Vetiveria is one of the most versatile genera in plant kingdom. For example, the species Vetiveria Zizanoides produces oderous roots from which a precious essential oil is distilled and used in a variety of applications from perfumery to ethnopharmacology. The same roots give the plant particular characteristics that make it a valuable natural barrier against erosion. Vetiveria: The Genus Vetiveria describes the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, essential oil biogenesis and chemical composition, ethnopharmacology and distillation. The book covers the production of plants for oil exploration,...

Dietary supplements are estimated to be used regularly by almost 60% of the American population, and over 300 million people worldwide. An important and ever-growing portion of this market is in botanical supplements that are derived from natural plants. Natural, however, does not necessarily mean safe, and although plants can provide health-essential and health-improving nutrients they can also provide toxic compounds. While the use and sales of botanical supplements continues to expand rapidly, scientific understanding of the efficacy and safety of these products remains limited.
The aim...

Recent advances in science have clarified the role of plant specialized metabolites (classically known as plant secondary metabolites), which cannot be considered only bioactive molecules used for human health but also pivotal factors for the global ecosystem. They play major roles in plant life, evolution, and mutualism. To provide the reader a general view of plant specialized metabolites, it is important to consider both the biochemistry and the functional/ecological role of these important compounds.

Around 200,000 specialized metabolites are formed by a wide array of plant...