An ideal text for the natural product scientist looking for new techniques in research, this volume comprises the latest information on natural/plant resources.The comprehensive chapters cover the chemistry and pharmacology of a range of natural products - from Chinese herbal medicine to tea extracts, microbes to marine sponges, and the latest technologies to enhance the synthesis, isolation and purification of bioactive herbal compounds from these products. Adding additional value to the book are chapters on new tools in information technology that can greatly facilitate the research of natural product scientists, and the technologies available for evaluating medicinal herbal products for purity.