Botanical Name - Chenopodium Quinoa Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Seeds General Information - Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), which is considered a pseudocereal or pseudograin, has been recognized as a complete food due to its protein quality. It has remarkable nutritional properties; not only from its protein content (15%) but also from its great amino acid balance. Phytochemicals - It is an important source of minerals and vitamins, and has also been found to contain compounds like polyphenols, phytosterols, and flavonoids with possible nutraceutical benefits. It has some functional (technological) properties like solubility, water-holding capacity (WHC), gelation, emulsifying, and foaming that allow diversified uses. Besides, it has been considered an oil crop, with an interesting proportion of omega-6 and a notable vitamin E content.
Botanical Name - Chlorophytum borivilianum Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Roots General Information - Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), a herb belongs to family Liliaceae. It was originally grown in thick forests of India,1 is a promising medicinal plant with great economic potential. The appreciation of medicinal value of safed musli tubers has been made in ancient Indian medicine literature right from the 11th century AD. Phytochemicals - The tubers contain saponins and have aphrodisiac, adaptogenic, antiaging, health restorative and health promoting properties. Its root contains steroidal and triterpenoidal saponins, sapogenins and fructans which act as therapeutic agents and play vital role in many therapeutic applications. It is a rich source of over 25 alkaloids, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, steroids, saponins, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phenol, resins, mucilage, and polysaccharides and also contains high quantity of simple sugars, mainly sucrose, glucose, fructose, galactose, mannose and xylose.
Botanical Name - Cinnamomum camphora Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - Cinnamomum camphora is a species of evergreen tree that is commonly known under the names camphor tree, camphorwood or camphor laurel. The leaves have a glossy, waxy appearance and smell of camphor when crushed. In spring, it produces bright green foliage with masses of small white flowers. It produces clusters of black, berry-like fruit around 1 cm (0.39 in) in diameter. Its pale bark is very rough and fissured vertically. Phytochemicals - "The species contains volatile chemical compounds in all plant parts, and the wood and leaves are steam distilled for the essential oils. Camphor laurel has six different chemical variants called chemotypes, which are camphor, linalool, 1,8-cineole, nerolidol, safrole, and borneol. In China, field workers avoid mixing chemotypes when harvesting by their odour.[5][6] The cineole fraction of camphor laurel is used in China to manufacture fake ""eucalyptus oil"".[7] The chemical variants (or chemotypes) seem dependent upon the country of origin of the tree. e.g., C. camphora grown in Taiwan and Japan is normally very high in linalool, often between 80 and 85%. In India and Sri Lanka, the high camphor variety/chemotype remains dominant. C. camphora grown in Madagascar, though, is high in 1,8-cineole (averaging between 40 and 50%). The essential oil from the Madagascar trees is commercially known as ravintsara.["
Botanical Name - Citrullus lanatus Category - Super Food Form - Dry Part Used - Seed General Information - Phytochemicals-
Botanical Name - Coriandrum sativum Category - Spices Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is a glabrous, aromatic, herbaceous annual herb belonging to the family Apiaceae1. It is commonly known as Dhaniya in Hindi, Dhanya in Sanskrit and Kotthamalli in Tamil. Coriander is one of the oldest spices mentioned in recorded history, with evidence of its use more than 5000 years ago. Its use was mentioned in Egyptian, Sanskrit and Roman literature. Egyptians called this herb the spice of happiness2. The coriander seeds are one of the most important spices in the world and are regularly used in the Indian Kitchen. The herb as young plants is used to prepare curry, soups, salads, and sauces, whereas