Medicinal Plants: What Makes them Different

For all intents and purposes, there is no actual difference between plants we commonly use for their curative properties, from those we don't. In that the biological process that defines plants applies to all members of the plant kingdom, any plant may serve a medicinal purpose--perhaps one we simply have yet to discover or learn to utilize.

Basically, it all comes down to the chemical make-up of a given plant as to whether it will serve a common curative function, rare curative function, or constitute that list of plants that as yet have no known curative function. But the latter list is shortening every day. For millennium, humankind used plants for their healing abilities, having no rational explanation for their effectiveness. Today, however, the fields of organic chemistry and pharmacology have qualitatively determined which chemical factors of a given plant are responsible for its therapeutic effect.

These distinctions regard the "active principles" or chemical "constituents" of a given plant.

Alkaloids rank among the most effective and therapeutic constituents of plants, as well as the most dangerous. Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds which mostly contain basic nitrogen atoms. Traditionally used only as topical applications due to their ability to poison when taken internally, plants in this category include Greater Celandine, Jimsonweed, and White Hellebore.

Numbering in the thousands, alkaloids are now recognized as having remarkable therapeutic effects regarding analgesic, anti-timorous and anti-bacterial properties, but should only be utilized and administered by experienced practitioners.

Science defines glycosides as a molecule in which a sugar is bound to a small organic molecule. Glycosides play numerous important roles in living organisms.

Plants in this category include Foxglove, Alder Buckthorn, Pot Marigold, and Milk Thistle--all of which have a variety of curative properties including anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and laxative action, and are proven to be remarkably effective against a wide variety of disease from affecting muscles tissue of the heart to easing general muscle pain; improving liver and gall bladder conditions to clearing the lungs of mucus.

Essential oils are generally aromatic, quite unstable organic compounds of a recognizable "oil-like" character. Extracted from Wild Thyme, for example, they have proven effective against respiratory infections, while the oils of Yarrow, Sweet-Flag, and Fennel are commonly used to treat infections of the digestive tract. Among the other plants commonly utilized for their curative oils are Juniper, Parsley, Rosemary, Peppermint, Dill, Anise, and Caraway.

Scientifically, Tannins are astringent, bitter plant polyphenolic compounds that either binds and precipitates or shrinks proteins and various other organic compounds including amino acids and alkaloids. They are generally utilized for their effectiveness in hastening the healing of wounds and inflamed mucous membranes. Internally, tannins extracted from herbs such as Oak Bark, Agrimony, and Garden Sage are used to treat varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and burns. Internally, they are effective against diarrhea and nausea.

Bitters varied chemical composition have been used for centuries to treat stomach disorders and digestion. There are numerous brands of bitters that were formerly marketed as patent medicines but are now considered to be digestifs, rather than medicines such as Vermouth. Centaury, Wormwood, and Blessed Thistle are among those plants used in the preparation of bitters for these therapeutic properties.

Sugars are an essential part of many medicinal preparations. Generally used as a term for a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, other sugars are used in industrial food preparation known by more specific names—glucose, fructose or fruit sugar, high fructose corn syrup. Extracted from plants such as Coltsfoot, Mallow, Ribwort, and Mullein, sugars have a wide range of healing abilities from treating diabetes to inflammation of the upper respiratory passages; providing general nourishment to treating intestinal ailments.

Vegetable fats and oils are lipid materials derived from plants. Plants store energy in their fatty oils. When isolated, they are used in ointments, a wide variety of medicines (both natural and processed), cosmetics, and are recognized primarily for their ability to effectively treat diseases of the digestive tract. Physically, oils are liquid at room temperature and fats are solid.

An organic acid is an organic compound with acidic properties. Close to sugars in biogenetic composition, organic acids are found in all plants. Among those most familiar are malic acid, citric acid, and tartaric acid. As "primary metabolites," their benefits are naturally utilized in many herbal preparations.

The Cornerstone of Ayurveda: Neem

Used extensively as a major component in Ayurvedic and Unani medicinal system, Neem is used for addressing a range of skin ailments. Its extracts are widely used in Ayurveda for their anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, contraceptive and sedative properties.

With the sobriquet ‘Village Pharmacy’ conferred on a herb, Neem needs no introduction. Used extensively as a major component in Ayurvedic and Unani medicinal system, Neem is used for addressing a range of skin ailments. Its extracts are widely used in Ayurveda for their anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, contraceptive and sedative properties. In a Neem tree, every part is believed to have medicinal properties. The leaves, bark, seeds and flowers are all used in various medicinal preparations.

