Excellent but terse

This book is an excellent introduction to the major classes of phytochemicals involved in the medicinal effects of plants. It is, however, very terse. Without some background in inorganic and organic chemistry, I doubt it would be very usable. More detail on the typical effects the different classes of phytochemicals would make it an even more useful book. Still, assuming you have some chemistry background, a very good introduction to the subject, particularly if combined with a text like The Natural History of Medicinal Plants, which fleshes out other basic issues.