Ancient Food Habits Dictate that Food Can Be Medicine but Medicine Cannot Be “Food”!!
Abstract
:1. Introduction
1.1. Types of Food: Definition and Classification of Foods
1.2. Types of Food
2. Methods: Field Work and Description
2.1. Main Food
2.2. Trees
2.2.1. Aegle marmelos(L.) Corr
2.2.2. Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb
2.2.3. Cocos nucifera Linn
2.2.4. Madhuca indica J F Gmel
2.2.5. Syzygium cumini (Linn) Skeels
2.2.6. Phoenix dactylifera Linn
2.2.7. Ficus glomerata Roxb
2.2.8. Ginkgo biloba Linn
2.3. Shrubs and Small Herbs: Edible Ferns
2.4. Other Herbs/Small Plants
3. Supplement Food
3.1. Geum Quellyon Linn
3.2. Chlorophytum Borivilianum Sant. and Fern
3.3. Coleus forskohlii (Willd) Briq
4. Food Ingredients
5. Precautionary Food Items
5.1. Drinks from Leaves
5.2. Drinks from Roots
6. Discussion
6.1. Early Crops: Cultivation Practices
6.2. Ethnomedicinal Information and Present Efforts
6.3. Excess of Everything is Unhealthy!
7. Summary
Acknowledgments
Author Contributions
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Name of the Plant | Common Uses | Chemical Compounds |
---|---|---|
Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. Family: Rutaceae English Name: (Figure 1a) | Pulp used as an additional dietary requirement in Summer; fruit-pulp eaten raw. Dysentery Sunstroke-Juice extracted from the fresh leaves—taken orally; Excellent supplement with food and vegetable; used as best medicine to cure | Aeglemarmelosine, marmelosin, alloimperatorin, marmelide, tannic acid, marmin, umbelliferone, isoimperatorin, isopimpinellin, skimmin, marmesin, marmesinin, fatty acids, beta-sitosterol |
Annona reticulata L. Family: Annonaceae English Name: Bullocks heart (Figure 1d) | Creamy pulp is nutritious, cooling and quenches thirst in fever. | Anonaine, 7-1actone acetogenin, cis-/trans-isomurisolenin, along with six known cytotoxic acetogenins, annoreticuin, annoreticuin-9-one, cis-/trans-bullatacinone, bullatacin, cis-/trans-murisolinone, and squamocin from ethyl acetate extract of seeds [22] |
Annona squamosa L. Family: Annonaceae English Name: Custard Apple (Figure 1c) | The fruit possesses astringent, cooling, anti-scorbutic and febrifugal | The diterpenoidalkaloidatisine is the most abundant alkaloid in the root. Other constituents of Annona squamosa include the alkaloids oxophoebine, reticuline, isocorydine, and methylcorydaldine and the flavonoidquercetin-3-O-glucoside [23] |
Buchnania lanzan Spreng. Family: Anacardiaceae English Name: Buchanan’s Mango (Figure 2b) | The fruits are useful in treating leprosy, skin diseases, burning sensation, cardiac debility, abdominal disorder and constipation. | Flavonoid, alkaloid |
Cordia dichotoma G. Forster. Family: Boraginaceae English Name: Sestan Plum | It is astringent, anthelmintic, diuretic, demulcent and expectorant. | Allantoin, beta -sitosterol and 3’,5-dihydroxy-4’-methoxy flavanone-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside. |
Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb. Family: Ebanaceae English Name: Coramandel Ebony Persimmon (Figure 1b) | The fruit is carminative and astringent. The leaves are diuretic, carminative, laxative and styptic. | Flavones, Triterpenes [24] |
Carissa congesta Wight Family: Apocynaceae Local Name: Karonda English Name: Christ’s thorn | The fruits have a pleasant taste and are slightly laxative | Carissone, β-D-glucoside. Quercetin, kaempferol, leucoanthocyanins and vanillic acid. |
Feronia limonia (L.) Swingle Family: Rutaceae English Name: Wood apple (Figure 1e) | Cures cough, dysentery, heart diseases, vomiting; blood impurities, good for throat, asthma, opthalmia, leucorrhoea. | Methyl Chavicol, Thymol, Limonene and Linalool |
Ginkgo biloba L. (a gymnosperm-huge tree) (Figure 3a,b) | Ovules are eaten in Korea, Japan and China since antiquity | Excellent taste, digestive and protein source Ginkogolides, Diterpene |
Grewia asiatica L. Family: Tiliaceae | The fruit is astringent, cooling and stomachic. | Carbohydrates, proteins, fatty acids and other active metabolites like flavonoids, tannins, phenols, alkaloids, steroids and triterpenoids, lignans, lactones, flavones, anthocyanins etc. [25,26] |
Madhuca latifolia J.F. Gmelin. Syn. M.indica J F Gmel. Family: Sapotaceae English Name: Indian butter tree (Figure 2a) | This small very nutritious fruit is the basic food for most of the tribes in Central India for centuries. Leaves are astringent, flowers are used in cough, bronchitis and kidney complaints. | Sugar, vitamin, protein, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, Vitamins A & C. Good source of α- and β-amyrin acetates. Arachidic, linolelic, oleic, myrisic, palmitic and stearic acids, α-alanine, aspartic acid, cystine, glycine, isoleucine and leucine, lysine [12] |
