Book excerpt: This two-volume book presents an abundance of important information on the bioactive and pharmacological properties of medicinal plants. It provides valuable comprehensive research and studies on bioactive phytocompounds of over 68 important medicinal plants with beneficial properties. For each species included in the volume, a brief introduction is given along with their bioactive compounds and chemical structures, followed by their chief pharmacological activities that include antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and cardioprotective activities. A review of the published literature on pharmacological activities of each species is included also, providing a thorough resource on each of the plants covered in the volume. The book’s editor, an acknowledged expert in this area, foresees that these volumes will become a reliable standard resource for the development of new drugs. The volumes will be a valuable addition to the libraries of pharmacy institutes and pharmacy professors, research scholars, and postgraduate students of pharmacy and medicine, and enlightened medical professionals and pharmacists, phytochemists, and botanists will find much of value as well.