Medicinal Value of Plants

Plants provide a wide range of health benefits for people. Many ancient or traditional remedies have been supported by modern medicine and scientific research. A plant compound in modern birth control was used by ancient Egyptians for the same purpose; quinine, now in anti-malarial medications, was discovered by a Spanish explorer; and you may find that many of your grandma's folk remedies really work. Herbal remedies are a safe, natural method of treatment you can use at home. But, know your allergies and do not consume a wild plant unless you can positively identify it.

Anti-Inflammatories

• Marigold is one of many flowering plants used to reduce inflammation.

  Many plants can be used to reduce inflammation. The yarrow root (Achillea millefolium), hollyhock flowers (Alcea rosea), marigold flowers, chamomile and peppermint can be applied as salves or ingested to alleviate inflammation. Celery helps to relieve inflammation due to arthritis by pressing the seeds into an essential oil and applying it to the skin. Flax seed and borage flowers (Borago officinalis) contain high levels of omega fatty acids, and can be used to treat muscular, joint and tendon inflammations.

Antibiotics and Antiseptics

• Lavender is a strong antiseptic.

  Marigold petals can be applied to wounds, burns, athlete's foot and ringworm as a poultice to reduce the risk of bacterial, fungal or viral infections. Sunflower leaves crushed into a poultice have been used to treat spider and snake bites. Lavender oil is a very well-known, very strong antiseptic. And hops, a primary ingredient in beer, has antiseptic and antibiotic properties as well.

Analgesics, or Pain Relievers

• Columbine is one of several well-known herbal analgesics.

  Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is a well-known analgesic flower and can also be used to relieve headaches. Common mallow (Malva sylvestris) can be mashed into a poultice to relieve stinging and pain from insect bites and small cuts. Black-eyed susan root reduces pain from insect bites and small wounds.

Preventative Treatments

• Onions are a medicinal superfood.

  Garlic, onions, scallions, leeks, chives and shallots, all members of the allium group, are rich in flavonols. Plants from this group are thought to help prevent tumorous growths and reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Onions also contain compounds known to lower blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. Members of the Digitalis genus, like lily-of-the-valley (Convollaria majalis) and foxglove (Digitalis ambigua), have flowers and leaves that contain cardiac glycosides to help prevent heart disease and can be steeped as a tea. Tomatoes contain lycopene, which may prevent cardiovascular disease.

Remedies for Cough and Common Cold

• Mint tea soothes sore throats, and it also improves memory recall.

  Onions are rich in vitamins B-1, B-2 and C, and can be blended with orange juice for an effective natural cold remedy. Marshmallow (Althea officinalis), the plant -- not the fluffy white candy -- can be mashed into a syrup to soothe sore throat from coughing. Golden rod (Solidago canadensis) relieves sore throat and nasal congestion. A concoction of peppermint, spearmint, thyme and spruce is a powerful combination to ward off winter colds. Thyme also helps to reduce the symptoms of asthma.

Digestives and Diuretics

• Chives add flavor and improve your digestion.

  Chives can be eaten to stimulate digestion and purge intestinal parasite. Adding a bay leaf to soup or pasta sauce may also relieve upper digestive tract disorders. Dill, chamomile and ginger help to relieve indigestion. Chamomile, columbine and ginger make an excellent tea, a diuretic and digestive.

Beauty & Aesthetic Health

• Aloe vera, a succulent plant known as a remedy for sunburn, soothes blemishes, too.

  Primrose can be applied as an oil to the skin or ingested in small quantities (no more than 4 g per day) to alleviate skin allergies, such as eczema. Young dandelion has similar effects, and its leaves and roots can be eaten as a spring green. Aloe vera and tea tree oil help improve skin blemishes and overall appearance. For those watching their waistline, rosemary aids in the digestion of fat.

Mood and Memory Enhancers

• Rosemary is one of the most versatile medicinal plants.

  Borage and St. John's Wort flowers have been touted as being able to improve mood and outlook. They can be eaten raw or steeped as a tea. Ginkgo biloba, ginseng and rosemary are a well-known combination for memory enhancement. Lavender fragrance provides aromatherapy, and is thought to relieve insomnia, mild depression, anxiety, headaches and body tension.