the fruit is mainly used as a seasoning for pickles, cold meats, confectionery products and seasoning mixtures3,4. It is the most widely consumed popular ingredient in the world as a domestic spice, a traditional medicine, and a flavoring agent5. Coriander is available throughout the year providing a fragrant flavor that is reminiscent of both citrus peel and sage. Its essential oil is used in pharmaceutical recipes and as a fragrance in cosmetics6,7. In addition to culinary value, coriander is known for its wide range of healing properties. It is generally used in gastrointestinal complaints such as anorexia, dyspepsia, flatulence, diarrhea, griping pain and vomiting. Coriander fruit is also reputed as refrigerant, tonic, diuretic, and aphrodisiac, while, its essential oil is considered useful in flatulent colic, rheumatism, neuralgia, etc. Coriander is also used as antiedemic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, emmenagogue, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, lipolytic and myorelaxant, and possess nerve- soothing property8. Coriander is used to flavour several alcoholic beverages like gin9 Phytochemicals - The chemical composition of coriander revealed that the linalool was 72.3 and 77.7 %, while �±-pinene was 5.9 and 4.4 %, �³-terpinene 4.7 and 5.6 %, camphor 4.6 and 2.4 %, limonene 2.0 and 0.9 %, in Argentinean and European coriander, respectively44. The essential oil from New Zealand contained linalool, �±-pinene, �³-terpinene, camphor and limonene in the concentration of 65.8, 6.8, 6.1, 5.1, and 2.7 %, respectively45. In Russian coriander seed essential oil, linalool constitutes about 68.0 % of oil46. Hence we can conclude that linalool was the main compound in the coriander seed essential oil.
Botanical Name - Coriandrum sativum Category - Spices Form - Dry Part Used - Seeds General Information - Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is a glabrous, aromatic, herbaceous annual herb belonging to the family Apiaceae1. It is commonly known as Dhaniya in Hindi, Dhanya in Sanskrit and Kotthamalli in Tamil. Coriander is one of the oldest spices mentioned in recorded history, with evidence of its use more than 5000 years ago. Its use was mentioned in Egyptian, Sanskrit and Roman literature. Egyptians called this herb the spice of happiness2. The coriander seeds are one of the most important spices in the world and are regularly used in the Indian Kitchen. The herb as young plants is used to prepare curry, soups, salads, and sauces, whereas the fruit is mainly used as a seasoning for pickles, cold meats, confectionery products and seasoning mixtures3,4. It is the most widely consumed popular ingredient in the world as a domestic spice, a traditional medicine, and a flavoring agent5. Coriander is available throughout the year providing a fragrant flavor that is reminiscent of both citrus peel and sage. Its essential oil is used in pharmaceutical recipes and as a fragrance in cosmetics6,7. In addition to culinary value, coriander is known for its wide range of healing properties. It is generally used in gastrointestinal complaints such as anorexia, dyspepsia, flatulence, diarrhea, griping pain and vomiting. Coriander fruit is also reputed as refrigerant, tonic, diuretic, and aphrodisiac, while, its essential oil is considered useful in flatulent colic, rheumatism, neuralgia, etc. Coriander is also used as antiedemic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, emmenagogue, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, lipolytic and myorelaxant, and possess nerve- soothing property8. Coriander is used to flavour several alcoholic beverages like gin9 Phytochemicals - The chemical composition of coriander revealed that the linalool was 72.3 and 77.7 %, while �±-pinene was 5.9 and 4.4 %, �³-terpinene 4.7 and 5.6 %, camphor 4.6 and 2.4 %, limonene 2.0 and 0.9 %, in Argentinean and European coriander, respectively44. The essential oil from New Zealand contained linalool, I±-pinene, I-terpinene, camphor and limonene in the concentration of 65.8, 6.8, 6.1, 5.1, and 2.7 %, respectively45. In Russian coriander seed essential oil, linalool constitutes about 68.0 % of oil46. Hence we can conclude that linalool was the main compound in the coriander seed essential oil.
