Sweet corn: Genetic aspects, agronomic and nutritional traits

Abstract

Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Brown is an aromatic subshrub belonging to the Verbenaceae family, which occurs in practically all regions of Brazil and has a large importance in Brazilian folk medicine. In the popular medicine it is used as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, sedative and antispasmodic. Aiming to contribute for a bigger knowledge of the species, it is presented a revision involving chemical, agronomical and pharmacological studies published. Pharmacological studies had proven sedative and anxiolytic activities. Real effects in other traditional uses can be explained mainly by anti-infectious and analgesic properties. Lippia alba also has anti-protozoan, antibacterial and antifungal activities, which can be exploited in organic agriculture.