Essential Herbal Medicinal Plants
“The God is the Unparallel Scientist”
Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, and phytotherapy.
Traditional use of medicines is recognized as a way to learn about potential future medicines. In 2001, researchers identified 122 compounds used in mainstream medicine which were derived from "ethnomedical" plant sources; 80% of these compounds were used in the same or related manner as the traditional ethnomedical use.
1. Evening Primrose
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The young roots can be eaten like a vegetable, or the shoots can be eaten as a salad. Poultices roots of the evening primrose are applied to piles and bruises. Tea made from the roots has also been used in the treatment of obesity and bowel pains.
However, the more valuable parts are the leaves and bark which are made into evening primrose oil, known to treat:
© Multiple sclerosis
© Premenstrual tension
© Hyperactivity
© Eczema
© Acne
© Brittle nails
© Rheumatoid arthritis
© Alcohol-related liver damage (alcoholics, this is for you)
2. Aloe Vera
The Aloe Vera grows only under the sun with well drained dry or moist soil. Although the plant tastes like turd, it’s still edible.
The sap from aloe vera is extremely useful to speed up the healing and reducing the risk of infections for:
© Wounds
© Cuts
© Burns
© Eczema
© Reducing inflammation
Apart from its external use on the skin, aloe vera is also taken internally in the treatment of:
© Chronic constipation
© Poor appetite
© Digestive problems
3. Pot Marigold
It grows in almost any type of soil condition. It has no problem with nutritionally poor, very acidic or very alkaline soils, just as long as it’s moist.
Well known as a remedy for skin problems, the deep-orange flowered pot marigold variety is applied externally to:
© Bites
© Stings
© Sprains
© Wounds
© Sore eyes
Internally it is used to treat fevers and chronic infections. The tea of the petals tones up circulation and, taken regularly, eases varicose veins. Applying the crushed stems of the pot marigold to corns and warts will soon have them easily removable.
4. Peppermint
Peppermint is sometimes regarded as ‘the world’s oldest medicine’, with archaeological evidence placing its use at least as far back as ten thousand years ago. Peppermints are naturally high in manganese, vitamin A and vitamin C. Crushed leaves rubbed on the skin help soothe and relax the muscles.
Infused peppermint leaves are used to:
© Reduce irritable bower syndrome
© Against upset stomachs
© Inhibit bacterial growth
© Treat fevers
© Flatulence
© Spastic colon
5. Camomile
With a sweet, crisp, fruity and herbaceous fragrance has long been used medicinally as a remedy for problems regarding the digestive system. It has a soothing and calming effect in the area of aromatherapy, used to end stress and aid in sleep.
The entire herb is used to treat common aches like toothache, earache, shoulder pain and neuralgia.
6. Gotu Kola
The Gotu Kola acts on various phases of connective tissue development and stimulates healing of:
© Ulcers
© Skin injuries
© Decreasing capillary fragility
© Stimulation of the lipids and protein necessary for healthy skin
Leaves are thought to maintain youthfulness. Crushed leaves are poultice to treat open sores. The Gotu Kola can also be used to:
© Treat leprosy
© Revitalize the brain and nervous system
© Increase attention span and concentration
7. Great Yellow Gentian
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The Great Yellow Gentian root is a bitter herb used to treat digestive disorders and states of exhaustion from chronic diseases.
It stimulates the liver, gall bladder and digestive system, strengthening the overall human body. Internally, it is taken to treat:
© Liver complaints
© Indigestion
© Gastric infections
© Aneroxia
8. Lemon Balm
The reason the plant is called lemon balm is because of the lemon minty scent of the leaves. The flowers, which appear during the summer, are full of nectar.
The crushed leaves, when rubbed on the skin, are used as:
© Mosquito repellent
© Sores
© Insect bites
© Colds
© Fevers
© Indigestion due to nervous tension
© Digestive upsets in children
© Depression
© Mild insomnia
© Headaches
9. Sea Buckthorn
The Sea-Buckthorn has been used throughout the centuries in China to relieve cough, aid digestion, invigorate blood circulation and alleviate pain. The branches and leaves are used in Mongolia to treat gastrointestinal distress in humans and animals.
