Plant based drugs are being increasingly used in recent time all over the world. However, their standardization has become a matter of great concern in getting a wider acceptance for them. Further, non-availability of genuine Phytochemical Reference Standards (PRS) puts a serious limitation in the process of standardization.

To address this issue, the Indian Council of Medical research has intiated a programme for generation of PRS for some frequently used Indian medicinal plants. Under this programme, simple procedure for isolation of the PRS has been adopted and quantification of PRS in the plant part used was also meticulously carried out. Special emphasis has been laid on complete characterization of the PRS by recording the physico-chemical and spectral data. Extensive use of spectral methods like UV-VIS, IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy have been made for this purpose. Present volume compiles the monographs prepared for 30 PRS compounds in a standard format covering generic name, structure, parts used, procedure for isolation of PRS, characterization, chromatographic finger printing of the plant material, and a list of relevant references.