Medicinal Plants

By AMANDA SMITH

A medicinal plant is any plant that, in one or more of its organs, contains substances that can be used for therapeutic purposes or which are precursors for the synthesis of useful drugs. A number of plants have been used in traditional medicine for many years. Some do seem to work although there may not be sufficient scientific data (double-blind trials, for example) to confirm their efficacy. Such plants should qualify as medicinal plants. The term 'crude drugs of natural or biological origin' is used by pharmacists and pharmacologists to describe whole plants or parts of plants that have medicinal properties. 

I have included a few of the medicinal plants to depict the picture of nature how medicinal it is.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amanda Smith
• Release date: Mar 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201370091

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MEDICINAL PLANTS

The contribution of the plant kingdom to man's health accompanies and will accompany his existence. The most elementary human need, food is, for the most part, dependent on vegetables. Also with regard to medicines, plants play an essential role, providing molecules and active substances for the treatment of diseases, sometimes as an irreplaceable resource, originating from the so-called medicinal flora.

When, in the first half of the 20th century, notable progress in the production of chemically synthesized medicines took the place of plant remedies, apparently that phytotherapy was reaching its end. However, the value of natural remedies is being rediscovered and medicine has increasing number of healing plants. It was possible to prove that, although its effect may seem slower, the results are better in the long term, especially in chronic diseases.

It is estimated that 25% of the drugs currently prescribed contain at least one or some substance derived from plants. Chemically synthesized drugs usually have certain drawbacks. Obviously, plants are not devoid of toxic effects. Plants harvested or prescribed by amateurs, as well as improper preparation, can be extremely dangerous. Information about the use of in natura plants or their simple galenic preparations and their health risks are elementary as a way of preventing possible accidental poisoning. It is evident that a treatment monitored by a professional who knows its properties is indispensable and rational. As such, our purpose is educational and is not intended to be a substitute for appropriate medical care, diagnoses or prescriptions.

USUAL PHARMACEUTICAL FORMS

The medicinal value of a plant is due to the presence, in some of its tissues, of a chemical substance - the principle active -which produces a pharmacological effect. Therefore, the form of preparation is important so that it is correctly removed from the interior of the plant cells, as well as not to modify its chemical properties. These operations, which constitute the pharmaceutical art, are here presented in a simplified way, in order toenable the reader to handle their own medicines.

1.1  forms of use internal

raw : This is not a pharmaceutical form, it is a form of food use, in which parts of the vegetable in natura are used for the preparation of culinary dishes.

Decoction:Place the plant in a bowl and run cold water over it. Cover and boil for 10 to 15 minutes or as specified. Remove the pot from the heat and keep covered for a few minutes. Afterwards, strain and drink. The decoction must be used on the same day of its preparation. It is the process used in the elaboration of the popular tea.

Infusion:Infusions are obtained by boiling the necessary water and pouring it over the chopped herb in a container, preferably glass, leaving it to rest covered for a variable time.10 to 20 minutes, or as specified. Afterwards, strain and drink. The infusion should be used on the same day of preparation.

Maceration:This form of preparation consists of placing the chopped plant part immersed in an extractor liquid (water, alcohol, oil or other liquid), for a period of time around 15 hours for the more tender parts (leaves, flowers, inflorescences, etc.). .) and 24 hours for harder parts (barks, roots, stems, etc.).

Dust: plant drug subjected to the milling