There have been many dark times in history. Knowing how to use botanical medicine undoubtedly helped many to survive when medical help as we know it today was not available. A wonderful body of knowledge (that some dismiss as folk tales similar to myths) has come down to us from centuries of experiment and observation. It's short-sighted to ignore this treasure trove, especially since research and clinical trials continue to substantiate claims of the benefits of many plant substances.
Actually, much of mainstream medicine (something used to prevent or treat maladies) is derived from plants. Quinine, one drug many people know, is an extract of tree bark used to alleviate the symptoms of malaria. All over the world, bark, roots, leaves, fruit, flowers, and berries are used to strengthen, soothe, alleviate, and cure.
Scurvy afflicted sailors and explorers on long journeys if their meat and beans diet was not supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables. The British Royal Navy is credited with learning that fresh lemons and limes could prevent illness and death from this deficiency disease. The vitamin C content of citrus fruits was discovered later.
People gathered rose hips during war time and still do today. The red seed pods contain a lot of vitamin C and bioflavanoids. Carrots were eaten by fighter pilots to boost their night vision. American ranchers watched wild horses gnaw the bark from trees and realized this was an effective way to dispel worms. Dandelion greens have long been used as a spring food after a long winter without fresh vegetables. Desert dwellers discovered the benefits of aloe vera, jojoba, and yucca.
Today there is a large market for herbal remedies. Midwives send mothers-to-be to health food stores for red raspberry tea (uterine toning), ginger (morning sickness), or herbal iron supplements. Nursing mothers take fenugreek to boost milk production. Insomniacs seek out chamomile, passion flower, and hops. People fight fatigue with blue green algae, guarana, ginseng, and gota kola.
Every continent and country has its own botanical wonder drugs. Pau d'arco is considered a panacea in South America. Tea tree oil from Australia is used world-wide as an antiseptic and a fungicide. Neem, considered a cure-all in India, is used to fight fungus infections, oral problems, and a multitude of other disorders. Researchers in France discovered the benefits of pine bark and grape seeds. Japan farms chlorella, a single cell algae with proven health-enhancing properties.
Food is the best medicine, they say, and we now know that onions and garlic have healing properties, that broccoli sprouts can fight cancer, that cultured foods improve digestion, and that green drinks can restore health. 'The body will heal itself' is another old saw which researchers are finding is true, if nutritious foods are provided. Plants hold the key to better health and to survival in hard times.
No one, even the medical profession, denies that plants are medicinal. Learning which garden-grown or wild-gathered plants are good for us - and good for what ails us - is sensible and may even one day be life saving.
Actually, much of mainstream medicine (something used to prevent or treat maladies) is derived from plants. Quinine, one drug many people know, is an extract of tree bark used to alleviate the symptoms of malaria. All over the world, bark, roots, leaves, fruit, flowers, and berries are used to strengthen, soothe, alleviate, and cure.
Scurvy afflicted sailors and explorers on long journeys if their meat and beans diet was not supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables. The British Royal Navy is credited with learning that fresh lemons and limes could prevent illness and death from this deficiency disease. The vitamin C content of citrus fruits was discovered later.
People gathered rose hips during war time and still do today. The red seed pods contain a lot of vitamin C and bioflavanoids. Carrots were eaten by fighter pilots to boost their night vision. American ranchers watched wild horses gnaw the bark from trees and realized this was an effective way to dispel worms. Dandelion greens have long been used as a spring food after a long winter without fresh vegetables. Desert dwellers discovered the benefits of aloe vera, jojoba, and yucca.
Today there is a large market for herbal remedies. Midwives send mothers-to-be to health food stores for red raspberry tea (uterine toning), ginger (morning sickness), or herbal iron supplements. Nursing mothers take fenugreek to boost milk production. Insomniacs seek out chamomile, passion flower, and hops. People fight fatigue with blue green algae, guarana, ginseng, and gota kola.
Every continent and country has its own botanical wonder drugs. Pau d'arco is considered a panacea in South America. Tea tree oil from Australia is used world-wide as an antiseptic and a fungicide. Neem, considered a cure-all in India, is used to fight fungus infections, oral problems, and a multitude of other disorders. Researchers in France discovered the benefits of pine bark and grape seeds. Japan farms chlorella, a single cell algae with proven health-enhancing properties.
Food is the best medicine, they say, and we now know that onions and garlic have healing properties, that broccoli sprouts can fight cancer, that cultured foods improve digestion, and that green drinks can restore health. 'The body will heal itself' is another old saw which researchers are finding is true, if nutritious foods are provided. Plants hold the key to better health and to survival in hard times.
No one, even the medical profession, denies that plants are medicinal. Learning which garden-grown or wild-gathered plants are good for us - and good for what ails us - is sensible and may even one day be life saving.
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