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Medicinal Herb

For nearly 5000 years, medicinal herbs and aromatics have been used maintaining and promoting health and well-being for many civilizations, including the Chinese, Indian and Native American.

Historical background of medicinal herb: definition

Stepping back in history, one can find innumerable instances of herbs being used as medicinal therapy in the complementary field of holistic healing. It is considered holistic because herbs have been used for all types of human healing and historical documents cite many specific examples of their usage over time-stating clearly that when used properly, they worked with the body, mind and spirit to restore balance and create a healthy state.

The English term, 'herb' has its root in the Latin word 'herba' meaning grass/fodder and the Sanskrit word, 'bharb' meaning to eat. Based on this, the more precise definition for medicinal herb would be that plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, savory or aromatic qualities.

Usage of medicinal herbs: mainstream medicine technology and herbal wisdom

For many centuries, herbs have been used as medicines and folklore relating to specific regions in the world and followers that have benefited from these natural remedies have kept the faith of alternative healing alive. Medicinal herbs were kept in dried form in many pharmacies so that they could be used all year round to treat various maladies. The herbs used as seasonings today had their origins in some village pharmacy in some long-forgotten era and though the recent advances in modern medical technology had deviated from using herbs as medicines for some time in between, the revival has come about for medicinal herbs- with mainstream modern technology beginning to re-focus on the use of herbs and natural plant therapies as a primary means to deal with current-day health and fitness issues.

Some helpful medicinal herbs from the environment

Herbal medicine, also called botanical medicine or phytomedicine, refers to the use of any plant's seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes. It is becoming more mainstream as advanced analysis shows its value in the treatment and prevention of disease. The World Health Organization estimates close to 80 per cent of the world's population as relying on herbal medicines for some aspect of their primary healthcare, with Americans increasingly becoming dissatisfied with the cost of prescription medications, combined with an interest in returning to natural or organic remedies. German counterparts are not far behind in this love for medicinal herbs from the lap of Mother Nature as roughly 600 to 700 plant-based medicines are available and prescribed by approximately 70 per cent of German physicians.