some common spices and plants with antimicrobial and therapeutic properties

4/16/2015 SomeCommonSpicesandPlantswithAntimicrobialandTherapeuticProperties

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SomeCommonSpicesandPlantswithAntimicrobialandTherapeuticProperties(Thisisasynopsisofunrefereedinformationgleanedfromvariouswebresources.Itspurposeistogiveyouanideaofthebeliefsandclaimsmadeaboutthesesubstanceswhichhavebeenusedsinceancienttimesbymanyhumanculturesandcivilizationsinthewaysindicated.Althoughmuchofthisinformationmaybetrue,thereisnoguaranteeofthat.Someofthisinformationmaynotbetrueandtheremaybeunrecognizedhazardsassociatedwiththeuseofsomeofthesesubstances.So,acceptthisinformationwithcautionandalwaysdiscussanymedicalconditionoralternativetherapywithyourphysician.)Clovehttp://www.drugs.com/npp/clove.htmlScientificName(s):EugeniacaryophyllataCommonName(s):Clove,caryophyllus

http://www.plantguide.org/_images/clove.jpg

UsesofClove

Clovehasbeenusedforitsantisepticandanalgesiceffectsandhasbeenstudiedforuseasan

anticoagulantandantiinflammatoryeffects.However,researchrevealslittleornoclinicaldata

ontheuseofcloveforanyindication.

BotanyThecloveplantgrowsinwarmclimatesandiscultivatedcommerciallyinTanzania,Sumatra,theMaluku(Molucca)Islands,andSouthAmerica.Thetallevergreenplantgrowsupto20mandhasleatheryleaves.Theclovespiceisthedriedflowerbud.Essentialoilsareobtainedfromthebuds,stems,andleaves.Thebudsorclovesarestronglyaromatic

fiveSticky Note



HistoryClovehasalonghistoryofculinaryandmedicinaluse.Theoilwasusedasanexpectorantandantiemeticwithinconsistentclinicalresults.Cloveteawasusedtorelievenausea.Useoftheoilindentistryasananalgesicandlocalantisepticcontinuestoday.Italsohasbeenusedtopicallyasacounterirritant.ChemistryClovebudsyieldapproximately15%to20%ofavolatileoilthatisresponsibleforthecharacteristicsmellandflavor.Thebudalsocontainsatannincomplex,agumandresin,andanumberofglucosidesofsterols.Theprincipalconstituentofdistilledclovebudoil(60%to90%)iseugenol(4allyl2methoxyphenol).Theoilalsocontainsabout10%acetyleugenolandsmallquantitiesofgallicacid,sesquiterpenes,furfural,vanillin,andmethylnamylketone.Otherconstituentsincludeflavonoids,carbohydrates,lipids,oleanolicacid,rhamnetin,andvitamins.

Cloveoilisappliedforthesymptomatictreatmentoftoothachesandisusedforthetreatmentofdrysocket(postextractionalveolitis).

Cloveoilisreportedtohaveantihistaminicandantispasmoticproperties,mostlikelyduetothepresenceofeugenylacetate.Clovesarealsosaidtohaveapositiveeffectonhealingstomachulcers.A15%tinctureofclovesiseffectiveintreatingtopicalfungal,ringworminfections.Aswithmanyothervolatileoils,cloveoilinhibitsgrampositiveandgramnegativebacteria.Cloveoilalsohasanthelminthicproperties.

Cinnamonhttp://www.drugs.com/npp/cinnamon.htmlScientificName(s):Cinnamomumverum,C.cassia,C.zeylanicum,C.loureirii.CommonName(s):Cinnamon,cinnamomon,ceyloncinnamon,Chinesecinnamon,Chinese

cassia,Saigoncinnamon



http://unitproj1.library.ucla.edu/biomed/spice/images/historical_CINNAMON.jpg

UsesofCinnamonCinnamonisusedasaspiceandanaromatic.Thebarkoroilhasbeenusedtocombatmicroorganisms,diarrheaandotherGIdisorders,anddysmenorrhea.Researchinteresthasfocusedoncinnamon'spotentialasaninsulinlikeanalog,anantiinflammatoryagent,anantioxidant,andanantimicrobialsubstance.

BotanyCinnamonspiceisderivedfromthebrownbarkofthetreebygrindingthebarkintoafinepowder.TheplantisnativetoSriLanka,southeasternIndia,Indonesia,SouthAmerica,andtheWestIndies.ChemistryTheessentialoilisprimarilycomposedof65%to80%cinnamaldehydeandlesseramountsofotherphenolsandterpenes,includingeugenol,transcinnamicacid,hydroxycinnamaldehyde,omethoxycinnamaldehyde,cinnamylalcoholanditsacetate,limonene,terpineol,tannins,mucilage,oligomericprocyanidins,andtraceamountsofcoumarin.Differingmaterialoriginsandextractiontechniquesarereportedtoalterthechemicalcompositionoftheextracts,andhencemayimpacttheintendedmedicinal(andexperimental)effects.

