PHA-Exchange> Hortus Malabaricus book (India)

[claudio]

From: <ekbal at vsnl.com>

> Dear Friends,
> The University of Kerala proudly announce the publication of the English
Edition of Hortus Malabaricus the oldest comprehensive printed book on the
natural plant wealth of Asia and of the tropics, compiled and published in
Latin by Van Rheede, the Dutch Governor of Cochin  during 1678-1693.  It
contains descriptions and illustrations of 742 medicinal plants.  It is a
rare record of the medicinal plant wealth and traditional medical practices
of ancient India.  The medicinal properties of the plants, the respective
diseases for which they were used for treatment and the modes of treatment
as known to the ancient renowned traditional physicians of Malabar ( the
present state of Kerala) are described in the book.  Hortus Malabaricus  is
the only source of information about ancient Indian medicinal plants.  The
book also provides much insight into the cultural, social, political,
historical and linguistic conditions prevailing in India as well as Kerala
at the time.  The present edition is the translation of a book that was
instrumental in deciding the political history of India and the Netherlands
in the 17th century.  The present work, by providing an English translation
after 325 years of publication of the original in Latin, throws open the
vast treasure house of knowledge contained in  Hortus Malabaricus  to
scientists, medical practitioners, researchers and historians for further
study and use.
> A note on the importance of the book and the order form are attached.
> Dr.B.Ekbal, Vice Chancellor University of Kerala
> Thiruvananthapuram-695034, Kerala India
>