Human benefit from the organic chemistry of plants is incalculable in terms of health, food, comfort and security. Indeed, the future well-being of humanity rests in significant measure upon a responsible relationship with the plant kingdom in order to re-establish balance in the Earth’s natural environmental systems.

In a highly readable volume, Organic Chemistry: Miracles from Plants presents many fascinating points of entry to the organic chemistry of a wide range of crucially-important, naturally-occurring, chemical substances which are derived from plants.

Features:

• Presents in a readable and accessible manner many fascinating points of entry to the organic chemistry of a wide range of crucially-important, naturally-occurring, chemical substances which are derived from plants.
• Key concepts in and knowledge of organic chemistry are reinforced.
• Highly-relevant and contemporary context stimulates learning in organic chemistry.
• Searching exercises and extension materials are provided at the end of every chapter each of which is amply illustrated.
• In a single source, this volume provides knowledge, challenge and valuable learning opportunity in chemistry, medicine, nutrition and the environmental sciences.
• Recipient of the 2025 American Botanical Council’s ‘James A. Duke Excellence in Botanical Literature Award’. ABC has chosen Organic Chemistry: Miracles from Plants due to its engaging and readable exploration into the role plants play in human lives and, as a result, creates an accessible introduction to the field of organic chemistry.

PART I Introduction

Organic Chemistry

Context: Miraculous Chemicals from Plants

References

Nomenclature

Botanical names

Scope of chemistry

PART II Medical Marvels

Introduction

Central America’s Humble Potato!

Suggested Further Reading Reference

Europe Solves a Headache! Emergence of Aspirin Suggested Further Reading

Reference

Attacking Malaria: a South American Treasure and a Chinese Miracle

Suggested Further Reading

References

A Steroid in Your Garden

Suggested Further Reading

Reference

Africa’s Gift to the World

Suggested Further Reading

Saving the Pacific Yew Tree

References

Vaccines, Adjuvants and Organic Chemistry

A Vaccine Against Covid-19

References

PART III Nutrition—Ancient and Modern Miracles

Introduction

Rediscovering Traditional Grains of the Americas—Chia and Quinoa

Suggested Further Reading

Wheat—Ancient and Modern

Suggested Further Reading

References

Asian Staple—Rice

Suggested Further Reading

Chinese Cordyceps—Winter Worm, Summer Grass

Suggested Further Reading

PART IV Beverages

Introduction

Tea: from Legend to Healthy Obsession!

Selected further reading

Cocoa (Cacao)—Food of the Gods

Chemical Constituents of Cocoa

Suggested Further Reading

Coffee—Wake Up and Smell the Aroma!

Suggested Further Reading

Maca from the High Andes in South America

Suggested Further Reading

Reference

PART V Euphorics

Introduction

Suggested Further Reading

Morphine: A Double-Edged Sword

Suggested Further Reading

Cannabis and Marijuana

Suggested Further Reading

Coca and Cocaine

Suggested Further Reading

Tobacco: A Profound Impact on the World

Reference

PART VI Exotic Potions, Lotions and Oils

Introduction

Suggested Further Reading

A Plant from the East Indies, Camphor

Suggested Further Reading

Biblical Resins: Frankincense and Myrrh

Suggested Further Reading

References

European Lavender

Suggested Further Reading

Global Aloe

Suggested Further Reading

Reference

PART VII Colorful Chemistry, a Natural

Palette of Plant Dyes and Pigments

Introduction

Selected Reading

Our World of Green Plants—Human Survival

Suggested Further Reading

References

Saffron and Carotenoids—Yellow and Orange Dyes

Suggested Further Reading

Reference

Woad (Isatis Tinctoria) and Indigo

Suggested Further Reading

Reference

Red Dyes from Henna, Dyer’s Bugloss and Madder

Suggested Further Reading

References

Reversible Colors in Flowers, Berries and Fruit

Suggested Further Reading

References

PART VIII Plant Materials

Introduction

The Wonderful World of Wood

References

Secrets of a Sticky Secretion

References

Suggested Further Reading

The Green Credentials of Bioplastic

References

Suggested Further Reading

PART IX Plants and the Natural Environment

Introduction

Seaweed and ‘Blue’ Carbon

References

Suggestions for Further Reading

Garlic and Pungent Smells

Suggested Further Reading

Learning to Love Legumes

References

Glossary

Organic Chemistry: Miracles from Plants

Acknowledgments

Index