In almost all the countries, traditional and folk herbal medicines have been extensively used since times immemorial for healthcare. Ancient religious texts are replete with references on the use of herbs with medicinal properties. Because of the local beliefs and practices and also from cost considerations herbal medicines remain a popular mode of treatment in the developing countries. In the industrialized society also, the rising cost of prescription drugs and ensuing side effects of the treatment makes it highly attractive to use the traditional medicine. Considerable scientific data have been generated globally in this direction and there is a spurt of publications in recent years. In order to carry forward such investigations, there is a need for an effective exchange of information amongst scientists and researchers to take on vigorous focused work in this direction. Based on this rationale, the present volume Traditional and Folk Herbal Medicine: Recent Researches has been conceived and presents some 19 research and review papers by eminent scientists of India and abroad. The important topics which have found place in this volume are: v The Potential Effectiveness of Medicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease v Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics and Insights on Personalized Medicine v Bioactivities of Duabanga grandiflora for Human Skin Cells v Chemistry, Pharmacology and HPTLC Standardisation of Asparagus racemosus v Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, Pharmacological and Conservational Studies on Glycyrrhiza glabra v Pharmacotherapeutic Potential of Medicinal Plants against Cardiometabolic Diseases v Recent Investigations on Therapeutic Potential of Clitoria ternatea Linn. v The Research Advance of Tibetan Medicine Dida v Traditional Medicine: Its Role in the Search for New Antiparasitic Candidates v A Simplified Procedure for Monitoring the Stability of Herbal Remedies for the Purpose of Manufacturing and Regulation v Effect of a Cysteine Proteinase from Bauhinia forficata Leaves on Thrombin-Induced Human Platelet Aggregation v Quality Control, Standardization and Chemo Profiling of Herbal Drugs v Ficus gnaphalocarpa, Ficus cordata and Ficus chlamydocarpa: Potential Sources of Bioactive Compounds v Effects of Holarrhena floribunda Leaf Extract on Gastrointestinal Functions in Male Rats v Insulin Releasing Effects of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) Seeds in Diabetic Rats The studies included are likely to lead further researches in this direction and it is hoped that this publication would attract world wide audience of researchers and the academicians of allied disciplines engaged in the search of new drug from herbal resources.
