ANCIENT AND TRADITIONAL FOODS PLANTS HERBS AND SPICES USED IN CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH AND DISEASE (HB 2023) Hardcover

The use of foods, herbs, and spices for healing and disease prevention dates back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptian papyri, Middle Eastern texts, and hieroglyphics detail how herbs and botanicals were cultivated and prepared to “heal the sick.” Even older records from India and China describe medicinal plants, some of which were unknown to European cultures. In fact, all early civilizations have visual documentation showing the medicinal use of foods, herbs, and spices. However, significant challenges remain in validating these traditional remedies through modern scientific evidence. Recent advancements in scientific methods have enabled deeper analysis of the composition and potential of these ancient treatments. Modern research has expanded beyond traditional applications, using tools such as molecular biology, cellular biochemistry, physiology, endocrinology, and medical imaging to investigate herbs and spices for properties like anti-cancer activity or potential toxicity. High-throughput screening and other sophisticated techniques are now used to explore these agents. Despite these advances, scientific data on traditional foods and botanicals remain scattered across various sources. Their broader health applications are often overlooked, and warnings about possible toxicity are frequently neglected. Ancient and Traditional Foods, Plants, Herbs and Spices used in Cardiovascular Health and Disease addresses these concerns, compiling scientific insights into their roles in heart health and disease prevention.