What Kind of Plants Cure Diseases?

Echinacea is an herb used for certain forms of healing.

For millennia, plants have provided solutions for countless illnesses, symptoms, ailments and disease. Tribal cultures, Renaissance women, Medieval monks and ancient Egyptians are among the many who relied upon them. Modern pharmaceutical cures can often be traced to herbal origins: Valium from valeriana, aspirin from white willow bark, for example. Even some synthetic treatments used in modern pharmacology derive from healing properties found in trees, grains, nuts and herbs. Volumes of resources are available to study plant properties and their medicinal uses. Once considered "folk medicine", more informed people are turning (or re-turning) to nature with hopes of finding satisfactory resolve.

Facts

Herbal products are a lucrative market.

According to the Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine: "The investigation of plant mixtures used in traditional medicine in Northern Peru yielded a total of 974 herbal preparations used to treat 164 different afflictions". According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80 percent of the population in some Asian and African countries depend on traditional medicine for primary health care. Other continents also tout lucrative, billion-dollar herbal medicine markets.

Rather than using only one herb, traditional healers often use mixtures and combinations in treating illness, each specifically tailored to an individual's needs. Clients agree to go straight to the plant source and thus alleviate side-effects, high costs and potential confusion.

Uses

Rose hips are high in Vitamin C and are often used in treating cold symptoms.

While healers might explore the metaphysical as well as physical causes of disease, they also spend considerable time in learning about medicinal plants. Leaves, roots, fruits, stems and flowers of various herbs are selected to make teas, or powders to put into capsules or combine with alcohol for tinctures to be taken orally.

Particulars

Aloe vera heals both internally and externally.

From the familiar chamomile (for insomnia, stress, candida), echinacea (colitis, gangrene, sore throats) and garlic (arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, etc) on to nettle, ginger, aloe and dandelion, to psyllium, turmeric, kelp, blue-green algae, acai, wormwood, nutmeg and black elderberry, each of which has its own parenthetical list of healing properties, plants have been documented to confer actual 'cures' as well as treatment of symptoms, no matter how nominal. Comfrey, mustard and grains can be used as poultices for wounds and abrasions.

Plant foods high in anti-oxidants include the citrus family, pumpkins, spinach, avocados, grapes, berries and tomatoes. These boost the immune system, which then helps alleviate certain diseases through prevention.

Wholeness

Some herbs can be ground with a mortar and pestle and put into capsules.

Proper diagnosis of the presenting complaint is vital to determining the clearest approach to whatever individual or group of plants will be used for treatment. Healers must take into consideration the whole person, what's going on in her life, and circumstances by which any symptoms seemed to have arisen. Naturopathic physicians and homeopaths might be ideal resources. Ayurvedic physicians, Chinese medical doctors and acupuncturists also work with plants and herbs toward cures and restoration. But some people combine holistic or alternative healing options with allopathic or mainstream medicine to determine a balance of care for their particular diagnosis.

Cautions

Foxglove is a pretty but poisonous plant.

Make sure to check the source of any alternative or herbal remedies as there are counterfeit, poorly made and overly processed products on the market.

If you grow or make your own home remedies, know which parts of the plant are toxic and which offer curative properties. Digitalis, with the common name "foxglove" is extremely poisonous, but doctors may prescribe it to treat cardiac arhythmias in the form of digoxin or lanoxin. Rely on well-researched formulae for tinctures, powders and teas.

References

• Herb Reference
• World Health Organization (WHO): Traditional Medicine
• Susun Weed
• Journal on Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine: Herbal Mixtures in Traditional Medicine in Northern Peru
• Indiana University: Medicine in Ancient Egypt

Resources

• The Natural Pharmacy - Complete Home Reference to Natural Medicine; Lininger, Jr., et al; 1999
• Jonathan Treasure: The Herbal Bookworm
• Herbs and Cures
• Annie's Remedy: Popular Herbs For Healing