Moringa oleifera Lamk. Family: Moringaceae English Name: Drum stick tree | Leaves are eaten as supplement to main food; often preferred for use in malnutrition, anaemia, asthma, anti-inflamatory, anthelmintic and ophthalmic | Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins and cinnamates. |
Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard Family: Sapotaceae English Name: Obtuse leaved Mimusops (Figure 2d) | The stem bark is boiled and used as tonic and astringent. antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antidiabetic, antibacterial | Starch, terpenoids, proteins, anthraquinoneglycoside, cardiac glycoside, saponins and tannins in bark [27] |
Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. Family: Mimosaceae English Name: Madras thorn, Manilla tamarind | Analgesic and anti-inflammatory (Sahu and Mahato, 1994). | Saponins and flavanoids |
Phoenix sylvestris Roxb. Family: Arecaceae English Name: Wild Date Palm (Figure 2c) | Fruits are edible. Mostly prevalent in dry land; most favourite fruits for children | Vitamin B complex, Ascorbic acid; Fruits contain fibers as well. |
Phyllanthus emblica L. Family: Euphorbiaceae English Name: Indian gooseberry | Fruits consumed raw as well as cooked; often prepared prickles and tonic pastes have been the commonest supplementary to main food | Excellent source of Vitamin C, Ascorbic acid Asthma, bronchitis, bleeding gums, scurvy, diabetes, anaemias, infection, weakness of memory, stress, tension and loss of hair. |
Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels Family: Myrtaceae Local Name: Jamun English Name: Black berry | Fruits are eaten raw; very tasty and known since antiquity as very effective tonic and medicine. | Fruits are used as an effective medicine against diabetes, heart and liver trouble. Seeds posses anti-inflammatory, anti-arthrtic, antipyretic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and analgesic activity [28] Contain Iron, Oleanolic acid and triterpenoids |
Tamarindus indica L. Family: Caesalpiniaceae Local Name: Imali English Name: Tamarind (Figure 1f) | Asthma, amenorrhoea, ulcers, fever, helminthiasis, wounds, jaundice, ringworms and laxative. | Calcium, iron, vitamin B,C, and phosphorous. Pectin, tartaric acid and dihydroxybutanedioic acid |
Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn) Roxb. Family: Combretaceae Local Name: Baheda English Name: Baleric myrobalan | Indigestion, diarrhoea, piles, leprosy, dropsy, biliousness, headache and fever. | Triterpenoids, Flavonoids, triterpines, sterols, phenolics and Lignans, [29] |
Terminalia chebula Retz. Family: Combretaceae Local Name: Harra English Name: Chebulic myrobalan | Not as part of food but consumed as a tonic to get relief from jaundice, colic, cough, asthma, haemorrhoids, diarrhea, spleen and liver disorder [30] | Chebulinic acid, tannic acid, gallic acid, resin, anthraquinone and sennoside |
Name of the Plant | Routine Usage | Chemical Composition |
---|---|---|
Achyranthes aspera L. Family: Amaranthaceae English Name: Prickly-chaff flower | Leaves are cooked as vegetable ;Pungent, astringent, diuretic, pneumonia, dysentery, Fever, Asthma and poisonous bite | Alkaloid achyranthine and betaine. |
Argemone mexicana L. Family: Papaveraceae English Name: Prickly poppy | Not consumed as food but very effective in certain ailements as prescribed by local vaidyas | Dropsy, jaundice, cutaneous infection, diarrhoea, dysentery, leprosy, cough and wounds. |
Centella asiatica (L.) Urban Family: Apiaceae English Name: Indian penny wort | Leaves are boiled or made paste for eating as a tonic. | Asiaticosides, Asiatic and madecassic acid Effective in curing Anxiety, neurosis, memory enhancer, jaundice, leprosy, rheumatism, bronchitis, asthma and kidney trouble |
Coccinia indica Wight & Arn. Family: Cucurbitaceae English Name: Ivy Gourd (Figure 2f) | Skin diseases, bronchitis, diabetes | Resin, alkaloids, starch, glucose, gum, fatty acids, carbonic acid, calcium, iron and phosphorus. |
Curcuma longa L. Family: Zingiberaceae English Name:Turmeric | Used for centuries as a major additive powder for preparing vegetables and curry items; used as antiseptic | Curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin and Curcuminoids |
Daucus carota L. Family: Apiaceae English Name: Carrot | Regularly eaten as a vegetable; modern salad always includes carrot Appetizer, carminative, digestive, diuretic, anthelmintic, cardiotonic | Beta-carotene, α-terpinolene, α-pinene, β-pinene, myrcene and myristicin. Appetizer, carminative, digestive, diuretic, anthelmintic, cardiotonic ophthalmic, anorexia and bleeding gums |
