Back to the Basics:
Herbal Remedies from
around the World.
For thousands of years, the Earth’s many civilizations have
used plants for their healing properties. Evidence has revealed that using herbal remedies
in prehistoric times goes back to the Neanderthal age, which was over 60,000 years ago!
Through "trial and error" our ancestors discovered the different healing
properties various plants possessed, and as time went on, a variety of "herbal
cultures" evolved.
There are four main herbal healing cultures:
Chinese, Ayurvedic
(from India), European (including Egyptian), and American Indian.
Although each of these
cultures are different, they possess some common characteristics and practices. And now,
In modern medicine, we are still learning, discovering, and implementing the healing
properties of medicinal plants. Despite the terrific advances and progress technology has
presented to healthcare, herbal remedies are continually being explored as we
"progress back to the basics".
Herbs from the Orient
Chinese herbalism dates back to as far as 3400 B.C. One of the most
popular ancient remedies, which have tested well in today’s modern laboratories, is Green
Tea Extract. Known for its free radical fighting properties, Green Tea has
demonstrated antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effects which "could protect humans
against the risk of cancer by environmental agents" according to a recent study.
Ginkgo Biloba Is another herb, which has been used in Oriental Medicine for ages
and also has had stellar results in clinical testing. This "sacred" tree, which
is believed to be the oldest flourishing tree, produces an herb, which is used for
improving circulation as well as memory and cognitive function.
A 1993 double blind study
conducted at the Laboratorie de Pharmacologie Clinique in France tested the effects of
Gingko on elderly subjects with memory impairment. The results indicated a definite
improvement of cognitive function and information processing.
For women-
Dong Quai is
claimed to be the most important "female tonic" in Chinese herbalism.
This herb
is used not only for premenstrual syndrome and menopausal symptoms;
it is also known to
stabilize contractions during pregnancy and delivery.
Another very popular herb not only
in the Orient, but also worldwide, is Ginger.
This root is used for a variety of
indications such as
colds, coughs, influenza, fevers, nausea, vomiting, motion sickness,
and vertigo.
Ginger usage for cooking and in teas is shared by Chinese and Ancient
Indians.
Ayurveda
The Ancient Indians have practiced Ayurvedic Medicine for thousands
of years,
in fact, the word Ayurveda means "science of life."
In the book Yoga
of Herbs, Herbalist Michael Tierra explains,
"The strength of Ayurveda lies in its
broad, all-encompassing view of the dynamic interrelationship between organic
physiological processes, external factors including climate, life work and diet along with
internal emotional stages."
Ginger, besides its medicinal applications, was also used
as a physical and spiritual cleanser by the Indians who supposedly would use it before
religious celebrations because it left them smelling sweet when they presented themselves
to the gods.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is another very popular Indian herb, which is still
used for indigestion, as well as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent.
In a 1994
study at the Cancer Research Institute in Bombay, India,
Turmeric was found to inhibit and
delay the onset of mammary tumors.
Another herb, called Pippali or Piper Longum, is also
used as a stimulant for both the digestive and respiratory systems. Piper Longum or Indian
Long Pepper is related to black pepper and also may have warming and energizing
properties.
Also for rejuvenation is Centella Asiatica or Gotu Kola
which
is commonly used in both Oriental and Indian herbal practices.
It has been called the
"most important rejuvenative herb in Ayurvedic and brain cells.
Also, this herb is
known for its healing effects of skin lesions and aiding tissue repair and remains very
popular in today’s practices of herbal therapy.
Old World Medicine
In the Western world, herbal medicine is still evolving and playing
an influential role in modern health care.
According to European legend,
Dioscorides was
the first medical botanist, and in the year 78 A.D.
he wrote a book on 600 plants, some of
which are used today.
The Egyptians played a major role in Western Herbalism as well;
in
1874 a text was found dating back to 1500 B.C. which listed 876 herbals from about 500
plants,
one third of which are used today in the western world.
Chamomile was
popular in Egypt to cure chills
Dioscorides used it to relieve headaches.
Today, it is
administered as an anti-inflammatory agent
and remedy for sinus-type headaches.
The oil
from the flowers of the chamomile provides very beneficial affects, which is why the
Germans coined the phrase for this best-loved herb. "Alles zutraut" meaning
"capable of anything".
St. John’s Wort
is another herb, which was used, in old legends to ward off evil spirits.
The yellow
flowers of this plant look like they "bleed"
when pinched because they turn red.
In European legend, it was used to measure one’s life expectancy.
