AssistProfDrWidad Jumaa Hamid Medicinal plants medicinal herbs or simply herbs have been identified and used from prehistoric times Plants make many chemical compounds for biological functions including ID: 916274
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Slide1
Click to edit
Medicinal plants
Assist.Prof.Dr.Widad
Jumaa
Hamid
Slide2Medicinal plants, medicinal herbs
, or simply
herbs
have been identified and used from prehistoric times. Plants make many chemical compounds for biological functions, including
defence
against
insects
,
fungi
and
herbivorous
mammals
. Over 12,000 active compounds are known to science. These chemicals work on the human body in exactly the same way as
pharmaceutical drugs
, so herbal medicines can be beneficial and have harmful
side effects
just like conventional drugs. However, since a single plant may contain many substances, the effects of taking a plant as medicine can be complex.
Slide3The earliest historical records of herbs are found from the Sumerian
civilisation
, where hundreds of medicinal plants including
opium
are listed on clay tablets. The
Ebers
Papyrus
from
ancient Egypt
describes over 850 plant medicines, while
Dioscorides
documented over 1000 recipes for medicines using over 600 medicinal plants in
De
materia
medica
, forming the basis of
pharmacopoeias
for some 1500 years. These include the common drugs
aspirin
,
digoxin
,
quinine
, and
opium
. The compounds found in plants are of many kinds, but most are in four major biochemical classes, the
alkaloids
,
glycosides
,
polyphenols
, and
terpenes
.
Slide4Medicinal plants are widely used to treat disease
in non-industrialized societies, not least because they are far cheaper than modern medicines. The annual global export value of pharmaceutical plants in 2012 was over US$2.2 billion
Dioscorides
's
1st century
De
materia
medica
, seen here in a c. 1334 copy in Arabic, describes some 1000 drug recipes based on over 600 plants.
Main articles:
History of
herbalism
and
History of pharmacy
Slide5Prehistoric times
Plants, including many now used as
culinary herbs
and
spices
, have been used as medicines from prehistoric times. Spices have been used partly to counter food spoilage bacteria, especially in hot climates and especially in meat dishes which spoil more readily. Angiosperms (
flowering plants
) were the original source of most plant medicines .Human settlements are often surrounded by weeds useful as medicines, such as
nettle
,
dandelion
and
chickweed
.Humans were not alone in using herbs as medicines: some animals such as non-human
primates
,
monarch butterflies
Slide6monarch butterflies and
sheep
ingest medicinal plants to treat illness. For instance, a 60 000-year-old Neanderthal burial site, "
Shanidar
IV
", in northern Iraq has yielded large amounts of pollen from 8 plant species, 7 of which are used now as herbal remedies. A mushroom
was found in the personal effects of
Ötzi
the Iceman
, whose body was frozen in the
Ötztal
Alps
for more than 5,000 years. The mushroom was probably used to treat
whipworm
.
Slide7The Ebers
Papyrus
(
c.
1550 BC) from
Ancient Egypt describes the use of hundreds of plant medicines
Slide8In ancient Sumeria
, hundreds of medicinal plants including
myrrh
and
opium
are listed on clay tablets. The ancient Egyptian
Ebers
Papyrus
lists over 800 plant medicines such as
aloe
,
cannabis
,
castor bean
,
garlic
,
juniper
, and
mandrake
.
From ancient times to the present used hundreds of pharmacologically active herbs and spices such as
turmeric
, which contains
curcumin
Slide9Middle Ages
In the
Early Middle Ages
,
Benedictine monasteries
preserved medical knowledge in Europe, translating and copying classical texts and maintaining
herb
gardens
.
Hildegard
of
Bingen
wrote
Causae
et
Curae
("Causes and Cures") on medicine In the
Islamic Golden Age
, scholars translated many classical Greek texts including
Dioscorides
into
Arabic
, adding their own commentaries
Herbalism
flourished in the Islamic world, particularly in
Baghdad
and in
Al-
Andalus
. Among many works on
medicinal plants,
Slide10, Abulcasis
(936–1013) of
Cordoba
wrote
The Book of Simples
, and Ibn al-Baitar (1197–1248) recorded hundreds of medicinal herbs.
