**Preface XI**



Preface

ed to make this book possible. Thank you.

Even in the light of increased sophistication and access to conventional healthcare the use of herbal medicine has continued to thrive in both poor and rich societies for many and proba‐ bly different reasons. Hence, it is important for the various stakeholders in healthcare—gov‐ ernments, healthcare providers, farmers, biomedical scientists, and engineers—to have enough information to give due attention to herbal medicines in a deliberate effort to devel‐ op them alongside conventional medicine. Therefore, there is an urgent need for appropri‐ ate and sufficient information on herbal medicines, especially that which highlights important topics such as uses, efficacy, safety, herbal/drug interactions, research and devel‐ opment, regulation, analytical techniques, and quality control. *Herbal Medicine* collates and presents in a simple, unambiguous, and readable manner, wide and in-depth information that will be useful to all who have a stake in herbal medicine and healthcare in general.

To make this important book a reality I wish to thank the management of Intech who pro‐ vided the platform on which such great knowledge and information can be disseminated. The resilient, patient, and experienced counsel of Ms. Kristina Kardum, the Author Service Manager, for this book project is highly appreciated and commended. The efforts of all the contributing authors, who painstakingly researched and presented the various topics that brought this book to fruition, are highly commended as well as many others who contribut‐

Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology

**Philip F. Builders**

Kaduna, Nigeria

Kaduna State University

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

