114 Handbook of herbs and spices
Ta ble 7.1 Major constituents and therapeutic values
Common name Scientific name Major constituents Therapeutic values
Allspice Pimenta officinalis Eugenol, methyl Analgesic, antibacterial,
eugenol, myrecene, antioxidant, fungicidal.
chavicol, Treat hypertension,
methyleugenol, rheumatism. Relieve
eugenolmethylether, stomach aches, soothe
caryophyllene, (–)-"- sore muscles, toothache,
phellandrene.9,84,88,90 menstrual cramps,
antiseptic for teeth and gums.
Anise Pimpinella anisum Anethole, indole, fatty Antispasmodic, antifungal,
oil, coumarin, creosol, diuretic, carminative
acetylinic, relieve gas pains,
flavonoids.1,82,84,85 dyspepsia.
Bay leaf Laurus nobilis Cineole, linalool, resin, Indigestion, appetite,
"-pinene, "-terpineol, astringent, carminative,
acetate, mucilage, tannin, stimulant, stomachic,
eucalyptol.1,2,38 diuretic.
Caraway Carum carvi Carvone, limonene, Inhibit carcinogenesis,
flavonoids, relieve gas pains,
polysaccharides.3,4,5,85 antispasmodic, irritable
bowel syndrome, cold,
cough, bronchitis,
antihistaminic activity,
detoxicant, carminative.
Cardamom Elettaria Essential oils, cineole, Antiseptic, dyspepsia,
cardamomum eucalyptol, linoleic antimicrobial, digestive,
and stearic acid.22,86 aphrodisiac, astringent,
antispasmodic, diuretic.
Cassia Cinnamomum Cassia oil, trans- Anti-mutagenic, astringent,
aromaticum cinnamaldehyde, carminative, antiseptic,
trans-cinnamyl, excessive salivation,
trans-2-methoxy rheumatism.
cinnamaldehyde.21,23,24
Celery seed Apium graveolens Limonene, coumarins, Carminative, gout, anti-
bergapten, fatty rheumatic, hysteria,
acids.3,6,7 nervousness, weight loss,
a detoxicant.
Chives Allium Alliin, sulphoxide, Lower high blood
schoenoprasum sulphoeverman, pressure, antibacterial,
linoleic acid, vitamin inhibit immunodeficiency
A, C, minerals, thiamin, virus infection.
niacin.25,38
Cinnamon Cinnamomum Volatile oil, tannins, Antiseptic, astringent,
zeylanicum coumarin, cinnzelanin, balsamic, carminative,
cinnzelanol, eugenol, diaphoretic, febrifuge.
cinnamaldehyde.26,27
Cloves Eugenia Phytosterols, eugenol, Abdominal problems,
caryophyllata campesterol, ascorbic callus, cancer, cough,
acid, crataegolic acid, diarrhea, gastritis, hernia,
vitamin A, sitosterols, nausea, sores.
stigmasterol.9,20,28
Coriander Coriandrum Coriandrol, geraniol, A digestive tonic,
seed sativum borneol, carvone, carminative, sedative,
linalool, vitamin A, C, anti-bacterial, lavicidal,
"-pinene, terpinene, anti-inflammatory,
niacin, fiber, protein, hypoglycemia effects.
rhiamin.3,5,38