ABSTRACT
One of the first forms of biofortification was the use of herbal-type crops. For over 4000 years, the Chinese people have effectively used medicinal herbs for medical treatments, including use as diuretics, pain relievers, health additives, and to relieve stasis. The therapeutic effect of Chinese medicinal herbs depends on their chemical constituents, most of which are organic compounds and trace elements that are key components of an essential enzyme system or other proteins. This chapter shows the 12 medicinal herbs and the constituents that we evaluated for use as diuretic treatments. According to Ou and other local medical doctors in Taiwan, the mean body weight of 3-year-old children is less than 15 kg. Taiwanese children are recommended to consume herbs at a rate of about 6 g per day. The National Academy of Sciences has listed essential and toxic elements for human nutrition.
