Medicinal plants are important sources of Chinese and Western medicines. It is reported that more than 25% medications come from medicinal plants. Among anti-cancer and anti-infection medications, the proportion reaches 50% and 60%. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) system, the importance of medicinal plants is obvious. China is a country of biological diversity, whose plant resources, especially the species of medicinal plants, are exceptionally rich, hence the heritage of TCM science. According to the third survey of Chinese medicine resources during 1985 to 1989, 12,772 species as TCM resources exist in China, of which 87% are medicinal plants, i.e. 11,118 species. Medicinal plants played an important role in the Chinese history; ancient literature on medicinal plants has been an indispensable component of the Chinese civilization.
In recent years, the modernization of traditional Chinese medication has been a strong driving force in the rapid development of China’s TCM agriculture, creating remarkable social, economic and ecological benefits. However, unlike traditional agriculture, diverse species exist in the family of medicinal plants—at least 500 species are in common use. Besides, a variety of related species are confusing and easy to be misused, which may lead to serious economic losses, insecurity and low effectiveness. Therefore, an efficient, simple and accurate method to identify different species is urgently needed in the production of traditional Chinese medication.
As basic units of procreation, compared to other organs, medicinal plant seeds enjoy stronger genetic stability which defines their varied appearances. Seed morphology is an important part of descriptive taxonomy and also an important area of the research on plant system and evolution. Species identification based on seed morphology, therefore, is an efficient and practical method, and the stable appearance of the seeds in the lifespan of plants ensures the reliability of the results. However, in contrast to the significance of the medicinal plant seeds, no related illustrated book has been published by now for medical practitioners, but this book will serve to bridge the gap.
Professor Guo Qiaosheng from Nanjing Agricultural University, along with other experts, has dedicated himself to the collection of medicinal plant seeds for more than ten years in his research and practice of the GAP of traditional Chinese medications. As an outcome of his research, The Illustrated Seeds of Chinese Medicinal Plants presents 434 species of medicinal plants out of 106 families in colored pictures with essential information and 572 pictures of fruits and seeds, individual or in assembly, of surface or of inner parts, to facilitate the identification. In addition, some related species of seeds are displayed in contrast, and standard and simple descriptive words and glossary are employed in this book.
This book will be a valuable reference book for personnel involved in the production, administration, teaching, researches, etc., of medicinal plant seeds. Besides, the exquisite pictures contained account for a high value of personal and professional collection.（By Liu Sidan） |