The berries on the other hand are used together with other medications for pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cardiac, blood and metabolic disorders. Fresh sea buckthorn berry juice is known to be taken in the event of:
© Colds
© Fever
© Exhaustion
© Stomach ulcers
© Cancer
© Metabolic disorders
© Liver diseases
© Inflammation
© Peptic ulcer
© Gastritis
© Eczema
© Canker sores
© General ulcerative disorders
© Karatitis
© Trachoma
The bark and leaves are used for treating diarrhea, gastrointestinal, dermatological disorders and topical compressions for rheumatoid arthritis. Even the flowers are used as skin softeners.
10. Stinging Nettle
Long known as a nutritious addition to the diet and as a herbal remedy.
The stinging nettle leaves have been traditionally used to:
© Cleanse the blood
© Treat hay fever
© Arthritis and anemia
© Excessive menstruation
© Hemorrhoids
© Rheumatism
© Skin problems like eczema
© Nettle rash
© Chicken pox
© Bruises
© Burns
11. Globe Artichoke
A bitter tasting plant that requires a lot of sun, the cardoon has become important as a medicinal herb in recent years following the discovery of cynarin.
The cardoon leaves, best harvested before flowering helps to:
© Improve liver and gall bladder function
© Stimulate the secretion of digestive juices
© Lower blood cholesterol levels
© Treat chronic liver and gall bladder diseases
© Jaundice
© Hepatitis
© Asteriosclerosis
© Early stages of late-onset diabetes
12. Siberian Ginseng
The Siberian Ginseng has a wide range of health benefits, mostly as a powerful tonic herb that maintains good health.
Its medicinal properties are used for:
© Menopausal problems
© Geriatric debility
© Physical and mental stress
© Treat bone marrow suppression caused by chemotherapy or radiation
© Insomnia
© Poor appetite
© Increasing endurance
© Memory improvement
© Anti-inflammatory purposes
© Immunogenic purposes
© Chemo protective purposes
© Radiological protection
13. Milk Thistle
It protects and improves the function of the liver (take note, alcoholics).
Taken internally, milk thistle helps to treat:
© Liver and gall bladder diseases
© Jaundice
© Hepatitis (liver inflammation)
© Poisoning
© High cholesterol levels
© Insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes who also have cirrhosis
© The growth of cancer cells in breast, cervical, and prostate cancers
© The effects of a hangover
14. Turkey Rhubarb
Known mainly for it’s positive and balancing effect upon the digestive system as a whole. Even children may use the turkey rhubarb as it is gentle enough.
The roots act as an astringent tonic to the digestive system while larger doses are used as laxatives. Other than that, it is also known to treat:
© Chronic constipation
© Diarrhea
© Liver and gall bladder complaints
© Menstrual problems
© Skin eruptions due to accumulation of toxin15. Marsh Mallow
The plant of which marshmallows are made of the root is taken internally to treat:
© Inflammations and irritations of the urinary
And respiratory mucus membranes
© Counter excess stomach acid
© Peptic ulceration
© Gastritis
Externally, the root is applied to:
© Bruises
© Sprains
© Aching muscles
© Insect bites
© Skin inflammations
© Splinters
The leaves are very edible, unlike the aloe vera. They can be added to salads, boiled, or fried. It is known to help out in the area of cystitis and frequent urination.
16. Echinacea
One of the world’s most important medicinal herbs, the Echinacea has the capacity to raise the body’s resistance to bacterial and viral infections by stimulating the immune system. It also has antibiotic properties that helps relieve allergies.
Basically, the roots are beneficial in the treatment of sores, wounds and burns. It was once used by the red Indians as an application for insect bites, stings and snakebites. The Echinacea grows on any well drained soil, as long as it gets sunlight.
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