This document provides an overview of herbal medicine as a nature-based healing modality. It discusses the author's personal experience with herbal medicine as a child and explores the philosophy and history of herbalism. The history section describes how herbal medicine has been practiced for millennia around the world and was an important part of many early civilizations. It also discusses how herbalism was influenced by indigenous North American traditions and became more formalized in the 19th century with writers like Samuel Thomson. Currently, herbalism requires various levels of training, though it was traditionally passed down orally. While herbal supplements are now widely available, the role of the professional herbalist has diminished.
This document discusses the field of ethnobotany, which studies the relationship between societies and plants. It provides examples of traditional medicine systems in Asia that incorporate extensive knowledge of herbal medicines, including Ayurveda (India), Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tibetan medicine, and Unani medicine. The document notes that ethnobotany is important for the conservation of medicinal plant resources and community development. It discusses specific ethnobotanical studies conducted in India, China, and Northeast India to document traditional knowledge and its application to sustainable management of medicinal plant resources.
The use of plants as medicine predates written human history. Ancient civilizations like the Sumerians, Egyptians, Indians, and Chinese wrote extensively about medicinal plants in their cultures. During the Middle Ages, Benedictine monasteries helped preserve ancient Greco-Roman and Arabic medical knowledge and focused on herbal remedies. The 15th-17th centuries saw the publication of many herbals or books describing medicinal plants in vernacular languages, making this knowledge more widely accessible. However, the emergence of chemical drugs and modern medicine in the second millennium began to diminish the role of plants in therapeutics.
Ethnobotany introduction, ethnobotany definition, divisions of ethnobotany, Tribes of south india, Methodology in ethnobotany , ethnobotany in human welfare
Ethnomedicinal plants used to cure skin diseases by tribals of Mahabubnagar d...iosrjce
IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences(IOSR-JPBS) is a double blind peer reviewed International Journal that provides rapid publication (within a month) of articles in all areas of Pharmacy and Biological Science. The journal welcomes publications of high quality papers on theoretical developments and practical applications in Pharmacy and Biological Science. Original research papers, state-of-the-art reviews, and high quality technical notes are invited for publications.
Ethnobotany, history of ethnobotany, aims and objective of ethnobotany, scope...halamobeen
in this presentation a brief note is given about what is ethnobotany. history of ethnobotany. what is the scope of ethnobotany. which are the aims and objective of ethnobotany. and also uses of ethnobotany.
African traditional medicine is a holistic health practice that uses indigenous herbalism combined with some aspects of spirituality. It involves the direct application of herbal remedies, animal parts, or mineral materials for healing purposes. It is still the main source of healthcare delivery in almost all Africa nations in spite of the growth of religious enlightenment, western civilization, and modern medicine. It is often regarded as an alternative or complementary system of medicine. This paper provides an introduction on African traditional medicine. Matthew N. O. Sadiku | Tolulope J. Ashaolu | Sarhan M. Musa "African Traditional Medicine: A Primer" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-4 | Issue-4 , June 2020, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd30927.pdf Paper Url :https://www.ijtsrd.com/medicine/other/30927/african-traditional-medicine-a-primer/matthew-n-o-sadiku
Medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years and are the source of many important drugs. Terpenoids, alkaloids, and other chemical compounds from plants are the basis of many modern medicines. Some key plants and compounds discussed include quinine and malaria treatment from cinchona bark, morphine and codeine from opium poppy, digitalis for heart conditions, taxol as an anticancer drug from yew trees, and ergot alkaloids used to treat migraines that were also once responsible for poisoning outbreaks. Medicinal plants continue to be important sources for new drug discovery and development.
Ethnobotany of the balti community, tormik valley, karakorum range, baltistan...Shujaul Mulk Khan
BACKGROUND:
Limited health facilities and malnutrition are major problems in the Karakorum Range of Northern Pakistan, often resulting in various human disorders. Since centuries, however, local communities in these areas have developed traditional methods for treating various ailments and local foods capes that can be significant for devising public health and nutritional policies. This study was intended to document the ethnobotanical knowledge of the local peoples in the Tormik Valley, especially in the medical and food domains.
METHODS:
Field trips were undertaken in 14 different villages of the study area from 2010 to 2012. Ethnobotanical data were gathered using semi-structured interviews and group conversation with 69 informants. Details about local uses of plant species were recorded along with demographic characteristics of the visited communities. Relative frequency citation index (RFCi) and preference ranking index (PRi) tools were applied to determine the cultural significance of the reported species.
RESULTS:
Sixty-three plant species, with a predominance of Asteraceae and Fabaceae family members, as well as their detailed folk uses were documented. Forty-three percent of the species were used to treat various diseases, 21 % were consumed as wild fruits and vegetables and 53 % of the species had multipurpose applications. Thymus linearis Benth, Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. turkestanica L. and Convolvulus arvensis L. were found to be the most utilized medicinal plant species, i.e. those with significant RFCi values (0.54, 0.51 and 0.48, respectively). Betula utilis D. Don was the most versatile taxon (seven different ways of utilization); being this species a common and easily accessible subalpine tree and then under anthropogenic pressure, the implementation of concrete strategies aimed at its in-situ and ex-situ conservation is strongly recommended.
