Herbology and Healing Methods
Plants had been used for medicinal purposes long before recorded history. Ancient Chinese and Egyptian papyrus writings describe medicinal uses for plants. Many cultures African and Native American used herbs in their healing rituals, while others developed traditional medical systems such as the Traditional Chinese Medicine in which herbal therapies were used. Researchers found that people in different parts of the world tended to use the same or similar plants for the same purposes.
In the early 19th century, when chemical analysis first became available, scientists began to extract and modify the active ingredients from plants. Later, chemists began making their own version of plant compounds, and over time, the use of herbal medicines became essential for making drugs that people used to cure their illness.
Recently, the World Health Organization estimated that 80% of people worldwide rely on herbal medicines for some part of their primary health care. In many cases, scientists aren't sure what specific ingredient in a particular herb works to treat a condition or illness. Whole herbs contain many ingredients, and they may work together to produce a beneficial effect. Many factors determine how effective an herb will be. For example, the type of environment in which a plant grew will affect it, and also how and when this herb was harvested and processed.
Traditional medicine is all the knowledge and practices used to prevent, diagnose and eliminate physical, mental, or social imbalance. It is based on observation and experience handed down from generation to generation and by word of mouth or written. It is estimated that 80 percent of the world's population relies on traditional medicines for a significant part of their health care.
In the early 19th century, when chemical analysis first became available, scientists began to extract and modify the active ingredients from plants. Later, chemists began making their own version of plant compounds, and over time, the use of herbal medicines became essential for making drugs that people used to cure their illness.
Recently, the World Health Organization estimated that 80% of people worldwide rely on herbal medicines for some part of their primary health care. In many cases, scientists aren't sure what specific ingredient in a particular herb works to treat a condition or illness. Whole herbs contain many ingredients, and they may work together to produce a beneficial effect. Many factors determine how effective an herb will be. For example, the type of environment in which a plant grew will affect it, and also how and when this herb was harvested and processed.
Traditional medicine is all the knowledge and practices used to prevent, diagnose and eliminate physical, mental, or social imbalance. It is based on observation and experience handed down from generation to generation and by word of mouth or written. It is estimated that 80 percent of the world's population relies on traditional medicines for a significant part of their health care.