Introduction -- Traditional Chinese Medicine -- Indian Traditional Medicine and other allied Medical Traditions -- Preparation of Herbs -- Some Secondary Metabolites in Plants -- Discovery, testing and improvement of herbs and new drugs -- Acampe to Arundina -- Bletilla to Bulbophyllum -- Calanthe to Cyrtosia -- Dactylorhiza to Dipodium -- Epipactis to Eulophia -- Galeola to Gymadenia -- Habenaria to Ischnogyne -- Liparis to Luisia -- Macodes to Mycaranthes -- Neottia to Neuwiedia -- Oberonia to Otochilus -- Paphiopedilum to Ponerorchis -- Renanthera to Robequetia -- Satyrium to Sunipia -- Taprobanea to Tropidia -- Vanda to Zeuxine -- Sources of Medicinal Orchids and Conservation -- Randomized Clinical Trials.

This unique book brings together a wealth of data on the botanical, ethno-medicinal and pharmacological aspects of over 500 species of Asian medicinal orchids. It starts off by explaining the role and limitations of complimentary and herbal medicines, and how traditional Asian medicine differs from Western, zscientificy medicine. The different Asian medical traditions are described, as well as their modes of preparing herbal remedies. The core of the book presents individual medicinal orchid species arranged by genera. Each species is identified by its official botanical name, synonyms, and local names. Its distribution, habitat and flowering season, uses and pharmacology are described. An overview sums up the research findings on all species within each genus. Clinical observations are discussed whenever available, and possible therapeutic applications are highlighted. The book closes with chapters on the conservation of medicinal orchids and on the role of randomized clinical trials.