Traditional Herbal Medicines

It is a well-known fact that human have benefited from herbal medicines in many ways throughout history. In the past 20 years, interest and curiosity about the use of herbal medicine has been revived around the world. For example, herbal medicine in China constitutes approximately 40% of all health services. Traditional herbal medicine has played an important role in the strategy of controlling and treating severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in China. Also, 71% of the population in Chile and 40% of the population in Colombia benefit from herbal medicine practices. 65% of the rural population in India use herbal medicines methods to meet their basic health care needs. 80% of the African population uses some forms of traditional herbal medicine. In fact, considering that herbal substances  are used in the pharmaceutical industry today, as well as inorganic substances, this idea is not much primitive.

Here are some common herbs used for their healing properties;

Thyme;

Thyme is a widely used herb that is often combined with meat or added to salads and soups in Mediterranean cuisine. In addition, due to its strong antimicrobial effect, thyme is used especially against upper throat infections and mouth sores. It can be used for the treatment of bronchitis, whooping cough, sore throat, colic, arthritis, stomach upset, and gastritis. Thyme oil is also used as a germicidal in mouthwashes and ointments. However, thyme slows blood clotting. Thus, taking thyme may cause problems with possible bleeding. In the industry, it is  used in soaps and toothpaste.

 

Rosemary

Rosemary is a member of the mint family ‘Lamiaceae’. Besides its use in cooking, rosemary is also a good source of iron, calcium and vitamin B-6. It is a source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory. Rosemary has been used since ancient times to relieve muscle pain, improve memory, strengthen the immune and circulatory system, and fasten hair growth. However, it has some rare side effects. High doses may cause miscarriage, vomiting, coma and pulmonary edema. In industry, it is added to calming aromatic bath waters and massage oils that prevent cellulite and abdominal cracks.

 

Echinacea

Echinacea has antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Echinacea helps wounds heal. It also supports the immune system and controls the activity of a range of enzymes and cell receptors. Echinacea or products containing echinacea can be used for the treatment of various diseases such as cough, cold, bronchitis, upper respiratory infections, gingivitis, flu, and vaginitis. It is likely to be safe in short-term and low doses, but the effects of long-term use are unclear.

 

Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle has fine hairs on its leaves and stems that contain irritating chemicals that are released when the plant comes in contact with the skin. Many people avoid stinging nettle because it is painful to touch. Yet, when it come into contact with a painful area of the body, it can actually reduce the original pain. Stinging nettle has been used to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, anemia. It is also used for urinary tract infections and hay fever. In industry, it is found in creams used to treat joint pain, sprains and strains, tendinitis and insect bites.

In conclusion, people have used and benefited from herbal medicines since ancient times. However, herbs can trigger side effects or can interact with other herbs, supplements, and medications. So, people should be careful while consuming herbs.

 

Sources;

World Health Organization. (2011, March 4). WHO | Herbal medicine research and global health: an ethical analysis. WHO. https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/86/8/07-042820/en/

Ghosh, R. (2019). Article Easy To Grow 10 Medicinal Plants At Home. Ferns N Petals. https://www.fnp.com/article/easy-to-grow-10-medicinal-plants-at-home

Thyme: Health Benefits, Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & Interactions. (2019, September 17). RxList. https://www.rxlist.com/thyme/supplements.htm

Orman Fakültesi Dergisi. (2011). Geçmişten Günümüze Tıbbi ve Aromatik Bitkilerin Kullanılması ve Ekonomik Önemi. Doğa İnsan İş Birliği Derneği. https://www.dogainsanisbirligidernegi.org.tr/makaleler/Gecmisten_Gunumuze_Tibbi_ve_%20Aromatik_%20Bitkiler.pdf

Nordqvist, J. (2017, December 13). Everything you need to know about rosemary. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266370

Brazier, Y. (2020, April 28). Benefits, uses, and side effects of Echinacea. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/252684

Stinging nettle. (n.d.). Mount Sinai Health System. Retrieved May 29, 2021, from https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/stinging-nettle

StackPath. Bonnie L. (2020). Growing Thyme Indoors: How To Grow Thyme Indoors. Gardening Know How. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/thyme/growing-thyme-indoors.htm

Rosemary Plant | Rosemary Plant for Sale. (n.d.). PlantingTree. Retrieved May 29, 2021, from https://www.plantingtree.com/products/rosemary-plant

nutraingredients-usa.com. (2020, April 10). Echinacea demand spike likely to cause bottlenecks, price increases. https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Article/2020/04/10/Echinacea-demand-spike-likely-to-cause-bottlenecks-price-increases

Raman, M. R. S. (2018, November 21). 6 Evidence-Based Benefits of Stinging Nettle. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/stinging-nettle

Herbal medicine being tested for treatment of coronavirus in Iran. (2020, March 30). AzerNews.Az. https://www.azernews.az/region/163437.html