Medicinal Plants of Barbados for the Treatment of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (Second Edition) - Paperback

by Damian H. Cohall (Author)

The
second edition of Medicinal Plants of Barbados for the
Treatment of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases delivers the most comprehensive account yet of the island's
enduring traditions of plant-based medicine. Building on the pioneering first
edition, this volume expands the historical, sociocultural and scientific perspectives
on herbal remedies, reaffirming Barbados as a focal point of folklore botanical
knowledge in the Eastern Caribbean.

Featuring
an updated formulary of 157 herbal entries, the book documents plants used in
the treatment of chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular
disease, as well as communicable illnesses affecting the skin, respiratory
system and other areas. Blending
history, folklore and science, the book draws on archival research, oral
traditions and recent studies to trace the development of herbal practices from
pre- and post-colonial times to the present. Each entry includes taxonomical
classification, chemical characteristics and illustrations, while evaluating the
bioactive compounds that lend scientific validity to traditional uses. The
legalization of medicinal cannabis in Barbados, the Caribbean and globally has
sparked renewed interest in plant-based medicine, positioning this work at the
centre of a growing movement to explore locally accessible medicinal plants.