Herbs, Spices and Their Roles in Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods gives an overview of the many pharmacological activities associated with herbs and spices, including detailed coverage on their mechanisms and formulations for the food industry. Chapters focus on key ingredients such as Curcuma longa, Piper Nigrum and Trigonella foenum-graecum, with contributors across the globe providing the latest research and advances for each. This is an essential read for scientists who want to understand the fundamental mechanisms behind the bioactive compounds within herbs and spices. The numerous phytochemicals present in plant extracts have multiple pharmacological activities so there is extensive research into new bioactive compounds. The pharmacological activities of herbs and spices have been thoroughly investigated, and it is crucial that the latest research is organized into a comprehensive resource.

Ayurvedic Medicine, or Ayurveda, is a traditional Indian health care system. Research into the medicinal plants utilised in Ayurveda is becoming a global endeavour, and large pharmaceutical companies are investing in novel drug discovery from Ayurvedic sources as a number of clinical studies have demonstrated efficacy of natural products from Ayurvedic plant extracts against common ailments such as arthritis and diabetes. Ayurvedic medicine and its components have been well described in the past, but this book represents a comprehensive source on the biochemistry and mechanisms of the pharmacological effects of natural products from Ayurvedic sources. This book is a valuable resource for researchers in natural products and alternative sources of bioactive compounds in drug discovery, as well as pharmaceutical experts and those in industry.