CONCLUSION:
The valleys in the Karakorum Mountains in the Northern Pakistan host significant Traditional Knowledge on local food and medicinal plant species, which need to be reconsidered and cautiously re-evaluated by ethnopharmacologists, and public health/nutrition actors. Furthermore, germane trans-disciplinary investigations are suggested to ensure the dynamic conservation of precious local knowledge systems, as well as plant diversity in Pakistani mountain regions.
KEYWORDS:
Ethnobotany; Indigenous knowledge; Karakorum; Medicinal plants; Pakistan
This document discusses the field of ethnobotany, which studies the relationship between societies and plants. It provides examples of traditional medicine systems in Asia that incorporate extensive knowledge of herbal medicines, including Ayurveda (India), Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tibetan medicine, and Unani medicine. The document notes that ethnobotany is important for the conservation of medicinal plant resources and community development. It discusses specific ethnobotanical studies conducted in India, China, and Northeast India to document traditional knowledge and its application to sustainable management of medicinal plant resources.
The use of plants as medicine predates written human history. Ancient civilizations like the Sumerians, Egyptians, Indians, and Chinese wrote extensively about medicinal plants in their cultures. During the Middle Ages, Benedictine monasteries helped preserve ancient Greco-Roman and Arabic medical knowledge and focused on herbal remedies. The 15th-17th centuries saw the publication of many herbals or books describing medicinal plants in vernacular languages, making this knowledge more widely accessible. However, the emergence of chemical drugs and modern medicine in the second millennium began to diminish the role of plants in therapeutics.
Ethnobotany introduction, ethnobotany definition, divisions of ethnobotany, Tribes of south india, Methodology in ethnobotany , ethnobotany in human welfare
Ethnomedicinal plants used to cure skin diseases by tribals of Mahabubnagar d...iosrjce
IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences(IOSR-JPBS) is a double blind peer reviewed International Journal that provides rapid publication (within a month) of articles in all areas of Pharmacy and Biological Science. The journal welcomes publications of high quality papers on theoretical developments and practical applications in Pharmacy and Biological Science. Original research papers, state-of-the-art reviews, and high quality technical notes are invited for publications.
Ethnobotany, history of ethnobotany, aims and objective of ethnobotany, scope...halamobeen
in this presentation a brief note is given about what is ethnobotany. history of ethnobotany. what is the scope of ethnobotany. which are the aims and objective of ethnobotany. and also uses of ethnobotany.
African traditional medicine is a holistic health practice that uses indigenous herbalism combined with some aspects of spirituality. It involves the direct application of herbal remedies, animal parts, or mineral materials for healing purposes. It is still the main source of healthcare delivery in almost all Africa nations in spite of the growth of religious enlightenment, western civilization, and modern medicine. It is often regarded as an alternative or complementary system of medicine. This paper provides an introduction on African traditional medicine. Matthew N. O. Sadiku | Tolulope J. Ashaolu | Sarhan M. Musa "African Traditional Medicine: A Primer" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-4 | Issue-4 , June 2020, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd30927.pdf Paper Url :https://www.ijtsrd.com/medicine/other/30927/african-traditional-medicine-a-primer/matthew-n-o-sadiku
Medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years and are the source of many important drugs. Terpenoids, alkaloids, and other chemical compounds from plants are the basis of many modern medicines. Some key plants and compounds discussed include quinine and malaria treatment from cinchona bark, morphine and codeine from opium poppy, digitalis for heart conditions, taxol as an anticancer drug from yew trees, and ergot alkaloids used to treat migraines that were also once responsible for poisoning outbreaks. Medicinal plants continue to be important sources for new drug discovery and development.
Ethnobotany of the balti community, tormik valley, karakorum range, baltistan...Shujaul Mulk Khan
BACKGROUND:
Limited health facilities and malnutrition are major problems in the Karakorum Range of Northern Pakistan, often resulting in various human disorders. Since centuries, however, local communities in these areas have developed traditional methods for treating various ailments and local foods capes that can be significant for devising public health and nutritional policies. This study was intended to document the ethnobotanical knowledge of the local peoples in the Tormik Valley, especially in the medical and food domains.
METHODS:
Field trips were undertaken in 14 different villages of the study area from 2010 to 2012. Ethnobotanical data were gathered using semi-structured interviews and group conversation with 69 informants. Details about local uses of plant species were recorded along with demographic characteristics of the visited communities. Relative frequency citation index (RFCi) and preference ranking index (PRi) tools were applied to determine the cultural significance of the reported species.
