edited by Paul P H But (The Chinese University of Hong Kong) , Takeatsu Kimura (Daiichi College of Pharmaceutical Sciences) , Ji-Xian Guo (Shanghai Medical University) , & Chung Ki Sung (Chonnam National University)

Traditional folk medicine practices in China, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea – all located in Northeast Asia – are comparable. Since different usage of a herbal medicine may reflect cultural or regional differences, a detailed collation of the folk knowledge of traditional medicine can help to identify common applications derived from different empirical knowledge as well as variations in appreciation of the value of the same herb in different cultural settings.

This second volume of a series of books continues with the objective of collating relevant information for showing the differences and similarities of traditional folk medicines practiced around the world. It features 200 of the most frequently used medicinal plants in Northeast Asia as selected by the international editorial board.

The folk medical knowledge in each entry includes the botanical names of the source plant, local names of the drug, special processing methods, administration methods, and applications in each country. Contraindications and side effects, if any, are highlighted. Relevant scientific data on their chemistry and pharmacology, with references, are also included.

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