Botanical Name - Linum usitatissimum Category - Super Food Form - Dry Part Used - Seed General Information - "Common flax is thought to be one of the oldest domesticated plants. Flax is grown in 64 countries of the world. Canada, China, India and the USA have the highest shares in the global flaxseed production. Flax is a plant that provides raw material for the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Consumers are increasingly interested in the use of flaxseed in daily diet.
Botanical Name - Matricaria Chamomilla Category - Aromatic/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Flower General Information - Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is one of the important medicinal herb native to southern and eastern Europe. It is also grown in Germany, Hungary, France, Russia, Yugoslavia, and Brazil. It was introduced to India during the Mughal period, now it is grown in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jammu and Kashmir. The essential oil present in the flower heads contains azulene and is used in perfumery, cosmetic creams, hair preparations, skin lotions, tooth pastes, and also in fine liquors. The dry flowers of chamomile are also in great demand for use in herbal tea, baby massage oil, for promoting the gastric flow of secretion, and for the treatment of cough and cold. The use of herbal tea preparations eliminated colic in 57% infants. Because of its extensive pharmacological and pharmaceutical properties, the plant thus possesses great economic value and is in great demand in the European countries. Phytochemicals- German chamomile is a natural source of blue oil (essential oil). The flowers and flower heads are the main organs of the production of essential oil. It is remarkable that chamomile flower oil mainly consists of sesquiterpene derivatives (75 - 90%) but only traces of monoterpenes. The oil contains up to 20% polyynes. The principal components of the essential oil extracted from the flowers are (E)-�²-farnesene (4.9 - 8.1%), terpene alcohol (farnesol), chamazulene (2.3 - 10.9%), �±-bisabolol (4.8 - 11.3%), and bisabolol oxides A (25.5 - 28.7%) and �±-bisabolol oxides B (12.2 - 30.9%), which are known for their antiinflammatory, antiseptic, antiplogistic, and spasmolytic properties. Among the various major constituents,-bisabolol and chamazulene have been reported to be more useful than others. Chamazulene is an artifact formed from matricine, which is naturally present in the flowers during hydrodistillation or steam distillation. The color of the oil determines its quality. Blue color of the oil is due to sesquiterpene. The chamazulene content of the various chamomiles depends on the origin and age of the material. It decreases during the storage of the flowers.
Botanical Name - Mentha spicata Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves, Stem General Information - Mentha spicata, spearmint is a hybrid commercially cultivated aromatic plant, characterized by high amount essential oil, but it is still wild species. Leaf of wild growing flowering plants of Mentha spicata L. during flowering stage. The leaves of Mentha spicata were shade dried (15 days) at room temperature. Air-dried leaf of Mentha spicata were submitted to hydrodistillation. Phytochemicals- The most abundant compound in M. spicata essential oil is carvone that gives to essential oil distinctive smell. Both groupes of supstances possess powerful antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The essential oil of M. spicata is used as a flavoring in the perfume production, food and pharmaceutical industry. In addition, essential oil of spearmint shows strong antifungal, fumigant and antioxidant activity
Botanical Name - Momordica charantia Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Fruit General Information - Momordica charantia (MC), a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, is also known as bitter melon, bitter gourd, balsam pear, pare, or karela. It is a widely grown and consumed vegetable in Asia, East Africa, India, and South America. The potential for MC to modulate blood glucose has received the most attention from investigators searching for natural foods or compounds that may be useful in the treatment of diabetes. Phytochemicals - The main constituents of bitter melon which are responsible for the antidiabetic effects are triterpene, proteid, steroid, alkaloid, inorganic, lipid, and phenolic compounds. Several glycosides have been isolated from the M. charantia stem and fruit and are grouped under the genera of cucurbitane-type triterpenoids. In particular, four triterpenoids have AMP-activated protein kinase activity which is a plausible hypoglycaemic mechanism of M. charantia.