Most widely used for acquiring healthy skin, the oil and extracts of the herb are widely recommended for acne treatment and skin rashes. The leaves of the tree are also reported to remove toxins, purify blood and prevent damage caused by free radical in the body by neutralizing them. Not only is it a tonic and an astringent, Neem maintains healthy blood circulation and cleanses the body of toxins and impurities. Proper usage of the herb is known to help in achieving glowing and radiant skin. When administered on skin, Neem extracts and oil remove the redness and itching while improving the condition of the skin for the duration of the treatment. In case of pimples and acne, application of Neem kills bacteria and removes inflammation, thereby making the skin smooth and supple.

Known for more than 5000 years for its wide range of therapeutic properties, the Neem tree belongs to the plant family of Meliaceae and is indigenous to the Indian sub-continent. Also found in Sri Lanka, Burma, Bangladesh and Pakistan, Neem grows in tropical and semi-tropical regions. A fast-growing ever-green tree which grows to a height of 50-56 feet, the branches of neem trees are widespread and have asymmetric leaflets.

Extracts of Neem bark are used for the overall healthy functioning of the body. Cool, bitter, astringent and acrid, its bark is efficacious in the treatment of common cold, fever and worm infestation. Widely recommended for its antiseptic property, Neem is beneficial for women and children for multiple reasons. Its antibacterial properties are especially effective for gum diseases and cavities. Due to its strong anti-oxidant properties, Neem protects against chemically induced carcinogens and liver damage by boosting antioxidant levels.

The Neem tree has been identified on the five-thousand-year-old seals excavated from the Indus Valley Civilization”. Believed to exorcise the the demon of diseases, the Ayurvedic herb is not only used for its medicinal properties, but also worshipped in India as a deity. Known to contain nimbin, nimbinene and quercentin, the leaves of the tree help in the treatment of neuromuscular pains. The leaves of this Ayurvedic plant remove toxins, purify blood and prevent damage caused by free radical in the body by neutralizing them.

Ayurveda: A Holistic Approach

The term Ayurveda is taken from the Sanskrit words ayus, meaning life or lifespan, and veda, meaning knowledge. It has been practiced in India for at least 5,000 years and has recently become popular in Western cultures. The basic principle of Ayurveda is to prevent and treat illness by maintaining balance in the body, mind, and consciousness through proper drinking, diet, and lifestyle, as well as herbal remedies. Considered by many scholars to be the oldest healing science, Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health that is designed to help people live long, healthy, and well-balanced lives.

There are two main types of Ayurveda: traditional and Maharishi. Maharishi is a version of traditional Ayurveda based on translations from the classical texts by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Both types of Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe herbs, believe that disease results from an imbalance in the doshas, and use many of the same remedies for treating illness. Maharishi Ayurveda, however, emphasizes the role of supreme consciousness in maintaining good health, and promotes transcendental meditation as a way to experience the pure consciousness of the universe. It also highlights the expression of positive emotions and the need to attune your life to the natural rhythms of the body.

Everyone has vata, pitta, and kapha, but usually 1 or 2 are dominant in a particular person. Many things can disturb the energy balance, such as stress, an unhealthy diet, the weather, and strained family relationships. The disturbance shows up as disease. Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe treatments to bring the doshas back into balance.

Ayurvedic treatment focuses on rebalancing the doshas. On your first visit, the practitioner will take a detailed medical history, check your pulse, feel your abdomen, examine your tongue, eyes, nails, and skin, and listen to the tone of your voice. The practitioner will also ask you questions about your general health, paying special attention to your lifestyle, diet, habits, and surroundings. The practitioner will then recommend how to restore your natural dosha balance, which almost always includes changes in lifestyle, especially diet.

Ayurvedic Plants and their potiential towards Ayurveda

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian therapeutic measure is renowned as one of the major systems of alternative and complimentary medicine. As other herbal systems, greater parts of its medicaments are based on indigenous herbals. And the thorough and fractionate knowledge about the medicinal plant is mandatory for all who is working in the field of ayurveda, in order to identify and select the appropriate plant for a specific disease. In the recent years, the interest in medicinal plants has increased in a great deal.

Ayurvedic medicine originated in the Indian sub continent thousands of years ago. The first documented texts of Ayurveda are approximately 2,000 years old with evidence of a substantial oral tradition, which preceded the written texts.

Ayurvedic Medicine continues to be the main system of health care in India along with modern Western Medicine. Variations of the Ayurvedic tradition are also practiced in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Tibet.

In Ayurvedic Medicine, there are numerous herbs which have been used historically for treating a large variety of ailments. There is not such a sharp distinction between food and medicine in Ayurveda and many herbs are taken daily as part of your meals.

Many of the more common Ayurvedic Herbs have received increased popularity here in the West as their successful use for centuries in Asia has given way to scientific testing proving their healing potential for people world wide.