Handbook of Flowering Plants of Nepal (Shrestha et al. 2018) is an updated version of 'Enumeration of the Flowering Plants of Nepal Vols. 1-3 (Hara et al. 1978-1982)' and 'Annotated Checklist of Flowering plants of Nepal (Press et al. 2000)' • Arrangement of orders and families, based on relationships on the basis of DNA sequences, according to Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG IV, 2016) Whereas, genera and species are arranged in alphabetical order • The book covers basic information on global biodiversity; vegetation, forest types and flora of Nepal • The Handbook of Flowering Plants of Nepal will be published in two volumes Volume 1 comprises 91 families (Cycadaceae – Betulaceae), 696 genera and ca. 3004 taxa (2857 species, 33 subspecies, 113 varieties, and 1 forma) of gymnosperms and flowering plants (nearly 40 percent species of Nepal flora) • It also includes 103 species of exotic species, and 137 species of doubtful or uncertain species • The volume two will comprise remaining species belonging to Coriariaceae–Apiaceae • Additional information includes information on Type specimen of endemic species of Nepal • Similarly, Nepali names, English names, life forms, elevation ranges, and general distribution are provided for each species • Furthermore, economic use values of most of the species (with parts use), and information on species with IUCN Red List category, and CITES Appendices are also provided. “This book represents a major stepping-stone on the pathway in completing the Flora of Nepal, and is an indispensible resource for anyone working on Nepalese plants”. Foreword: Dr. Mark F Watson, Editor-in-Chief, Flora of Nepal Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, UK.

Did you know that Vanilla was formerly served as aphrodisiac by Cassanova and Madam Pompadour, and Elizabeth I loved its flavor? This is the first book that provides a complete worldwide coverage of orchids being employed as aphrodisiacs, medicine or charms and food. Opening with an in-depth historical account of orchids (orchis Greek testicle), the author describes how the Theory of Signatures influenced ancient herbalists to regard terrestrial orchid tubers as aphrodisiacs. Doctors and apothecaries promoted it during the Renaissance. Usage of orchids in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Indian Ayurvedic Medicine; by Tibetan yogins and Amchi healers for longevity pills, tonics and aphrodisiacs; by Africans to prepare 'health promoting' chikanda or as survival food when lost in the Australian bush are some highlights of the book. Early settlers in America and the East Indies often relied on native remedies and employment of orchids for such needs is described. Also covered are the search for medicinal compounds by scientists, attempts to prove the orchid's efficacy by experiment and the worry of conservationists.

Nepal is a country of rich biodiversity, with habitats ranging from tropical jungles to the icy peaks of the world's highest mountains. Centred in a global biodiversity hotspot, and hope to a third of all Himalayan species, Nepal's ecosystems are crucial to life across Asia. The Flora of Nepal is the first comprehensive record of this diversity.

Master's Thesis from the year 2015 in the subject Biology - Botany, grade: -, , language: English, abstract: The inhibitory or delaying action of both the synthetic chemicals and naturally occurring phytochemicals against oxidative damage to tissues by free radicals produced in biological system of living organisms is known as antioxidant activity. Since some phytochemicals are responsible for biological as well as medicinal activities, nine wild orchids of Nepal were assessed for total polyphenolics and flavonoids content along with the antioxidant activity. The ethanolic extract of Eria graminifolia pseudobulbs, Gastrochilus acutifolius leaf and root, G. distichus whole plant, Luisia trichorhiza leaf and root, Otochilus albus pseudobulbs, Papillionanthe uniflora whole plant, Pholidota articulata leaf and pseudobulbs, Rhynchostylis retusa leaf, and Trudelia cristata leaf and stem were prepared by Soxhlet extraction. Phytochemicals were detected by previously established protocols with minor modifications. The total flavonoids were estimated with aluminium chloride method and total polyphenolics content with Folin-Ciocalteu phenol reagent method. Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay. There was significant variation of total flavonoids, total polyphenolics content and antioxidant activity among the orchid extracts at P = 0.05. The total flavonoids varied with highest in Rhynchostylis retusa leaf (110.68 ± 4.52 mg QE/g) and lowest content in Gastrochilus acutifolius root (22.32 ± 1.10 mg QE/g); total polyphenolics with highest in Trudelia cristata stem (69.68±2.78 mg GAE/g) and lowest content in Gastrochilus acutifolius leaves (11.89±0.64 mg GAE/g). Also, the antioxidant activity varied with highest in Trudelia cristata stem (IC50 79.69 μg/ml) and lowest DPPH radical scavenging activity in Gastrochilus acutifolius leaf (IC50 341.79 μg/ml). However, none of the orchid extracts were as effective as quercetin – the reference compound – in radical scavenging activity (IC50 32.90 μg/ml). Total polyphenolics and flavonoids content and antioxidant activity of selected orchid extracts in this study were higher or lower than medicinal plant and orchid extracts of previous studies with considerable margin. Again, their antioxidant activity was positively associated with total flavonoids and total polyphenolics content. [...]