AntimicrobialactivityConflictingevidenceexistsfortheactionofcinnamononHelicobacterpylori.Cinnamonextractshavebeenshowntoexertinvitroactivityagainstsomecommonhumanpathogensandfungicidalactivityagainstplantpathogens.Invitroinhibitionofbacterialendotoxinhasbeendemonstratedbyanunidentifiedcomponentincinnamonbark.Theessentialoilsofcinnamon



wereshowntohaltmycelialgrowthandaflatoxinsynthesisinAspergillusparasiticusataconcentrationofonly0.1%.

Nutmeghttp://www.drugs.com/npp/nutmeg.htmlScientificName(s):MyristicafragransCommonName(s):Nutmeg,mace,magic,muscdier,nuxmoschata,myristicaoil,muskatbaum

http://www.herbdatanz.com/Nutmeg.gifUsesofNutmegNutmegandmace,widelyacceptedasflavoringagents,areusedinhigherdosesfortheiraphrodisiacandpsychoactiveproperties.BotanyMaceandnutmegare2slightlydifferentflavoredspices,bothoriginatingfromthefruitofthenutmegtree,Myristicafragrans.Thisslowgrowingevergreengrowstomorethan20mandiscultivatedinIndia,Ceylon,Malaysia,andGranada.Thefruit,whichiscalledadrupeoranutmegapple,issimilarinappearancetoapeachoranapricot.Whenthematurefruitsplitsopen,thenutmeg(stonyendocarporseedsurroundedbyared,slightlyfleshynetworkoraril)isexposed.Thedriedarilaloneiscalledmace.Thenutisremovedanddriedtoproducenutmeg.HistoryNutmegisawidelyusedfoodspicethathasreceivedattentionasanalternativehallucinogen.NutmegandmacehavebeenusedinIndiancookingandfolkmedicine.Thefolkusesofnutmeghaveincludedthetreatmentofgastricdisordersandrheumatism,andithasbeenusedasahypnoticandanaphrodisiac.Duringthe6thcenturyAD,nutmegandmacewereimportedbyArabtraders.Bythe12thcentury,thesespiceswerewellknowninEurope.Attheturnofthe



19thcentury,interestdevelopedintheuseofnutmegasanabortifacientandastimulantformenses.Thesepropertieshavebeenlargelydiscountedbutremainapersistentcauseofnutmegintoxicationinwomen.ChemistryNutmegseedscontain20%to40%ofafixedoil,commonlycallednutmegbutter.Thisoilcontainsmyristicacid,trymiristin,andglyceridesoflauric,tridecanoic,stearic,andpalmiticacids.Nutmegalsoyields8%to15%ofanessentialoilthatisbelievedtobepartiallyresponsiblefortheeffectsassociatedwithnutmegintoxication.Theessentialoilcontainsmyristicin,elemicin,eugenol,andsafrole.Theessentialoilsofnutmegandmaceareverysimilarinchemicalcompositionandaroma,withwidecolordifferences(brilliantorangetopaleyellow).Maceoilappearstohaveahighermyristicincontentthannutmegoil.Alsopresentintheoilaresabinene,cymenealphathujene,gammaterpinene,andmonoterpenealcoholsinsmalleramounts.Phenoliccompoundsfoundinnutmegarereportedtohaveantioxidantproperties.OtherisolatedcompoundsincludetheresorcinolsmalabariconeBandmalabariconeC,aswellaslignansandneolignans.AntimicrobialeffectsTheoilsofmaceandnutmegandtheirindividualcomponentshavebeenassessedfortheirantimicrobialactivityinvitro.Activityhasbeenshownagainstsomeoralmicroorganisms,includingS.mutans,Porphyromonasgingivalis,andothers.ActivityagainstotherbacteriaincludessomestrainsofEscherichiacoli,somestrainsofSalmonellatyphi,Bacillussubtilis,Staphylococcusaureus,andListeriamonocytogenes.Antiviraleffecthasalsobeenreportedagainsthumanrotavirus.Reportsofactivityagainstfungiisconflicting,withnoactivityagainstAspergillusbutactivityagainstsomedermatophyteshasbeenfound.===============================================

Thespicescloves,nutmeg,cinnamon,bayleavescontaineugenol,acleartopaleyellowoilyliquidwitha

pleasant,spicy,clovelikeodor,thatcanbeextractedfromtheessentialoilsfromtheseplants.



Eugenol

Eugenolisusedinperfumeries,flavorings,essentialoilsandinmedicineasalocalantisepticandanaesthetic.

Combiningzincoxideandeugenolformszincoxideeugenolwhichcanbeusedasafillingorcementmaterial

usedindentistry.Itisclassifiedasanintermediaterestorativematerialandhasanaestheticandantibacterial

properties.Itissometimesusedinthemanagementofdentalcariesasa"temporaryfilling".