Botanical Name - Murraya koenigii Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng or its common name curry leaf tree is a small strong smelling perennial shrub commonly found in forests as undergrowth. It was originally cultivated in India for its aromatic leaves and for ornament is normally used for natural flavoring in curries and sauces. Originated in Tarai regions of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is now widely found in all parts of India and it adorns every house yard of southern India and also it is now cultivated and distributes throughout the world. Phytochemicals - This plant is known to be the richest source of carbazole alkaloids. It has been reported by authors that carbazole alkaloids present in M.koenigii (L.) Spreng and display various biological activities such as anti-tumor, anti-oxidative, anti-mutagenic and anti-inflammatory activities. The fresh leaves of Murraya koenigii contain 61.77- 66.2% of moisture, 2.1-12.5%of protein, 14.6-18.97% of total sugar, 9.7-13.06% of total ash, 1.35-1.82% of acid insoluble ash, 1.35-1.82% of alcohol soluble extractive and water extractive value ranges between 27.33-33.45%.
Botanical Name - Myristica fragrans Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Flower General Information - Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Myristicaceae) commonly known as nutmeg is a well-knownaromatic evergreen tree found in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and South Africa. Nutmeg mace is well known all over the world as an important spice. Nutmeg has beenshown to possess analgesic, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiin�ammatory as well as hepatoprotective activities. With regard to itsmedicinal and commercial value, the dried kernel (seed) and mace/aril are the most exploitedparts.
Botanical Name - Myristica fragrans Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Seeds General Information - Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Myristicaceae) commonly known as nutmeg is a well-knownaromatic evergreen tree found in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and South Africa. Nutmeg mace is well known all over the world as an important spice. Nutmeg has beenshown to possess analgesic, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiin�ammatory as well as hepatoprotective activities. With regard to itsmedicinal and commercial value, the dried kernel (seed) and mace/aril are the most exploitedparts.
Botanical Name - Myristica fragrans Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Flower General Information - Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Myristicaceae) commonly known as nutmeg is a well-knownaromatic evergreen tree found in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and South Africa. Nutmeg mace is well known all over the world as an important spice. Nutmeg has beenshown to possess analgesic, antifungal, antimicrobial, antinammatory as well as hepatoprotective activities. With regard to itsmedicinal and commercial value, the dried kernel (seed) and mace/aril are the most exploitedparts.
Botanical Name - Ocimum americanum Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum), Ocimum gratissimum (O. gratissimum) and Ocimum sanctum (O. sanctum), commonly known as holy basil, clove basil (wild basil/East India basil) and sweet basil, respectively, are frequently cultivated in several countries of East Asia, Europe, America and Australia for the production of essential oils. Ocimum americanum (O. americanum) formerly known as Ocimum canum (O. canum), includes wild species in India, but is cultivated in Indonesia for its essential oil for commercial purposes. Ocimum kilimandscharicum (O. kilimandscharicum), a variety species of O. basilicum, commonly called African blue basil is known for its camphor like scent of its essential oil. Similarly, Ocimum minimum and Ocimum citriodorum also include variety species of O. basilicum popular in Indonesia, Mexico and Africa for their naturally occurring essential oils as in perfumery and cosmetic applications. Likewise, Ocimum tenuiflorum (O. tenuiflorum) includes variety species of O. sanctum. Traditionally, these Ocimum species have been extensively utilized in food and perfumery industries. The aerial parts of the plants are considered as antispasmodic, stomachic and carminative in native medicine Phytochemicals - Ocimum plant part are complex mixtures of natural organic compounds which are predominantly composed of terpenic hydrocarbons (myrecene, pinene, terpinene, limonene, p-cymene, �?�±- and �?�²- phellandrene) and terpenoids (oxygen containing hydrocarbons) like acyclic monoterpene alcohols (geraniol, linalool), monocyclic alcohols (menthol, 4-carvomenthol, terpineol, carveol, borneol), aliphatic aldehydes (citral, citronellal, perillaldehyde), aromatic phenols (carvacrol, thymol, safrol, eugenol), bicyclic alcohol (verbenol), monocyclic ketones (menthone, pulegone, carvone), bicyclic monoterpenic ketones (thujone, verbenone, fenchone), acids (citronellic acid, cinnamic acid) and esters (linalyl acetate).