Avicenna
included many plants in his 1025
The Canon of Medicine
.
Abu-
Rayhan
Biruni, Ibn Zuhr, Peter of Spain, and John of St Amand wrote further pharmacopoeias
Slide11The Early Modern
period saw the flourishing of illustrated
herbals
across Europe, starting with the 1526
Grete
Herball. John Gerard wrote his famous
The
Herball
or General History of Plants
in 1597, based on
Rembert
Dodoens
, and Nicholas Culpeper published his The English Physician Enlarged. Many new plant medicines arrived in Europe as products of Early Modern exploration and the resulting Columbian Exchange, in which livestock, crops and technologies were transferred between the Old World and the Americas in the 15th and 16th centuries. Medicinal herbs arriving in the Americas included garlic, ginger, and turmeric; coffee, tobacco and coca travelled in the other direction In Mexico, the sixteenth century Badianus
Manuscript
described medicinal plants available in Central America.
Slide127 Medicinal Plants You Can Use to Benefit Your Health
Below is an excellent starting point to learn how to harness the power of medicinal plants. This is only a small sample, of course, and once you get your feet wet, you'll likely be inspired to explore more and more uses for these healing wonders.
Slide131.
Ginger
Ginger is one spice that
recommend
keeping on hand in your kitchen at all times. Not only is it a wonderful addition to your cooking (especially paired with garlic) but it also has enough
medicinal properties
to fill several books.
Ginger is best known for its
antinausea
effects but also has broad-spectrum antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-parasitic properties, to name just several of its more than 40 scientifically confirmed pharmacological actions. It is anti-inflammatory, making it valuable for pain relief for joint pain, menstrual pain, headaches, and more.
Slide14Dry Ginger
Slide15The pain-relieving potential of ginger appears to be far-reaching. Along with help for muscle and joint pain, ginger has been found to reduce the severity of migraine headaches as well as the migraine medication
Sumatriptan
– with fewer side effects
.
Ginger also shows promise for fighting
cancer
, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, asthma, bacterial and fungal infections, and it is one of the best natural remedies available for motion sickness or nausea (from pregnancy or chemotherapy, for example).
Slide16Taking one gram of ginger daily may help reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnant women, or those with migraines and ginger has been shown to work better than a placebo in relieving morning
sickness.
Ginger is also a must-have if you struggle with indigestion, and it does more than simply relieve pain. Ginger contains powerful protein-digesting enzymes and helps to stimulate the emptying of your stomach without any negative effect, and it's an antispasmodic agent, which may explain its beneficial effects on your intestinal tract.
Slide17Many people enjoy ginger tea on a regular basis, and this is one of the simplest ways to use it. Simply chop off a couple of inches of ginger root and let it steep in hot water for fresh ginger
tea.
Slide182.
Garlic
Eating a clove or two of fresh garlic a day may indeed keep the doctor away, in part because it has immune-boosting, antibacterial, antiviral,
and
anti-fungal effects. Many of garlic's therapeutic effects are derived from its sulfur-containing compounds, such as
allicin
, which are also what give it its characteristic smell. In general, garlic's benefits fall into four main categories
Reducing inflammation (reduces the risk of osteoarthritis and other disease associated with inflammation)
Boosting immune function (antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and
antiparasitic
properties)
Improving cardiovascular health and circulation (protects against clotting, improves lipids, and reduces
blood pressure
)
Toxic to at least 14 kinds of cancer cells (including brain, lung, breast, gastric, and pancreatic)
Slide20In addition, garlic may be effective against drug-resistant bacteria, and research has revealed that as
allicin
digests in your body, it produces
sulfenic
acid, a compound that reacts with dangerous free radicals faster than any other known
compound .
This is one of the reasons why they named garlic as one of the
top seven anti-aging foods
you can consume.
In order to get the health benefits, the fresh clove must be crushed or chopped in order to stimulate the release of an enzyme called
alliinase
, which in turn catalyzes the formation of
allicin
.
Slide21Allicin
, in turn, rapidly breaks down to form a number of different
organosulfur
compounds. So to "activate" garlic's medicinal properties, compress a fresh clove with a spoon prior to swallowing it, or put it through your juicer to add to your vegetable juice.
