The Value of Herbs and their Medicinal Properties

Tankiso Sello^*
*Correspondence: Tankiso Sello, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Lesotho, Roma, Lesotho, Email:

Introduction

A variety of plants used in herbal medicine are referred to as "medicinal plants" (herbology or "herbal medicine"). It encompasses both the study and practice of using plants for medical purposes. The Latin word "herba" and the old French word "herbe" are combined to create the word "herb." Any part of a plant, including fruit, seed, stem, bark, flower, leaf, stigma, or root, as well as nonwoody plants, is now considered a herb. In the past, the term "herb" only applied to non-woody plants like bushes and trees. In addition to being used for spiritual purposes, these medicinal plants are also used as food, a source of flavonoids, a medicine, and a perfume.

Plants were used for medical purposes long before the prehistoric era. In ancient Chinese, Egyptian, and Unani texts, herbs were described. There is evidence that plants have been used as medicines for more than 4,000 years by Unani Hakims, Indian Vaids, Europeans, and Mediterranean cultures. Native societies like Rome, Egypt, Iran, Africa, and America used herbs in healing rituals. Other societies developed traditional medical systems like Unani, Ayurveda, and Chinese Medicine, in which herbal remedies were used consistently. For a variety of reasons, traditional medical systems are still used frequently.

Description

Ancient civilizations have long regarded India as a rich source of medicinal herbs. There are a lot of medicinal and aromatic plants in India's forest, most of which are harvested as raw materials for pharmaceutical and perfumery products. Approximately 8,000 herbal treatments have been codified in India's AYUSH systems. Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Folk (tribal) medicine are the primary indigenous medicine systems. In India, the most advanced and widely used of these systems are Ayurveda and Unani Medicine. Eighty percent of people worldwide use herbal medicines as part of their primary care, according to the World Health Organization. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 21,000 plant species could be used as medicines.

There aren't many, if any, side effects associated with using medicinal plants. The greatest benefit of these medicines is that they are in harmony with nature. The good news is that herbal remedies are safe for use by people of all sexes and ages. Ancient experts claimed that herbs only provide solutions to a wide range of health issues and disorders. In order to arrive at reliable conclusions about the usefulness of various therapeutic herbs, they conducted extensive research and experimentation. The majority of these medications do not cause any adverse reactions or side effects. This is why herbal medicine is growing in worldwide popularity.

Ginger, turmeric, aloe vera, tulsi, neem, and other medicinal plants can alleviate a variety of ailments. These are regarded as home remedies in numerous parts of the country. It is common knowledge that many people use Basil (Tulsi) to perform puja, make black tea, and make medicines. In many parts of the world, a lot of herbs are used to honor rulers as a sign of good fortune. Numerous customers have begun planting tulsi and other medicinal plants in their backyard gardens after learning of their medicinal value.

It is believed that medicinal plants contain a large quantity of components that can be utilized to create synthetic, non-pharmacopeial, or pharmacopoeial medications. In addition, these plants have contributed significantly to the development of human cultures worldwide. In addition, some plants are suggested for their medicinal properties because they are thought to be essential sources of nutrition. Some examples of these plants include turmeric, ginger, walnuts, aloe vera, pepper, and green tea. Some plants and their derivatives are important sources of the active ingredients in toothpaste and aspirin, among other products.

In addition to medicine, herbs are used in natural coloring, pest control, food, perfume, tea, and other applications. In various nations, various medicinal plants and herbs are utilized to repel ants, flies, mice, fleas, and other pests from homes and businesses. Herbs used in medicine are now a major source for pharmaceutical production. Diarrhea, constipation, hypertension, a low sperm count, dysentery, a weak penile erection, piles, a coated tongue, menstrual disorders, bronchial asthma, leucorrhoea, and fevers are just a few of the common ailments that traditional medicine practitioners use to treat. Despite the fact that herbal medicine use has skyrocketed over the past two decades, there is still a significant lack of research data in this area [1-5].

Conclusion

As our lifestyle becomes more technologically savvy, we are moving away from nature. Since we are a part of nature, we can't escape it. Herbs are unadulterated natural products that are relatively safe, friendly to the environment, and easily accessible. In the past, a variety of plants have been used to treat seasonal-related diseases. In order to safeguard human life, they must be promoted. Herbal products have emerged as a symbol of safety, in contrast to synthetic medications, which are regarded as hazardous to humans and the environment. Despite the fact that herbs have been valued for millennia for their medicinal, flavoring, and aromatic properties, modern synthetic products temporarily obscured their significance.

References

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