Medicinal plants have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. From relieving headaches to reducing cholesterol, these plants have remarkable health benefits. In this article, we will explore 20 medicinal plants and their uses. Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is one of the most revered medicinal plants in Ayurvedic texts.
There are four types of tulsi mentioned in Ayurvedic texts, i.e. Rama, Krishna, Vana & Kapoor Tulsi. Tulsi can be consumed in teas, used as a garnish, applied topically as essential oil, or consumed as a lozenge. It is known to help relieve headaches, tummy problems and even irritation caused by insect bites.
Catnip (nepeta cataria) is a fun plant for cats and humans alike. Most cats are attracted to the plant and roll close to it, since its scent acts as a stimulant. For humans, on the other hand, it is normally used as an analgesic for stress, sleep aid, and as a solution for skin problems. Most of its health benefits come from the presence of nepetalactone, thymol and other compounds that make this plant ideal for you and your furry friend.
Cayenne pepper (capsicum annuum) adds a spicy touch to any food or drink and is a popular detoxifier for many people. Capsaicin is the compound responsible for the spicy nature of cayenne, but it is also responsible for some of its health benefits. Some of these benefits include pain relief and cholesterol reduction. Chamomile (feverfew chamomilla) has a high concentration of antioxidants that make it a great plant for relieving a variety of ailments. Chamomile is commonly consumed as tea and you can make it at home by brewing dried chamomile flowers (just make sure that the flowers are completely dry).
Drinking a cup of chamomile tea before bed can help you relax and have a more restful night's sleep. Echinacea (echinacea purpurea) is also commonly known as purple echinacea. This is another flower that is normally used in tea to help calm different symptoms and strengthen the immune system. This popular herb is most often used to speed up recovery from the common cold. It is important to note that echinacea can cause negative effects, such as nausea and dizziness, if taken consistently in large doses. Peppermint (mentha piperita) has antimicrobial and antiviral properties when consumed as herbal tea or essential oil.
Studies show that all parts of the nettle plant have medicinal benefits, including antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Medicinal plants have been used for millennia, and science is just beginning to validate many of their traditional uses. The yellow dike has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant, using the leaves and roots to create herbal remedies. Hyssop essential oil has medicinal properties, but it has also been linked to epileptic seizures and should be taken with caution. Screening studies showed that this medicinal plant strongly inhibited adipogenesis, suggesting a possible anti-obesity activity. Pines are often grown for wood or as windbreaks, but few people realize that they are edible and medicinal. Chemical compounds in plants mediate their effects on the human body through processes identical to those already well known for chemical compounds of conventional medicines; therefore, herbal medicines do not differ much from conventional medicines in terms of their functioning.
Although many drugs have been produced from plant extracts, chemists sometimes find that synthetic versions do not have the same therapeutic effects or may have negative side effects that are not found when using the entire plant source. Most people are familiar with herbal teas, but there are actually several different ways to use herbal medicines both topically and internally. Calendula is one of the best-known medicinal plants and an excellent starting point for beginner herbalists. The plants included here are those that have been or are being used for medicinal purposes in at least one of those medicinal traditions. When I was starting my herbal journey, I read all kinds of things about belladonna in ancient medieval herbs and became incredibly interested in finding this medicinal plant.
