Abstract: | Many members of the Anthemideae (Asteraceae) have deeply-entrenched cultural roots and are important as cut ornamental flowers and as aromatic and medicinal plants, many producing secondary metabolites used in folk and modern medicine, the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. These compounds produced by various species within this tribe will continue to be extracted long into the future as long as people are looking to alternative forms of medicine and relaxation such as aromatherapy. This review highlights the pharmacological activity of the main members of this tribe in terms of secondary metabolites isolated from them, as well as their global, social and economic relevance. © 2004 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved. |