Welsh families
would use sprigs of the plant to represent each family member and would then hang them
overnight from a rafter. How much each sprig shriveled by morning was supposed to be an
indicator of how soon each person would die.
Today, this herb works magic for many modern
herbalist.
It is prescribed to heal bruises, cuts, and burns.
Similarly to years ago, St. John’s Wort
is now used to treat digestive disorders, especially ulcers and gastritis.
Feverfew is a
very self-explanatory herb.
For years, British have used this remedy for not only
fevers
but also as a headache remedy.
Today, it is found to have anti-inflammatory
properties and us used in treating arthritis and preventing migraine headaches.
Another
herbal, which is universally becoming very popular in today’s practices of modern
medicine, is Grape
Seed Extract.
Known for its amazing antioxidant properties, this bioflavonoid rich
extract possesses proanthocyanidins, which battle free radicals and combat degenerative
diseases.
Today, sales of proanthocyanidins in France alone exceed $100 million annually.
Native American Discoveries
The American Indians had many herbal healing methods which left the
early colonists in awe. One of the very famous Indian herbs is Goldenseal,
which was originally used by the Cherokees to strain their faces yellow so they would not
be called "red men".
This herb is good for much more than painting, though.
It
has been called a "cure all" for many different ailments.
Its healing properties
for treating inflammation of mucous membranes and digestive problems are still applied
today.
The Plains Indians were the original harvesters of Echinacea, but
it did not take long for it to catch on in the other tribes. During the 17th
and 18th centuries, Native American used this herb for everything from coughs
and colds to toothaches and sore gums.
As time went on, this Purple Coneflower was used
all over the world and the U.S. began to export Echinacea to
European pharmacies.
Today, it is still used to combat the common cold, flu and boost the
immune system to ward off infections. A 1993 study yielded positive results when Echinacea was
tested on the inhibition of tumors and showed immuno stimulating properties in mice.
Many
doctors and herbalists claim that children respond especially well to Echinacea.
The
Northwest Indians introduced another herb to the pioneers: Cascara Sagrada.
Also known as
"sacred bark", the early settlers would soak the bark in water overnight and
then drink it to cure ills such as stomach aches and constipation. The healing properties
are the same today for the Cascara Sagrada, although now it comes in the form of an
extract and is one of the "safest and most certain laxatives" available.
When
discussing herbs that the Native Americans introduced to medical practice, Hawthorne must
not go unmentioned.
This small tree contains berries, which provide an extract believed to
battle cardiovascular problems such as high and low blood pressure and angina. In North
America, over 800 species of the Hawthorne have been found.
The "heart
strengthening" extract is safe and mild, which allows for long term use.
The myriad of uses for herbs in medicine have evolved with the
constant change of health care practices. What was used hundreds of years ago by
"witch doctors" and ancient healers, is now being tested and proven effective in
today’s most advanced technological laboratories. It is astounding that these plants
have made such an impact on the medical practices of all cultures and ages, universally.
This illustrates how medicine has come "full circle" and now we are back to the
basics.
References
Books
Rebecca Flynn and Mark Roest, Your Guide to Standardized Herbal Products (Prescott: One
World Press, 1995).
Dr. David Frawley and Dr. Vasant Lad, The Yoga of Herbs
(Twin Lakes: Lotus Press, 1992).
Christopher Hobbs, Handbook to Herbal Healing (Capitola: Botanica Press, 1992).
Michael Castleman, The Healing Herbs (Emmaus: Rodale Press, 1991).
Christopher Hobbs, Gingko: Elixir of Youth (Capitola: Botanica Press, 1991).
Claire Kowalchik & William H. Hylton, eds. Rodale Press, 1987).
Journals
Allain, H. et al., "Effect of two doses of ginkgo biloba extract on the dual coding
test in elderly subjects."
Clinical Therapeutics 15 (3): 549-558.
Bhide, et. Al. "Chemoprevention of mammary tumor virus-induced and chemical
carcinogen-induced rodent mammary tumors by natural plant product. "Breast Cancer
Research Treatment 30(3): 233-42.
Mukhtar, H et.al., "Tea components: antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effects."
Preventative Medicine 21:351-360; 1992.
Steinmuller, C. et. al., "Polysaccharides isolated from plant cell cultures of
Echinacea purpurea enhance the resistance of immunosuppressed mice against systemic
infections with Candida albicans and Listeria monocytogenes." International J
Immunopharmacology, 15(5): 605-14.
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