Eternal Life by Traditional Chinese Medicine and Herbs, Treasures of Asia via One Belt and One Road | Book Publisher International
Goji Berry has long played important roles in
traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), where they are believed to enhance immune
system function, improve eyesight, protect liver, boost sperm production and
improve circulation, among other effects. It has been widely used in Asian
countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand for many years.
Goji berry is widely distributed in the arid and semi-arid regions of China,
Japan, Korea, Europe, North America and the Mediterranean. TCM calls for Goji
berries to prepared as a decoction or ground into a powder and mixed with other
herbs. It is being widely used as a functional food, mainly for their
antioxidant action due to a high content of vitamin C. Anti-aging, antioxidant,
immunomodulating, hypotensive, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral,
anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, and anticancer properties have been associated
with L. barbarum. Ginger, a plant in the Zingiberaceae family, is a culinary
spice that has been as an important herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine for
many centuries. More than 60 active constituents are known to be present in
ginger, which have been broadly divided into volatile and non-volatile
compounds. The active ingredients like gingerols, shogaols, zingerone, and so
forth present in ginger exhibit antioxidant activity. Among gingerols and
shogaol the major pungent components in the rhizome are 6-gingerol and
6-shogaol. Consumption of ginger also has beneficial effects on heart disease,
cancer, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and bacterial
infections. Cultivated Ginseng (CG), Mountain Cultivated Ginseng (MCG), and
Mountain Wild Ginseng (MWG) are three categories of ginseng. Ginseng is known
to possess various biological activities including boosting the immune system,
improving the blood circulation, enhancing memory, antifatigue effects,
antioxidant effects and positive effects on menopausal disorder. Ginseng
contains saponing, an element of glycosides; nitrogenous compounds such as
protein, amino acid, nucleic acid and alkaloid; fat-soluble ingredients such as
fatty acid, ethernal oil, polyacetylene, phenolic compound, phytosterol and
terpenoid; sacchardies such as monose, oligosaccharide, polysaccharide and
pectin; vitamins and inorganic substances; and many other useful ingredients.
The chemical compositions of white and red ginseng are different, white ginseng
and red ginseng are used for different purposes; white ginseng is used to
promote the production fluids of body fluids as well as enhance physical
fitness and disease resistance, while red ginseng has a warming effect and is
used for replenishing vital essence. Astragalus has been used in Chinese
traditional medicine as an immunity booster for almost 2000 years. The genus
Astragalus is a member of the Fabaceae of Legume family and it is native to
northern China and Mongolia. It is widely distributed in China, Siberia, and
northern Korea. Chemical constituents are polysaccharides, triterpenoid
saponins (Astragalosides), flavonoids, choline, phytosterols, volatile oils,
amino acids, aglycones, coumarins, astrapterocarpan, betaine, calcium, copper,
isoflavonoids, rich in potassium and magnesium. Astragalus membranaceus
classically prescribed in TCM in combination with other Chinese medicinal herbs
as a dried root, powdered or as a decoction, with the combination depending on
the desired therapeutic effect and the specific TCM diagnosis. Pyrethrum which
is a natural insecticide has many properties, but the most important are raid
action, very low toxicity for mammalian, lack of insect immunity, broad of
activity, lack of persistence and degraded quickly by UV in sunlight and very
effective insect repellent. Using natural pesticide may lead to organic
farming, and advantage of organic farming is more beneficial to biodiversity
and the environment, and of course organic produce reduces dietary exposure to
pesticides. Organic farmers can use pyrethrins as an insecticide for fruit and
vegetable crops. Easily degraded by oxygen, light and temperature, pyrethrum
compounds are environmentally friendly and compatible with organic farming.
Chinese star anise has antioxidant, antibacterial, fungicidal,
anti-inflammatory, anesthetic, and anti-nociceptive effects. Chinese star anise
has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal characters, and it is useful in treatment of
diseases like asthma, bronchitis and dry cough, it is also good to having a
good sleep; it is a natural breath fresher, one of its most compounds is
Shikimic which is used as a drug in curing influenza and flu virus; it consists
of Linalool which is good for overall health because of its anti-oxidants
characters. Its seeds are good source of minerals like calcium, iron, copper,
potassium, manganese, zinc, and magnesium. The seeds are a great source of
essential B-complex vitamins such as pyridoxine, niacin, riboflavin and
thiamin. Anise seed oil contains anethol, estragole, eugenol, pseudisoeugenol,
methyl chavicol and anisaldehyde, coumarins, scopoleting, umbelliferon,
estrols, terpene hydrocarbons, and polyacetylenes as the major compounds. The
plant oil has both pharmacological and clinical effects. The recent studies
have shown that anise seeds and essential oil have antioxidant, antibacterial,
antifungal, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, gastro-protective,
antidiabetic and antiviral activities. Other important benefits of anise seeds
are stimulant, carminative, expectorant, insecticide, vermifuge, digestive,
antispasmodic, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, anti-epileptic, anti-hysteric,
culinary significance, keeps the heart strong by its importance role to control
the blood pressure, one of the best gas-releasing agent, easing many hormonal
problems in females, hair benefits, skin benefits and it may reduce symptoms of
depression. Chrysanthemum has aesthetic values, antigenotoxic, antioxidative
and antimutagenic properties. 13 different types of Chrysanthemums are: Single
blooms, Quilled blooms, Spider blooms, Anemone, Pompons, Decorative blooms,
Reflex and Incurve blooms, Reflex mums, Brush or Thistle Chrysanthemums, Unclassified,
Spoon mums, Cushion mums and Miscellaneous mums. Jujube is tolerant of drought
which is why it is distributed in warm temperate and subtropical regions in the
world. Jujube also contains potassium, phosphorus, manganese, calcium and other
major minerals, and vitamin C, riboflavin and thiamine. The most important
pharmacological characteristics of jujube (Chinese date) are anti-diabetic
effects, anti-allergic activity, anti-ulcer activity, antimicrobial activity,
anti-cancer activity, anti-inflammatory and anti-spastic effect,
anti-fertility/contraceptive property, immunostimulant effects,
hypnotic-sedative and anxiolytic effect, anti-oxidant effects, cardiovascular
activity, cognitive activities and neuroprotective activity.
Biography
of author(s)
Dr. Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian
Islamic Azad University, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture Iran, Islamic Republic
Islamic Azad University, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture Iran, Islamic Republic
Dr. Wenli Sun
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Prof. Dr. Qi Cheng
Williams Companies Foundation Presidential Professor, University of Oklahoma, USA
Williams Companies Foundation Presidential Professor, University of Oklahoma, USA
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