===============================================

Oreganohttp://www.drugs.com/npp/oregano.htmlScientificName(s):OriganumvulgareCommonName(s):Mediterraneanoregano,mountainmint,wildmarjoram,wintermarjoram,wintersweet

http://www.yankeegardener.com/seeds/herboreganolg.jpg



UsesofOreganoAsidefromitsculinaryapplication,oreganoexhibitsantimicrobialandantioxidantactionsandhaspossibleactivityasanantispasmodicandindiabetes.However,thereisnoclinicalevidencetosupporttheuseoforeganoinanyindication.BotanyCommonorwildoreganoisaperennialplantnativetotheMediterraneanregionandAsiaandcultivatedintheUnitedStates.Itscreepingrootstockproducesasquare,downy,purplishstemwithoppositeovateleaves.Stemscangrowupto76cmtallandaredottedwithsmalldepressions.Purple,2lippedflowersgrowinterminalclustersfromJulytoOctober.

HistoryOreganohasbeenacommoningredientinSpanish,Mexican,andItaliandishesasaspiceandflavoringagentforhundredsofyears.Itsinitialpurposewasasawarmingdigestiveandcirculatorystimulant.Ithasbeenusedinperfumeryforitsvolatileoilcontents,especiallyinscentingsoaps.Theantisepticqualitiesofaromaticandmedicinalplantsandtheirextractshavebeenrecognizedsinceantiquity.Ithasbeensuggestedthataninfusionofthefreshherbisbeneficialintreatinganupsetstomachandindigestion,headache,colic,andnervouscomplaints,aswellasforcoughsandotherrespiratoryailments.Aninfusionoftheflowershasbeenusedtopreventseasickness.Theoilhasbeenusedexternallyinlinimentsandlotionsandtoeasetoothache.Ithasalsobeenusedasanantrepellent.ChemistryOreganocontainsoleanolicandursolicacids,flavonoidsandhydroquinones,caffeic,rosemarinic,andlithospermicacid,tannins,andphenolicglycosides.Phenoliccompoundsrepresent71%ofthetotaloil.Thepolarphenolsthymolandcarvacrolareresponsibleformanyofthepropertiesoftheessentialoil,aswellaspcymeneandterpinene.AntimicrobialactivityStudieshavecomparedtheeffectsoforeganoessentialoil,thymol,andcarvacrolonfungi.All3completelyinhibitedfungalgrowthofAspergillusandPenicilliumspecies.OreganooilalsoappearstohavesomeactivityagainstCandidaspecies,possiblybecauseofitscarvacrolcontent.ThevolatileoilsoforeganohavedemonstratedinvitroantibacterialactivityagainstawiderangeofgrampositiveandgramnegativemicroorganismsincludingListeria,Pseudomonas,Proteus,Salmonella,andClostridiumspecies,aswellassomemethicillinresistantStaphylococci.LowtomoderateactivityagainstHelicobacterpylorihasbeenreported.Oreganooilappearstoinhibitorganismsatrelativelylowconcentrations,anditsactivitycouldbeduetothephenoliccomponentsthymolandcarvacrol.



Therearealsovariousreportsdescribingantiparasiticactivityoforegano.TheoilofOriganumvulgarehasbeenshowntoeradicatecommonparasitesinchickensandpheasants.InvitroexperimentshaveshownactivityagainstTrypanosomacruzi.========================================ThespicesoreganoandthymecontainThymol(andacloselyrelatedsubstancecalledcarvacrol),whichhavebeenshowntopossessbacteriocidal,fungicidal,molluscicidalandinsecticidalproperties.

C10H14OThymol

Themaintherapeuticapplicationforthymolisindentalpreparationstokillodorproducingbacteria.Itisalsoemployedasapreservativeonthestrengthofitsantimicrobialandantioxidantproperties.InthemolluscLymnaeaacuminata,lethaldosesofthymolaffectedtheactivityofkeynervoustissueenzymes,andthiswaspostulatedtobethecauseoftoxicityAsyet,nomechanismofactionhasbeenidentifiedforthymollethality,orthatofrelatedmonoterpenoids,towardsinsects.

Recently,thymolwasshowntohaveadirectagonisteffectonheterologouslyexpressedhumanGABAAreceptorsresemblingthatoftheanaestheticpropofol.

TheactiveingredientsofListerineincludeessentialoils(thymol,eucalyptol,menthol,methylsalicylate)withantifungalactivity.ThisearlyadforListerinerecommendsitsusefortreatingdandruff.http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f327/jackgreen7/listerinedandruff.jpg================================================



Onionhttp://www.drugs.com/npp/onion.htmlScientificName(s):AlliumcepaCommonName(s):Onion

