NUTRACEUTICALS

Black cohosh

Feverfew

First harvest

Lecture series 2003

Plant medicine initiative

Prescription plants

Tissue culture

Team members

Program details

Nutraceuticals

Growing plants for medicine
Clemson scientists are linking agriculture with medicine as they study plants used for herbal medicines. These dietary supplements merge the benefits of nutrition with pharmaceuticals and are known as nutraceuticals.

Laboratory studies are analyzing the medically active ingredients in plants such as feverfew, ginkgo, echinacea, goldenseal, common mullein, black cohosh, and St. John’s wort. Field studies are testing the commercial possibilities for South Carolina farmers to grow and process the herbs as a new product.

In other studies, Clemson scientists are investigating methods of producing herbal plants in field plantings and using advanced micropropagation technology.

They are also working with colleagues at the Medical University of South Carolina to examine the ability of certain plant compounds to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in laboratory tests. These compounds are found in raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries that inhibit tumor growth.

Visitors since November 1, 2002

CLEMSON SITES
Extension Nutrition, Food Safety and Health

Food Safety & Quality Program

Food Safety Institute

Nutraceuticals Program

Nutrition &  Health Program

RELATED SITES
SC Dept. of Agriculture