Medicinal Plants & Herbs are powerful plants that have both nutritional and health benefits. They have phytochemicals with amazing health benefits, and nutritional value
Saffron (Crocus Sativus), also called saffron crocus, kesar, or autumn crocus, is a highly valued spice from the dried flower (stigma) of the Crocus sativus. Because of the stigma color, saffron is also called the “red gold”. Crocus sativus is a species in the crocus family, Iridaceae. It is arguably the most expensive spice, ahead … Read more
Black cumin or black seed (Nigella sativa) is a herb belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. The seed and the volatile oil have been used for medicinal purposes for years. Black seed is native to Southern Europe, North Africa and Southwest Asia, but now grown in India, Pakistan, Turkey, South Europe, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. Black … Read more
Apricot seed or kernel is obtained from the fruit of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.), a plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. The plant is grown in many countries like China, India, Iran, Siberia, Uzbekistan, but Turkey remains the largest producer worldwide. The edible fruit of apricot is a drupe, which is ovoid, or amygdaloid with … Read more
Prunus mahaleb, Mahaleb cherry, rock cherry, or St. Lucie cherry is a large shrub to medium-sized deciduous tree of the Rosaceae family. The name of the plant, “mahaleb,” is from the Arabic word for “milk,” which is because of the milk-white color of the flower. Mahaleb is utilized as both spice and flavoring. It is … Read more
Shea butter is a solid fatty oil from the nuts of shea (Karite) tree, a deciduous plant from the Sapotaceae family. The plant also called Vitellaria paradoxa or V. nilotica, grows in the sub-saharan savannah belt stretching across West and Eastern Africa. The tree can grow up to 25 m height. It has a spreading … Read more
Camwood (Baphia nitida), also called African sandlewood, barwood, or Osun is a perennial shrub belonging to the Fabaceae (Leguminosae). It is widely distributed in the rainforest, secondary forest and abandoned farmland of the coastal region of West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Cote d’voire) Baphia nitida is a small to medium-sized shrub that can grow up … Read more
Cumin seeds are the dried seeds of Cuminum cyminum, an annual herbaceous plant of the Parsley family (Apiaceae or Umbelliferae family). It is characterized by flowers arranged in umbels (looks like an inverted umbrella as all the flower stalks are joined to the stem at the same point). The name cumin, is from the Latin … Read more
Vanilla bean, is gotten from two major plants of the Orchidaceae family, Vanilla planifolia and Vanilla tahitensis. They are the two main source of vanilla extract, one of the most desired flavoring agent in food, perfumes, and also pharmaceutical products. The vanilla flavor was first used by the Aztec people in Mexico to flavor cocoa. … Read more
Dill (Anethum graveolens) is an aromatic perennial herbaceous plant from the parsley family (Apiaceae or Umbelliferae). The flowering plant family also include cumin, carrot, fennel, caraway, parsnip, and celery. They have slender stems, finely divided leaves, and small white to yellow flowers in small umbles. Dill is the only species of the genus Anethum, leading … Read more
Eucalyptus oil is the main constituents of the tall evergreen tree called, blue gum tree, stringy bark tree or Eucalyptus globulus (the most popular species). The plant is from the family, Myrtaceae. The name eucalyptus comes from the Greek word, eucalyptos, which means well-covered (“Eu,” means “true,” and “calyptus,” means “to cover”). This is because … Read more