In this first volume of a series of books that will compare the differences and similarities of traditional folk medicine practiced around the world, 200 of the most frequently used medicinal plants in Northeast Asia are selected by the international editorial board to be featured.

The folk medical knowledge in each entry includes the botanical and local names of the drug, special processing, the administration method, efficacy in each country, contra-indications, and side effects. Also included are the scientific data on their chemistry and pharmacology, with references.

All this scientific information should be a valuable asset to medical and research scientists working on the bioactive components of natural products.

Readership: Medical and research scientists interested in bioactive components of natural products.

"This book is a comprehensive and timely contribution to the scientific understanding of traditional medicine and plant use in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea ... It will be extremely useful to scientists and individuals who are not familiar or facile with the literature on medicinal plants of northeast Asia."

"It is a notable achievement to have a brief summary of the scientific information on so many medicinal plants available, especially since this information is scattered through journals which frequently are difficult to obtain ... the volume under review is a useful compilation of information on indigenous medicinal plants in this region and it is particularly noteworthy that an international collaboration made the book possible."