The Power of Medicinal Plants: A Comprehensive Guide

As one of the oldest tree species, gingko is also one of the oldest homeopathic plants and a key herb in Chinese medicine. The leaves are used to create capsules, tablets and extracts, and when dried, they can be consumed as tea. It is perhaps best known for its ability to improve brain health. Studies say gingko can treat patients with mild to moderate dementia and may slow cognitive decline in dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

The gingko is considered a living fossil, with fossils dating back 270 million years ago. These trees can live up to 3,000 years. With its bright orange hue, it's impossible to miss a bottle of turmeric on a spice rack. Turmeric, native to India, is believed to have anti-cancer properties and may prevent mutations.

According to recent research, turmeric also shows promise as a treatment for a variety of dermatological diseases and joint arthritis. Turmeric has been used as a medicinal herb for 4,000 years. It is a tentpole of an Indian alternative medicine practice called Ayurveda. The studies that are available on this oil tend to be everywhere, but there are studies that are more robust than others. For example, some studies have found that evening primrose oil has anti-inflammatory properties.

It is known to help with conditions such as atopic dermatitis and diabetic neuropathy. It can also help with other health problems, such as breast pain. According to these studies, evening primrose oil could be the Swiss army knife in the world of medicinal plants. The caveat is that it can interact with several medications. More research is coming and applications are promising.

Flax seed, also available as oil, is one of the safest options among plant-based dietary supplements. Harvested for thousands of years, today flax seed is praised for its antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory benefits. While more research with humans is needed, study says flax seed may help prevent colon cancer. Another study cites that flax seed has the ability to lower blood pressure. When consumed, it can even help reduce obesity.

Many people add flaxseed and flaxseed meal to oats and smoothies, and it is also available in the form of tablets, oil (which can be put in capsules) and flour. The best way to add flax seeds is through diet. Sprinkle ground seeds on cereals or salads, cook in hot cereals, stews, homemade breads or milkshakes. Add Linseed Oil to Salad Dressing. Flax seeds are one of the few vegetable sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Other sources include chia seeds, walnuts and soy. More studies are needed on acne and scalp use, but for now, there is a degree of research on the antimicrobial superpowers of tea tree oil in wounds and topical infections. Wilson recommends that tea tree oil, like all essential oils, be diluted in a carrier oil. He adds that it is often already diluted in a variety of skin care products and creams. Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of a tree native to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia.

Echinacea

is much more than those beautiful purple echinacea that you see dotting gardens. These flowers have been used for centuries as medicine in the form of teas, juices and extracts.

Nowadays, they can be taken as powders or supplements. The most well-known use of echinacea is to shorten the symptoms of the common cold, but further studies are needed to verify this benefit and understand how echinacea increases immunity when there is a virus. In general, with the exception of some potential side effects, echinacea is relatively safe. Even though you need more testing, you can always choose to use it if you expect your cold symptoms to end more quickly. Some of the first people to use echinacea as a medicinal herb were Native Americans.

The first archaeological evidence dates back to the 18th century.

Dandelion

, originally native to Europe, is one of the most common medicinal plants in the United States. UU. Dandelions are “relatively soft” McKinnon says compared to the effects of other medicinal plants. They are often used in teas or tonics to enhance the body's natural detoxification processes.

One of the general benefits of plant-based drugs McKinnon says is the extra nutrition that customers can get.

Raspberry leaf

is an excellent example of a plant medicine that supports overall health thanks to its high levels of nutrition. If you've ever been hiking in a vegetated area you probably know what a burdock or burr is in common vernacular. Small thorny circular pods that attach to clothing like velcro are part of the larger burdock family. While the leafy part of these plants can be a nuisance dark fibrous roots are a common and potent medicine with some of the same digestion-boosting effects found in dandelion.

Oak bark

, revered in traditional medicine, is a potent source of tannins which is a bitter compound that has an astringent effect says McKinnon.

Essentially tannins can help tighten our body tissues and strengthen the integrity of our skin and mucous membranes Tannins also provide a slight antibiotic and antimicrobial effect. For this reason oak bark is used topically to treat weeping skin conditions such as poison ivy or eczema and is also used as a wash to clean minor cuts and scratches. While it is easy and quite safe to use as a topical remedy internal intake of oak should only be done with the help of a trained professional since it is known to cause stomach upset and constipation.

Pine

, used as a tincture or tea, is also useful for expectorating; in other words it helps the body remove phlegm and promotes the flow of mucus out of the lungs.

Medicinal plants

, such as gingko turmeric evening primrose oil flax seed tea tree oil echinacea dandelion raspberry leaf burdock oak bark pine are useful to have on hand to treat common ailments. You can use certain medicinal plants to relieve headaches tummy problems and even irritation caused by insect bites Plants can be consumed in teas used as a garnish applied topically as essential oil or consumed as a lozenge.

Andrea Pedraza
Andrea Pedraza

Hardcore music specialist. Avid social media nerd. Hardcore pop culture lover. Devoted zombie practitioner. Hipster-friendly communicator.

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