A single medium-size clove or two is usually sufficient and is well-tolerated by most people.
Black garlic
, which is basically fermented garlic, and sprouted garlic may contain even
more
antioxidants than regular garlic.
Slide223. Peppermint
Peppermint
offers benefits to the respiratory system, including for coughs, colds, asthma, allergies, and tuberculosis. In terms of digestive health, peppermint oil capsules have been described as "the drug of first choice" in
IBS
(
Irritation Bowel Syndrome)
patients
,
and peppermint oil is an effective alternative to drugs like
Buscopan
for reducing colonic spasms
It may also relax the muscles of your intestines, allowing gas to pass and easing abdominal pain. Try peppermint oil or leaves added to tea for gas relief. Inhaling the peppermint aroma may offer memory enhancement and stress relief, and peppermint oil acts as an expectorant and decongestant, and may help clear your respiratory tract.
Slide24Use peppermint essential oil as a cold rub on your chest or inhale it through a vaporizer to help clear nasal congestion and relieve cough and cold symptoms. Peppermint oil may also help relieve tension headache pain. For headache pain, try dabbing a few drops on your wrist or sprinkling a few drops on a cloth, then inhaling the aroma. You can also massage the oil directly onto your temples and forehead. Peppermint essential oil is ideal for muscle and chest rubs, headache pain, dental care, and
aromatherapy
. You can even add it to your homemade cleaning supplies for extra antimicrobial power and natural fragrance.
Slide25When selecting peppermint for your own use, the fresh leaves will impart a superior flavor to dried leaves (such as for use in tea). Look for fresh leaves that are green in color without any dark spots or yellowing. In addition to using
fresh mint leaves
in tea, you can add them to soups, fruit salad, or gazpacho. Additionally, it is really easy to grow peppermint yourself and the plant works as a highly effective deterrent to many insects that might invade your garden or your home.
Slide264
.
Lavender
Lavender oil
has a chemically complex structure with over 150 active
constituents.
This oil is rich in esters, which are aromatic molecules with antispasmodic (suppressing spasms and pain), calming, and stimulating properties. The chief botanical constituents of lavender oil are
linalyl
acetate, linalool (a non-toxic
terpene
alcohol that has natural germicidal properties), Other constituents in lavender oil that are responsible for its antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties include
cis-ocimene
,
lavandulyl
acetate,
Slide27Slide28Lavender oil is known for its calming and relaxing properties, and has been used
aromatherapeutically
for alleviating insomnia, anxiety, depression, restlessness, dental anxiety, and stress. It has also been proven
effective for nearly all kinds of ailments, from pain to infections.
Lavender oil's potential in fighting antifungal-resistant skin and nail infections. Scientists from the University of Coimbra found that lavender oil is lethal to skin-pathogenic strains known as
dermatophytes
, as well as various Candida species
.
Lavender oil can also be used to:
Slide30Relieve pain
. It can ease sore or tense muscles, joint pain and rheumatism, sprains, backache, and lumbago. Simply massage a small amount of lavender oil onto the affected area. Lavender oil may also help lessen pain following needle insertion.
Treat various skin disorders
like acne, psoriasis, eczema, and wrinkles. It also helps form scar tissues, which may be essential in healing wounds, cuts, and burns. Lavender can also help soothe insect bites and itchy skin (lavender oil can help ward off mosquitoes and moths. It is actually used as an ingredient in some mosquito repellents).
Slide31Keep your hair healthy
. It helps kill
lice
, lice eggs, and nits. The
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database
(NMCB) says that lavender is possibly effective for treating alopecia
areata
(hair loss), boosting hair growth by up to 44 percent after just seven months of treatment
.
Improve your digestion.
This oil helps stimulate the mobility of your intestine and stimulates the production of bile and gastric juices, which may help treat stomach pain, indigestion, flatulence, colic, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Slide32Relieve respiratory disorders.
Lavender oil can help alleviate respiratory problems like colds and flu, throat infections, cough, asthma, whooping cough, sinus congestion,
bronchitis
, tonsillitis, and laryngitis. It can be applied on your neck, chest, or back, or inhaled via steam inhalation or through a vaporizer.
