Many are the health benefits and beneficial properties exerted by grapes. Grape seeds are rich in vitamin E, flavonoids, linoleic acid, and OPCs (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins)[3], probably the reason why grape seed extracts have showed to be so effective on the treatment of high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and even heart disease. But grapes are also a rich source of polyphenols, something that has been found to be an even better reason to have them as part of our diets.  Image left: Grapes in the setting sun by Christian Haugen under Creative Common License (CC BY 2.0).

Polyphenols are active constituents present in many fruits and plants, some of them used in multiple traditional herbal remedies, known to interact on different ways against carcinogenesis, tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis and inflammation. They also exert powerful antioxidant properties. In olives polyphenols contribute to give a bitter taste to olives and act also as astringents. Now, a study reveals even more properties are exerted by polyphenols than we thought.

VITIS VINIFERA

Family: Vitaceae
Genus: Vitis
Common name: Common grape vine

Oenothera biennis (Evening primrose) is a plant native to North America that blooms in early summer, between June and September.

Its name, Primerose originates from the Latin and means first flower [1]. The other part of the name, Evening, refers to one of the characteristics of its flowers, they bloom only in the evening, within a matter of a few minutes, and close back again at the beginning of next day (see video at the end of this article). This plant is native to North America and blooms in early summer, between June and September. Image: Evening primerose by J Brew under Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0).

OENOTHERA BIENNIS

Family: Onagraceae

Genus: Oenothera

Common names: Evening primrose.

Dan shen (Botanical name Salvia miltiorrhiza) and also known as red sage, Chinese sage and tan shen, is one of the most popular herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it has been used since centuries ago to improve blood flow, to treat chronic renal failure, heart conditions and strokes [1]. Dan shen can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea and some other Asian countries, where it is cultivated for its used in many traditional herbal remedies.