NUTMEG

Synonym                                              :   Myristica , Nux meschata .

Biological source          1                      :   It consist of dried kernel of the seeds of   Myristica fragrans .

                                                                

Scientific name                                     :   Myristica fragrans .

Family                                                 :   Myristicaceae .

Geographical distribution                       :   Indonesia , Caribean Iland , India( kerala, Tamilnadu ).

Organoleptic characters :

            i)    Colour                                -   Kernels are greenish-brown or brown in colour .

            ii)   Odour                                -   Strongly Aromatic .

            iii)  Taste                                  -   Pungent and Aromatic .

            iv)  Size                                    -   Kernels are 20 – 30 mm in length and 20mm broad .

            v)   Shape                                 -   Ellipsoigal ( springle shaped ) .

            vi)  Extra feature                       -   The kernels are externally covered with small irregular

                                                                  patches or lines .

Therapeutic uses :

i)                    It is used as Aromatic , Stimulant , and  Carminative .

ii)                   The Nutmeg butter is used in soap-industry.

iii)                 The fat and volatile-oil of the Nutmeg is used in the treatment of Rheumatism .

FENNEL

Synonym                                              :  Mouri, Sauf , Fennel-fruit .

Biological source                                  :  It consist of dried ripe fruits of Foeniculum-vulgare .

                                                                  

Scientific name                                     :  Foeniculum-vulgare .

Family                                                  : Umbelliferae .

Geographical distribution                       :  It is cultivated in South - west-Europe , Africa ,

                                                               Russia , Japan , Germany and in India .

Organoleptic / Morphological Evaluation :

            i)  Shape                                   -  Oblong ( nearly elliptical with sides ) .

            ii) Colour                                  -  Greenish or yellow .

            iii) Odour                                  -  Sweet , aromatic and Characteristics .

            iv) Taste                                   -  Sweet , aromatic and Characteristics .

            v)  Extra-features                      -  It is a cremocarp fruit , consists of two equal

                                                                portion of mericarps , which is connected by

                                                                central stalk called as Carpophore .

Therapeutic uses :

i)                    It is used as Flavouring-agent and carminatives .

ii)                   It is respiratory-stimulant and is added in cough-mixture .

iii)                 Because of pleasant sweet taste Anethole is used in many dental and mouth-wash formulation 

iv)                 It is an aromatic and expectorant . 

CORIANDER

Synonym                                      :  Coriander fruit , Dhania .

Biological source                          :  It consist if dried ripe fruits of Coriandrum sativum .

Scientific name                             :  Coriandrum sativum .

Family                                         :  Umbelliferae .

Geographical distribution             :  It is found in Italy , India , China , Egypt , Holland .

Organoleptic/ Morphological evaluation :

            i)  Shape                       -   Sub-globular.

            ii) Colour                      -   Brownish-yellow .

            iii) Odour                      -   Aromatic .

            iv)  Taste                      -   Aromatic , Spicy and Charecteristic .

            v)  Extra feature            -   It is a Cremocarp fruit , consist of two mericarps , the

                                                     primary ridges and eight secondary ridges . 

Therapeutic Uses :

i)                    The fruits as-well-as volatile-oil are used as an Aromatic , Carminative , Stimulant , and Flavouring-agent .

ii)                   Coriandral-oil is also used along with purgatives to prevent gripping effect .

Clove

Synonym                                              :           Clove-flower , Clobe-bud , Caryophylum .

Biological Source                                  :           Clove ;consist of dried flower buds of Eugenia Caryophyllus                                                                     

Scientific Name                                    :           Eugenia Caryophyllus .

Family                                                  :           Myrtaceae .

Geographical Distribution                      :           India , Sri-lanka , Madagascar , , Penba ,

                                                                        Penang , Cadibian Iland , Zenzibar etc . .

Organoleptic Characters :

                        i) Colour                       :          Crison to Dark-Brown .

                        ii) Odour                      :          Slightly – Aromatic .

                        iii) Taste                       :           Pungent or Aromatic .

                        iv) Size                         :          10 – 17.5 mm in length , 4mm in width ,  2mm thick . 

                        v) Shape                      :           Hypanthim is surrounded by four thick acute sepals which 

                                                                           are again surrounded by dome-shaped Corolla . 

                                                                                   The Corolla consists of expanded membranous

                                                                         Stamens and single stiff prominent style . 

Therapeutic uses :

i)                    Clove is used as Dental – Analgesic , Carminative ,  Flavouring-agent , Aromatic and Antiseptic .

ii)                   It is also used in the preparation of Cigarette .

      iii)                 The oil is used in the perfuming industry and in the manufacturing of Vanilla . 

                                                                        

CINNAMON

Synonym                                              :    Cinnamon bark , Kalmi-Dalchini .

Biological source                                  :    It consist of the dried inner-bark of the stem of  

                                                                 Cinnmomum zeyanicum .

                                                                

Scientific name                                     :    Cinnmomum zeyanicum .

Family                                                  :    Lauraceae .

Geographical distribution                       :    Srilanka , Jamaica , Brazil , Malabar coast of  India .

Organoleptic character :

            i)   Colour                                 -    The outer surface is Dull-yellowish brown and

                                                                  inner surface is Dark-yellowish brown .

            ii)  Odour                                 -    Aromatic .

            iii) Taste                                   -    Aromatic and sweet followed by warm sensation .

            iv)  Shape                                 -    Found in the form of compound quills .

            v)   Size                                    -    1-mitre in length , 1-cm in diameter , 0.5 mm in thick

            vi)  Extra features                      -    The outer surface of the bark is marked by wavy

                                                                  longitudinal striations with small holes of scars left

                                                                  by the branches . The inner surface also shows

                                                                  longitudinal striations .

