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HERBAL medicine, also called botanical medicine or phytomedicine refers to the use of plant seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark or flowers for medicinal purposes. It is the oldest and most widely used system of medicine in the world today. It is used in all societies and is common to all cultures.
The History of Herbal medicine –Plants have been used for medicinal purposes long before recorded history, for example ancient Chinese and Egyptian papyrus writings describe medicinal plant uses. Indigenous cultures such as Africa and American used herbs in their healing rituals, while others, developed traditional medical systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine in which herbal therapies were used systematically.
Scientist found that people in different parts of the globe tended to use the same or similar plants for the same purpose.
In the early 19th century, when methods of chemical analysis first became available, scientists began extracting and modifying the active ingredients from plants. Many modern pharmaceuticals have been modeled on or derived from chemicals found in plants. An example is the heart medication digoxin derived from foxglove (Digtialls puerperal.
Recently, the world Health organization estimated that 80 percent of people world –wide rely on herbal medicines for some aspect of their primary health care.
No wonder the current minister of Health Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu proposed that traditional medicines should be incorporated into the current medical curriculum. The article further stated that medical practitioners ought to equip themselves with expert knowledge of traditional medicines. As with everything, there are pros and cons to such proposals but I am of the opinion that this is a splendid idea, one that ought to have been. Traditional medicine is undoubtedly, a reliable alternative approach to healthcare delivery in the metropolis, because, it is cheap, easily accessible and efficacious. Herbs are obtained from bushes around, the neigbourhood and forests from adjacent states.
Recipes for the treatment of common ailments which are reported almost on daily basis such as hypertension, dysentery, low sperm count and weak erction, coated tongue, pile,, menstrual disorder, leucorrhoea and fevers were given by the practitioners.
Lagos state Traditional medicine board and the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency are praised in facilitating recognition of herbal medicine in the metropolis. Government should help in the area of conservation of medicinal plant and protect patent right of Traditional Medicine Practitioners to encourage release of information.
Animals live in equilibrium with the plants surrounding them, using these plants as sources of food and intuitively or through years of trials and error, as medicine refers to health practices, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plants, animals and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercise, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illnesses or maintain well being (NNMDA, 2008, WHO 2005)
The use of plant as medicine to cure or prevent illness and to lubricate the wheels of social interaction at the interpersonal and group level is a behaviour that predates civilization. It is found in every society irrespective of its level of development and sophistication (Odugbemi, 2006).
The earliest references to these medicinal plants as cure for diseases are to be found in the manuscript of the “Eber papyrus” which contains 700 medical formulas and it dates back to 16th century B.C. (Simpson or and Ogorzaly, 1986).
The drugs of today’s modern society are products of research and development by major pharmaceutical companies, but among the most important raw materials researched and developed are naturally occurring materials obtained from plants. Hence, when we take well packaged medicine today, it is well to remember that we might be taking a processed plant product.
Interest in medicinal plant as a remerging health aid has been fuelled by the by the rising costs of prescription drugs in the maintenance of personal Health and well-being and the bio-prospecting of new plant derived drugs. Based on current and research and financial investments, medicinal plants will, seemingly, continue to play an important role as a health aid (Moerman, 1996).
The use of medicinal plants constitutes an important part of traditional medicine, which is a part of African heritage, though, modern/ orthodox medicine has improved the lot of many cultures.
Moderns medicine complements traditional practices as is obtainable in industriatized societies eg China and India (odugbemi, 2006) In these societies, herbal remedies have become more popular in the treatment of minor ailments and also, account of the increasing costs of personal health maintenance. Indeed, the market and public demand have been so great, that there is a great risk that many medicinal plants today, face either extinction or loss of genetic diversity.
In Nigeria, the majority of citizens still use medicinal plants and visit traditional medicine practitioners for their health care needs (Odugbemi, 2006). It was reported by WHO that in Nigeria, the ratio of Traditional Health Practitioners to the population was 1.110 while, the ratio of medical Doctors to the population was 1:16 (African Health Monitor 2003).
This gives credence to the fact that, people patronise Traditional medicine practioners TMPs) for their primary health needs, more than, orthodox medical doctors. Medicinal plants is defined as any substance with one or more of it organ containing substances that can be used as precursors for the synthesis of antimicrobial drugs (Sofowora, 1982, 1984).
It is estimated that there are about 250,000-5000,000 species of plants on earth (Borris, 1996) of which a relatively small percentage (1-10 percent) of these are used for food by humans and animals.
Medicinal plants contain numerous biologically active compounds such as carbohydrates, proteins, enzymes, fats and oils, minerals, vitamins, terpenoids flavenoids, carotenoids, sterols, simple phenolic glycosides, tannins, saponins, polyphenols, to mention few which have medicinal activities.
Medicinal Herbs Guide
Medicinal herbs have been in use for thousands of years and are renowned for their effectiveness in many diseases. These natural herbs are very effective in boosting the resistance to infections, healing the allergies, raising and renewing the body vitality. Many people have started to resort to herbal remedies for diseases and as a result, they have started growing herbs in their garden. If you also want to grow herbs in your own garden then you should follow too.
Allium sativum, poor man’s Treacle, Bawang Bauarrg, monocot pernial. Readily available and in expensive, garlic may be the first line of defense in treating high blood pressure and dealing with common skin and fungal infections.
Zingber officinale luyang Dilaw, perennial monocot reed. Ginger combines well with many herbs improving taste and potency. Ginger speeds up the delivery of healthy plant chemicals into the blood stream while adding a spicy, hot zest to your favorite dishes.
Ocimum sanctum, Tulsi, Tulasi, Indian Basil has been used for thousands of years in the traditional medicine of India, Ayurveda known to Hindus as Tulsi.
Lommphora myroha tree. One of the three gifts of the three magi. Myrrh was used in religious rituals in ancient Egypt, myrrhs antidungal, antiseptic and sastringent help treatment of infections.
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