Abstract

Plants have been used as spices in the world since prehistoric periods. Different endemic and plants from other countries are exported to enhance the taste of the culinary preparations. For the taste of culinary dishes, India is one of the prime countries, where, herbs from various other countries are also imported or naturalized to fulfil the need. While going on market and hotel surveys in different parts of India, 42 plants belonging to herbs, shrubs, or trees were recorded with their use in pharmaceuticals or home remedies for the treatments of various ailments. The plant samples were deposited in the Museum of Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) as well as Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh). The pharmaceutical uses of these plants and the active principles, were also recorded from the available literature and common home remedies. The present communication deals with the therapeutic uses of the parts used as spices of these plants. The paper is presented with tables and graphs.

Key words: Medicinal plants, spices, antioxidant, therapeutic importance.