Herbs are leafy parts of plants used for flavoring and medicine, while spices are dried roots, stems or seeds used to add flavor. This document outlines the health benefits of various common herbs and spices. It discusses how spices like cinnamon, turmeric and ginger can help manage conditions like diabetes, inflammation and digestion. Herbs such as garlic, mint and fenugreek provide nutrients and can aid issues like respiratory health, gas, and lactation. The document provides details on the active compounds in each herb or spice and their associated health impacts.

1. Health Benefits of
Spices & Herbs
PRESENTED BY – AKSHDEEP SHARMA
B.TECH BIOTECH 8TH SEM (12BTB003)
FOOD BIOTECH AND NUTRACEUTICALS

2. WHAT ARE HERBS ?
 Leaves of plants that lack
woody stems.
 Typically, the green, leafy
part of the plant is used in
cooking.
 The plants are grown for
their flavor and medicinal
value.
 Some define herbs as plants
with healing properties.

3. WHAT ARE SPICES ?
 Spices are dried roots,
stems, and seeds of
plants that are usually
grown in the tropics.
 Aromatic substances of
vegetable origin used
as a preservative
 Used to add flavor and
zest to foods.

4. What is the difference between herbs and
spices?
Spices and herbs are both from plants and are
used in very small amounts to flavor food.
"Spice" refers to seasonings made from dried
seeds or bark. Spices generally originate in the
Far East and tropical countries.
"Herb" refers to any plant with fleshy parts that are
used in brewing tea and seasoning foods, or as
medicines.

5. ROLE OF SPICES IN FOOD :-
1. Used as Flavoring agents
2. Enhance the flavors of foods
3. Posses antioxidant properties
4. Used as preservatives
5. Pungent spices can cause swea
6. Posses strong antimicrobial pro
7. Used as colorant

6. Health Benefits of Spices

7. Allspice (Kabab Cheene)
Allspice is a soothing,
anti-inflammatory, and
carminative spice. It has
been positively linked to
reducing cancer,
improving oral health,
stimulating digestion,
facilitating bone
growth, boosting the
immune system,
reducing blood pressure,
and acting as an
analgesic or anesthetic
substance.

8. Black Pepper (Kali Mirch)
Perhaps one of the most
common spices in the
world, black pepper is
important due to its ability
to reduce inflammation and
excess gas, optimize
gastrointestinal action,
regulate enzymatic
reactions, control heart
rate and blood pressure, and
prevent cancer due to its
antioxidant capabilities.

9. Black Cumin (Shahi Jeera)
Antioxidant action of volatile oil.
Hypoglycemic impact of black cumin
seed.
Impact on Immune system & cancer.
Anti microbial effects.
Anti-inflammatory impact.

10. Cardamom (ILayachi)
The health benefits
of cardamom include the ability
to aid digestion, lower blood
pressure, increase the
metabolism, increase circulation,
increase frequency and volume of
urination, and also gives the body
many of its necessary vitamins
and minerals, including riboflavin,
niacin, vitamin C, iron,
manganese, and potassium. Its
essential volatile oils are also very
effective in healing various
conditions.

11. Cayenne Pepper (LaL Mirch)
Hot pepper might be too much for
some people to handle, but it is a
very healthy thing to eat! It has
the ability to clear the sinuses,
increase urination, eliminate
toxins from the body, help
manage diabetes, prevent cancer,
lower blood pressure, optimize the
metabolism, regulate hormonal
activity, and perhaps most
importantly, fights against all
foreign invaders, toxins, and
potential infections, due to its
powerful antioxidant properties!

12. Cinnamon (Dalchini)
Cinnamon is a beloved spice
around the world that is
praised for its ability to
reduce inflammation,
eliminate pain, manage
diabetes, eliminate
infections, reduce excess
gas, improve heart health,
increase cognitive function,
build strong bones, prevent
cancer, and increase the
health of the eyes and skin!

