Nutraceutical a term introduced in 1989 by Stephan De Felice has two words nutrition and
pharmaceutical. The term executes nutritional as well as pharmaceutical properties and hence useful in
management of chronic disorders. Awareness about nutritious as well as healthy diet among general
public has revolutionized the need for nutraceuticals. Though the deaths due to malnutrition status have
been successfully reduced by the green revolution and the prevailing condition due to improper nutrition
that deprives health is being managed still the surge of lifestyle disorders or Non-Communicable
Diseases (NCD) such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, etc. is increasing in the India as well as across the
world affecting the overall health scenario.
Medicinal plants showcase multiple target strategy. Drugs like Shatavari (Asparagus Racemosus),
Amla and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) have promosing potentials and gained popularity as
nutraceuticals in very short span. They exhibit their potentials by boosting immunity, improving
metabolism, anti-inflammatory action and disease inhibiting modes. The typical daily diet of Indian
population includes types of leafy vegetables, spices, herbal delicacies, legumes, fruits and seeds which
impart palliative, preventive and modulatory role as nutraceuticals in health maintenance alone or in
synergistic combinations.
Herbs like ginger, garlic, curcumin, cumin, cardamom and Tulsi are the traditional dietary
ingredients and are rich in phytonutrients, carotenoids, phenols, polyphenols, alkaloids, flavonoids.
Evidence of these being antioxidant, immune-modulators, memory enhancers and their revitalizing effect
is also observed. They have been linked to reduce severity of many diseases, including cancer,
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cardiac ailments and other debilitating conditions, metabolic disorders, stroke etc.
Keywords: Immunomodulatory, Chyawanprash, pathy-apathya, prakriti, ayurgenomics, non-communicable diseases
Publication date: 01/10/2023
https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2023/October/MS_IJBPAS_2023_7269.pdf
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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2023/12.10.7269
