Abstract

A wide variety of plants commonly growing around us in the surrounding environment have been known for their medicinal values and traditional uses since ages. Their remarkable antioxidant properties and healing abilities provide health care to human beings. This helps in prevention of many chronic diseases and delay in early ageing. Thus, the medicinal plants form the major part of not only the traditional medicinal systems but also in modern pharmaceuticals. The present review focuses on the ethno-medicinal use and pharmacological actions of some of the very commonly used spices from the Indian homes, viz., Pepper, Cardamom, Clove, Cumin and Fenugreek seeds. All these plants are used for the cure of different diseases.