Medicinal Plants & Descriptions

People throughout history have used plants, herbs and fungi for their medicinal properties. The World Health Organization estimates that up to 80 percent of the world's population today still uses herbal medicine as the primary form of health care. Medicinal plants do not need to be exotic, and in fact are often common species.

Considerations

• About one-quarter of all medicines used in the modern pharmaceutical industry have at least one active ingredient derived from natural plant sources.

Dandelion

• Dandelion in flower

  Dandelion is a perennial herb with a single yellow flower found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Used externally, it has antibacterial properties, and internally, it is high in nutrition and beneficial for the urinary tract.

Mint

• Mint

  Mint can form creeping root-stocks or upright stems up to two feet high. Mint soothes indigestion and can be used to calm colic in infants.

Lemon

• Lemon fruit

  Lemon is a straggling tree up to 11 feet tall. Lemon prevents scurvy, cools fever, acts as a diuretic and soothes sore throats.

Basil

• Basil

  Basil is a low, bushy plant with ovate leaves. Basil can ease nervous disorders and rheumatic pains as well as alleviate nausea.