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

Powledge, Fred

3.57

7 ratings by Goodreads

9780689808630: Pharmacy In The Forest: How Medicines Are Found In The Natural World

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0689808631 ISBN 13: 9780689808630

Publisher: Atheneum, 1998

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Introduces young readers to the natural sources of many common medicines, citing their origins in stems, roots, and leafy plants, many of which are found in the rain forests; and identifies a link between the scientific and natural worlds.

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From Kirkus Reviews:

A rare, informative resource, Powledge's book apprises readers of the origins of products they probably know only from store shelves, and of the world politics involved in the commerce of medicine. Most people who take Sudafed to relieve a stuffy nose have no idea their medicine originated as a Chinese plant; through such examples, Powledge tackles an intriguing subject: The correlation of plants and medicines. He cites some important statistics that powerfully support the need to protect the earth's forests: More than half of all drugs currently in use are from nature, and one in four prescriptions written were originally based on plants. He explores several major plant-based medicines, e.g., aspirin, ginseng, neem, and Echinacea, and makes clear that when it comes to knowledge of plant medicine, modern cultures are deeply indebted to so-called primitive cultures and their experiences with indigenous plants. He's not shy about pointing a finger at and naming drug companies who have been reluctant to credit or pay for information from developing countries. Due to the nature of the book, there are provisos here of the don't-try-this-at-home kind, while a list of related web sites expands this volume beyond its covers. (glossary) (Nonfiction. 9-13) -- Copyright �1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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