Physicochemical properties of ginger (Zingiber officinale), lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) and tulsi (Ocimum gratissimum)

Abstract

India has been well known all over the world for spices and medicinal plants and herbs. Spice plants and herbs exhibit a wide range of physiological and pharmacological properties. Current biomedical efforts are focused on their scientific merits, to provide science-based evidence for the traditional uses and to develop either functional foods or nutraceuticals. Plants are utilized as therapeutic agents since time immemorial in both organized (Ayurveda, Unani) and unorganized (folk, tribal, native) form. Plants have been identified as the potent therapeutic agent, due to the presence of nutritional (minerals and vitamins) and non-nutritional component (fibres, active phytochemicals), including the flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, sulfides, polyphenolics, carotenoids, etc.), due to promoted as “functional food”. Ginger, lemon grass, tulsi provides a rich amount of Fe, Zn, Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, Cu and Mn. And also significant amount of vitamin B1, B2, B3 and C. So as concluding remark Ginger, lemon grass and tulasi all are good cardiovascular health, brain health and human body, various pharmacological activities such as anti-amoebic, anti-bacterial, anti-diarrheal, anti-filarial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties and various other effects like anti-malarial, anti-mutagenicity, anti-mycobacterial, anti-oxidants, hypoglycemic and neurobehavioral.