Hortus Malabaricus and the Ethnoiatrical Knowledge of Ancient Malabar

Hortus Malabaricus is the oldest important printed book on Indian medicinal plants. The 1(st) of its 12 volumes was published in 1678 from Amsterdam this book, written by H.A. Van Rheede is perhaps the only authentic record of the ethnoiatrical knowledge of ancient Malabar, available to us today. Several hundred medicinal plants which were successful used by the Ayurvedic physiclans of 17(th) century are described in this, along with their medicinal powers and methods of application. The identity of many of the plants described has not yet been accurately established, which would be of considerable interest to ayurveda.