It contains individual chapters on history and scope ot pharmacognosy Indian and alternative systems of medicine, drug discovery from natural substances and detailed description of medicinal plant biotechnology as well as cultivation, collection, processing and storage of medicinal plants. The book contains category-wise details of crude drugs containing carbohydrates, glycosides,terpenoids, volatile oils and resins, alkaloids, tannins, lipids, fats and waxes. The conceptual understanding of natural products is explained by phytopharmaceuticals and marker constituents and by morpholpgical, microscopic and analytical profile of herbs. In addition, the book covers drugs derived from marine and mineral sources, enzymes and protein substances, herbs used as a flavoring,sweetening and bitter substances as well in aromatherapy and cosmeceuticals. The book focuses on Ayurvedic pharmacy and standardization of Ayurvedic formulations, plant tissue culture, chromatography, and contains chapters on herbal drug interaction and phytonutrients.