http://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/extension/vegetable/cropguides/pictures/onion.jpgUsesofOnionOnionisusedasanantimicrobial,cardiovascularsupportive,hypoglycemic,antioxidant/anticancer,andasthmaprotectiveagent.However,fewclinicaltrialsareavailabletosupporttheuseofonionforanyindication.Infolkmedicine,onionhasbeenusedforasthma,bronchitis,whoopingcough,andsimilarailments.Otherusesincludethetreatmentofstingraywounds,warts,acne,appetiteloss,urinarytractdisorders,andindigestion.Onionskindyehasbeenusedasaneggandclothcoloring.BotanyTheonionplantisaperennialherbgrowingtoabout1.2m,with4to6hollow,cylindricalleaves.Ontopofthelongstalk,greenishwhiteflowersarepresentintheformofsolitaryumbelsgrowingupto2.5cmwide.Theseedsoftheplantareblackandangular.Theundergroundbulb,whichisusedmedicinally,iscomprisedoffleshyleafsheathsformingathinskinnedcapsule.Theonionisoneoftheleadingvegetablecropsintheworld.HistoryTheonionisbelievedtohavebeendomesticatedincentralAsia.Onionswereusedasearlyas5,000yearsagoinEgypt,asdepictedonancientmonumentsancientGreekandRomanrecordsalsorefertotheonion.DuringtheMiddleAges,onionswereconsumedthroughoutEurope.Theylaterwerethoughttoguardagainstevilspiritsandtheplague,probablybecauseoftheirstrongodor.OnionskindyehasbeenusedforeggandclothcoloringformanyyearsintheMiddleEastandEurope.ColumbuswassaidtohavebroughttheoniontoAmerica.Folkhealersusedtheoniontopreventinfection.ThecombinationofonionsandgarliccookedinmilkisaEuropeanfolkremedyusedtoclearcongestion.Onionsalsoareusedinhomeopathicmedicine.


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ChemistryOnionscontain89%water,1.5%protein,andvitamins,includingB1,B2,andC,alongwithpotassium.Polysaccharidessuchasfructosans,saccharose,andothersarealsopresent,asarepeptides,flavonoids,andessentialoil.Onioncontainsalliinandsimilarsulfurcompounds,includingallylalliinandmethylandpropylcompoundsofcysteinesulfoxide.SulfurandothercompoundsofA.cepahavebeenanalyzed.Prostaglandinsalsohavebeenidentifiedinonion.AntimicrobialeffectsOnionhasreportedantibacterial,antiparasitic,andantifungalactions.Growthoforalpathogenicbacteria,includingStreptococcusmutans,Porphyromonasgingivalis,andPrevotellaintermedia,organismsassociatedwithdentalcariesandperiodontitis,waspreventedbyonionextracts.OnionjuiceoroilalsohaveinhibitedgrowthofothergrampositivebacteriaandgramnegativebacteriasuchasKlebsiellapneumoniae.Antifungalactionsofonionincludeinhibitionofyeastsandanumberofmolds.Theantibacterial,antiparasitic,andantifungalactionsofonionisbelievedtobeduetoanumberofsulfurcontainingcompoundssuchasalliin,allylalliin,diallyldisulfideandthemethylandpropylcompoundsofcysteinesulfoxide.Onionsarealsonotedfortheirabilitytomakeyoucry.ThiseffectisduetooneofthesepropylsulfoxideswhichisconvertedtopropanethialSoxidewhichthenescapesfromtheonioninvaporformandhydrolyzestosulfuricacidwhenitreactswithmoisture,causingthefamiliareyeirritationandlacrimation.

http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/pso/psoc.htmThehealthpromotingreputationofonionsislegendaryandmaybeduetoothercompoundsfoundinthebulb.Forinstance,prostaglandins,whichhaveprofoundphysiologicaleffectsinanimals,alsohavebeenreportedtoexistinonion.(AlNagdyS,AbdelRahmanMO,HeibaHI.CompBiochemPhysiolC.198685:163166).Garlichttp://www.drugs.com/npp/garlic.htmlScientificName(s):AlliumsativumCommonName(s):Garlic,allium,stinkingrose,rustictreacle,nectarofthegods,camphorofthepoor,poorman'streacle



http://www.designmom.com/uploaded_images/cj4.garlic1742608.jpgUsesofGarlicEvidencesuggeststhatgarlicmaybeneficiallyaffectcholesterolandlipids.Amongitstraditionaluses,ithasbeenemployedforitsantisepticandantibacterialproperties.OtherpotentialareasofuseincludeGIdisordersandoncology.BotanyAperennialbulbwithatall,erectfloweringstemthatgrowsto2to3feet.TheplantproducespinktopurpleflowersthatbloomfromJulytoSeptember.Thebulbisodiferous.HistoryThenameAlliumcomesfromtheCelticwordallmeaningburningorsmarting.GarlicwasvaluedasanexchangemediuminancientEgyptitsvirtuesweredescribedininscriptionsontheGreatPyramidofCheops.Thefolkusesofgarlichaverangedfromthetreatmentofleprosyinhumanstomanagingclottingdisordersinhorses.PhysiciansprescribedtheherbduringtheMiddleAgestocuredeafnessandtheAmericanIndiansusedgarlicasaremedyforearaches,flatulence,andscurvy.ChemistryFreshgarlicisasourceofnumerousvitamins,minerals,andtraceelements,althoughmostareonlyfoundinminutequantities.GarliccontainsthehighestsulfurcontentofanymemberofthegenusAllium.Twotraceelements,germaniumandselenium,arefoundindetectablequantitiesandhavebeenpostulatedtoplayaroleintheherb'santitumoreffect.Garliccontainsabout0.5%ofavolatileoilcomposedofsulfurcontainingcompounds(diallyldisulfide,diallyltrisulfide,methylallyltrisulfide).Thebulbscontainanodorless,colorless,sulfurcontainingaminoacidcalledalliin(SallylLcysteinesulfoxide),whichhasnoknownpharmacologicactivity.Whenthebulbisground,theenzymeallinaseisreleased,resultingintheconversionofalliinto2propenesulfenicacid,whichdimerizestoformallicin.Allicingivesthepungentcharacteristicodortocrushedgarlicandisbelievedtoberesponsibleforsomeofthepharmacologicactivityoftheplant.



