Medicinal plants chemicals are substances present in plants for specific activities in plants life. Respond to millions years of evolution, different plant species interacting with the environment.
Many compounds are necessary for protection against climate and pollutants agressions (sun, cold, heat, etc.) against predators (herbivores, insects), parasites (worms, insect larvae) or infections (bacteria, fungi, virus). Other compounds are involved in plant reproduction and growth, such as hormones or growth factors, or are used to attract birds and insects to carry out pollen and seeds, thus ensuring reproduction and dispersal of these species. Some compounds are also involved in plants structure to keep them upright and for humidity maintenance. Other compounds are intermediate metabolites of normal chemical reactions.
The main concept is that herbal substances with medicinal activity are vital components of the normal plants physiology and were discovered along many years by human communities that lived in close relationship with nature. Without the aim to classify the active ingredients, it can be said that medicinal actions are fulfilled by chemical reactions, mechanical and physical effects or as nutritional supplementation.
Chemical groups such as alkaloids, saponins, essential fatty acids and glycosides are the most important, with a special remark on subgroups as flavonoids, polyphenols and bitter substances. Fiber, both soluble and insoluble, acts in a mechanical way. The vitamins, minerals and water are nutrients.
Major chemical reactions are: antioxidant activity, performed by a large amount of chemicals (polyphenols, carotenoids), hormonal activity (isoflavones), enzyme regulation (indoles, terpenes), interference with gene replication (saponins), antiparasitic and antimicrobial activity (terpenes) and anti-inflammatory activity.
In another entry I will give examples of activities to make the subject a little more understandable and enjoyable.
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