Botanical Name - Coriandrum sativum Category - Super Food Form - Dry Part Used - Seed General Information - Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is a plant from the family of Apiaceae. Seeds and the herb of coriander, both of which are used as spice or a medicinal plant. It contains flavoring compounds such as linalool, geraniol, pinen, limonene, geranylacetat, terpinen, and borneol. Phytochemicals-
Botanical Name - Crocus sativus Category - Spices Form - Dry Part Used - Flower Bud General Information - Crocus sativus L. (Iridaceae), commonly known as saffron, is a perennial stemless herb that is widely cultivated in Iran and other countries such as India and Greece. Commercial saffron comprises the dried red stigma with a small portion of the yellowish style attached. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by bees and butterflies. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil, and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The flower has three stigmas, which are the distal ends of the plant's carpels. Together with the style, the stalk connecting the stigmas to the rest of the plant are often dried and used in cooking as a seasoning and coloring agent. Saffron blooms only once a year and should be collected within a very short duration. It is picked during 3-4 weeks in October-November. Phytochemicals - Saffron contains more than 150 volatile and aroma-yielding compounds. It also has many non-volatile active components, many of which are carotenoids including zeaxanthin, lycopene, and various �±- and �²-carotenes. The volatiles with a very strong odor are consistent of more than 34 components that are mainly terpenes, terpene alcohols, and their esters. Non-volatiles include crocins that are responsible for the red or reddish brown color of stigmas together with carotenes, crocetin, picrocrocin (a glycosidic precursor of safranal), the bitter substance and safranal the major organoleptic principle of stigmas. However saffron's golden yellow-orange color is primarily due to -crocin. This crocin is trans-crocetin di-(I-D-gentiobiosyl) ester.
Botanical Name - Cucurbita spp. Category - Super Food Form - Dry Part Used - Seed General Information - Cucurbita plants have been applied in different cultures as traditional medication. For instance, pumpkins for the treatment of intestinal worms and urinary ailments. Seeds are used as an anthelmintic, to treat issues of the urinary framework, high blood pressure, to prevent the development of kidney stones, to ease prostate disorders and even to improve the erysipelas skin contamination.
Botanical Name - Cuminum cyminum Category - Spices Form - Dry Part Used - Seeds General Information - Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is an aromatic herb (Figure 50.1) of the Apicaceae family, and its dried seeds are used as a spice. In India it is commonly known as cumin or zeera, and is called kummel, comino, zirech-e sabz, cumino, kemon, zira, and kamun in various other parts of the world. It is native to India, Iran, the Mediterranean, and Egypt. Cumin is a mixture of united and separated mericarps, yellowish green/brown in color, elongated ovoid, and 3-6 mm in length. Cumin is widely used as a spice for its strong characteristic flavor in various ethnic cuisines around the world. Phytochemicals - The major compounds present in cumin oil include cuminal, I-pinene, I-myrcene, I-cymene, I-terpinene, and I-mentha-1,4-dien-7-ol. Cumin possesses many nutraceutical properties with many biological activities.
Botanical Name - Curcuma longa Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Tuberous rhizomes General Information - Turmeric (Curcuma longa L. syn C.domes tic a Val.) be lon gs to fami lyZingiberaceae, which is extensively culti-vated for its rhizomes. It is a perennialherb distributed throughout tropical andsub-tropical regions of the world includ-ing India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and SriLanka. Its rhizomes are harvested, washedand boiled in mild alkaline water to softenand dried in sun or in electric driers. It is used as colouring agent in pharmacy,confectionery, food industry, for dyeingwool, silk, cotton and in combination withother natural dyes to get different shades. Rhizomes are used ascosmeceutical, expectorant, antiseptic,anthelmintic, blood purifier, in leprosy,spleen disorders, rheumatism, bronchitis,cough and cold, insecticide, spasmolytic,hypotensive, cholera and syphilis. It is a minor ingre-dient of Ayurvedic drug for malarial fever, Acne-n-pimple cream, anti-wrinkle cream,blood purifier capsules and syrup, footcare cr eam. Phytochemicals - Curcumin, demethoxycurcumin andbisdemethoxycurcumin collectively knownas curcuminoids (3-6%) are major polyphe-nolic compounds in turmeric rhizomes. The main colouringprinciple of turmeric rhizome was isolatedin 19th century and named as Curcumin.Its chemical structure was determined byRoughley and Whiting (1973). Other phe-nolic compounds present in turmeric rhi-zome are 1-hydroxy-1, 7-bis (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-(6E)-6-heptene-3, 5-dione;1-(4- hydroxy-3, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-(1E, 6E)-1, 6-heptadiene-3, 4-dione; 1, 5-bis (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-penta-(1E, 4E)-1, 4-dien-3-one; 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl-5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-penta-(1E, 4E)-1, 4-dien-3-one; 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-7-(3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1, 6-heptadiene-3,5-dione and 1, 7-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4, 6-heptatrien-3-one.