13. Cloves (Laung)
Cloves have a very strong taste,
and are antioxidant, antiseptic,
anesthetic, anti-inflammatory in
nature. They also contain a
number of valuable organic
compounds and volatile oils that
are good at protecting against
cancer, managing heart rate,
balancing bodily fluids,
improving digestion, increasing
oral health, eliminate premature
aging, and strengthen the
membranes throughout the
body.

14. Fennel Seeds (Saunf)
Fennel has long been known for its
ability to regulate bowel
movements, prevent cancer,
reduce premature aging through
antioxidant activity, increase
enzymatic activity, and act as a
great source of many vitamins and
minerals, including copper, iron,
calcium, potassium, manganese,
selenium, zinc, and magnesium as
well as organic compounds and
acids like pinene, myrcene,
fenchone, chavicol, cineole,
anethole, limonene, and anisic
aldehyde.

15. Saffron (Kesar)
This powerful spice includes
many carotenoids and boost
immune system health in a
big way. Saffron also fights
infections in wounds,
elevates mood,
induces sleep, stimulates red
blood cell formation
modulates hormonal activity,
and can reduce blood
pressure through the
vasodilating properties of
potassium.

16. Mustard Seeds (Sarson)
Mustard seeds are packed with
organic compounds and volatile
oils that can boost your overall
health. They are also a wonderful
source of B-complex vitamins,
which are essential for normal
functioning of your organ systems.
It can also reduce triglyceride and
cholesterol levels, improve the
strength and health of your teeth,
boost circulation, build strong
bones, prevent cancer, and reduce
signs of premature aging.

18. Aloe Vera (Gheekumari)
Aloe Vera is a popular medicinal
herb with healing components that
include mannans,
anthraquinones, polysaccharides,
and lectins that grows in arid
climates. This herb efficiently heals
wound and burns. Moreover,
drinking Aloe Vera juice is highly
recommended for diabetes, minor
skin infections, cysts, and elevated
blood lipids. Aloe Vera extract is
an important skin care agent.

19. Dill This herb is an excellent source
of niacin, dietary fiber, zinc, copper,
and phosphorus, and it also has a host
of vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin
C, vitamin B6, riboflavin, folate,
and minerals like iron, calcium,magnesi
um, potassium, and manganese. The
herb helps in dealing effectively with
issues like indigestion,diarrhea,
insomnia, dysentery, respiratory
disorders, menstrual disorders, cancer
and a number of others. This herb
contains ‘Eugenol’, a volatile oil that
has potent antiseptic and anesthetic
powers. Dill also helps in the
generation of breast milk and increases
sperm count.

20. Holy Basil (Tulasi) Holy Basil leaves are probably one of the most
ancient herbs used for medicinal purposes.
Holy basil leaves are rich in protein, riboflavin,
folate, niacin, calcium, magnesium, iron,
potassium, phosphorus, copper and zinc. Holy
Basil also had high levels of vitamin E, A, C, K,
and B6, and dietary fiber. Holy basil leaves aid
in curing fevers (especially dengue and
malaria) very quickly. Since ancient times, tulsi
leaves have been added to tea, honey or warm
water to cure colds, coughs, sore throats, and
respiratory disorders. Holy Basil leaves have
anti-inflammatory properties and are also
effective in case of kidney stones,
cardiovascular diseases, insect bites, skin
infections, dental and eye problems. This herb
has a special spiritual reverence in India.

21. Lavender This herb is a symbol of purity
and cleanliness. Lavender also
speeds healing, relieves muscle
tension, and reduces stress,
while improving the circulatory,
immune, and nervous
systems. Lavender oil is a great
antiseptic and spasmolytic
(relieves muscle spasms). The
medicinal properties of this herb
include anti-inflammatory, anti-
fungal, and antiseptic abilities.
In modern times, many stores
sell lavender scent for perfumes,
diffusers, soaps, talc and other
cosmetics as well.

22. Peppermint (Pudina)
Peppermint is rich in phosphorus, niacin,
potassium, copper, magnesium,
manganese, riboflavin, folate, calcium,
iron, zinc, and is a rich source of vitamin
A, vitamin C, and dietary fiber.
Peppermint is a good stomach calmer,
especially if you are suffering from
digestive problems, flatulence or any
other related gastric problems. Mint
restricts bacterial and fungal growth, as
well as helping to relieve allergies and
asthma. Many researchers say that mint
also shows positive effects for cancer
treatment, Mint juice is said to cure
irritable bowel syndrome, thereby
preventing constipation and colon
ailments.

