The phenolic compounds from plants have a significant role in human diet as antioxidants. Their main sources are fruits, vegetables and beverages etc. However, by-products from food and agriculture also have valuable amounts of phenolic antioxidants. These phenolic compounds are effective in curing of many diseases including cancer, cardiovascular, contagious, viral and inflammatory diseases.

Current studies were performed to evaluate the medicinal importance of propolis and its origin and physiochemical composition depending upon the nature of vegetations present in various localities. The propolis contains a myriad of chemical compounds such as flavonoids, esters, phenolic acid, amino acids and terpenoids. Different analytical techniques (e.g., TLC, GC, HPLC, MS, NMR and GC-MS) are used for the characterization of various constituents of Propolis.

Asphaltum is produced by the decomposition of plants on rock’s surface; the secretions of plants i.e. latex, gums and resins. An unprocessed asphaltum may contain fulvic acid, humic acid, amino acid, essential fatty acids, gums proteins, waxes, steroids, and vitamins. It also contains plenty of calcium and trace amounts of aluminum, magnesium, potassium, and iron, etc. Asphaltum has so many therapeutic applications because of its two major and primary compounds i.e. fulvic acid and dibenzo-α-pyrones.