Phytochemicals or Constituents

“Phyto-” means “plant,” so “phytochemicals” are chemicals produced by plants. These chemical compounds or constituents are formed in a plant’s normal metabolic processes. Phytochemicals are often referred to as primary or secondary metabolites, depending on their purpose in the plant.

There are several classes, including alkaloids, anthraquinones, coumarins, fats, flavonoids, glycosides, gums, iridoids, mucilages, phenols, phytoestrogens, tannins, terpenes and terpenoids.