Posts covering ingredients found in food.
Eucommia ulmoides (Du Zhong)
Du Zhong (Eucommia ulmoides Oliver) is an important medicinal plant found in China. It is the only member of the genus Eucommia and is found […]
Ingredients
The Benefits Of Common Chicory (Endive)
Common chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. It has spread all over the world and is especially common in temperate […]
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) in Food
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer commonly added to food. Its use has been both celebrated for its umami taste and criticized due to […]
Lanolin Is That Key Ingredient In Skin Lotions
Lanolin is a common ingredient of skin products and an important one for helping to keep skin free of bacteria and fungi. In skin lotions […]
Harungana
Harungana might not be an ingredient on everybody’s lips but it might be something you see in your skin creams. It is claimed to ‘redensify […]
Camphor And Camphor Oil
Camphor oil is an important commodity for many people. The Chinese especially use it for particularly medicinal purposes. Properties The therapeutic properties of camphor oil […]
The Shiitake Mushroom
The shiitake [Lentinula edodes or Lentinus edodes] mushroom is one of the most popular edible mushrooms in China and other parts of East Asia. It is […]
Aristolochic Acids In Some Herbal Medicines Capable Of Causing Liver Cancers As Well As Kidney Cancers
Not all Chinese medicinal herbs are safe. One group in particular causes serious kidney diseases and cancers due to a series of compounds found in […]
Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Jiaogulan)
To many of us in the west, Jiaogulan is not a name on many people’s lips. It is a traditional food and tea from China […]
Cooking Rice From Italy: Arborio, Carnaroli & Vialone Nano
A risotto is one of the sublime dishes to come out of Italy. One of the key ingredients is rice but not any ordinary rice. […]
Tonka Beans
If you watch MasterChef on UK television, I’m sure you will have heard tonka beans mentioned a few times. These are an exotic ingredient that […]
Saffron – A Natural Food Colouring And Flavouring
If you are lucky enough to visit Turkey or Iran, or even Saffron Walden, you might be lucky enough to see fields of purple crocus. […]
Regulations On Herbal Medicinal Products In The EU
The regulations surrounding herbal medicinal products are based on scientific opinions that relate to both herbal substances and the preparations that are derived from them. […]
Cassia Bark
Cassia bark is an aromatic bark that looks rather similar to cinnamon. The bark appears darker however, is much thicker and coarser and in many […]
Apricot Kernel Oil
Apricot kernel oil is ideal for sensitive skin and is also suitable for delicate baby and children’s skin. It has a slightly marzipan scented oil […]
Glycine
Glycine is the simplest amino-acid in the body but possible one of its most important. It has a broad role in many metabolic functions:- muscle, […]
Carnauba Wax
Carnauba Wax is a widely used glazing agent and polish in a variety of applications from food, through to cosmetics and as a general polish. […]
Candelilla Wax
Glazing agents are often used to coat confectionary and cakes to make them more appealing. One of the glazing agents in common use which includes […]
