Medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years and are still widely practiced today. Different parts of the plant can be used for various purposes, and they can be taken in different forms. Many plants are endangered due to over-harvesting, and their healing properties are now being recognized by physicians.
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different medicinal plants around the world. Some are used to treat various diseases. Others can help heal wounds. These plants contain beneficial properties or chemicals that can be used alone or mixed with other plants to create natural remedies. They can be added to culinary dishes, made into teas, or taken in the form of powders, pills, tablets, capsules, or tinctures.
The use of medicinal plants began thousands of years ago. In fact, most of these plants are believed to have been discovered by accident. Others have been traditionally used and their knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation. Still others were simply sought out and used because they possessed some human-like characteristics, as with plants believed to have healing value based solely on their physical appearance.
Herbal medicine is still widely practiced in many parts of the world such as China, Egypt and India. There are numerous practicing herbalists found in the United States as well. In fact, there are typically four major herbal traditions practiced throughout history. These include Chinese, European, Egyptian, Ayurvedic (Indian), and Native American. All of these traditions use different types of plants in various ways for a variety of reasons.
Here in the United States, early settlers often grew their own herbs, using them for both culinary and medicinal purposes. They also relied on plants imported from Europe. Many of the settlers were delighted with the knowledge and overall good health of the Native Americans. As a result, they too have become eager to learn their secrets about different medicinal plants and how to use them.
Medicinal properties in plants vary depending on how specific plants are used and the crop in which they are used. For example, some medicinal plants can be smoked, ingested through food or tea, or simply applied to wounds. Furthermore, various parts such as leaves, stems, bark, roots, flowers or fruits are used. Depending on the part used, these plants can serve different purposes. For example, the leaves, which are often dried and made into tea to treat a myriad of conditions, can also be used externally and applied to wounds, broken bones, etc.
Throughout history, most people have turned to the use of plants because they were readily available in nature. They could be used then and there. This has been especially helpful for those living away from the city or for immediate care. Nowadays, many herbaceous plants are endangered due to over-harvesting in the wild. Because of this, most professionals have to either grow them themselves or obtain them from specialist commercial growers.
The healing properties of medicinal plants are also extracted and used in a number of medicines. While in the past, much of the medicinal value was scoffed at, relying mostly on lore rather than scientific evidence, many physicians today are now open to herbal remedies. For example, it is not uncommon for black cohosh remedies to be recommended for relieving menopausal symptoms. Similarly, elderberry has been found to be helpful in treating flu.
There are too many medicinal plants to mention in one article. For example, clove oil helps relieve toothache. Aloe is good for treating minor burns. St. John’s Wort remedies have been found that are suitable for people with depression. The list and uses of different plants for medicine can go on and on.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