UsesofGarlicEvidencesuggeststhatgarlicmaybeneficiallyaffectcholesterolandlipids.Amongitstraditionaluses,ithasbeenemployedforitsantisepticandantibacterialproperties.OtherpotentialareasofuseincludeGIdisordersandoncology.Antiseptic/AntibacterialpropertiesTheantisepticandantibacterialpropertiesofgarlichavebeenknownforcenturies.AsrecentlyasWorldWarII,garlicextractswereusedtodisinfectwounds.Duringthe1800s,physiciansroutinelyprescribedgarlicinhalationforthetreatmentoftuberculosis.GarlicextractsinhibitthegrowthofnumerousstrainsofMycobacterium,butatconcentrationsthatmaybedifficulttoachieveinhumantissues.PreparationscontaininggarlicextractsareusedwidelyinRussiaandJapan.Bothgrampositiveandgramnegativeorganismsareinhibitedinvitrobygarlicextracts.Thepotencyofgarlicissuchthat1mgisequivalentto15Oxfordunitsofpenicillin,makinggarlicabout1%asactiveaspenicillin.Garlicextractshaveshownantifungalactivitywhentestedinvitroandtheirusehasbeensuggestedinthetreatmentoforalandvaginalcandidiasis.Inanattempttoquantitatetheinvivoactivityofgarlicextracts,oneresearchgroupadministered25mLoffreshgarlicextractorallytovolunteers.Serumandurinesamplesweretestedforantifungalactivityagainst15speciesoffungalpathogens.Whileserumexhibitedanticandidalandanticryptococcalactivitywithin30minutesafteringestion,nobiologicalactivitywasfoundinurine.Thefindingssuggestthatwhilegarlicextractsmayexhibitsomeantifungalactivityinvivo,theyareprobablyoflimiteduseinthetreatmentofsystemicinfections.

Anisehttp://www.drugs.com/npp/anise.htmlScientificName(s):PimpinellaanisumCommonName(s):Anise,aniseed,sweetcumin



http://unitproj1.library.ucla.edu/biomed/spice/images/historical_ANISE.jpgUsesofAniseAniseisusedasaflavoringinalcohols,liqueurs,dairyproducts,gelatins,puddings,meats,andcandies,andasascentinperfumes,soaps,andsachets.Theoilhasalsobeenusedtotreatlice,scabies,andpsoriasis.Anisefrequentlyisusedasacarminativeandexpectorant.Anisealsoisusedtodecreasebloatingandsettlethedigestivetractinchildren.Inhighdoses,itisusedasanantispasmodicandanantisepticandforthetreatmentofcough,asthma,andbronchitis.However,researchrevealsnoclinicaldataregardingtheuseofaniseforanyoftheseapplications.HistoryAnisehasahistoryofuseasaspiceandafragrance.IthasbeencultivatedinEgyptforatleast4,000years.Recordsofitsuseasadiureticandtreatmentofdigestiveproblemsandtoothacheareseeninmedicaltextsfromthisera.InancientGreekhistory,writingsexplainhowanisehelpsbreathing,relievespain,stimulatesurination,andeasesthirst.Theessentialoilhasbeenusedcommerciallysincethe1800s.Thefragranceisusedinfood,soap,creams,andperfumes.Aniseoftenisaddedtolicoricecandyorusedasalicoriceflavorsubstituteitisalsoafragrantcomponentofanisetteliqueur.ChemistryAniseoil(1%to4%)isobtainedbysteamdistillationofthedriedfruitsoftheherb.Thehighestqualityoilsresultfromaniseseedsofripeumbelsinthecenteroftheplant.Amajorcomponentoftheoilistransanethole(75%to90%),responsibleforthecharacteristictasteandsmell,aswellasforitsmedicinalproperties.Thevolatileoilalsohasrelatedcompoundsthatincludeestragole(methylchavicol,1%to2%),aniseketone(pmethoxyphenylacetone),andbetacaryophyllene.Insmalleramountsareanisaldehyde,anisicacid,limonene,alphapinene,acetaldehyde,pcresol,cresol,andmyristicin(thepsychomimeticcompoundpreviouslyisolatedfromnutmeg).Constituentsofthewholeseedincludecoumarins,suchasumbelliferone,umbelliprenine,bergapten,andscopoletin.Lipids(16%)includefattyacids,betaamyrin,stigmasterol,andits



salts.Flavonoidsinaniseedincluderutin,isoorientin,andisovitexin.Protein(18%)andcarbohydrate(50%)arealsopresent.Terpenehydrocarbonsintheplantalsohavebeendescribed.

