried foods. It has a tangy flavor. The dishes are enhanced with a touch of vivacity thanks to its distinctive flavor. Morels, also known as Guchhi, are a type of wild berry that may be found growing in the forests of Himachal Pradesh These berries have a look similar to that of honeycombs, and its flavor is described as being rich and nutty. Morels are regarded as a delicacy in the world of cooking and can be found in a wide variety of gourmet dishes. It is crucial to highlight that although these wild edible plants provide a connection to nature and a rich culinary experience, adequate knowledge and identification are required in order to ensure that foraging in the wild is done in a safe manner. Before consuming any wild plants, it is best to verify their identity by consulting with local specialists or using a good field guide. Not only the wild edible plants of Himachal Pradesh provide a means of subsistence, but they also provide a window into the region's extensive cultural history and diverse biological makeup. These plants are an essential component, and their contributions range from sour fruits and leafy greens to delicious mushrooms and fragrant spices.

This book is a systematized overview of wild edible plants eaten in the territory of present Estonia, with a focus on the systematic changes within the field. Starting in the end of 18th century, when the first data was published, the text is an extended version and compilation of articles on the subject published by Drs. Kalle and Sõukand and includes unpublished fieldwork results. This work covers changes and tendencies not covered previously due to the limits of article length. Included in this data is a general overview table containing all used plant taxa, parts used and purposes of use. More details on specific food-uses are provided in separate chapters analysing dynamics of changes of the importance of wild plants within the specific food category.

Research in recent years has increasingly shifted away from purely academic research, and into applied aspects of the discipline, including climate change research, conservation, and sustainable development. It has by now widely been recognized that “traditional” knowledge is always in flux and adapting to a quickly changing environment. Trends of globalization, especially the globalization of plant markets, have greatly influenced how plant resources are managed nowadays. While ethnobotanical studies are now available from many regions of the world, no comprehensive encyclopedic series focusing on the worlds mountain regions is available in the market. Scholars in plant sciences worldwide will be interested in this website and its dynamic content. The field (and thus the market) of ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology has grown considerably in recent years. Student interest is on the rise, attendance at professional conferences has grown steadily, and the number of professionals calling themselves ethnobotanists has increased significantly (the various societies, like the Society for Economic Botany, the International Society of Ethnopharmacology, the Society of Ethnobiology, and the International Society for Ethnobiology currently have thousands of members). Growth has been most robust in BRIC countries. This new MRW on Ethnobotany of the Himalayas takes advantage of the increasing international interest and scholarship in the field of mountain research. It includes the best and latest research on a full range of descriptive, methodological, theoretical, and applied research on the most important plants in the Himalayas. Each contribution is scientifically rigorous and contributes to the overall field of study.

This book, Medicinal Plants, provides a comprehensive overview of plant species helpful for treating and preventing human diseases and disorders. It also discusses how to obtain sustainable healthcare systems from nature and make harmony with currently available medicinal wealth, ecology, and the community.

The book provides significant information on some of the promising edible medicinal plants and how these possess both nutritive as well as medicinal value. The significance of these edible plants in traditional medicine, their distribution in different regions and the importance of their chemical constituents are discussed systematically concerning the role of these plants in ethnomedicine in different regions of the world. The current volume focuses on the economic and culturally important medicinal uses of edible plants and a detailed survey of the literature on scientific researches of pharmacognostical characteristics, traditional uses, scientific validation, and phytochemical composition, and pharmacological activities. This book is a single-source scientific reference to explore the specific factors that contribute to these potential health benefits, as well as discussing how to maximize those potential benefits. Chemists, food technologists, pharmacologists, phytochemists as well as all professionals involved with quality control and standardization will find in this book a valuable and updated basis for their work.