For centuries, plants have been used for survival, food, and healing, creating a strong connection between man and nature. Ancient healing systems, developed and refined over hundreds or thousands of years, and passed down from generation to generation kept cultures healthy. Remarkably, today's science has proven our ancestors correct in many of their discoveries of the healing properties of medicinal plants. Revitalized by scientific validation, a renewed interest in traditional medicinal plants is occurring among the public and scientific community.

Monographs of Rare and Exotic Essential Oils and Absolutes explores more than 225 essential oils extracted from time-honored indigenous plants. This exploration is intended to reveal the healing properties of traditional aromatic plants and preserve their historical and medicinal value. Many of these plants have demonstrated antidepressant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiulcer, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and antimicrobial properties in scientific research. It is possible that an undiscovered or uninvestigated plant used anciently could hold the key to reversing conditions that plague modern man. Continued examination of traditional medicinal plants will benefit the health of modern man and may lead to important discoveries of phytomedicines. A plethora of plants with complex mixtures of aromatic molecules await discovery to become a vital part of man's quest to improve health and live longer.