Chemical Compounds from Plants

Traditional medicine has utilized plants and herbs for centuries, discovering a variety of ways by which these resources may be used to improve our well-being. One of the primary methods involves harnessing the chemical components contained within plants to create remedies that can have a considerable impact on our health. Of course, it is not possible to effectively harness natural resources without a more complete understanding of their makeup and what compounds may be beneficial. In an effort to make use of natural sources of compounds and medicines, chemists and healthcare practitioners have analyzed plants to identify the various constituents that can be useful for medicinal applications. In general, these include alkaloids, terpenes, phenolic compounds, essential oils, tannins, and coumarins. Alkaloids are compounds that contain nitrogen and oxygen and typically exhibit pharmacological effects. They are regularly used for depression, malaria and hypertension treatment, and can be found in a number of different plants, such as opium poppy, cacao, and black-eyed Susan. Terpenes contain a variety of oxygenated carboxylic acids, as well as compounds with aromatic and medicinal properties playing a role in the defense and metabolism of many plants, along with insects and other arthropods. These compounds are often found in products such as Bach Rescue Remedy and Chinese Medicine. Phenolic compounds are commonly found in plants and feature a carbon-containing aromatic ring compound, along with a hydroxyl group. They often possess antioxidant activities and can be useful in protecting cells from oxidative damage and pathogens. Essential oils are volatile oils that are typically composed of a combination of terpenes and phenolic compounds. They are extracted from the leaves, flowers, stems and bark of plants and have a variety of benefits when used in traditional medicines, including anti-inflammatory, soothing, and antioxidant properties. Tannins are polyphenols that feature astringent and antimicrobial properties and are often used to treat wounds and infections. They are typically found in plants such as grapes, so now can be used as a natural remedy for preventing oral hygiene problems. Finally, coumarins are commonly found in a variety of plants and feature antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.