Possible Medicinal Uses Of Plants
Recently there has been interest in the possible medicinal uses of herbs, with an ever-increasing number of people looking for alternative treatments to modern medicine. This article looks at some medicinal plants used by humans around the world.
There seems to be an interesting uptake in dispensaries to stock medicinal herbs, let’s take a look at some of its uses.
Alternative Treatments
Agrimony
Agrimony was first documented as a medicine in Ancient Greece and has been used by several civilizations since then. The plant has hairy leaves on the top and bottom, with yellow flowers from July to September.
The Romans traditionally made tea from the leaves to treat intestinal disorders such as diarrhea. Still, the herb was also used as a general tonic for those suffering from coughs, colds, or fevers. More recently, it has been claimed that the herb may assist in treating irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, and gum disease, among other things.
Native Americans traditionally used agrimony to relieve toothache pain by chewing on the roots until they were saturated with saliva, then applying them directly to the aching tooth. Here the plant's astringent properties are thought to help reduce swelling and kill any infection.
Bilberry
There are around ten species of bilberry found throughout the world, with one type growing wild in North America, another native to central Europe and northern Asia, and a third commonly found in the north of Europe and North Asia.
It is thought the bilberry plants owe their medicinal properties to leaves with high levels of anthocyanin, which can be used as an antioxidant in foods such as jams and pies. This property also means the plant has been used for centuries to help prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer (specifically the stomach, mouth, and skin cancers).
The leaves are also thought to have diuretic properties, making them helpful in treating various kidney and bladder-related illnesses. More recently, the leaf has been found to have antibacterial effects that may help treat urinary tract infections.
Blackberry
Technically a bramble rather than an actual 'berry,' blackberries are found worldwide and can be eaten fresh or made into wines, jams, and pies. The leaves have also been used throughout history as a medicine, though their efficacy is still debated today.
A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used to treat diarrhea, bowel inflammations, cystitis, and rheumatic pain. Still, it is also thought to kill the parasitic worm responsible for bilharzia.
Blackberry roots are thought to help treat toothache and other dental ailments because of their antibacterial properties. At the same time, the berries themselves have been used as a diuretic agent to help people who suffer from edema (swelling caused by fluid retention).
Black pepper
Most of us know black pepper comes from the fruit of an Indian vine known botanically as Piper nigrum. The vine's fruit is harvested as a peppercorn and dried, separating the seed from its fleshy outer coating.
These seeds have been used for centuries as a medicine and spice, with versions available at almost every supermarket today.
The oil in black pepper has powerful antioxidant properties that make it helpful in treating various respiratory conditions. However, it is also known to kill or at least partially inhibit the growth of several types of bacteria.
Black pepper has long been used as a painkiller to relieve aches and pains, with this effect thought to be related partly to its ability to reduce inflammation. As well as this, it is believed that chemicals in the oil can help combat the growth of cancer cells, though more research is needed in this area.
New Possibilities
This list is just to give you an idea of the possibilities out there. Be sure to keep an eye out on CBD oil and even bananas being used for its beneficial qualities. You might just be surprised!