Botanical Name - Cymbopogon martinii Category - Aromatic Form - Fresh/Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - Cymbopogon martinii is a species of grass in the genus Cymbopogon (lemongrasses) native to India and Indochina, but widely cultivated in many places for its aromatic oil.[3][4] It is best known by the common name palmarosa (palm rose) as it smells sweet and rose-like. Other common names include Indian geranium, gingergrass, rosha, and rosha grass. Phytochemicals - The essential oil of this plant, which contains the chemical compound geraniol, is valued for its scent and for a number of traditional medicinal and household uses. Palmarosa oil has been shown to be an effective insect repellent when applied to stored grain and beans, an antihelmintic against nematodes, and an antifungal and mosquito repellent.
Botanical Name - Elettaria cardamomum Category - Aromatic/Spices Form - Dry Part Used - Pods General Information - Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is an aromatic spice cultivated mainly in southern India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, Guatemala, the Malabar coast and in Ceylon. It is a native crop of India. Also known as lesser or true cardamom, the spice is very important in world trade. Cardamom belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. It has well-established culinary value and is used in a wide range of sweets and confectionery. Cardamom is an important ingredient of garam masala, a combination spice for many vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. In traditional medicine, cardamom seeds are used for the treatment of a variety of ailments including acute respiratory disorders, stomach complaints, bad breath, sore throat, colds, fever, bronchitis, gallbladder problems, flatulence, and colic. Phytochemicals - Cardamom is a rich source of the compound 1,8-cineole, which is present in most oils used by aromatherapists to treat various ailments and relieve tension. The oil extracted from cardamom seeds is a unique gift of nature, containing combinations of terpene, esters, flavonoids and other compounds. Cineole, the major active component of cardamom oil, is a potent antiseptic that kills the bacteria in bad breath and treats other infections and is also known to have expectorant activity for clearing breathing passages.
Botanical Name - Elwendia persica/Bunium persicum Category - Spices Form - Dry Part Used - Seeds General Information - "Elwendia persica, synonym Bunium persicum, is a plant species in the family Apiaceae. Bunium persicum (Boiss.) B. Fedtsch is a plant of Apiaceae family called wild caraway. It is a perennial aromatic plant with small white or pink fowers and small brown beans growing wild in areas with Mediterranean climate such as central and western Asia including Iran, Turkey, Syria, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, North India (Kashmir and Pamir), China, some parts of Europe, Northern Africa and South America. This plant is called with diferent names throughout the world as Great pignut, Black zire, Black caraway, Carum carvi, Persian Cumin, Zire kuhi, Shah zira, Kala Zeera, Jira, Wild caraway and wild cumin. B. Persicum (BP) has small (30 cm) to tall (80 cm) varieties which squeezed or expanded with large or small branches. B. persicum (BP) is used for culinary intentions as a spice and flavoring agent in foods and beverages such as bread cooking, rice, yoghurt, cheese and in confectionery products. It has a strong earthy aroma is sharpened by frying and cooking it. This plant is also used in the perfume and cosmetics." Phytochemicals - Phytochemical profile of Bunium persicum (Boiss.) has shown flavonoids, phenolic acids, and aldehydes as well as a high content of mono-terpenes and sesquiterpenes contained in the essential oil and extracts of this plant. In recent years, application of natural compounds particularly medicinal plants has increased in food due to their potential to increase the food safety and shelf life.