Botanical Name - Ocimum basilicum Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum), Ocimum gratissimum (O. gratissimum) and Ocimum sanctum (O. sanctum), commonly known as holy basil, clove basil (wild basil/East India basil) and sweet basil, respectively, are frequently cultivated in several countries of East Asia, Europe, America and Australia for the production of essential oils. Ocimum americanum (O. americanum) formerly known as Ocimum canum (O. canum), includes wild species in India, but is cultivated in Indonesia for its essential oil for commercial purposes. Ocimum kilimandscharicum (O. kilimandscharicum), a variety species of O. basilicum, commonly called African blue basil is known for its camphor like scent of its essential oil. Similarly, Ocimum minimum and Ocimum citriodorum also include variety species of O. basilicum popular in Indonesia, Mexico and Africa for their naturally occurring essential oils as in perfumery and cosmetic applications. Likewise, Ocimum tenuiflorum (O. tenuiflorum) includes variety species of O. sanctum. Traditionally, these Ocimum species have been extensively utilized in food and perfumery industries. The aerial parts of the plants are considered as antispasmodic, stomachic and carminative in native medicine Phytochemicals - Ocimum plant part are complex mixtures of natural organic compounds which are predominantly composed of terpenic hydrocarbons (myrecene, pinene, terpinene, limonene, p-cymene, and phellandrene) and terpenoids (oxygen containing hydrocarbons) like acyclic monoterpene alcohols (geraniol, linalool), monocyclic alcohols (menthol, 4-carvomenthol, terpineol, carveol, borneol), aliphatic aldehydes (citral, citronellal, perillaldehyde), aromatic phenols (carvacrol, thymol, safrol, eugenol), bicyclic alcohol (verbenol), monocyclic ketones (menthone, pulegone, carvone), bicyclic monoterpenic ketones (thujone, verbenone, fenchone), acids (citronellic acid, cinnamic acid) and esters (linalyl acetate).
Botanical Name - Origanum vulgare Category - Aromatic/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves, Flower top General Information - Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an aromatic herb belonging tothe Lamiaceae family, and commonly occurs throughout Asia,Europe, and northern Africa. In folk medicine, O. vulgare is usedto treat respiratory disorders, dyspepsia, painful menstruation,rheumatoid arthritis, scrofulosis and urinary tract disorders. It isalso used as a culinary herb in gastronomy.3Previous studiesreported the potential of oregano essential oil to preserve food,such as fresh chicken breast meat, swordfish and octopus. Phytochemicals - Various chemicals found such as Phosphate buffer, trichloroacetic acid, ferric chloride, ascorbicacid, and 2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine (TPTZ) were purchasedfrom Fluka (Buchs, Germany); Folin Ciocalteu reagent, gallic acid,-diphenyl- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), potassium hexacyanofer-rate(III), and dimethylsulfoxide, ferrous sulfate, sodium acetate, tryptic soy agar, andplate count agar, sodium car-bonate and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), sodium sulfate anhydrous.
Botanical Name - Papaver somniferum Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Seeds General Information - Poppy plants (Papaver somniferum, Papaver paeoniflorum, Papaver giganteum) are herbaceous annual plants that can grow almost anywhere. Of all the different species, P. somniferum is the most popular due to its beautiful flowers. Moreover, seeds are used for making muffins, breads, and other food. The stems and pods are often used for flower arrangements. Opium is found in the latex (a milky fluid) of unripe pods of poppy plants 1 - 3 weeks after flowering. The milky fluid is collected by incision of green seed pods. Phytochemicals - More than 30 alkaloids have been isolated from P. somniferum out of which three alkaloids morphine, codeine, and noscapine (antitussive) are used directly in therapy. Thebaine is a biosynthetic intermediate of the morphine pathway which is used by the pharmaceutical industry for synthesis of oxycodone, oxymorphone, buprenorphine, and naloxone, an opiate antagonist.
