Our ancestors have been using plants to heal wounds, treat diseases and soothe disturbed minds since prehistoric times. People from all continents have experimented with hundreds, if not thousands, of native plants to find out how they can help us heal. This global experiment has resulted in a vast amount of wisdom that is now part of our healing and healthcare story. Adding plants to your home can transform it from a place to lay your head to a certified Zen den for all things personal care.
Especially when you grow and surround yourself with certain medicinal plants in your indoor or outdoor garden. Not only do these plants provide a beautiful sight, but they can also help eliminate pain from the body when applied topically. For example, English calendula can be rubbed over an insect bite to reduce pain and swelling. Ashwagandha is another medicinal plant that is gaining popularity for its help with anxiety and fatigue.
The root of this evergreen woody shrub can be used to make tea, extract or powder and be consumed. Yarrow is another plant that has been used for centuries to treat digestive problems and heal wounds, especially moderate burns. Goldenrod and calendula are also known for their anti-inflammatory and blood flow increasing properties respectively. Evening primrose oil is another plant that has multiple uses.
It can be beneficial for the treatment of wounds and bites since the leaves of the plant look pitted. Botanical gardens emerged all over Europe, and attempts were made to grow medicinal plants from domestic and those imported from the old and new worlds. Aloe is one of the best indoor plants, as it requires little maintenance and only needs to be watered approximately every three weeks. In recent years, people have been turning plants such as turmeric, hoodia, moringa and ayahuasca into superfoods and miracle cures. However, this model sees plants simply as the source of a single chemical that targets a single recipient site or other part of the body and corrects the individual's health problem.
The use of medicinal plants has been around since the development of mankind and advanced civilizations. Archaeological excavations dating back 60,000 years have found traces of medicinal plants such as opium poppies, ephedra and cannabis. It is important to be aware that following the trends and rituals of plants that do not come from your personal lineage can harm those who depend on these plants, especially colonized people, and the plants themselves (due to overexploitation). People's continued interest in medicinal plants has given rise to the modern fashion of their processing and use.
In each period, every successive century since then, the healing properties of certain medicinal plants were identified, observed and transmitted to successive generations.