Botanical Name - Emblica officinalis/Phyllanthus emblica Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Fruit General Information - Indian gooseberry or amla, scientifically known as Emblica officinalis Gaertn or Phyllanthus emblica Linn, is arguably the most important medicinal plant in the Indian traditional system of medicine, the Ayurveda, and in various traditional folk systems of medicine in the Southeast Asia. The fruits are a rich source of vitamin C and are of dietary and culinary use in India. In the traditional system of medicine, amla is used to treat a variety of ailments such as anemia, hyperacidity, diarrhea, eye inflammation, leucorrhea, jaundice, nervine debility, liver complaints, cough, and anomalies of urine. Scientific studies have shown that amla possesses antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, antiulcerogenic, free radical scavenging, antioxidant, antimutagenic, antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antitussive, antiatherogenic, adaptogenic, snake venom neutralizing, gastroprotective, antianemia, antihypercholesterolemia, wound healing, antidiarrheal, antiatherosclerotic, nephroprotective, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective properties. In this update, we emphasize on the hepatoprotective effects of amla by emphasizing on the scientific studies that have validated the property. Phytochemicals - "Emblica officinalis primarily contains tannins, alkaloids, phenolic, amino acids and carbohydrates. Its fruit juice contains the highest amount of vitamin C (478.56 mg/100 mL). The fruit when blended with other fruits boosted their nutritional quality in terms of vitamin C content. Compounds isolated from Emblica officinalis were galic acid, ellagic acid, 1-O galloyl-beta-D-glucose, 3,6-di-Ogalloyl- Dglucose, chebulinic acid, quercetin, chebulagic acid, corilagin, 1,6- di-O -galloyl beta D glucose, 3 Ethylgallic acid (3 ethoxy 4,5 dihydroxy benzoic acid) and isostrictiniin. Phyllanthusemblica also contains flavonoids, kaempferol 3 O alpha L (6'' methyl) rhamnopyranoside and kaempferol 3 O alpha L (6''ethyl) rhamnopyranoside. A new acylatedapigenin glucoside (apigenin 7 O (6'' butyryl beta glucopyranoside) was isolated from the methanolic extract of the leaves of Phyllanthus emblicatogether with the known compounds; gallic acid, methyl gallate, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloylglucose and luteolin-4'-Oneohesperiodoside were also reported"
Botanical Name - Eucalyptus citriodora/Corymbia citriodora Category - Aromatic/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - "The name Eucalyptus was coined by L. Fleritier, a French B otanist in tlie year 1789. Eucalyptus is formed by eu means well and kalyptus meaning I cover ; thus referring to the lid of operculum which seals the flower till it blooms. Eucalyptus was first introduced to India in the Naiidi hills of Karnataka by Tippu Sultan between 1782 to 1790. Later in 1843 its plantation was extended to the Nilgiri hills in southern India. Nearly 170 species have been tried in India out of which only five species, viz. E. tereticornis, E. ccmaldensis, E. grandis, E. citriodom , and E. globulus have received wide acceptance, E, citriodom is among the economically important species of eucalyptus available worldwide. Its main utility is in the perfume industry due to it's highest citronellal content (>70 % ). The wood o f the plant is also an important timber and firewood. " Phytochemicals - "The essentia! oil o f Eucalyptus is obtained by hydrodistillation o f the fresh leaves. It is colourless or pale-yellow liquid. It has an arom atic and cam phoraceous odour: a pungent, cam phoraceous taste followed by a sensation o f cold. T he yield o f oil varies from species to species, place to place and w ith the season. Eucalyptus oil can be classified under three m ain categories depending on the principal constituents present, viz: - 1) Medicinal oils or Cineol containing oils. 2) Perfum ery oils or Citronellal containing oils. 3 ) industrial oils or Phellandrene containing oils. The leaves o f E.cilriodora yield an essential oil (0.5-2.0) containing citronellal (65-80% ), citronellol (15-20 % ) and esters (W ealth o f India, 1952). O ils poor in citronellal are reported to contain guaicol. The Kino obtained from E. cilriodora contains 4H.2 % tannin. The chem ical com position o f the essential oils obtained from the leaves o f 12 species o f eucalyptus including E. citiodora growing in Eithiopia were exam ined by capillaryGC and CjC-MS. The oil of Cilriodora was found to l->e rich in citronellal (73.3 %), and citronellol (16.2 %). "