Therapeutic uses :

i)                    The bark is used as Carminative , Stomatic( pain in stomach) , , mild astringent , flavouring agent , stimulant , aromatic and antiseptic .

ii)                   It is also used as spice and in the preparation of Candy and perfumes .

CARDAMOM

Synonym                                              :  Cardamom fruit , Ilayachi .

Biological Source                                  :  It consist of dried ripe fruits of Eletaria Cardamomum .

                                                                

Scientific name                                      :  Eletaria Cardamomum .

Family                                                   :  Zingiperaceae .

Geographical distribution                       :  It is found in India ( Kerala , Karnataka ) , Srilanka .

                                                                

Organoleptic / Morphological evaluation :

            i)   Size                                     -  May vary in different variety .

            ii)  Shape                                  -  Ovate or egg-shaped / Oblong capsule .

            iii) Colour                                 -  Green to Yellow .

            iv)  Odour                                -  Aromatic .

            v)   Taste                                  -  Aromatic , Pleasant , some-what Pungent .

            vi)  Surface                               -  Longitudinally striated .

            vii) Apex                                  -  Beak-shaped .

            viii) Base                                  -  Rounded with remains of stalk .

            ix)   Extra Feature                     -  Each capsule of fruit contains 3-chambers , each chamber consist                                                                of two-rows of seeds about 5 to 10 in number . The seeds are

                                                               3-4 mm in size, very hard to touch , reddish-brown in colour and

                                                               are irregularly triangular in shape , covered with transverse ,                                                                            wrinkles known as Rugate .

Therapeutic uses:

i)                    It is used as an aromatic , carminative and stimulant .

ii)                   It is also a good flavouring-agent .

iii)                 It is used in the form of compound tincture .

BLACK PIPPER

Synonym                                              :  Pipper , Kala-mirch .

Biological source                                  :  It consist of dried unripe fruit of Piper nigrum .

Scientific name                                     :  Piper nigrum .

Family                                                  :  Piperaceae .

Geographical distribution                       :  South India , Indonesia , Brazil , Malaysia and Srilanka .

Organoleptic / Morphological Evaluation :

            i)    Colour                                -  Blackish-brown to Greenish-black .

            ii)   Odour                                -  Aromatic .

            iii)  Taste                                  -  Aromatic and Pungent( strong and bitter in taste)

            iv)  Shape                                 -  Globular .

            v)   Size                                    -  3.5 – 6 mm in diameter .

            vi)  Extra feature                       -  The berries are reticulately wrinkled . The pericarp is thin with a                                                                     single white kernel ( the soft edible part in the shell of a nut ) . 

                                                                The kernel is hollow at the center , entirely consisting of

                                                                perisperm a small endosperm and embryo .

Therapeutic uses :

i)                    It is used as aromatic , stimulant , stomachic , carminative .

ii)                   It is used as flavouring – agent .

iii)                 It also stimulates taste-bud with increasing gastric-juice .

iv)                 It is also used as spice . 

Asafoetida

Synonym                                              :  Devils-Drug, Hing , Food of Gods , Asant .

Biological source                                  :  Asafoetida is the Oleogumresin obtained by  incision from the                                                                         Rizomes and root of  Ferrula-foetida .

                                                              

Scientific name                                     :  Ferrula-foetida  .

Family                                                  :  Umbilliferae .

Geographical distribution                       :  The plant is a Peremial which is about 3mitre height and is indigenous                                                                   to Iran and Afganistan . The Asafoetida is derived from the Latin-                                                                       word “ ASA “ and “ Foetida “ 

Organoleptic / Morphological Evaluation :

i)  Colour                                  -      Yellowish-white , changing to reddish-brown colour.

ii) Odour                                   -       Persistent , Intense and Penetrating .

iii) Taste                                    -      Bitter . .

iv) Size                                      -      The tears are 0.5 – 3 cm in diameter .

v)  Shape                                  -      It occurs in two different forms that is Tears and Masses ,

                                                        Tears are rounded or flattened .

Therapeutic Uses :

i)                    It is used as Carminative , Expectorant , Antiseptic and Laxative .

ii)                   It is also used as flavoring-agent .

AJWAN

Synonym                                              :  Ajmodaka , Bishop’s seed .

Biological source                                  :  It consist of dried ripe fruits of Trychispermum-ammi Sprague .

Scientific name                                     :  Trychispermum-ammi Sprague .

Family                                                  :  Umbillifere .

Geographical distribution                       :  It is found in Egypt , Pakistan , Afganistan , India etc

Organoleptic / Morphological Evaluation :

i)  Colour                                  -      Yellowish-brown.

ii) Odour                                  -      Aggrecable .

iii) Taste                                   -      Aromatic , warm like Thymol ( Volatile-oil) .

iv) Size                                     -      1.7-3 mm long , 1.5 – 2.4 mm width and 0.5 – 1.5mm thick .

v)  Shape                                  -     Ovoid( egg-shaped) or Cordate ( heart-shaped) .

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Therapeutic Uses :

i)                    It is used as Carminative stimulant and spice .

ii)                   Oil is use to obtain thymol which posses anti-microbiasl activity , and it is used as anti-septic , anti-fungal , insecticide and antihelmintic .

iii)                 Seeds are used in Indigestion and Diarrhoea .

iv)                 It is also used in  preparing lotions and ointments in mouth-washes , tooth-paste and gargle .