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Learn medicinal and aromatic plants with Braimy- B.Sc Agriculture
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Present in them, the herbs are divided into five major categories: Aromatic (volatile oils), Astringents (tannins), Bitter (phenol compounds, saponins, and alkaloids, Mucilaginous (polysaccharides), and Nutritive (food stuffs)

a. Aromatic Herbs

  • the name is a reflection of the pleasant odor that many of these herbs have
  • they are used extensively both therapeutically and as flavorings and perfumes
  • Aromatic herbs are divided into two subcategories: stimulants (which increase energy and activities of the body eg. ginger, garlic, lemon etc.) and nervines (which heal and soothe the nervous system eg. ginger, Centella etc.)

b. Astringent Herbs

  • these have tannins, which have the ability to precipitate proteins, and this “tightens,” contracts, or tones living tissue, and helps to halt discharges
  • affect the digestive, urinary, and circulatory systems, and large doses are toxic to the liver

c. Bitter Herbs

  • are named because of the presence of phenols and phenol glycosides, alkaloids, or saponins
  • are divided into four subcategories: laxative herbs, diuretic herbs, saponin-containing herbs, and alkaloid-containing herbs
  • Laxative Bitter herbs include hypotonic, blood purifier. For e.g. Aloe, pumpkin, yucca, safflowers etc.
  • Diuretic Herbs induce loss of fluid from the body through the urinary system which help to clean vascular system, kidneys, and liver eg. Asparagus, grapevine etc.
  • Saponin-containing Herbs are known for their ability to produce foaming in solution with water which emulsify fat soluble molecules in the digestive tract, and their most important property is to enhance the body’s ability to absorb other active compounds eg. Yam root, yucca etc.
  • Alkaloids are most common ingredient of secondary metabolites. eg. Meconopsis

d. Mucilaginous Herbs

  • all plants product mucilage in some form to store water and hydrates as a food reserve
  • since most mucilage are not broken down by the human digestive system, these herbs are most effective knitting agents
  • Eliminate the toxins from the intestinal system, help in regulating it eg. aloe, kelp , Irish moss etc.

e. Nutritive Herbs

  • derive both their name and their classification from the nutritive value they provide to the diet
  • are true foods and provide some medicinal effects as fiber, mucilage, and diuretic action
  • But most importantly they provide the nutrition of protein, carbohydrates, and fats, plus the vitamins and minerals that are necessary for adequate nutrition.
  • g. apple, asparagus, banana, bee pollen, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, grapefruit, lemon, onion, orange, papaya, pineapple etc.
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