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 17^th and 18^th 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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