These are plants that have been used in traditional medical practices since prehistoric times. These plants were known to cure several ailments and were readily available. Some people grew these plants and herbs in their farms and used them to cure several illnesses. Have you ever asked yourself why our forefathers lived for many years without advanced western medicine? While it may be argued that the food they ate was healthy, the truth is at some point they used to get sick and would need medicine. The best places to turn to were always on herbs and other medicinal plants.
Today these traditional herbs and medicinal plants are still useful. Why? They are effective, sometimes even more than modern western medicine. The commonly used Plants and herbs include garlic, ginger, turmeric, lavender, cayenne paper, marigold, cannabis, dandelion, chamomile, and Echinacea. Let us briefly discuss each one of them.
10. Garlic
Garlic is commonly known for the prevention of cell damage and aging due to its antioxidant nature. In the early days, there were rare cases of people with high blood pressure as compared to the present generation. This is because garlic consumption reduced cholesterol levels in the body, lowered high blood pressure, and reduced the risk of brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Its medicinal uses are caused by sulfur compounds that are formed when garlic is chewed, chopped, or crushed. Garlic consumption reduces the levels of heart diseases and helps in detoxifying heavy metals from the body, hence protecting against organ damage from heavy metal toxicity.
Lastly, garlic consumption improves bone health in females by increasing their estrogen levels. The medicinal properties of garlic have lasted for many years, and science has helped confirm the same.
9. Ginger
Ginger is one of the most delicious and healthiest spices in the world. Its burning nature is full of nutrients that have various benefits to the human body.
Ginger originated from China and has a close resemblance to turmeric. Scientific research has supported the health benefits of ginger and confirmed that it is indeed a medicinal plant.
Additionally, ginger has a bioactive component in it known as gingerol, which is responsible for its medicinal nature. Its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components help in fighting flu and the common cold and allow easy food digestion.
Furthermore, ginger is known for reducing nausea and vomiting in cancer patients after going for surgery. Pregnant women also have the advantage of using ginger when it comes to morning sickness. Ginger is safe for use and harmless to the unborn baby.
8. Turmeric
Turmeric has a close resemblance to ginger, with the only difference being that turmeric gives a yellow curry when used in cooking. It is commonly used in India as a spice and a medicinal herb.
Just like ginger, turmeric also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Turmeric consumption helps the body in fighting foreign bacteria and repairing any internal body damage.
Curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric, improves the functioning of endolithium, which is the lining of the blood vessels, lowering the risks of heart disease.
Additionally, turmeric helps in the prevention and even the treatment of cancer. This is because turmeric helps in reducing the cancerous cells present in the body. Arthritis patients also respond well to curcumin supplements.
7. Lavender
Lavender is mostly found in the Mediterranean area and North America. It is often used for the extraction of oil, which is, in turn, used for different purposes.
The oil has cosmetic uses and some medicinal values but is toxic when swallowed. The medicinal value of Lavender is used in the treatment of fungal infection and even hair loss.
In case of minor burns, the oil is used to heal the burns and bites due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. The consumption of lavender as a tea helps in solving digestive issues such as intestinal gas, vomiting, abdominal swelling, and stomach swelling.
Apart from solving digestive issues, lavender is also used in relieving pain from headaches, sores, sprains, and toothache.
6. Cayenne Pepper
This plant is mostly used in the kitchen as a spice because of its several beneficial nutrients. Moreover, pepper has been used for many years in the treatment of many health complications.
For instance, taking cayenne pepper helps in improving the digestive system. When cayenne pepper is taken in foods, it helps boost the stomach’s defense against infection. This, in turn, increases digestive fluid production and helps in delivering enzymes to the stomach, which aid in the digestion process.
This is done by stimulating the nerves in the stomach that signal for protection against injury. In addition to that, capsaicin, an element found in cayenne pepper, helps in relieving pain when applied to the skin in a cream. Its burning effect helps reduce lower back pain, joint and muscle pain, pain after surgery, among others.
5. Marigold
These are brightly colored orange flowers that are used to make healing herbal ointments, tinctures, and topical treatments that have been in existence for many years.
First and foremost, marigold is used in the treatment of rashes, swelling, eczema, and redness that is caused by muscle injuries and sprains.
Secondly, marigold is used in the treatment of eye itchiness and inflammation, which is caused by conjunctivitis.
Additionally, fungal infections such as candida, athlete’s foot, and ringworm are treated through the use of marigold.
Lastly, marigold extracts are used in boosting the immune system by managing symptoms of coughs, fevers, and sore throats. This gives a sense of relief to low immune system patients, helping them cope well with their daily activities.
4. Cannabis
Commonly known as marijuana, this plant or its extracts is used in the treatment of illness and other medical-related conditions. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the marijuana plant as a medicine.
The scientific study of the chemicals present in marijuana has, however, led to two approved FDA medications that contain cannabinoid, an element present in Marijuana, in pill form.
Many people misuse this drug for recreational purposes when, in reality, its medicinal value helps in the treatment of gradual loss of muscle control, seizures, inflammation, mental disorders, and pain.
The two approved drugs by the FDA that are dronabinol and nabilone are used in the treatment of nausea, which is caused by chemotherapy in cancer patients and extreme weight loss for HIV-infected patients.
3. Dandelion
This is a yellow flower from the genus of flowering plants in the family of the sunflower. This plant has various medicinal benefits such as the treatment of loss of appetite.
The plant’s extracts can be used by patients with vomiting problems to regain their appetite and eat without the fear of vomiting. To add to that, dandelion is used to increase urine production in patients with bladder problems.
When used as a laxative, dandelion is helpful in increasing bowel movements, which is healthy for every human being. Consequently, another medicinal use of dandelion is the treatment of joint pains, eczema, muscle aches, stomach upset, and bruises.
2. Chamomile
This is one of the most ancient herbs that are well known to mankind. When dried, this flower has many medicinal uses as compared to when used fresh.
Its preparations are commonly used for the treatment of human ailments such as menstrual disorder, hay fever, insomnia, ulcers, and inflammation, among others.
Traditionally, the herb was used as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and healing medicine. As healing medicine, it was used to treat gout, skin irritation, burns, and bruises, among others.
It gave quick relief to patients with burns and skin irritation, making the pain bearable as compared to before using chamomile. Chamomile is also used for bacterial infections of the skin, the respiratory tract, and the gums.
1. Echinacea
Echinacea is commonly known as the purple flower and has been used in ancient times to treat illnesses such as bronchitis, coughs, common cold, and some inflammatory situations.
Additionally, Echinacea is used as a treatment of illnesses and not the prevention of illnesses. Some illnesses are bound to attack the human system so that our bodies learn to fight the illnesses, in turn strengthening the immune system.
The use of Echinacea reduces the duration of illnesses in human beings. For instance, when taken early, it reduces the severity of coughs and common colds in different individuals, reducing the chances of symptoms appearing. The duration of colds is reduced to about a day and a half when Echinacea is used.