Botanical Name - Picrorhiza kurroa Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Roots, Rhizomes General Information - Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. commonly known as Kutki, belongs to family Scrophulariaceae. It is found in the Himalayan regions of China, Pakistan, India, Bhutan and Nepal. It is considered as an important medicinal plant which is mostly used in the traditional medicinal system for asthama, jaundice, fever, malaria, snake bite and liver disorders Different pharmacological activities of P. kurroa include anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-mutagenic, cardio-protective, hepato-protective, anti-malarial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-ulcer and nephro-protective activities were recorded from this plant. Phytochemicals - P. kurroa include anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-mutagenic, cardio-protective, hepato-protective, anti-malarial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-ulcer and nephro-protective activities were recorded from this plant.
Botanical Name - Piper nigrum Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Fruit General Information - Pepper (Piper nigrum) belongs to the family piperaceae and is known as the king of spices. It requires a specific temperature and rainfall for growth. The part used is small grapelike berries and dried parts and fruits of the perennial pepper plant. Capsicums, chili peppers, and paprika are also included in this category. The dissimilarity amongst them is not only due to their color, there are also wide differences in their botanic names and attributes. Contrary to other peppers, red pepper can be used fresh, ground, or in powdered form. The dried pepper is washed to eliminate stalks, peels, and stem heads. The white pepper is the product obtained from berries that are fully ripened. Phytochemicals - Piper nigrum (black pepper) is widely used in food industry due to its content of antioxidant and antimicrobial terpenoids (pinene,-pinene, 3-carene, limonene,-terpinene-4-ol, p-cymene) and alkaloids (piperine and related compounds).
Botanical Name - Plantago ovata Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Seeds, Husk General Information - Psyllium, scientifically known as plantago ovata has gained a reputation as a natural medicinal plant. Psyllium is the common name used for several members of the plant genus Plantago and Plantago ovata, Psyllium husk and Ispaghula husk are other generic name for this imperative plant. The genus Plantago has more than 200 species, which is grown all over the world but P. ovata and P. psyllium are produced commercially in several, American, South Asian and European countries as a major seasonal crop due to its seed mucilage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food grade properties. Phytochemicals - Blond psyllium husk consists of the ground husk of the psyllium seed (Plantago ovata), a mixture of polysaccharides composed of pentoses, hexoses, and uronic acids. Psyllium is a predominantly soluble fiber, and numerous adult clinical studies have evaluated the effect of psyllium in subjects with constipation.
Botanical Name - Pterocarpus santalinus Category - Aromatic/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Bark General Information - Pterocarpus santalinus Linn.f., commonly known as Red sanders, belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is endemic to India and considered globally endangered, with illegal harvest being a key threat. The plant is renowned for its characteristic timber of exquisite color, beauty, and superlative technical qualities. The red wood yields a natural dye santalin, which is used in coloring pharmaceutical preparations and foodstuffs. In the traditional system of medicine, the decoction prepared from the heartwood is attributed various medicinal properties. It has been used in inducing vomiting and treating eye diseases, mental aberrations, and ulcers. The heartwood of Red sanders is known to have antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, tonic, hemorrhage, dysentery, aphrodisiac, and diaphoretic activities. It has also been used as a cooling agent. Ethanol extract of stem bark was reported to possess anti-hyperglycaemic activity. The wood in combination with other drugs is also prescribed for snake bites and scorpion stings. hytochemicals- Phytochemical investigations of aqueous and ethanol extracts of stem bark revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, saponins, glycosides, flavonoides, triterpenoides, sterols, and tannins. The heart wood contains isoflavone glucosides and two anti-tumour lignans, viz., savinin and calocedrin.
