Spices Are Also Medicine: Some Studies on Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Spice Plants in Vietnam

Abstract

Spices are commonly used in the daily meals of Vietnamese families. They not only bring a specific flavor to the dishes but are also drugs that help naturally increase disease resistance. Spices are also used in folk remedies to cure or prevent certain diseases. When the world faces the quick change of pathogenic microorganisms, antibiotic-resistant bacteria regularly appear, then searching for more natural sources of medicine becomes necessary. Many studies have been conducted to screen bioactive substances from the rich and diverse plant sources of Vietnam. Extracts from spices and from several spice mixtures were evaluated for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, indicating their potential as medicine. In this chapter, some research on the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of spice plants in Vietnam and some traditional ways to use spices as medicine will be presented.