Indian Herbal Medicines: Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties [Paperback]

This book discusses the scope and limitations of the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of foods as medicines or medicinal coadjuvants in traditional Indian herbal therapies.

The first chapter introduces readers to the relevance of the Ayurveda system, its holistic classification approach, applications of selected herbs and the demonstrable efficacy of herbal extracts in terms of antimicrobial susceptibility. In turn, the second chapter discusses the antimicrobial properties and kinetic mechanisms of inhibition ascribed to selected vegetable extracts. The third chapter addresses the antioxidant power of phenolic compounds from vegetable products and herbal extracts. The book closes with a review of natural antioxidant agents role in the treatment of metabolic disorders.

Written from an Indian perspective, this book unravels the chemistry of the traditional Indian diet and its impact on health. Further, it can serve as a reference for other traditional productswith similar health claims.

Ramesh Kumar Sharma is currently Food Safety Consultant and Scientific Writer, having previously worked as Chemist in various capacities including: Fellow, Science Education Centre, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur (1978-79); and as Chief Investigator for UNICEFs Play Material Project. He is Co-Author (with Salvatore Parisi) of the book Toxins and Contaminants in Indian Food Products, published by Springer.

Maria Micali is an experienced Author in the field of food science and technology, with a particular focus on chemistry, microbiology and hygiene. Dr. Micali obtained her Ph.D. in Food HygielCÐ