Botanical Name - Pterocarpus santalinus Category - Aromatic/Medicinal orm - Dry Part Used - Heartwood General Information - Pterocarpus santalinus Linn.f., commonly known as Red sanders, belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is endemic to India and considered globally endangered, with illegal harvest being a key threat. The plant is renowned for its characteristic timber of exquisite color, beauty, and superlative technical qualities. The red wood yields a natural dye santalin, which is used in coloring pharmaceutical preparations and foodstuffs. In the traditional system of medicine, the decoction prepared from the heartwood is attributed various medicinal properties. It has been used in inducing vomiting and treating eye diseases, mental aberrations, and ulcers. The heartwood of Red sanders is known to have antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, tonic, hemorrhage, dysentery, aphrodisiac, and diaphoretic activities. It has also been used as a cooling agent. Ethanol extract of stem bark was reported to possess anti-hyperglycaemic activity. The wood in combination with other drugs is also prescribed for snake bites and scorpion stings. Phytochemicals - Phytochemical investigations of aqueous and ethanol extracts of stem bark revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, saponins, glycosides, flavonoides, triterpenoides, sterols, and tannins. The heart wood contains isoflavone glucosides and two anti-tumour lignans, viz., savinin and calocedrin.
Botanical Name - Punica granatum Category - Medicinal Form - Fresh/Dry Part Used - Root, Bark, Fruits, Rind of the fruit, Flowers General Information -Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) belongs to the Punicacea family. It is one of the important and commercial horticultural fruits which is generally very well adapted to the Mediterranean climate. It has been cultivated extensively in Iran, India and some parts in the U.S.A (California), China, Japan and Russia. Pomegranate fruits are consumed fresh or processed as juice, jellies syrup for industrial production. Different parts of its tree (leaves, fruits and bark skin) have been used traditionally for their medicinal properties and for other purposes such as in tanning. Phytochemicals - It is proved to have high antioxidant activity and good potency for cancer cprevention. The edible part of the fruit contains considerable amounts of acids, sugars, vitamins, polysaccharides, polyphenols and important minerals.
Botanical Name - Pterocarpus santalinus Category - Aromatic/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Heartwood General Information - Pterocarpus santalinus Linn.f., commonly known as Red sanders, belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is endemic to India and considered globally endangered, with illegal harvest being a key threat. The plant is renowned for its characteristic timber of exquisite color, beauty, and superlative technical qualities. The red wood yields a natural dye santalin, which is used in coloring pharmaceutical preparations and foodstuffs. In the traditional system of medicine, the decoction prepared from the heartwood is attributed various medicinal properties. It has been used in inducing vomiting and treating eye diseases, mental aberrations, and ulcers. The heartwood of Red sanders is known to have antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, tonic, hemorrhage, dysentery, aphrodisiac, and diaphoretic activities. It has also been used as a cooling agent. Ethanol extract of stem bark was reported to possess anti-hyperglycaemic activity. The wood in combination with other drugs is also prescribed for snake bites and scorpion stings. Phytochemicals - Phytochemical investigations of aqueous and ethanol extracts of stem bark revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, saponins, glycosides, flavonoides, triterpenoides, sterols, and tannins. The heart wood contains isoflavone glucosides and two anti-tumour lignans, viz., savinin and calocedrin.
Botanical Name - Punica granatum Category - Medicinal Form - Fresh/Dry Part Used - Root, Bark, Fruits, Rind of the fruit, Flowers General Information - Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) belongs to the Punicacea family. It is one of the important and commercial horticultural fruits which is generally very well adapted to the Mediterranean climate. It has been cultivated extensively in Iran, India and some parts in the U.S.A (California), China, Japan and Russia. Pomegranate fruits are consumed fresh or processed as juice, jellies syrup for industrial production. Different parts of its tree (leaves, fruits and bark skin) have been used traditionally for their medicinal properties and for other purposes such as in tanning. Phytochemicals - It is proved to have high antioxidant activity and good potency for cancer cprevention. The edible part of the fruit contains considerable amounts of acids, sugars, vitamins, polysaccharides, polyphenols and important minerals.
