Book excerpt: Increasingly, modern medicine relies on so called traditional or ancient medical knowledge. Holistic practices such as adhering to proper diet, observing rules for appropriate behavior, and administering medical preparations are coupled with the latest technology and methods to treat the whole patient. In light of this trend, there is much to be gained from understanding of one of the oldest medical systems still in existence. Tibetan Medicinal Plants provides you a detailed analysis of how Tibetan plants are used in this centuries old system. The book opens with a summary of Tibetan medicine and covers the various habitats in which the plants are found. The main part of this volume encompasses 60 monographs listed by the Tibetan plant name. Each monograph consists of several chapters addressing different topics related either to the Tibetan or the Western approach. Most of the monographs contain a description of the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the used plant parts, and anatomical features of 76 plants are provided. Each monograph presents an overview of the known chemical constituents and pharmacological properties of each plant and describes their use in Tibetan medicine. In contrast to other publications on Tibetan medicine, where translations of the Tibetan terms are given in other languages, this book treats the Tibetan word as a technical term, keeps the Tibetan term and explains its meaning, lessening confusion by reducing the number of translations. Traditional Tibetan medicine has been in existence for centuries. Curative practices existed in the prebuddistic era, and the art of healing developed more than 2500 years ago. Tibetan Medicinal Plants provides a comprehensive overview of all plant types, thus making it easier to grasp the Tibetan concept. It gives you a comprehensive look at this centuries old science.