ABSTRACT
South Africa, a biodiversity hotspot, is rich in medicinal and aromatic plants covering an extensive area with different environmental conditions. The geographical position of Brazil, its geomorphology, the presence of flora of past geological eras, and the coexistence and interplay of biotic and non-biotic factors have defined it as a region of high plant diversity and endemism, a fact that also impacts the category of medicinal and aromatic plants. Recently, significant attention has been gained among scientists for assessment of pharmacological and clinical applications of aromatic plants from Brazilian species due to their vital therapeutic contributions. Concurrently, there is a shift within developing countries from subsistence to commercial usage. Moreover, the aromatic plants are playing an important role in sustainable development, environmental protection, and public health. Brazilin aromatic plants are expected to play an important role in the country agricultural profile due to quantitative and qualitative advantages. In addition, the aromatic plants can help small-scale farmers strengthen their livelihoods and as a result, greater access to a wider range of assets can be achieved, and a capacity to build these into successful and sustainable activities. In this chapter, a brief on pharmacological and clinical application of Brazilian aromatic species including Aniba rosaeodora Ducke, Casearia sylvestris Sw., Spilanthes acmella var. oleracea (L.), and Xylopia aromatica (Lam.) Mart have been emphasized.
