Medicinal Plants
History
In every plant
There lives a spirit, more or less akin
Unto the spirit of humanity.
Some heal disease dire, others wake
Strange whimsies in the busy brains of man.
Ludwig Tieck -1773- 1853
Plants have been used for thousands of years to heal us. Some medicinal plants are grown
only for the medicine they contain. Other plants are foods but have a different part that is used for medicines.
Why Study Medicinal Plants?
The study of medicinal plants offer a unique insight into the history of medicine and traditional ways of knowing. How did traditional societies discover these plants? How did they learn to ext
ract and process the active ingredients? Can we use a modern scientific method to measure the effectiveness of the natural compounds for neuroactivity, antibacterial activity, and other health benefits? Why would plants have evolved neuroactive chemicals when plants have no nervous system? These are some of the questions that can be explored by studying medicinal plants.
Examples
The leaf of aloe contains a thick jelly that soothes burns.Peppermint tea helps with indigestion, and relieves spasms of the gut. Peppermint and other aromatic oils is sometimes used in AromatherapyRosemary is a stimulant of the circulatory system and a nasal decongestant.
Banana is an important food the plant has several medicinal properties.
Basil reduces stomach acid and cramps.
Garlic is anti-microbial and promotes respiratory health.
Kava is used for anti-anxiety
Mustard is sometimes applied as a plaster to the chest to help with bronchitis
Carnation flowers brewed as tea have been used to treat depression, fatigue, stress, and even nausea.Mangosteen is a tropical fruit which also has been used for medicinal qualities such as a skin treatment, anti-diarrheral, antibacterial, and immune system booster.
Today many drugs originally derived from plants are now synthesized. For example acetylsalicylic acid for aspirin is made in a lab rather than extracted from willow bark.
However there are still medicines that come from plants, see this list.
Safety
Careful! Some plants are deadly. You should never eat a plant, fruit or seed without knowing it is safe. Some plants can't be identified by seeing just the leaf, seed or flower.
For example can you tell the difference between these two plants?
Wild Carrot
Poison Hemlock
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Mecidine (NCCAM) is studying the benefits of herbal medicines as well as the dangers. For example one ingredient found in some Chinese medicines Aristolochia is a potent carcinogen and damages the kidneys.
Read the Scientist Article on Alternative Medicines
Links
National Institute of Health Dietary Supplements Factsheets
National Cancer Institute plant medicine research
Neuroprotective Traditional Medicinal Plants
University of Maryland Medical Center Alternative Medicine
Genetic Analysis of Chinese Herbal Medicine- Nature
Ingredient of some Chinese herbal medicines is harmful
How chemicals in plants affect the brain
Thai plant Kratom used to quit heroin
Rosemary and spearmint extracts improve memory
Monastic Medicine use Herbs in Medieval times