Spices and herbs as immune enhancers and anti-inflammatory agents: a review

Abstract

Spices and herbs have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, with research starting to accumulate on their beneficial properties. Of these properties, the immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory capabilities of many spices and herbs have led to promising results. The current review article aims to explore the current research of several spices and herbs as immune-enhancers and anti-inflammatory agents. The spices and herbs examined are African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea), allspice (Pimenta dioica), basil (Ocimum basilicum), black pepper (Piper nigrum), chili powders (Capsicum species), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), Devil’s claw (Harpagophytem procumbens), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), oregano (Origanum vulgare), rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), rosemary/sage (Salvia rosmarinus/officinalis), saffron (Crocus sativus), South African geranium (Pelargonium sidoides), and turmeric (Curcuma longa). All the spices and herbs exhibited immune-enhancing or immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory capabilities through various processes. Rooibos and oregano had the most contradictory results, with some studies finding pro-inflammatory properties, especially at high doses regarding oregano. Turmeric had the most extensive research with positive results.

Natural nutraceuticals, especially functional foods, their major bioactive components, formulation, and health benefits for disease prevention: an overview

“…In traditional medicine, herbs and spices have been used for centuries, with much information currently growing regards theirbeneficial properties, largely immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory aspects that show promising results. In a recent review that spices and herbs as immune enhancers and anti-inflammatory agents, Garnier and Shahidi(2021) ginger (Zingiber officinale), as well as oregano (Origa-num vulgare). Further reading at Garnier and Shahidi( 2021) is encouraged because this review discussedexamples exhaustively the above-named herbs /spices based on current uses, bioactive compounds, immune enhancing /antiinflammatory aspects, as well as recent advancements, where applicable.…”

“…For instance, curcumin in turmeric, [6]-gingerol in ginger, saponin and fiber in fenugreek, capsaicin in red pepper, allicin in garlic have nutraceutical properties given by several physiological and medicinal effects. Spices and herbs such as ginger, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, fenugreek, garlic, turmeric, red pepper, etc., have nutraceutical properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, immune promoting, antihistamine, immunomodulatory, anticancer, cardioprotective, and blood pressure lowering properties, among others (Chauhan et al, 2013;Garnier and Shahidi, 2021;Chopra et al, 2022).…”

The Influence of Different Concentrations of Plant Hormones in Vitro on Seeds Germination of Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum)

“…Historically, fenugreek leaves and seeds were used for several therapeutic purposes, including treating mouth ulcers and chapped lips, treating baldness, and alleviating abdominal and abscess pain. These were just a few of the applications of fenugreek in the subcontinent of India, Greece, Arab nations, and China [11][12][13]. Various genotypes of fenugreeks are found globally as shown in Table 2, which differ in growth, morphology, seed quality, and crop production.…”