Table 1.
Categories of botanical compounds and properties
| Category | Plant | Ingredients | Properties/Indications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saccharides and glycosides (compounds in other categories are also often stored as glycosides) |
Immuno-modulation Antiinflammatory Adaptogens Antidepressant, sedative antiinflammatory |
||
| Panax ginseng | Ginsenosides | Adaptogen | |
| Ganoderma fungi | Polysaccharides | Immuno-modulating Sedating |
|
| Polygala tenuifolia | Tenuifoliside a | Antidepressant Sedative |
|
| Phenylpropanoids | UV protection, antimicrobes, pigments, scents |
||
| a.Simple phenylpropanoids |
Illicium verum
(star anise) |
Shikimic acid | Precursor for synthesis of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) |
| Illicium anisatum (Japanese star anise) | Anisatin | Toxic Neurotoxin |
|
| Cinnamon tree bark | Cinnamaldehyde | Anti-Tau protein, insecticide | |
| b.Flavonoids | Ginkgo biloba | Ginkgetin | Dementia |
| Green tea | Catechin | Antioxidant, neuroprotection | |
|
Albizia julibrissin
(mimosa, silk tree) Other Albizia species |
Quercetrin Albiota |
Antidepressant Sedative Antiinflammatory Antibacterial, antioxidant Anticancer |
|
|
Pueraria lobata, Rhododendron dauricum |
Daidzein, Daidzin Puerarin, Genistein Hyperoside, Apigenin |
Angiogenesis Anticancer Estrogenic |
|
| c.Coumarins | Cassia Cinnamon Tonka beans | Cinnamaldehyde Coumarin |
Antioxidant Analgesic Antiinflammatory, and Antimutagenic |
| d.Lignans |
Schisandra chinesis
Sesame seeds Soybeans |
Schisanhenol Schizandrol Isotaxiresinol Podophyllotoxin |
Hepatoprotection Neuromodulation Phytoestrogens Antioxidant Antiinflammatory Anticancer |
| Quinones and quinonoids |
Antibacterial Antiparasitic Anticancer Purgative |
||
| St John’s wort | Hypericin | Depression | |
| Polygonum multiflorum | Emodin Chrysophanol |
Antiaging, antiatherosclerotic Immunomodulation |
|
| Salvia miltiorrhiza | Cryptotanshinone Tanshinone |
Antioxidant, antiaging Antimicrobes |
|
| Terpenes/triterpenoids/ saponins/steroids |
Antiinflammatory Immuno-modulation Antistress Cardiovascular actions Hormonal actions |
||
| Ziziphus jujube | Jujuboside a | Sedative, antidepressant Neuroprotective |
|
|
Digitalis purpurea
(common foxglove) |
Digoxin | Congestive heart failure Atrial fibrillation |
|
|
Artemisia annua
(sweet wormwood) |
Artemisinin | Antimalarial | |
| Peony root | Paeoniflorin | Antiinflammatory Antibacterial, antiviral Anticancer |
|
| Panax ginseng | Panaxadiol | Adaptogen | |
| St John’s wort | Hyperforin, Adhyperforin | Antidepressant | |
| Alkaloids | Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) |
Morphine | Sedation Analgesic |
| Atropa belladonna | Atropine, scopolamine | Anticholinergic | |
| Coffee beans | Caffeine | Wakefulness | |
| Tea | Caffeine | Wakefulness |