Investigation of Anethum Graveolens L. from the view point of phytotherapy

Anethum graveolens L. (Apiaceae), used traditionally for carminative and stomachic purposes, has several preparations in the world and our country. In our thesis work, the essential and fixed oils of the samples, which have been cultivated by organic and conventional agriculture, of A. graveolens, existing widely in combination type of preparations used for these purposes have been elucidated using GC-MS technique. Although ? -phellandren was established as the major component in the essential oils of the aerial parts of both of the plant samples, a great difference was observed in terms of ? -phellandren and other components. Even though oleic acid was identified as the main fatty acid in the fixed oils of the fruits of these samples, a great divergence was also found in the percentages.The results obtained have underlined that cultivation and production techniques are very important from the view point of phytochemical equivalency and standardizability of the plants, which are used in preparation of herbal medicines.