A comprehensive exploration of aromatic crops and their essential oils: Applications and uses

Abstract

Aromatic plants have been used as folk medicine and food preservatives since ancient times. The most famous plants used to extract aromatic oils, such as citronella, lemongrass, geranium, rose, jasmine, wormwood, rosemary and basil, are in Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean region. Aromatic herbs are particularly beneficial to human culture because they are cheaper and easier to use, unique, natural, sustainable, and generally considered non-toxic. Therefore, aromatic plants play an important role in human health. Increasing interest in aromatic plants brings new income. They contain many bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols, which have been shown to have antibacterial, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antiprotozoal, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Today, the demand for these plants and their derivatives, which are considered natural, environmentally friendly and safe products, is increasing. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the literature on the in vivo and in vitro use of aromatic plants.