Medicinal Properties of Herbs

Herbs have been used for their medicinal properties for all of recorded history, and archaeological evidence suggests that herbs have been used as far back as 60,000 years ago by Neanderthals. As such an essential part of human medicine, many herbs have significant effects on health and are still used to treat illnesses and injuries today.

History

• The first written record of herbal remedies comes from a Sumerian physician around 2200 BC. The first truly extensive record was made by Hippocrates in Greece in the fifth century BC, when he noted around 400 herbs and their medicinal properties. In the first century AD, Dioscorides expanded the list to around 600 herbs. Finally, herbs were widely popularized by the writings of Nicholas Culpeper in the 17th century when he categorized all known herbs and their uses.

Types

• The study and use of herbal medicines falls into three categories. The first is traditional Oriental, or Chinese medicine, the second is Ayurvedic herbalism, and the third is Western herbalism, which traces its roots back to Greece and Roman studies. Western herbalism is often considered to be more rooted in folklore than the other types, but its use persists today.

Use

• The medicinal properties of herbs are utilized by three distinct methods. The first, known as a tincture, is a process by which a herb is soaked in alcohol so as to strain the soluble parts of the herb into a solution. The solution is then used on the affected part of the body, like lavender being dabbed onto the temples to aid in sleep or curing headaches. Next, an infusion is made by pouring hot water over the herb and letting the mixture steep, creating an herbal tea. These teas can be used for many things like chamomile tea, aiding sleep, or lemon balm tea, relieving fatigue and aiding memory. Finally, a decoction is made by boiling the roots, stems or bark of the herb. An echinacea decoction, for example, boosts the immune system.

Examples

• Other examples of herbs' medicinal properties are the willow bark's ability to treat headaches. In fact, willow bark is partly an active ingredient in aspirin. Also, the digitalis of the foxglove plant is used to treat heart disease. Aloe vera is a popular herbal remedy for sunburned or irritated skin, while people still chew on mint to freshen their breath. An infusion of peppermint is even known to aid digestion.

Modern Medicine

• Although now more likely to be delivered as a pill or tablet rather than decoction or balm, herbs still play a significant role in the world of modern medicine. In fact, 25 percent of prescription drugs derive one or more ingredient from an herb, and around 80 percent of the planet still relies on herbal remedies as a primary method of health care. In addition, active research is being done on the properties of herbs that can cure or treat illness.