AntimicrobialAnisehasbeenevaluatedforitsantimicrobialactionagainstgramnegativeandgrampositivebacteriaandalsoafewfungi.Aniseisusedindentifricesasanantisepticandinlozengesandcoughpreparationsforitsweakantibacterialeffects.Sassafrashttp://www.drugs.com/npp/sassafras.htmlScientificName(s):SassafrasalbidumCommonName(s):Sassafras,saxifras,aguetree,cinnamonwood,saloop

http://pictopia.com/perl/get_image?provider_id=262&size=550x550_mb&ptp_photo_id=1796302

UsesofSassafrasSassafrashasbeenusedhistoricallyforavarietyofillnesses,andisnowbannedintheUS,evenforuseasaflavoringorfragrance.BotanySassafrasisthenameappliedtothreespeciesoftrees,twonativetoeasternAsiaandonenative



toeasternNorthAmerica.FossilsshowthatsassafraswasoncewidespreadinEurope,NorthAmericaandGreenland.Thetreesgrowupto100feetinheightand6feetindiameter,thoughtheyareusuallysmaller.Sassafrasbearsleaves10to15cmlongthatareovalonolderbranchesbutmittenshapedorthreelobedonyoungershootsandtwigs.Allpartsofthetreearestronglyaromatic.Thedrugisfromthepeeledrootoftheplant(rootbark).HistoryNativeAmericanshaveusedsassafrasforcenturiesandtoldearlysettlersthatitwouldcureavarietyofills.ThesettlersthenexportedittoEurope,whereitwasfoundtobeineffective.Overtheyearstheoilobtainedfromtherootsandwoodhasbeenusedasascentinperfumesandsoaps.Theleavesandpith,whendriedandpowdered,havebeenusedasathickenerinsoups.Therootsareoftendriedandsteepedfortea,andsassafraswasformerlyusedasaflavoringinrootbeer.ItsuseasadrugorfoodproducthasbeenbannedbytheUSFoodandDrugAdministration(FDA)ascarcinogenichowever,itsuseandsalepersistthroughouttheUnitedStates.Medicinally,sassafrashasbeenappliedtoinsectbitesandstingstorelievesymptoms.ChemistryThemainconstituentofsassafrasoilissafrole,whichchemicallyispallylmethylenedioxybenzene,whichcomprisesupto80%oftheoil.Volatileoilalsocontainsanethole,pineneapiole,camphor,eugenolandmyristicin.Theplantcontainslessthan0.2%totalalkaloids(primarilyboldineanditsderivativesandreticuline)alongwithtannins,resins,mucilageandwax.Sixalkaloids,aporphineandbenzylsoquinolinederivatives,havebeenfoundinrootbark.Twoantimicrobialneolignans,magnololanditsrelatedisomer(isomagnolol),fromrelatedspeciesS.randaiensishavebeenisolated.

SassafrasUsesandPharmacologySassafrashasbeenusedasasudorificagent,aflavoringagentfordentifrices,rootbeersandtobaccos,andfortreatmentofeyeinflammation.ExtractsoftherootsandbarkhavebeenfoundtomimicinsectjuvenilehormoneinOncopeltusfasciatus.Theoilhasbeenappliedexternallyforreliefofinsectbitesandstingsandforlice.Otherexternalusesincludetreatmentofrheumatism,gout,sprains,swellingandcutaneouseruptions.Arecentreportcomparessafrole(themainconstituentfromsassafrasoil),toindomethacinforantiinflammatoryactivityandpaintreatmentinmice.TheplanthasbeenreportedtohaveantineoplasticactivityandtoinducecytochromeP488and



P450enzymes.Sassafrasissaidtobeantagonistictocertainalcoholeffects.AlcoholextractsoftherelatedS.randaienseexhibitantimicrobialandantifungalactivityinvitro,andthisactivityappearstobeduetothepresenceofmagnololandisomagnolol.Nonihttp://www.drugs.com/npp/noni.htmlScientificName(s):MorindacitrifoliaCommonName(s):Morinda,noni,hogapple,Indianmulberry,mengkoedoe,moradelaIndia,painkiller,ruibarbocaribe,wildpine

http://www.nannisnoni.com/High%20Res%20Noni.jpgUsesofNoniMorindahasbeenusedforheartremedies,arthritis,headache,digestiveandliverailments.BotanyThemorindaplant,nativetoAsia,AustraliaandPolynesia,isa3to8mhightreeorshrub.Itsevergreenleavesareoblongand10to45cminlength.Theplant'swhiteflowersaretubular,withconelikeheads.Thefruitisyellowwhiteincolor,ovalinshape,aboutthesizeofapotatoandhasabumpysurface.Theripenedfruithasacharacteristiccheeselike,offensiveodor.Eachfruitcontains4seeds,3mminlength.HistoryItisbelievedthatPolynesianhealershaveusedmorindafruitsforthousandsofyearstohelptreatavarietyofhealthproblemssuchasdiabetes,highbloodpressure,arthritisandaging.Ancienthealingmanuscriptscitethefruitasaprimaryingredientinnaturalhealingformulations.Today,fruitpreparationsaresoldasjuice,indriedfruitleatherformandasadryextractincapsules.Chemistry



