An Overview on Indications and Chemical Composition of Aromatic Waters (Hydrosols) as Functional Beverages in Persian Nutrition Culture and Folk Medicine for Hyperlipidemia and Cardiovascular Conditions

Abstract

Hydrosol beverages in Persian nutrition culture and ethnomedicine are the side products of essential oil industry that are used as delicious drinks or safe remedies. To investigate indications and chemical composition of hydrosol beverages for hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular conditions, Fars province was selected as the field of study. Ethnomedical data were gathered by questionnaires. The constituents of hydrosols were extracted with liquid/liquid extraction and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Statistical analysis were used to cluster their constituents and find the relevance of their composition. A literature survey was also performed on plants used to prepare them. Thymol was the major or second major component of these beverages, except for wormwood and olive leaf hydrosols. Based on clustering methods, although some similarities could be found, composition of barberry, will fumitory, dill, and aloe hydrosols have more differences than others. These studies may help in developing some functional beverages or new therapeutics.

A Survey on Chemical Constituents and Indications of Aromatic Waters Soft Drinks (Hydrosols) Used in Persian Nutrition Culture and Folk Medicine for Neurological Disorders and Mental Health

“…In our previous works on hydrosols used for cardiovascular conditions or women’s reproductive and hormonal conditions we have reported chemical composition of some of these aromatic waters such as wormwood, yarrow, oriental plane, and azarol howthorn. 10 , 11 On the other hand, it was essential for the current research to find relation between these aromatic waters using cluster analysis. Thus, the previously reported 10 , 11 aromatic waters were analyzed again to avoid any variation in results due to the experimental conditions.…”

“… 10 , 11 On the other hand, it was essential for the current research to find relation between these aromatic waters using cluster analysis. Thus, the previously reported 10 , 11 aromatic waters were analyzed again to avoid any variation in results due to the experimental conditions.…”

“…These diffrence between aromatic water and essential oil compositions may arise from polarity and solubility of volatile compositions in water. 10 , 11 It seems that due to different chemical composition, it is essential to consider different biological activities for aromatic waters compared with pure essential oils.…”

“…Identification of the volatile compounds was done using the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) or Wiley libraries, pervious literature, and by comparison with retention times and mass spectra of the reference compounds. 9 , 10 …”

Investigating Chemical Composition and Indications of Hydrosol Soft Drinks (Aromatic Waters) Used in Persian Folk Medicine for Women’s Hormonal and Reproductive Health Conditions

“…They are mostly mono-herbal but some poly-herbal hydrosol ( Aragh ) can be found in the food market. 10 , 11 Depending on the plants used to prepare each of the aromatic waters, an overall nature is considered including, hot, cold, wet, dry, or moderate. Pure essential oils are very potent or even harsh in presenting their medicinal activities and are not usually safe in oral administration.…”