23. Fenugreek (Methi)
Fenugreek seeds are often used as spices and
the leaves of the plant are used as herbs. It is
rich in protein, copper, magnesium,
manganese, iron and dietary fiber. Apart
from the seeds, the other parts of the
fenugreek plant also have medicinal value.
Intake of fenugreek balances cholesterol
levels, treats diabetes and lowers blood
sugar. The fenugreek seeds have lots of
mucilage, which smoothes gastrointestinal
inflammation by protecting the stomach and
intestinal linings. This herb cures
inflammations and is thereby a home remedy
for boils, abscesses(skin pus), burns,
and gout. Fenugreek is often recommended
for pregnant women as it aids in child birth
and milk production while lactating.

24. Psyllium is also known as
ispaghula (‘Isabgol’ in India).
This is usually found in husk
form from the seeds of the
Plantago ovate herb. Rich in
soluble dietary fiber, psyllium is
the major ingredient in many
commonly used bulk laxatives.
This herb usually helps to cope
with constipation problems and
intestinal ulcers, cleans the
colon, and helps to control
cholesterol, weight and blood
pressure
Psyllium (Isabgol)

25. Winter Cherry (Ashwagandha)
Winter cherry is a well-known
herb that is commonly used as a
diuretic, aphrodisiac, sedative,
revitalizing tonic, anti-
inflammatory agent, and immune
stimulator. It helps to reduce
swelling and aids in retaining
blood supply in the body.
Furthermore, it aids in the proper
functioning of the nervous
system. It improves concentration,
sexual abilities and asthmatic
conditions.

26. Bacopa Monnieri (Brahmi)
Like Tulsi, Bacopa is also another ancient
herb used in medicines, especially in Asia.
This medicinal herb is extensively used as a
mental tonic, body revitalizer, memory
enhancer and as a nerve tonic. It is best
known for its ability to enhance memory
and also helps to cope with the negative
effects of stress. Bacopa is an excellent
home remedy for a host of skin problems
like psoriasis, eczema, abscess and
ulceration. It is good for skin, hair and nail
growth. Brahmi considerably reduces the
oxidation of fats in the blood, thereby
reducing the chances of cardiovascular
diseases.

27. GARLIC (Lehsun)
It is an natural antibiotic.
Garlic is a potent antibacterial,
antiviral and agent.
Contains more then 100 biologically
useful chemical
compound
Two priciple antimicrobial components
present in garlic are allicin and allyl
isothiocyanate.
Allicin is a colourless capable of killing
both gram positive and gram negative
bacteria.

28. GINGER (Adrak)
Ginger Contains Gingerol, a Substance With
Powerful Medicinal Properties
Ginger Can Treat Many Forms of Nausea,
Especially Morning Sickness
Ginger May Reduce Muscle Pain and Soreness
The Anti-Inflammatory Effects Can Help With
Osteoarthritis
Ginger May Drastically Lower Blood Sugars
and Improve Heart Disease Risk Factors
Ginger Can Help Treat Chronic Indigestion
Chronic indigestion (dyspepsia) is
characterized by recurrent pain and discomfort
in the upper part of the stomach
Ginger May Lower Cholesterol Levels
Ginger Contains a Substance That May Help
Prevent Cancer

29. TURMERIC (Haldi)
Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and
antibacterial agent and can be used as
an effective disinfectant.
Turmeric contains a substance known
as lipopolysaccharide, which helps
stimulate the body’s immune system.
turmeric as a food seasoning can
reduce serum cholesterol levels.
Turmeric can be used in the treatment
of diabetes by helping to moderate
insulin levels.
It is used as anti-inflammatory agent
Curcumin also exerts very powerful
antioxidant effects.
Use of turmeric also lowers rate of
prostate, lung & colon cancer