Latin Name: Ipomea batatas

Family: Convolvucea

Other Names: Batata

Culinary use

Sweet potato is a tuber with great nutritional values used in traditional cooking. It must be eaten cooked because it contains starch to be digested properly. Sweet potatoes can be boiled, baked, grilled or microwaved and served as a side dish.

Medicinal use

It is valuable medicinal plant having anti-cancer, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities.

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Latin Name: Eryngium foetidum

Family: Apiaceae

Other names: Culantro, recao, Mexican coriander, long coriander, sawtooth coriander

Culinary use

Is a herb used in most local dishes as well as many international dishes.

Medicinal use

Can be used to combat the flu, diabetes, constipation and fevers.

SOURCES

Plants of the World Online

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Latin Name: Ocimum basilicum

Family: Lamiaceae

Other names: Basil Lettuce, Common Basil, Mexican Basil, sweet basil, Genovese basil

Culinary use

Basil is a popular culinary herb that comes in many varieties and is used all over the world. It has a sweet, pungent and slightly peppery flavour that can have notes of cinnamon, liquorice, lemon and anise. It is available fresh and dried, and used raw and cooked in a wide variety of dishes, including sauces, soups, salads and drinks. It is the main ingredient in the Italian sauce pesto and a common pizza topping.

Medicinal use

In traditional medicine, basil has been used to help treat a wide variety of ailments. Studies have suggested it is effective in treating fungal, viral, bacterial and protozoal infections.

SOURCES

Plants of the World Online

Ambrose, Dawn C. P.; Manickavasagan, Annamalai; Naik, Ravindra (2016). Leafy Medicinal Herbs: Botany, Chemistry, Postharvest Technology and Uses

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Latin Name/Nombre Latino: Cymbopogon nardus

Family: Poaceae

Other names: Ceylon citronella, citronella grass

Culinary use

It is often used in teas and desserts

Medicinal use

The aroma is good for keeping mosquitoes away. The oil is used to expel worms or other parasites from the intestines. It is also used to control muscle spasms, increase appetite, and increase urine production.

SOURCES

Plants of the World Online

Useful Tropical Plants

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Latin Name: Artemisia dracunculus

Culinary use

Used as a garnish or a herb.

Medicinal use

Used for indigestion (dyspepsia), poor appetite, nausea and vomiting after surgery, toothache, sleep problems.

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Latin Name: Melissa officinalis

Family: Lamiaceae

Common names: Melissa balm, bee herb

Culinary use

An aromatic herb, good in drinks like teas and lemonade.

Medicinal use

A calming herb known to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion.

Source

Plants of the World Online

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Latin Name: Salvia Rosmarinus

Culinary use

Used as a herb to add flavor to dishes, good in teas.

Medicinal use

Has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-tumorigenic, antinociceptive, and neuroprotective properties.

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Latin Name: Artemisia vulgaris

Culinary use

Used as an aromatic herb to add flavor to dishes. Can be used in teas.

Medicinal use

Is used to treat digestive problems, irregular menstruation, and high blood pressure.

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Latin Name: Tilia

Family: Malvaceae

Other common name: Basswood

Culinary use

You can eat both the flowers and leaves of linden trees. The leaves in salad, and in tea.

Medicinal use

Helps with cough, cold remedies and helps people with fever.

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Latin Name: Manihot esculenta

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Other names: Yuca, Manioc, Cassava tapioca

Culinary use

Cassava is one of the most important cultivated tropical food crops. Its tuberous roots are high in carbohydrates and are eaten cooked in a variety of dishes. They are also fried as chips and processed into a flour called tapioca. The young leaves can be eaten cooked as a spinach-like vegetable. The roots and leaves are toxic when raw and need to be cooked before eating. 

Medicinal use

Cassava is believed to have antifungal, antiviral, mutagenic, and antibacterial properties. It has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of health problems, including diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, and indigestion.

SOURCES

Plants of the World Online

Useful Tropical Plants

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