Pharmacy In The Forest: How Medicines Are Found In The Natural World

From School Library Journal Grade 5-8APowledge takes readers through the process of identifying potentially useful plants and describes how they are tested to isolate any medicinal properties. He writes from an environmental point of view, stating that forests should be conserved because so much of the plant and animal life, which may prove to be useful, remains undiscovered. The author is careful to acknowledge the importance of indigenous peoples in the identification of medicinal plants. He recognizes the significance of medicine men as the keepers of knowledge as well as their potential to help scientists. While the majority of the text is dedicated to medicinal plants in general, the author gives specific examples of plants that have been useful in treating disease and how they were first used. With large, attractive, full-color pictures (some uncaptioned) and readable text, this book will make a solid addition to most collections. Words in the text are italicized if they are defined in the glossary. Internet sites where students can do further research are included, but they are on the back cover where they might be easily missed.AMichele Snyder, Chappaqua Public Library, NYCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. From