If you like Japanese food you may by now know what Wasabi is, or at least guess because not many people knows where this strong greenish condiment known as Wasabi comes from.

Wasabi (わさび（山葵）), originally 和佐比, Wasabia japonica or Eutrema japonica, also commonly known as Japanese horseradish, is is one of the most popular spices in many Asian countries, especially in Korea and Japan [6], a plant member of the Brassicaceae family, which includes cabbages, horseradish, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and mustard [1]. The root of Wasabia japonica is used as the source of an extremely spicy condiment used in many Japanese traditional dishes as sushi or sashimi. The name Wasabi translates from the Japanese as "mountain hollyhock" [10].

Wasabi rhizome is a very popular pungent spice in Japan, where it has been used to treat rheumatic arthralgia, through promoting blood circulation and alleviation of pain [6], and it is known that some of the active constituents found on it, namely the Isothiocyanates, exert also anti-cancer properties. Other physiological functions found in Wasabi include its use as appetite enhancer [11]. One of the facts that differences Wasabi from other Brassicaceae species is its higher concentration of Isothiocyanates (ITCs), especially long-chain ITCs [11].

Isothiocyanates are other plant extracts with flavoring properties that are arising as promising antimicrobial agents, with activities often rivaling synthetic chemicals [1]. Image left: Wasabi by Adrian8_8 under Creative Common license (CC BY 2.0).

WASABIA JAPONICA

Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Wasabia
Common name: Wasabi, Mountain hollyhock, Yunnan horseradish, Yunnan wasabi .

Curcuma longa, a bitter taste tropical plant that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family cultivated extensively in Asia, India, China and many other countries [1], has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat multiple symptoms and as a natural remedy for many other ailments and affections. Curcuma longa resembles a lot other Zingiberaceae family plants as Zingiber officinale (Ginger), and as this one has many known properties and health benefits. The powder obtained from the dried rhizome of Curcuma longa (turmeric), known as curry, is used in many traditional Indian dishes and is part of the Indian diet since centuries ago.

Almost everyone is familiar with the yellow color of curry, but not everyone knows that this color is the effect of a polyphenol found in Curcuma longa rhizome, a polyphenol known as Curcumin.

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), one of the most active chemical constituents found in Turmeric or Curcuma longa, is a pungent, bitter and astringent Turmeric constituent that has been traditionally used in herbal preparations and as a dye and flavoring agent, a polyphenol compound from the group of curcuminoids. Now scientists from Ludwig-Maximilans University in Munich (LMU) led by PD Dr. Beatrice Bachmeier, have discovered that Curcumin suppresses metastases of certain cancers. Image: Turmeric root by Shu Tu under Creative Commons license (CC BY 2.0).

CURCUMA LONGA

Family: Zingiberaceae
Genus: Curcuma
Common name: Turmeric, Curcuma longa, Curcuma domestica Valeton.

Plumbago zeylanica, commonly known as Chitrak, is an herbaceous plant that has been deeply researched for its anti-cancer properties, properties which are thought to be exerted due to the high content of Plumbagin, an active constituent found in Plumbago zeylanica, Juglans regia (English Walnut), Juglans cinerea (whitenut) and Juglans nigra (blacknut) [9].

Now, a group of scientists and researchers from the Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin, have discovered how Plumbagin, a quinoid constituent isolated from the roots of the medicinal plant Plumbago zeylanica used in Indian and Chinese systems of medicine for more than 2,500 years for the treatment of various types of ailments [9], inhibits in vivo prostate cancer development in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate [9].

The Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin, were the first ones to publish in another study in 2008 how plumbagin inhibited the growth and invasion of hormone refractory prostate cancer cells [9]. Image left: Plumbago zeylanica by Latihamba under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0).

PLUMBAGO ZEYLANICA

Family: Plumbaginaceae
Genus: Plumbago
Common name: Ceylon leadwort, Doctorbush [5,6], Chitrak.

Obesity is, together with cancer, one of the 21st century problems in developed countries, contributing to increased mortality. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2006 and 2007–2008, over two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, and over one-third are obese [1,2].

Fortunately some scientists and researchers keep on investigating some foods or supplements such as green tea, fiber, and calcium supplements or dairy products that may complement a healthy lifestyle to produce small weight losses or prevent weight gain over time [3]. Image left: China green tea by Marius B under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0).

Some of the properties and health benefits of green tea, rich in Polyphenols, and some of the active constituents that may be linked to this weight-loss properties are discussed in this article.

CAMELIA SINENSIS

Family: Teaceae
Genus: Camelia
Common name: Green tea