Botanical Name - Eucalyptus citriodora/Corymbia citriodora Category - Aromatic/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - "The name Eucalyptus was coined by L. Fleritier, a French B otanist in tlie year 1789. Eucalyptus is formed by eu means well and kalyptus meaning/ cover ; thus referring to the lid of operculum which seals the flower till it blooms. Eucalyptus was first introduced to India in the Naiidi hills of Karnataka by Tippu Sultan between 1782 to 1790. Later in 1843 its plantation was extended to the Nilgiri hills in southern India. Nearly 170 species have been tried in India out of which only five species, viz. E. tereticornis, E. ccmaldensis, E. grandis, E. citriodom , and E. globulus have received wide acceptance, E, citriodom is among the economically important species of eucalyptus available worldwide. Its main utility is in the perfume industry due to it's highest citronellal content (>70 % ). The wood o f the plant is also an important timber and firewood. Phytochemicals - "The essentia! oil o f Eucalyptus is obtained by hydrodistillation o f the fresh leaves. It is colourless or pale-yellow liquid. It has an arom atic and cam phoraceous odour: a pungent, cam phoraceous taste followed by a sensation of cold. T he yield o f oil varies from species to species, place to place and w ith the season. Eucalyptus oil can be classified under three m ain categories depending on the principal constituents present, viz: - 1) Medicinal oils or Cineol containing oils. 2) Perfum ery oils or Citronellal containing oils. 3 ) industrial oils or Phellandrene containing oils. The leaves o f E.cilriodora yield an essential oil (0.5-2.0) containing citronellal (65-80% ), citronellol (15-20 % ) and esters (W ealth o f India, 1952). O ils poor in citronellal are reported to contain guaicol. The Kino obtained from E. cilriodora contains 4H.2 % tannin. The chem ical com position o f the essential oils obtained from the leaves o f 12 species of eucalyptus including E. citiodora growing in Eithiopia were exam ined by capillaryGC and CjC-MS. The oil o f Cilriodora was found to l->e rich in citronellal (73.3 %), and citronellol (16.2 %). "
Botanical Name - Ferula asafoetida Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Gum resin General Information - Ferula asafoetida is herbaceous plant of the umbelliferae family. It is oleo gum resin obtained from the rhizome and root of plant. This spice is used as a digestive aid, in food as a condiment and in pickles. It is used in modern herbalism in the treatment of hysteria, some nervous conditions, bronchitis, asthma and whooping cough. It was at one time employed in the treatment of infantile pneumonia and flatulent colic. The gum resin is antispasmodic, carminative, expectorant, laxative, and sedative. The volatile oil in the gum is eliminated through the lungs, making this an excellent treatment for asthma. The odor of asafoetida is imparted to the breath, secretions, flatus, and gastric eructations. Its properties are antispasmodic, expectorant, stimulant, emmenagogue and vermifuge. Asafoetida has also been used as a sedative. It also thins the blood and lowers blood pressure. It is widely used in India in food and as a medicine in Indian systems of medicine like ayurveda. Asafoetida has been held in great esteem among indigenous medicines, particularly in Unani system from the earliest times. Phytochemicals - An analysis of asafoetida shows it to consist of carbohydrates 67.8% per 100 gms, moisture 16.0%, protein 4.0%, fat 1.1%, minerals 7.0% and fiber 4.1%. Its mineral and vitamin contents include substantial calcium besides phosphorus, iron, carotene, riboflavin and niacin. Its calorific value is 297, contains 40-64% resinous material composed of ferulic acid, umbel-liferone, asaresinotannols, farnesiferols A, B, and C etc., about 25% gum composed of glucose, galactose, l-arabinose, rhamnose, and glucuronic acid and volatile oil (3-17%) consisting of disulfides as its major components, notably 2-butyl propenyl disulfide (E- and Z-isomers), with monoterpenes (�±- and �²-pinene, etc.), free ferulic acid, valeric acid, and traces of vanillin (LAF). The disagreeable odor of the oil is reported to be due mainly to the disulphide C11H20S2.
