Ever since the dawn of civilization (and probably even before,) plants with medicinal values have been used/consumed to treat and eventually cure a host of human maladies. In fact, long before medicines were invented, plants were the only source of medication for our ancestors and indeed their use as invaluable medicines pre-dates human history.
All plants have phytochemicals (‘Phyto’ is Greek for plant) that help them grow and aid in such processes as photosynthesis, transpiration, ion uptake and other processes critical to the plant’s survival. . A large number of these phytochemicals are naturally imbued with medicinal properties that allay a wide range of ailments when consumed by humans, and in fact have been used to effectively treat a veritable host of ailments.
It is estimated that around 12,000 such compounds have been discovered to date. And even that number is thought to be around 10 percent or so of the total compounds that are waiting to be discovered in the plant kingdom.
In fact, so popular have medicinal plants become in recent years that they have given rise to an entirely new field of science known as” ethnobotany” which studies ethic and indigenous populations all over the world and how such populations use plants for their healthcare
Read: The Wonderful World of Medicinal Plants and Their Value in Our Lives (Part II)
o Willow tree (Salix alba)
Perhaps the most well-known of all medicinal plant is the “Willow tree’. The White Willow is famed the world over not only for the excellence of its cricket bats, but also because it produces the plant hormone ‘Salicylic acid’. This particular plant hormone is mentioned in the ‘WHO (World Health organization) List of Essential Medicines’, that consists of the most important medications needed in a basic health care system.
From the ancient Egyptians to arguably the most famous of Greek physicians “Hippocrates’ (who extolled the plant’s virtues as far back as 400 BC) right along with Pliny the elder and other notable figures of classical antiquity, have eulogized this pant.
It was and is still used as a mild painkiller, an anti-inflammatory agent and most famously as an antipyretic because of its fever reducing properties. Modern aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is a direct derivative of Salicylic acid. It has recently experienced an explosion in its popularity due to its ability to thin the blood and thus prevent heart attacks and strokes.
o Aloe Vera (Aloe indica Royle)
This highly unusual looking plant has been cultivated as an ornamental plant by horticulturists. However, apart from sitting around, looking pretty this succulent plant has a lot of beneficial properties and is widely used in the food, cosmetic and even pharmaceutical industries. Its numerous uses include:
o A salve for burns:
Cutting off a portion of a leaf of the Aloe Vera Plant and rubbing it directly on a small burn (especially Sun burn) may help heal the wound a lot faster than comparative medicines, or leaving it unattended. Studies dating as far back as the 1950s have shown that Aloe Vera helps small burns heal up to 8 to 9 days faster than compared to other medications. This is partly due to Aloe Vera’s well known anti-bacterial properties.
o Exfoliator:
Exfoliation is a significant part of one’s daily washing regimen since it helps expose fresh and glowing, skin. Aloe is a key ingredient in many a face wash and exfoliant available over the counter. If you want to make your own 100% all natural homemade scrub simply mix a 1/2mug of Aloe Vera juice with baking soda or brown sugar then rub it on your arms, elbows, heels, or wherever ever you feel it’s appropriate.
o Helps heal Mouth Ulcers:
These may be caused by a variety of reasons ranging from stress to allergies. However, in virtually all cases mouth ulcers (Canter sores) are very painful indeed, and may well interfere with eating and drinking habits. Aloe Vera gel and patches applies to the affected area help healing and also decrease the pain.
o Halitosis and Plaque:
Rinsing the mouth with pure Aloe Vera juice not only helps keep dental plaque at bay but is also an effectively treatment for halitosis. (Bad breath).
