Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases
Disclaimer
: Do not consult these databases unless you
agree not to hold the compilers or the USDA liable for any errors or
omissions. Data were gathered rather randomly from the literature on
economic plants, none of which will ever be completely known
phytochemically. These data were compiled by human beings, mostly Jim
Duke and Stephen Beckstrom-Sternberg, from published, or rarely,
personally communicated sources by human beings. To err is human! For any
serious studies, values, especially deviant values, need to be rechecked
with original sources. Neither the compilers nor the USDA recommend self
diagnosis or self medication; the compilers do urge serious studies of
herbal alternatives, believing that in many cases, the herbal alternative
may contain several synergistic compounds that will, in fact, do what
empirical trials have suggested, as recorded in the folklore (See
ETHNOBOTANY database). Where these biologically active compounds
occur in the edible portions of long established food species, we could be
dealing with promising "food farmacy" alternatives. Synergies often
double the rates of biological activities, but sometimes increase them an
order of magnitude or two or more. Plants usually contain synergistic
suites of phytoprotective chemicals which are often responsible for their
medicinal uses as well. Evolution would favor synergies and disfavor
antagonisms in such suites of compounds. If we have learned anything in
the preparation of this database, it is that the levels of biologically
active compounds vary widely, often one or two, sometimes more orders of
magnitude. An increase in one compound from a suite of compounds is
usually compensated for by a decrease in another compound(s). All plants,
like all animals, contain toxins and carcinogens. Even commonly ingested
food plants, like peanuts, can be fatally allergic to sensitive people.
- James A. Duke
- ETHNOBOTANIST
- ARS/USDA BELTSVILLE MD 20705
- FAX 301-498-5738
- PHONE (OFFICE) 301-504-5419
- Send e-mail to Jim Duke:
jimduke@cpcug.org
Written - 29 March 1995
Last updated - 13 June 1996