Stimulate urine production
, which helps restore hormonal balance, prevent cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder), and relieve cramps and other urinary disorders.
Improve your blood circulation
. It helps lower elevated blood pressure levels and can be used for hypertension.
Slide335.
Thyme
Thyme is a fragrant herb that makes a wonderful addition to your cooking, in part because it is rich in antioxidants. Thyme contains health-boosting
flavonoids
including
apigenin
,
naringenin
,
luteolin
, and
thymonin
, and has been shown to protect and increase the percentage of healthy fats found in cell membranes. As reported by the George
Mateljan
Foundation
:
"In particular, the amount of DHA (
docosahexaenoic
acid, an omega-3 fatty acid) in brain, kidney, and heart cell membranes was increased after dietary supplementation with thyme."
Slide34Slide35Thyme is also nutrient dense, containing vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, manganese, copper, and dietary fiber. When used in cooked dishes, thyme may also help inhibit
glycation
and the formation of
dangerous advanced
glycation
end products
in your food, making thyme a potential preventer of heart disease and premature aging. Due to
thyme oil's
antibacterial, antispasmodic,
antirheumatic
, expectorant, hypertensive, and calming properties, it also has a long list of topical uses, including:
Slide36Home remedy
– Thyme oil is used to relieve and treat problems like gout, arthritis, wounds, bites, and sores, water retention, menstrual and menopausal problems, nausea and fatigue, respiratory problems (like colds), skin conditions (oily skin and scars), athlete's foot, hangovers, and even depression.
Aromatherapy oil
– The oil can be used to stimulate the mind, strengthen memory and concentration, and calm the nerves.
Slide37Hair product
– It is said that thyme oil can prevent hair loss. It is used as a treatment for the scalp and is added to shampoos and other hair products.
Skin product
– Thyme oil can help tone aged skin and prevent acne outbreaks.
Mouthwashes and herbal rinses
– Like peppermint, wintergreen, and eucalyptus oils, thyme oil is used to improve oral health.
Insecticide/insect repellent
– Thyme oil can keep insects and parasites like mosquitoes, fleas, lice, and moths away.
Slide386. Chamomile
Chamomile
is most popular in tea form for use to calm upset stomach and help support restful sleep. Germany's Commission E (a government organization) has even approved the use of chamomile for reducing swelling on your skin and fighting bacteria. Chamomile is a powerful anti-inflammatory that also has antibacterial, anti-spasmodic, anti-allergenic, muscle relaxant, and sedative properties.
Slide39It is used to treat psoriasis, eczema, chickenpox, diaper rash, slow-healing wounds, abscesses, and gum
inflammation,
and according to
Herb Wisdom
may also be useful for the following
conditions:
tight
joints. "The oil serves many medicinal purposes, but one of the best-documented uses is for relaxation. The oil has a calming effect on people, and can be used to help induce sleep, ease frayed nerves, and promote a general sense of calmness and well being. It is great for those with nervousness or anxiety problems.
Slide40Aside from having mental calming properties, chamomile is also good at relaxing sore muscles and It can ease menstrual cramps and back aches, as well as relax the digestive system to ease upset stomach or indigestion issues.
When applied topically to the skin, it soothes redness and irritation. For this reason, it is a common ingredient in skincare. It also eliminates itchiness and is good for those with allergic reactions. Sometimes chamomile is used on rashes. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it can work to take down swelling caused by rashes or skin irritants."
Slide417.
Dandelion
This flowering plant has traditionally been used as a liver tonic, useful for detoxification and improving liver function. Dandelion is known as a stimulant that is typically used for kidney and liver disorders. It is also traditionally used to reduce the side effects of prescription drugs, as well as to treat infections, gallbladder problems, water retention and swelling.
Slide42Dandelion greens, which you can prepare simply by blanching them in boiling water for 20 seconds to help remove their bitter flavor (they can also be added to vegetable juice), contain many nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, iron, potassium, and manganese. They are a particularly good source of vitamin A and may also have
cancer-fighting properties
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