Botanical Name - Cymbopogon citratus Category - Aromatic Form - Fresh/Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - Cymbopogon is a genus of about 55 species, which are indigenous in tropical and semi-tropical areas of Asia and are cultivated in South and Central America, Africa and other tropical countries. These are tufted perennial C4 grasses with numerous stiff stems arising from a short, rhizomatous rootstock as with citrus flavor, and can be dried and powdered or used fresh. The name Cymbopogon is derived from the Greek words kymbe (boat) and ogon (beard), referring to the flower spike arrangement. Cymbopogon citratus, Stapf (Lemongrass) is commonly used in teas, soups and curries. It is also suitable for poultry, fish and seafood. Phytochemicals - Cymbopogon citratus, Stapf (Lemon grass) is a widely used herb in tropical countries, especially in Southeast Asia. The essential oil of the plant is used in aromatherapy. The compounds identified in Cymbopogon citratus are mainly terpenes, alcohols, ketones, aldehyde and esters. Some of the reported phytoconstituents are essential oils that contain Citral , Citral , Nerol Geraniol, Citronellal, Terpinolene, Geranyl acetate, Myrecene and Terpinol Methylheptenone. The plant also contains reported phytoconstituents such as flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which consist of luteolin, isoorientin 2-O-rhamnoside, quercetin, kaempferol and apiginin.
Botanical Name - Eclipta alba/Eclipta prostrata Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Whole Plant General Information - Eclipta alba (L.) is an annual herbaceous plant, commonly known as false daisy. It is an erect or prostrate, much branched, roughly hairy, annual, rooting at the nodes; the leaves are opposite, sessile and lanceolate. Belonging to family Asteraceae. it is also known as Bhringaraj and Karisilakanni, which is found a common weed throughout India ascending up to 6000 ft. The genus name comes from the Greek word meaning "Deficient," with reference to the absence of the bristles and awns on the fruits. The specific Eclipta alba means white which refers to the color of the flowers. Main active principles consist of coumestans like wedelolactone, desmethylwedelolactone43, furanocoumarins, oleanane & taraxastane glycosides Phytochemicals - Eclipta alba (L.) contains wide range of active principles which includes coumestans, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, polyacetylenes, triterpenoids. The leaves contain stigmasterol, a-terthienylmethanol, wedelolactone, demethylwedelolactone and demethylwedelolactone-7-glucoside. The roots give hentriacontanol and heptacosanol. The roots contain polyacetylene substituted thiophenes.The aerial part is reported to contain a phytosterol, P-amyrin in the n-hexane extract and luteolin-7-glucoside, P-glucoside of phytosterol, a glucoside of a triterpenic acid and wedelolactone in polar solvent extract. The polypeptides isolated from the plant yield cystine, glutamic acid, phenyl alanine, tyrosine and methionine on hydrolysis.
Botanical Name - Foeniculum vulgare Category - Spices/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Seeds General Information - Foeniculum vulgare Mill. is a biennial medicinal and aromatic plant belonging to the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferaceae). It is a hardy, perennial umbelliferous herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves. It grows to a height of up to 2.5 m with hollow stems. The leaves grow up to 40 cm long; they are finely dissected with the ultimate segments filiform (thread like) of about 0.5 mm wide. The flowers are produced in terminal compound umbels. The fruit is a dry seed 4â??10 mm long. It is generally considered indigenous to the shores of Mediterranean Sea but has become widely naturalised in many parts of the world especially on dry soils near the sea coast and on the river banks. Some authors distinguish two sub-species of fennel, piperitum and vulgare: sub-species piperitum has bitter seeds, while sub-species vulgare has sweet seeds which are used as flavouring agents in baked goods, meat and fish dishes, ice creams, alcoholic beverages, etc due to their characteristic anise odour. Foeniculum vulgare (Apiaceae) commonly known as fennel is a well known and important medicinal and aromatic plant widely used as carminative, digestive, lactogogue and diuretic and in treating respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. Its seeds are used as flavourings in baked goods, meat and fish dishes, ice cream, alcoholic beverages and herb mixtures. Phenols, phenolic glycosides and volatile aroma compounds such as trans-anethole, estragole and fenchone have been reported as the major phytoconstituents of this species. Different pharmacological experiments in a number of in vitro and in vivo models have convincingly demonstrated the ability of F. vulgare to exhibit antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, antithrombotic and hepatoprotective activities, lending support to the rationale behind several of its therapeutic uses. Phytochemicals- F. vulgare has been reported to contain 6.3% of moisture, 9.5% protein, 10% fat, 13.4% minerals, 18.5% fibre and 42.3% carbohydrates. The minerals and vitamins present in F. vulgare are calcium, potassium, sodium, iron, phosphorus, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C.