Gentiana kurroo Royle Family: Gentianaceae English Name: Indian Gentian | Casual food supplement to Improve appetite, stomachic, fever and blood purifier | Gentiopicroside, xanthones, monoterpene alkaloid; polyphenol and flavones |
Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Family: Malvaceae English Name: Red sorrel | Mixed with vegetable Diuretic, choretic, hypotensive, debility, conjunctivitis, swelling and inflammation. | Diuretic, choretic, hypotensive, debility, conjunctivitis, swelling and inflammation-contain-Anthocyane, flavonoids and mucilages |
Ocimum sanctum L. Family: Lamiaceae English Name: Holy Basil (Figure 4b) | Leaves almost regularly used by many persons since ancient times. Serves as precautionary food item among traditional medicines for Cough, bronchitis, catarrh, wounds, anorexia, ophthalmopathy, anthelmintic, skin and genitor-urinary disorder. | Terpenes and Eugenol |
Mentha spicata L. Family: Lamiaceae English Name: Spearmint (Figure 4a) | Leaves always mixed with simple food items of breakfast; Leaves also made paste to mix with vegetables and curries. Known to cure constipation, diarrhea and nausea, headaches, migraines, nervous strain, fatigue and stress, asthma, bronchitis, catarrh and sinusitis. | This aromatic herb contains 60–70% carvone and about 10% limonene. Extracts possess antioxidant potential and protect DNA damage. Total polyphenol extracted from 1 mg leaves equals 500 microgram of gallic acid [31] Medicinal compounds: a-pinene, b-pinene, carvone, 1,8-cineole, linalool, limonene, myrcene, caryophyllene and menthol. |
Momordica dioica Roxb.ex Willd Family: Cucurbitaceae English Name: Spine gourd | Astringent, diuretic, laxative, antiasthmatic, antipyretic, antidiabetic, aphrodisiac, antihemorroidal, hepatoprotective, bleeding piles and urinary complaints | Alkaloid, steroids, tritepenoids |
Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn. Family: Euphorbiaceae English Name: Carry Me Seed, Black catnip, Child pick-a-back | Jaundice, stomachic, diuretic, diarrhoea | Phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin |
Paspalum scrobiculatum L. Family: Poaceae English Name: Kodo Millet | In dry seasons in almost all villages and extreme rural areas in Northern India grains are used as an alternative to rice Kodo millet is a nutritious grain. | Protein, fibre, carbohydrates, calcium, and also contain high amounts of polyphenols, an antioxidant compound |
Panicum miliaceum L. Family: Poaceae English Name: Proso Millet, Hog Millet or White Millet. | It is sold as health food, and due to its lack of gluten, it can be included in the diets of people who cannot tolerate wheat. | Protein, calcium, lysine, arginine, glycine and alanine. |
Solanum nigrum L. Family:Solanaceae English Name: Black Night-shade | Leaves are eaten as vegetables in poor areas of tribes in Jharkhand and Bastar (Indian states).Leaves and small fruits are taken as raw but only when advised. | Psoriasis, ringworm, rheumatism, gout, dysentery, colitis and skin disease Alkaloids solanine, solamargine, saponin |
Zinziber officinale Roscoe Family: Zingiberaceae English Name: Ginger | Used as an additive food item to be mixed with vegetables curry and drinks for centuries | Gingerol Excellen remedy with honey to cure cough and cold |
Termitomyces eurrhizus (Berk.) Heim. Syn. Termitomyces albuminos (Berk.) Heim. Family: Tricholomataceae English Name: Termite mushroom (Figure 3f) | Edible mushroom found wild in the forest floor where enough humus retains after rainy season. Due to high proteinaceous nutrient content many edible mushrooms are cultivated world over. | Basically rich in aminoacids, particularly lysine; higher protein and fibers content with vitamin D; a substance lentinan (a beta glucan); inhibits tumour ontogeny; rich in phosphorous and potassium; too lees caloric value makes mushrooms even more favoured dish in modern food items. |
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Goswami, H.K.; Ram, H.K. Ancient Food Habits Dictate that Food Can Be Medicine but Medicine Cannot Be “Food”!! Medicines 2017, 4, 82. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines4040082
Goswami HK, Ram HK. Ancient Food Habits Dictate that Food Can Be Medicine but Medicine Cannot Be “Food”!! Medicines. 2017; 4(4):82. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines4040082
Chicago/Turabian StyleGoswami, Hit Kishore, and Hitendra Kumar Ram. 2017. "Ancient Food Habits Dictate that Food Can Be Medicine but Medicine Cannot Be “Food”!!" Medicines 4, no. 4: 82. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines4040082