Morindacitrifoliafruitscontainessentialoilswithhexoicandoctoicacids,paraffinandestersofethylandmethylalcohols.Ripefruitcontainsncaproicacid,presumablyresponsibleforitsdistinctiveodor,knowntoattractinsectssuchasDrosophiliasechellia.Freshplantscontainanthraquinones,morindoneandalizarin.Anewanthraquinoneglycosidefrommorindaheartwoodhasrecentlybeendescribed.HawaiianresearcherRalphHeinickediscoveredasmallplantalkaloidhetermedxeronine.Damnacanthal,morindoneandalizarinarepresentincellsuspensioncultures.NoniUsesMorindacitrifoliahasbeenusedmedicinallyforheartremedies,arthritis(bywrappingtheleavesaroundaffectedjoints),headache(localapplicationofleavesonforehead),GIandliverailments.AlcoholicextractsofM.citrifolialeavesdisplayedgoodanthelminticactivityinvitroagainstthehumanparasiteAscarislumbricoides.Lyophilizedaqueousrootextractsoftheplantshowedcentralanalgesicactivity,amongothereffects,suggestingsedativepropertiesoftheplantaswell.

Wintergreenhttp://www.drugs.com/npp/wintergreen.htmlScientificName(s):GaultheriaprocumbensCommonName(s):Wintergreen,teaberry,checkerberry,gaultheriaoil,boxberry,deerberry,mountaintea,Canadatea,partridgeberry

http://members.tripod.com/~Elspeth_Stormdancer/Herbs/Herblist/herbpix/wintergreen.gif

UsesofWintergreenInadditiontobeingusedasaflavoring,wintergreenanditsoilhavebeenusedintopicalanalgesicandrubefacientpreparationsforthetreatmentofmuscularandrheumaticpain.However,researchrevealsnoclinicaldataregardingtheuseofwintergreenforanycondition.BotanyWintergreenisaperennialevergreenshrubwiththin,creepingstemsfromwhichleatheryleaveswithtoothed,bristlymarginsarise.ItisalowgrowingplantnativetoeasternNorthAmericaandusuallyisfoundinwoodlandandexposedmountainousareas.Itssmall,waxy,whiteorpalepinkflowersbloominlatesummer,developingascarletfruit.Thearomaticleavesandfruitsare



edible.HistoryAmericanIndiansreportedlyusedwintergreenfortreatingbackpain,rheumatism,fever,headaches,andsorethroats.Theplantanditsoilhavebeenusedintraditionalmedicineasananodyne,analgesic,carminative,astringent,andtopicalrubefacient.Wintergreenoilisobtainedbysteamdistillationofthewarmed,watermaceratedleaves.Itisusedinterchangeablywithsweetbirchoilormethylsalicylateforflavoringfoodsandcandies.Thehighestamountofmethylsalicylatetypicallyusedincandyflavoringis0.04%.Wintergreenberrieshavebeenusedtomakepies.Ateamadefromtheleaveswasusedasasubstituteforblacktea,Camelliasinensis,duringtheRevolutionaryWar.Wintergreenteahasbeenusedtorelievecoldsymptomsandmuscleaches.ChemistryWintergreenoilcontainsapproximately98%to100.5%ofthemethylester,methylsalicylate.Theplanthaslittleodororflavoruntilthemethylsalicylateisfreed.Duringsteamdistillation,thegaultherin(alsodescribedasprimeverosideormonotropitoside)presentintheleavesisenzymaticallyhydrolyzedtomethylsalicylate.Thepurifiedmethylsalicylateissubsequentlyobtainedthroughdistillation.Inaddition,thesugarsDglucoseandDxyloseareobtained.Theyieldofoilfromtheleavesisintherangeof0.5%to0.8%.

http://www.mdidea.com/products/herbextract/salicin/salix_alba_salicylates.gifGingerhttp://www.drugs.com/npp/ginger.htmlScientificName(s):ZingiberofficinaleRoscoeoccasionallyZ.capitatumCommonName(s):Ginger,gingerroot,blackginger,zingiberisrhizoma