Botanical Name - Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Flower General Information - Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, the probable origin of the plant was tropical Asia, It was cultivation in China, Japan and the Pacific islands for an equally long time, it was generally thought that it was originated in South China. The plant with deep-red flowers is believed to have an Asian origin, hence the name rosa-sinensis meaning 'rose of China. Now it is widely cultivated. In medicine, the red flowered variety was preferred. Roots and leaves, were anodyne and emmenagogue. They were used to regulate menstruation and stimulate blood circulation. Leaves were also used as abortifacient and to stimulate expulsion of placenta after childbirth. Flower were used for regulation of menstrual cycle, for liver disorders, high blood pressure as antitussive, in stomach pain, for eye problems, as abortifacient and as an aphrodisiac. Young leaves and flowers were used in headache. Decoction of leaves, root and fruits were helpful in treatments of arthritis, boils and coughs. Fruits were employed externally in cases of sprains, wounds and ulcers. The flowers have been reported in the ancient Indian medicinal literature with beneficial effects in heart diseases. They were refrigerant, emollient, demulcent, aphrodisiac and emmenagogue. Petals were used to stimulate thicker hair growth and to prevent premature graying, hair loss and scalp disorders. It considered as a natural emollient hair conditioner and was used in hair washes, treatments and vinegar rinses for the hair. Phytochemicals - Quantitative phytochemical evaluation of the flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis revealed that the amount of flavonoids was 0.171 mg/g, total phenolics 0.092 mg/g, tannins 0.073 mg/g, carbohydrates 0.356 mg/g, protein 0.247 mg/g, thiamine 0.072 mg/g, niacin 0.075 mg/g, ascorbic acid 0.0339 mg/g, riboflavin 0.087 mg/g, calcium 0.0127%, phosphorus 0.4113% and iron 0.771%. The flower extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Red) contained 0.678±0.14% phenols, 0.51±0.16 % alkaloids and 7.5±0.20 % tannins. While , the flower extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (White) contained 0.680±0.11% phenols, 0.50±0.18 % alkaloids and 8.9±0.21 % tannins, and the flower extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Yellow) contained 0.678±0.16% phenols, 0.48±0.16 % alkaloids and 8.5±0.20% tannins.
Botanical Name - Lawsonia inermis Category - Cosmetic/Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Leaves General Information - Lawsonia inermisLinn (Lythraceae) is a perennial plant commonly called as Henna, having different vernacular names in India viz., Mehndi in Hindi, Mendika, Rakigarbha in Sanskrit, Mailanchi in Malayalam, Muruthani in Tamil, Benjati in Oriya, Mayilanchi in Kannada and Mehedi in Bengali. In several countries it is cultivated on a large scale toobtain leaves to dye hands and hair. It is a glabrousbranched shrub with greyish brown bark. Its leavesare elliptic, acute and often mucronulate with smallwhite or rose-colored fragrant flowers. The seeds areapproximately pea size with numerous pyramidal andsmooth shapes. Traditionally, a paste of leaves isused to prevent skin inflammation, cure ulcersand wounds. Its leaves have also been used as anexpectorant, constipating, haematinic, febrifuge,cough, burning sensation, hemicranias, cephalagia,diarrhoea, dysentery, leucoderma, leprosy, boils,scabies, hepatopathy, anemia, hemoptysis, fever andopthalmia. Phytochemicals - The plant has wide range of phytochemicals including lawsone, isoplumbagin lawsoniaside, lalioside, lawsoniaside B, syringinoside, daphneside, daphnorin, agrimonolide 6-O-�²-D-glucopyranoside, (+)-syringaresinol O-�²-D-glucopyranoside, (+)-pinoresinol di-O-�²-D-glucopyranoside, syringaresinol di-O-�²-D-glucopyranoside, isoscutellarin3�², hennadiol, (20S)-3�², 30-dihydroxylupane, lawnermis acid, 3-methyl-nonacosan-1-ol, laxanthones I, II, III and lacoumarin etc. The various studies of L. inermis reported the plant to have antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, tuberculostatic, anti-inflammatory, antifertility and wound healing properties. This review discusses on the botany, traditional use, phytochemistry and pharmacological data of the plant. Lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), also known as hennotannic acid, is a red-orange dye present in the leaves of the henna plant (Lawsonia inermis) as well as in the flower of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). Humans have used henna extracts containing lawsone as hair and skin dyes for more than 5000 years. Lawsone reacts chemically with the protein keratin in skin and hair, in a process known as Michael addition, resulting in a strong permanent stain that lasts until the skin or hair is shed.
Botanical Name - Linum usitatissimum Category - Medicinal Form - Dry Part Used - Seeds General Information - Linum usitatissimum (Linn.), commonly known as flaxseed or linseed, belongs to the family Linaceae. The flax plant is not a new crop and is native to West Asia and the Mediterranean coastal lands, Asia Minor, Egypt, Algeria, Tunis, Spain, Italy, and Greece; in all these areas, only fiber flax is cultivated. In south-west Asia, including Turkestan, Afghanistan, and India, only oil types are grown. In North America, flaxseed is the preferred term for flax used for human consumption, whereas Europeans use the term linseed for edible flax. Historical records indicate that flaxseed dates back to around 9000â??8000 BC in Turkey, Iran, Jordan, and Syria. Flaxseed is grown in approximately 50 countries, most of which are in the Northern hemisphere. In 2002, Canada was the largest producer of flaxseed, accounting for approximately 33% of the 2 million metric tons produced, followed by China (20%), United States (16%) and India (11%). Phytochemicals - Flaxseed is well-known for the content of chemical compounds with specific biological activity and functional properties: polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) omega-3 family, soluble dietary fibers, lignans, proteins and carbohydrates. However, it is constituted by few levels of adverse health compounds such as Cadmium, protease inhibitors and cyanogenic compounds. Flaxseed is emerging as an important functional food ingredient because provides oil rich in omega-3, digestible proteins, and lignans. In addition to being one of the richest sources of �±-linolenic acid oil and lignans, flaxseed is an essential source of high quality protein and soluble fiber and has considerable potential as a source of phenolic compounds. Flaxseed has nutritional and functional properties. In fact the content of compounds such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential amino acids, vitamin E, lignans and dietary fibers makes flaxseed a source to satisfy basic needs in the human diet and health maintenance. Healthy properties are related to anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic activities and to the lowering of cholesterol, the decrease of cardiovascular disease and the prevention of diabetes.
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 - 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.
