Table 3 Herbal products containing nutrients for different health benefits

Vitamin A

Acts as antioxidant, useful for growth, development, and eye sight vision, helps in prevention and treatment of cancers and skin disorders

Aamaranth, spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, yellow maize, mangoes papayas

[69]

Vitamin D

Useful for bones and teeth development, helps in absorption of calcium from the body

Solanum lycopersicum, S. tuberosum, Cucurbita pepo, S. glaucophyllum, Nicotiana glauca, Cestrum diurnum, Medicago sativa, Trisetum flavescens, Capsicum annuum

[70]

Vitamin E

Acts as antioxidant, helps in formation of blood cells, lungs, muscles and nerve tissue, it also boosts immunity

Nuts, spinach, whole grains, olive oil, sunflower oil, coconut, maize, palm, soybean, wheatgerm

[71]

Vitamin K

Helps in clotting of blood

Kiwifruit, avocado, broccoli, green grapes, and lettuce

[72]

Vitamin C

Acts as antioxidant, maintains healthy bones, teeth and gums, helps in wound healing and cold

Herbal teas and tinctures from rose hips, pine needles, and tree barks

[73]

Vitamin B₁

Helps in conversion of food into energy, useful in neurologic functions

Whole grain cereals (e.g., brown rice and bran), nuts, dried beans, peas, and soybeans

[74]

Vitamin B₃

Helps in conversion of food into energy, useful in brain functions

Peanuts, coffee, beans, barley, wheat, rice, potato, soybean, maize

[75]

Vitamin B₆

Helpful in production of essential proteins and convert protein in to energy

Legumes, nuts, bananas, potatoes

[76]

Vitamin B₁₂

Helps in production of cells genetic material, aids in formation of red blood cells (RBCs), brain functions, and synthesis of amino acids, helps in metabolism of biomolecules

Boletus sp., Macrolepiota procera, Pleurotusos treatus, Morchella conica, Craterellus cornucopioides, Cantharellus cibarius, Lentinul aedodes, Hericium erinaceus

[77]

Folic acid

Helps in production of cells genetic material, first trimester of pregnancy, helps in formation of RBCs, protects body from heart diseases

Leafy vegetables, legumes, citrus fruits

[76]

Pantothenic acid

Helps in synthesis of cholesterol, acetylcholine steroids and fatty acids

whole grain cereals, broccoli

[76]

Calcium

Helps in strengthening bones and teeth, nerve conduction, functionality of muscle and glands

Orange juice, spinach, soybean, carrots, potato

[78]

Iron

Helps in production of energy production, carrying oxygen to tissues

Cereals, pulses, legumes, fruits, and St John's wort (flowers and leaves), sage (leaves), chamomile (flowers), mint (leaves) and nettle (leaves)

[79, 80]

Magnesium

Helps in nerve conduction and muscle function, formation of bone, prevention of premenstrual syndrome

St John's wort (flowers and leaves), sage (leaves), chamomile (flowers), mint (leaves) and nettle (leaves)

[80]

Phosphorous

Strengthening strong bones and teeth, formation of cells genetic material, production and storage of energy

Margarine oil, corn oil, peanut oil, beans, lentils, rice, maize flour, cornflakes

Chromium

Helps in conversion of fats and carbohydrate into energy along with insulin

Aniseed, basil, cinnamon, garlic, laurel, mint, mustard, nutmeg, onion, oregano, parsley, paprika, pepper, pepper, saffron, thyme, vanilla

Cobalt

Helps in production of vitamin B₁₂

legumes, spinach, cabbage, lettuce, beet greens, and figs.

Copper

Helps in formation of hemoglobin and production of collagen, maintains heart functions, helps in energy production and iron absorption from body

Potentilla anserina, Mentha arvensis, Achillea millefolium, Comarum palustre, Lysimachia vulgaris, and Lycopus europaeus

Iodine

Maintains thyroid gland functioning

Fruit, berries, nuts, seeds, potatoes

Zinc

Aids in reproduction of cells, growth and development in children, helpful in wound healing, generation of sperm and testosterone

St John’s wort (flowers and leaves), sage (leaves), chamomile (flowers), mint (leaves) and nettle (leaves)

Biotin

Regulation of several metabolic functions

Almonds, peanuts, walnuts, pecans, avocado, sweet potatoes and cauliflower

L-carnitine

Helps in oxidation of fatty acids, excretion of organic acid and help in oxidative phosphorylation

Avocado and asparagus

Choline

Helps in treatment of fatty liver and disturbed fat metabolism

Wheat germ, bacon, dried soybeans, Mustard seed, tomato

Vitamin F

Helps in development of various membranes and synthesis of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and fatty acids

Flaxseed, hemp oil, soya oil, canola oil, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, leafy vegetables, walnuts, sesame seeds, and avocados

Inositol

Helps in transportation of amino acid, potassium, and sodium

High-bran cereals, fruit, nuts, and beans