Turmeric Curcuma Longa L And Ginger Zingiber Officinale Rosc World S Invaluable Medicinal Spices

This book discusses the various aspects, from production to marketing of turmeric and ginger, the world’s two most important and invaluable medicinal spice crops. The book begins with their origin and history, global spread, and goes on to describe the botany, production agronomy, fertilizer practices, pest management, post-harvest technology, pharmacology and nutraceutical uses. The book presents the economy, import-export and world markets involved with reference to turmeric and ginger. It would be a benchmark and an important reference source for scientists, students, both undergraduate and post graduate, studying agriculture and food sciences and policy makers. It would be of great interest to professionals and industry involved in spice trade.

Turmeric has been used as a medicine, a condiment, and a dye since at least 600 B.C., while ginger has been used extensively throughout history for its medicinal purposes. The Agronomy and Economy of Turmeric and Ginger brings these two important plants together in one reference book, explaining their history, production techniques, and nutritional and medicinal properties in detail. This book is intuitively organized by plant and use, allowing quick access to information. It puts the uniquely Indian use and history of turmeric and ginger plants into a global context of production and economic aspects. It explores the plants from a botanical perspective, and goes into details of their chemical composition as well. Rounding out the book are chapters on disease and pest control issues. The book is a valuable resource for those involved in the production and marketing of these plants, as well as those looking for more information on the medicinal and nutritional properties of turmeric and ginger. The first book to bring together extensive information about turmeric and ginger Incorporates medicinal, nutritional and agricultural aspects of the two plants Offers a global perspective

Spices are used in small quantities to add flavor, aroma, color, and texture in food preparation. However, spices and condiments have also been recognized as having medicinal value. They have been used traditionally as curative and preventive agents, the bioactive compounds obtained from these plants are used in herbal drug formulations in modern times. Medicinal Spice and Condiment Crops provides a comprehensive overview on the medicinal properties of spices and condiments with focus on various phytochemicals derived from them. KEY FEATURES: • Examines spices and condiments with respect to their biology, diversity, distribution, and pharmacological values. • Explores the scientific validations of the therapeutic potentials of spice and condiment plant species. • Discusses the bioactive agents involved in alleviating symptoms of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, ulcers, skin disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. • Explains specific medicinal features of spice and condiment-producing plant species inspiring research, discovery, and safe herbal drug formulation. A volume in the Exploring Medicinal Plants series, this book is useful for plant scientists, economic botanists, those who work with herbal and complementary medicine, as well as people working in the pharmaceutical industry.

Superfoods have come to the forefront of the public imagination due to a combination of presumed health benefits and cultural mystique. Much of the literature on these foods, however, is based upon rostrums and diet plans that accept the health claims of superfoods without subjecting them to rigorous scrutiny. Superfoods: Cultural and Scientific Perspectives examines these food products from a blended science and cultural viewpoint, presenting a balanced, evidence-based view of each food item. Following a discussion of “superfoods” as a category, the book’s chapters examine individual superfoods, including but not limited to: avocados, chocolate, wine, berries, and fish oil. Presented in a systemic manner, each chapter provides a cultural history of the superfood; a survey of the current state of nutritional research on the food and its health claims; an exploration of related science topics to enhance understanding of the superfood, (i.e., a survey of the botany, biology, or chemistry studies); social issues associated with the superfood, such as sustainability, environmental health concerns, agricultural issues, fair trade and marketing issues; and one to three recipes featuring the superfood. This combination of scientific and cultural perspectives makes Superfoods an invaluable reference for academics, industry professionals, and lay-readers alike.

Essential Oils: Extraction, Characterization and Applications covers sixteen essential oils from different herbal and aromatic plants, including production, composition and extraction techniques such as distillation, chemistry and properties, characterization and applications. The book also presents their safety, toxicity and regulation, alongside trade, storage, stability and transport concepts. Essential oils in plants, extraction and analysis, and current trends in the use of essential oils, like aroma therapy, agro-food and non-food usage are thoroughly explored. Remaining chapters are dedicated to different essential oils, including lavender, peppermint, sandalwood, citrus, eucalyptus, tea tree, clove, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, rosewood, juniper and pine, patchouli, clary, and more. Edited by a global team of experts in essential oils, this book is designed to be a practical tool for the many diverse professionals who develop and market essential oils. Thoroughly explores the extraction and characterization of essential oils Contains comprehensive information on major, popular essential oils Provides an exceptional range of information on properties, applications, safety, toxicity and regulations

The Chemistry inside Spices & Herbs: Research and Development brings comprehensive information about the chemistry of spices and herbs with a focus on recent research in this field. The book is an extensive 2-part collection of 20 chapters contributed by experts in phytochemistry with the aim to give the reader deep knowledge about phytochemical constituents in herbal plants and their benefits. The contents include reviews on the biochemistry and biotechnology of spices and herbs, herbal medicines, biologically active compounds and their role in therapeutics among other topics. Chapters which highlight natural drugs and their role in different diseases and special plants of clinical significance are also included. Part I focuses on the general aspects of spice biotechnology, structure activity relationships and the natural products that can be used to treat different diseases - such as neurological diseases, inflammation, pain and infections. This part also covers information about phenolic compounds, flavonoids and turmeric supplements. This book is an ideal resource for scholars (in life sciences, phytomedicine and natural product chemistry) and general readers who want to understand the importance of herbs, spices and traditional medicine in pharmaceutical and clinical research.

Nature offers us spices, which are a significant part of healthy and nutritious foods. The presence of abundant bioactive compounds in these spices makes them interesting from a scientific and health perspective. Extracts obtained from spice materials possess many health benefits and are rich sources of antioxidants, which suppress reactive oxygen species. Spice Bioactive Compounds: Properties, Applications, and Health Benefits collects such information together in one book, presenting all necessary features related to spices and their properties. Exploring the most recent research related to the extraction, isolation, encapsulation, identification, and characterization of bioactive compounds present in spices, this book also covers the health element of spices and its utilization as a treatment for various disorders. Key Features: Discusses about 14 different spices and their salient features Presents the novel technologies used in the extraction, isolation, and identification of bioactive compounds from spices Explores the utilization of spices for culinary use in food Industries such as the food and pharmaceutical industries have great interest in the use of bioactive compounds for the production of drugs and functional foods. Written by experts in their field, this book will be useful to anyone in either industry, as well as those who have an interest in the use of such bioactive compounds for the production of drugs and functional foods.