MEDICINAL HERBS

Medicinal herbs have been used for centuries to treat everything from depression to high blood pressure and cancer. Herbs have been the principals if not the only medicines used in many countries. Recently doctors and other medical professionals have started realizing the importance of these medicinal herbs and their potential for treating and curing a wide variety of ailments as an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs and medications.

Medicinal herbs covering a wide range of types of plants are well known to everybody. The parts of the plants used for medicine may be their leaves, flowers, roots, seeds or bark.

Herbs are the source of pharmacologically active substances that effect the living organism. Dr. Varro Tyler, Professor of Pharmacognosy at the Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences, defines herbs as “crude drugs of vegetable origin utilized for tretment of states,

Medicinal Herbs

often of chronic nature, or to maintain a condition of improved health.” The early Romans and ancient Egyptians and Indians used herbs for many medicinal purposes. Modern medicine investigates the benefits of herbs through Pharmacognosy – a study of crude forms of plant, animal and mineral medicines. Medicinal herbs strengthen an organ so that it can heal itself. Some medicinal herbs purge the body of toxins and illnesses, while others build up the immune system, which will help in retarding illness. There are many ways in which herbs can be prepared to be used to medicinal purposes: Compress Soak a cloth in a cool herb solution, then apply directly to the injured area.

THE USING OF MEDICINAL HERBS

	ECHINACEA Habitat:Echinacea is a wildflower native to North America. Uses:Echinacea had been used to treat infections. It enhances the body's immune system. It is used to treat influenza, colds, upper respiratory tract infections, urogenital infections and other infectious conditions.
	MYRRH Habitat: is found naturally in Somalia and some regions of the Middle East. Uses: Myrrh is used in tincture form internally for stomach complaints and chest problems, such as bronchial infection. It is used to treat infected wounds; bronchial complaints, sinusitis and minor skin inflammations as well as inflammation of the throat, gums and mouth, including mouth ulcers, gingivitis, and stomatitis.
	PEPPERMINT Habitat: The plant is found throughout Europe, in moist conditions, along stream banks and in wastelands. Uses: Peppermint acts as an antibacterial agent. It is used to treat morning sickness, nausea, and spastic complaints of the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, bile ducts, dyspepsia, intestinal colic, gastritis, and enteritis. It is furthermore used for indigestion and stomach ulcers.
	CAMOMILE Camomile acts as both an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agents against the inflammations in the mouth and pharynx. It aids the healing process.
	SAGE A native of the Mediterranean Sage is now cultivated world-wide. Sage has a strong anti-bacterial effect and strengthens tissue (gums) in the mouth. It is a common remedy for inflammatory conditions of the mouth and throat.
	CLOVE Found in its natural state in many tropical regions of the world, clove is cultivated throughout the world, and is well known for its antiseptic, and anti-bacterial properties. Cloves were commonly used in latter years to fight toothaches.
	CARAWAY Habitat:Indigenous to parts of Europe, Asia and India. A strange superstition is associated with Caraway, it's said to have powers to keep lovers true among others. Uses: Both fruit and oil possesses aromatic, stimulant and carminative properties. Caraway was widely employed as a cordial, and was recommended in dyspepsia and symptoms attending hysteria and other disorders. Caraway has an anti-microbial effect, and is used to treat inflammation of the mouth and pharynx. The chewing of caraway seeds is a popular way of aiding digestion after a meal.