The knowledge of herbal medicine has expanded a lot in recent years. This second edition of the book "Herbal Drugs and Biotechnology" contains 23 chapters on different aspects of medicinal plant having biotechnological approaches. Current information have been added as and where required, besides adding six new chapters in this second edition. Articles on traditional herbal medicines; phytochemical and antimicrobial studies; plants used in hypercholesterolamina; having hypo and anti-cancerous properties have been dealt with in detail covering recent findings on the subject. The role of biotechnology, using tissue culture studies on medicinal plants, antimicrobial agents from in vivo and tissue culture study; micropropagation and chemistry of plants have been included to project the importance of biotechnology in this century. The chapter on various facets of standardisation of tools for utilisation of medicinal plants is the need of the day, keeping in mind the adulteration in the crude drug market. The chapter on phytochemicals in radioprotection provides additional information on the subject. The book also covers information on medicinal orchids, exploitation of inter-specific crosses for developing novel plant and nematode diseases of medicinal plants.

This revised edition of book provides adequate background and current information on herbal medicines. This book will serve as a practical guide for teachers, medical practitioners, research workers, industrialists, biotechnologists and workers in the field of medicinal plants.