This timely publication describes the botanical sources and chemical features of antiviral compounds. It covers their mechanisms of action and evaluates their therapeutic potential. Included is a discussion of synthetic analogues where appropriate. The book states that antiviral compounds in so-called medicinal plants may constitute some of their "e;active ingredients."e; It explains that many are photosensitizers, their antiviral activity dependent upon or augmented by light of specific wavelengths. This book is of value to microbiologists, phytochemists, virologists, natural-product chemists, ethnobotanists, pharmacologists, medical and veterinary researchers, and others interested in the application of plant compounds to therapy of infectious diseases.