http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/g/ginger13l.jpgUsesofGingerGingeranditsconstituentshaveantiemetic,cardiotonic,antithrombotic,antibacterial,antioxidant,antitussive,antihepatotoxic,antiinflammatory,antimutagenic,stimulant,diaphoretic,diuretic,spasmolytic,immunostimulant,carminative,andcholagogueactions.Gingerisusedtopromotegastricsecretions,increaseintestinalperistalsis,lowercholesterollevels,raisebloodglucose,andstimulateperipheralcirculation.Traditionallyusedtostimulatedigestion,itsmodernusesincludeprophylaxisfornauseaandvomiting(associatedwithmotionsickness,hypermesisgravidarum,andanesthesia),dyspepsia,lackofappetite,anorexia,colic,bronchitis,andrheumaticcomplaints.Gingercanbeusedasaflavoringorspiceaswellasafungicideandpesticide.BotanyAnativeoftropicalAsia,thisperennialiscultivatedintropicalclimatessuchasAustralia,Brazil,China,India,Jamaica,WestAfrica,andpartsoftheUS.Therhizomeisusedmedicinallyandasaculinaryspice.Therhizomeisharvestedbetween6and20monthstasteandpungencyincreasewithmaturity.Theplantcarriesagreenpurpleflowerinterminalspikestheflowersaresimilartoorchids.HistoryMedicinaluseofgingerdatesbacktoancientChinaandIndiareferencestoitsusearefoundinChinesepharmacopoeias,theSesrutascripturesofAyurvedicmedicineaswellasSanskritwritings.Onceitsculinarypropertieswerediscoveredinthe13thcentury,useofthisherbbecamewidespreadthroughoutEurope.IntheMiddleAges,itheldafirmplaceinapothecariesfortravelsickness,nausea,hangovers,andflatulence.Gingeranditsconstituentsarestatedtohaveantiemetic,cardiotonic,antithrombotic,antibacterial,antioxidant,antitussive,antihepatotoxic,antiinflammatory,antimutagenic,stimulant,diaphoretic,diuretic,spasmolytic,immunostimulant,carminative,andcholagogueactionsaswellastopromotegastricsecretions,increaseintestinalperistalsis,lowercholesterollevels,raisebloodglucose,andstimulateperipheralcirculation.Traditionally,gingerisusedasanacridbittertostrengthenandstimulatedigestion.Modernusesincludeprophylaxisfornauseaandvomiting(associatedwithmotionsickness,hyperemesisgravidarumandsurgicalanesthesia),dyspepsia,lackofappetite,anorexia,colic,bronchitis,andrheumaticcomplaints.



Thefoodindustryusesgingeroilasaspiceandgingerextractinthemanufacturingofgingerale.InChina,gingerrootandstemareusedaspesticidesagainstaphidsandfungalspores.GingerisintheofficialpharmacopoeiasofAustria,China,Egypt,GreatBritain,India,Japan,theNetherlands,andSwitzerland.ItisapprovedasanonprescriptiondruginGermanyandasadietarysupplementintheUS.

ChemistryIthadlongbeenbelievedthatthepungentprinciplesofgingerwerealsoresponsibleforitspharmacologicactivity,andthishasbeenfoundtobeaccurate.Thecharacteristicaromaofgingerisduemainlytothepresenceofzingiberolinthevolatileoil.Themajorconstituentsingingerrhizomesarecarbohydrates(50to70%),whicharepresentasstarch.Theconcentrationoflipidsis3to8%andincludesfreefattyacids(eg,palmitic,oleic,linoleic,linolenic,capric,lauric,myristic),triglycerides,andlecithins.Oleoresinprovides4to7.5%ofpungentsubstancesasgingerolhomologues,shogaolhomologues,zingerone,andvolatileoils.Volatileoilsarepresentin1to3%concentrationsandconsistmainlyofthesesquiterpenesbetabesaboleneandzingibereneothersesquiterpenesincludezingiberolandzingiberenolnumerousmonoterpenesarealsofound.Aminoacids,rawfiber,ash,protein,phytosterols,vitamins(ie,nicotinicacidandvitaminA),andmineralsareamongtheotherconstituents.Analysesoftheoleoresinshaveresultedintheidentificationofaclassofstructurallyrelatedcardiotoniccompoundscalledgingerols,whichupondehydration,formshogaolsanddegradefurthertozingerone.[6]gingeroland[6]shogaolarethemaincomponentshowever,thepharmacologicallyactivecompounds[6]and[10]dehydrogingerdione,and[6]and[10]gingerdionehavealsobeenidentified.GingerUsesHumanclinicaltrialshaveexaminedginger'santiemeticeffectsrelatedtokinetosis(motionsickness),perioperativeanesthesia,andhyperemesisgravidarum.However,littleisstillknownregardingitshumanpharmacologyinthesesettings.AnimalstudieshavedescribedenhancedGItransportaswellasanti5hydroxytryptamine(5HT3)andpossibleCNSantiemeticeffects.Gingerhasbeenreportedtohaveweakfungicidal,strongantibacterial,andanthelminticproperties.ActiveconstituentshavebeenshowntoinhibitreproductionofEscherichiacoli,Proteusspecies,Staphylococci,Streptococci,andSalmonellabuttostimulatethegrowthofLactobacilli.InvitroanthelminticactivityhasbeendocumentedforthevolatileoilofZ.purpureumandactivityhasalsobeenreportedagainstparasites,suchasSchistosomaandAnisakis.ThecytotoxiccompoundzerumboneanditsepoxidehavebeenisolatedfromtherhizomesofZ.zerumbet.Thisplant,alsoamemberofthefamilyZingiberaceae,hasbeenusedtraditionallyinChinaasanantineoplastic.

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