Botanical Name - Glycyrrhiza glabra Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Root General Information - Glycyrrhiza is derived from the ancient Greek term glykos, meaning sweet, and rhiza, meaning root. Glycyrrhiza glabra is known as mulaithi in north India. Glycyrrhiza glabra, also known as licorice and sweet wood, is native to the Mediterranean and certain areas of Asia. A number of traditional healers have claimed the efficacy of Glycyrrhiza species for a variety of pathological conditions as a diuretic, choleretic, used as insecticide, and indicated in traditional medicine for coughs, colds, and painful swellings . The roots are unearthed in the autumn of the fourth season. It is grown in India, Spain, Iran, Russia, China and Italy. Phytochemicals - A number of components have been isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra, including a water-soluble, biologically active complex that accounts for 40-50% of total dry material weight. This complex is composed of triterpene, saponin, flavonoids, polysaccharides, pectins, simple sugars, amino acids, mineral salts, asparagines, bitters, essential oil, fat, female hormone estrogen, gums, mucilage (rhizome), protein, resins, starches, sterols, volatile oils, tannins, glycosides, and various other substances. Glycyrrhizin, a triterpenoid compound, accounts for the sweet taste of licorice root. This compound represents a mixture of potassium-calcium-magnesium salts of glycyrrhizic acid that varies within a 2-25% range. Among the natural saponin, glycyrrhizic acid is a molecule composed of a hydrophilic part, two molecules of glucuronic acid, and a hydrophobic fragment, glycyrrhetic acid. The yellow color of licorice is due to the flavonoid content of the plant, which includes liquiritin, isoliquiritin (a chalcone) and other compounds. The isoflavones, glabridin and hispaglabridins A and B have significant antioxidant activity and both glabridin and glabrene possess estrogen-like activity.
Botanical Name - Hibiscus sabdariffa Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Flower General Information - Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (roselle) belongs to the family Malvaceae. It exists as herbs or shrubs, often with fibrous stems, (Eno, 2000). The leaves are deeply three- to five-lobed, 8-15 cm long, arranged alternately on the stems. Vernacular names, in addition to roselle, in English-speaking regions are rozelle, sorrel, red sorrel, and Florida cranberry. In North Africa and the Near East Hibiscus sabdariffa is called karkad or carcad. Hibiscus sabdariffa is believed to have originated from India and Malaysia, where it is commonly cultivated, and must have been carried at an early date to Africa. Two main types of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. exist. The more important economically is Hibiscus sabdariffa variety altissima Wester, an erect, sparsely branched annual plant which is cultivated for its jute-like fiber in India, the East Indies, Nigeria and to some extent in tropical America. The other distinct type of roselle, Hibiscus sabdariffa variety sabdariffa. Phytochemicals- Citric and malic acids are the major organic acids in aqueous extracts of the flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa. Most of the chemical investigations of the flower constituents have been directed towards characterization of their pigments. Isolated an anthocyanin, to which they assigned the structure, cyanidin-3-glucoside this was later changed to delphinidin-pentoside-glucoside. Delphinidin and cyanidin were reported as major constituents of plants grown in Trinidad. Pigment also isolated delphinidin-3-sambubioside (major component), delphinidin-3-monoglucoside and cyanidin-3-monoglucoside
