Jatindra Sarma, a forest officer in Assam has compiled a book on the medicinal value of plants in the state. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Assam with Special Reference to Karbi Anglong lists around 450 medicinal plants. The book should be a ready reckoner for scholars of the various Indian systems of medicine. The author also has a note on the medicinal use of each of the plants listed in the book. He was helped by his colleague in Assam's forest department, Ranjan Kumar Baruah.

The book contains a treasure trove of information on the floral varieties of Assam. Did you know that six varieties of potato found in the Karbi Anglong hills go into preparing indigenous oral contraceptives? Or that dried leaves of the jute plant can be used for treating stomach pain. Or that the Eagle wood is used in the treatment of tumours. The book is replete with such nuggets of valuable information.