Medicinal plants have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. From aloe to turmeric, gingko to echinacea, these plants have been used in traditional medicine practices since prehistoric times. In this article, we'll explore the healing power of medicinal plants and how they can be used to improve health and wellbeing. Medicinal plants such as aloe, tulsi, neem, turmeric and ginger are known for their therapeutic properties and beneficial pharmacological effects on the human or animal body. For example, basil (Tulsi) is used to make medicines, black tea, pooja and other activities in daily life.
Gingko is one of the oldest homeopathic plants and a key herb in Chinese medicine. Its leaves are used to create capsules, tablets and extracts, and when dried, they can be consumed as tea. Studies suggest that gingko can treat patients with mild to moderate dementia and may slow cognitive decline in dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Turmeric is native to India and is believed to have anti-cancer properties and may prevent mutations. It has been used as a medicinal herb for 4,000 years and is a tentpole of an Indian alternative medicine practice called Ayurveda.
Studies have found that evening primrose oil has anti-inflammatory properties and can help with conditions such as atopic dermatitis and diabetic neuropathy. It can also help with other health problems, such as breast pain. Flax seed is one of the safest options among plant-based dietary supplements. Harvested for thousands of years, today flax seed is praised for its antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory benefits. While more research with humans is needed, studies suggest that flax seed may help prevent colon cancer and lower blood pressure.
It can even help reduce obesity when consumed. The best way to add flax seeds is through diet. Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of a tree native to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. Studies suggest that it has antimicrobial superpowers in wounds and topical infections. Wilson recommends that tea tree oil, like all essential oils, be diluted in a carrier oil. Echinacea is much more than those beautiful purple flowers that you see dotting gardens.
These flowers have been used for centuries as medicine in the form of teas, juices and extracts. The most well-known use of echinacea is to shorten the symptoms of the common cold, but further studies are needed to verify this benefit and understand how echinacea increases immunity when there is a virus. Medicinal plants, also called medicinal herbs, have been discovered and used in traditional medicine practices since prehistoric times. Plants synthesize hundreds of chemical compounds for functions including defense against insects, fungi, diseases and herbivorous mammals. Numerous phytochemicals with potential or established biological activity have been identified. The first archaeological evidence dates back to the 18th century when Native Americans first used echinacea as a medicinal herb.
William Withering was treating a patient with severe dropsy caused by heart failure when he noticed that the therapeutic dose of foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) was very close to the toxic level where it could be effective in treating the condition. In conclusion, medicinal plants have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. While more research is needed on some medicinal plants, many have been proven effective in treating various conditions.
