Main description:

The use of different foods, herbs and spices to treat or prevent disease has been recorded for thousands of years. Egyptian papyrus, hieroglyphics and ancient texts from the Middle East have described the cultivation and preparations of herbs and botanicals to "cure the sick". There are even older records from China and India. Some ancient scripts describe the use of medicinal plants which have never been seen within European cultures. Indeed, all ancient civilizations have pictorial records of different foods, herbs and spices being used for medical purposes. However, there are fundamental questions pertaining to the scientific evidence for the use of these agents or their extracts in modern medicine.

There have been considerable advances in scientific techniques over the last few decades. These have been used to examine the composition and applications of traditional cures. Modern science has also seen the investigation of herbs, spices and botanicals beyond their traditional usage. For example, plants which have been used for "digestion" or "medical ills" since time immemorial are now being investigated for anti-cancer properties or their toxicity, using high throughput screening. Techniques also include molecular biology, cellular biochemistry, physiology, endocrinology, and even medical imaging. However, much of the material relating to the scientific basis or applications of traditional foods, herbs, spices and botanicals is scattered among various sources. The widespread applicability of foods or botanicals are rarely described and cautionary notes on toxicity are often ignored. This is addressed in Ancient and Traditional Foods, Plants, Herbs and Spices Used in Diabetes.

Contents:

1. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Mediterranean Diet 2. The Use of Acacia Spp. For The Control of Blood Sugar in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus 3. A Review of The Plants Used for The Management of Diabetes 4. Jordanian Medicinal Plants in The Treatment of Diabetes 5. The Use of Medicinal Plants Derived Signalling Molecules for The Improvement Of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Antidiabetic Properties 6. Gaultheria Spp. Berries Use in Diabetes: Molecular, Cellular, and Metabolic Effects 7. Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna), The Natural Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Inhibitor Offers Cardiometabolic Protection 8. Banana (Musa Paradisiaca) As A Functional Food for Managing Diabetes 9. Beneficial Effects of Bilberry (Vaccinium Myrtillus L.) In Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease 10. Common Purslane (Portulaca Oleracea) Use in Diabetes: Molecular, Cellular, and Metabolic Effects 11. Corn Silk (Stigma Maydis) Use in Diabetes: Molecular, Cellular, And Metabolic Effects 12. Egyptian Balsam (Balanites Aegyptiaca) Use in Diabetes: Molecular, Cellular, and Metabolic Effects 13. Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum) and Use in Diabetes: Molecular and Cellular Aspects 14. Foxtail Orchid (Rhynchostylis Retusa): Anti-Diabetic Properties, Biodiversity, And Propagation 15. Indian Ginseng (Withania Somnifera) in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: An Evidence-Based Narrative Review 16. Medicinal Herbs and Spices in The Management of Diabetes 17. Kola Nut (Cola Nitida (Vent.) Schott & Endl.) Use in Diabetes: Molecular, Cellular, and Metabolic Effects 18. Mango (Mangifera Indica L.): Phytochemical Profile, Nutritional Aspects and Potential Anti-Diabetic Therapeutics Studies 19. Hemp Vine, Mikania Cordata (Asteraceae): Use in Diabetes 20. Mint Family Herbs (Lamiaceae Family) and Antidiabetic Potential 21. Northern Groundcone (Boschniakia Rossica) and Use in Diabetes Via Glucagon-like Peptide-1 22. Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L) Derived Abscisic Acid and Use in Diabetes 23. Scarlet Gourd (Coccinia Grandis L. Voigt): Use in Diabetes, Molecular, Cellular Metabolic Effects 24. Recommended Resources on Diabetes in Relation to Foods, Plants, Herbs and Spices in Human Health