Phytochemistry of Australia's Tropical Rainforest Medicinal Potential of Ancient Plants

About this book

Rare, unique and irreplaceable – precious native rainforests occupy a precariously small part of Australia while retaining a remarkable level of both biological and chemical diversity unrivalled by any other ecosystem. Australia's ancient history and traditions are intimately intertwined with the rainforest plants that humans have utilised as both food and medicine.

Phytochemistry of Australia's Tropical Rainforest is a record of this history and details how our understanding of these plants has led to the discovery of anaesthetics, analgesics, steroids, antimalarials and more. It provides an insight into the habitat, ecology and family associations of hundreds of species and explores their future therapeutic potential, alongside phytochemical studies of the ancient plant lineages. Toxicological evaluations of important poisonous plants are also included.

Rainforests provide shelter for unique flora and fauna that are counted among the rarest species on Earth, many of which are illustrated in this book. This comprehensive work is an essential reference for phytochemists, ethnobotanists and those with an interest in rainforests and their medicinal and botanical potential.

Contents

1. Tropical Rainforests. Tales of Plunder and Protection
2. Primeval Links to the Modern World
3. Timeless Treasures. Gondwana and the Rainforest Refuge
4. Ancient Gymnosperms
5. Pines and Podocarps. Environmental Refugees
6. Magnoliids. Survivors from Prehistory
7. Myristica. Nutmeg and Mace
8. Antipodean Phytochemicals
9. Phytochemistry of the Laurels
10. Rare and Toxic Rainforest Walnuts
11. Annonaceae. Poisons, Parasites and Pesticides
12. Spices of Ancient Origins
13. Birthworts and Butterflies

Customer Reviews

Biography

Cheryll J. Williams is a qualified acupuncturist and medical herbalist with more than 30 years of clinical experience. She holds post-graduate qualifications in nutritional medicine, homoeopathy and naturopathy. She currently co-runs a wildlife refuge in the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest and is dedicated to conserving this environment.