Role of spices and herbs in human health-A review

Pages: 576-580
Charan Singh (Department of Processing and Food Engineering, CAET, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh-Gujarat)
Neha (Department of Foods And Nutrition, I.C. COHS)
Raveena (Department of Foods And Nutrition, I.C. COHS)
Ravi Kumar (Department of Processing and Food Engineering, COAE&T, CCS Haryana Agricultural University Hisar-Haryana)
Joshi Nirav Umeshbhai (Department of Processing and Food Engineering, CAET, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh-Gujarat)

India is well known throughout the world for its treasure of tremendous varieties of spices and medicinal plants. In early history spices and herbs have been in use for culinary and therapeutic purposes because of their wide range of pharmacological and physiological properties. Spices and herbs offer several presumptive health benefits hence been in use for medical practices from ancient times. Apart from their properties to enhance the aroma, flavor, and color of food and beverages they also safeguard the human body from various acute, chronic diseases and chronic infections. Spices and herbs exhibit antimicrobial, anti-carcinogenic, anti-tumorigenic, anti-inflammatory, glucose-lowering, and antioxidant properties. They offer a wide range of health benefits which is attributed to their wide range of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, sulfur-containing compounds, curcumin, alkaloids, thymol, andpiperine, etc. Most of the species such as ginger, turmeric, liquorice, and holy basil, etc. are an excellent source of phenolic compounds which makes them an excellent antioxidant source. The recurrent ingestion of spicy foods lowers the risk of cancer, ischemic heart, and respiratory disorders. Apart from their several health benefits, spices and herbs are also a good source of phytochemicals hence can be used for the preservation of food and beverages. The pandemic of COVID-19 has increased the importance of body immunity power which can be achieved by the consumption of spices and herbs. In this literature, we will discuss major spices and herbs of India and their potential health benefits.