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 […]
FOOD AND DRINK
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 […]
Cabernet Sauvignon: Origins, Characteristics, and Production
Cabernet Sauvignon, often referred to as the “king of red wines,” is one of the most renowned and widely planted grape varieties in the world. […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Asian Pear (Pyrus pyrifolia)
If you are fortunate enough to be offered a russett looking pear in Asia, it will no doubt me a sign of honour to the […]
Determining Moisture Content In Foods
Knowing how much moisture or water in a food is a critical value with ramifications for food testing, preservation and safety, and quality. Moisture content […]
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 […]
The Rose Apple (Syzygium jambos)
The Rose Apple, Syzygium jambos is a plant in the Myrtaceae family – the Myrtles. The plant which used to be known scientifically as Eugenia […]
The Nutritional Benefits Of Peaches
Peach, like any fruit is healthy for all of us. Recent work shows that peaches contain three anthocyanins and 14 non-coloured phenolics. All these compounds […]
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. […]
Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts have a number of health benefits, not least of all being that they are selenium-rich and have been attributed with:- improving heart health […]
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. […]
Sword Bean (Canavalia gladiata)
Sword Bean (Canavalia gladiata) is a member of the Fabaceae family. It grows mainly in India, south Asia and Africa. It is commercially grown for […]