RESULTS:
Sixty-three plant species, with a predominance of Asteraceae and Fabaceae family members, as well as their detailed folk uses were documented. Forty-three percent of the species were used to treat various diseases, 21 % were consumed as wild fruits and vegetables and 53 % of the species had multipurpose applications. Thymus linearis Benth, Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. turkestanica L. and Convolvulus arvensis L. were found to be the most utilized medicinal plant species, i.e. those with significant RFCi values (0.54, 0.51 and 0.48, respectively). Betula utilis D. Don was the most versatile taxon (seven different ways of utilization); being this species a common and easily accessible subalpine tree and then under anthropogenic pressure, the implementation of concrete strategies aimed at its in-situ and ex-situ conservation is strongly recommended.
CONCLUSION:
The valleys in the Karakorum Mountains in the Northern Pakistan host significant Traditional Knowledge on local food and medicinal plant species, which need to be reconsidered and cautiously re-evaluated by ethnopharmacologists, and public health/nutrition actors. Furthermore, germane trans-disciplinary investigations are suggested to ensure the dynamic conservation of precious local knowledge systems, as well as plant diversity in Pakistani mountain regions.
KEYWORDS:
Ethnobotany; Indigenous knowledge; Karakorum; Medicinal plants; Pakistan
An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used to treat skin ailments was conducted in Woreda Tahtay Adiyabo and Merebleke, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia between December 2013 and June 2014 to document the use, conservation and management of medicinal plants. To collect accurate information, 100 informants (80 men and 20 women, aged from 25-70) were selected purposively. Ethno botanical data were collected through semi structured interview and field observation and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods and informant consensus factor. A total of 40 medicinal plants distributed across 27 families and 39 genera, which the informants confirmed that they are used to treat 12 human skin ailments. Woody plants comprised the largest number accounting for 26 species (65%). Leaves were the most frequently required plant parts (58 %) followed by seeds (12%). Remedies were mostly prepared from fresh plant materials, mostly from single plant species and crushing (48%) was the common method of preparation to make the remedy. The highest informant consensus was documented for Xanthium strumanium and Ziziphus spina-christi by 50(50%) informants to both for their medicinal value in treating Tinia capitis and Tinia corporis respectively. Drought and agricultural expansion are the major threats to medicinal plants. The local people of the two Woredas have used traditional botanical knowledge to treat skin ailments but the availability of plants is rare. Consequently, the traditional healers and the local people should be aware on how to use plants for various purposes and the traditional healers should grow some plants in their home gardens.
The document provides an overview of ethnobotany, describing it as the scientific study of relationships between people and plants. It discusses key topics in ethnobotany such as its history, important figures, branches including ethnomedicine and agriculture, and the use of plants in religion and ritual. Examples are given throughout to illustrate ethnobotanical concepts and how human cultures have influenced relationships with important plant species.
Ethnobotany as an interdisciplinary science is, therefore, in a position to contribute to development of the wealth of traditional knowledge of the indigenous people concerning their natural systems and environment, their knowledge on utilization and maintenance of plant resources on a long-term basis without damaging or destroying their habitats.
Ethnobotanical data can be utilized by economic botanists to discover new plant resources, to provide fresh ideas for environment planners, as a tool for basic selection of plant species for development of drugs by pharmacologists, phytochemists and clinicians, as a new source of history through the study of plant names by linguists, as a source for locating new germ plasm for agriculturists, etc. Some works on ethnobotany performed only in last decades of 20th century.
Ehhno-boatany accounts for the study of relationship between people and plants for their use as medicines, food, fodder and other household purposes or other words it deals with the acquired knowledge system about the use of the useful biological resources among various human communities. It is based on the natural and direct relationship of people and plants including both the fundamental and cultural aspects.
Hello,
This is a short presentation of the history, philosophical principles, and main therapeutic modalities of Naturopathic Medicine or Naturopathy. In this presentation, you will find a historical glimpse of some pivotal names and the main contributions that helped embody Naturopathy thus far.
Please, if you enjoyed this presentation, remember to Like and leave a comment.
You will find the references at the end of the presentation.
This is a protected presentation, however, you can share the link with the ones you love.
Thank you so much,
Xermã
The document provides an overview of the history and types of folk medicine. It discusses how medicine began as an art using intuitive and observational methods. Primitive medicine still exists in parts of Asia, Africa and South America. Folk medicine comprises traditional healing beliefs and remedies passed down through generations without a scientific basis. It includes herbs and treatments available in homes. While inexpensive and sometimes effective, folk remedies can also be dangerous without proper knowledge. The document lists several common folk treatments for ailments like toothaches, sore throats, fevers and more.
This document provides an introduction to ethnobotany, including definitions from various scholars, a history of the field dating back thousands of years, and the aims and scope of ethnobotany research. It notes that ethnobotany studies the relationship between plants and traditional people and their various uses of botanicals. The history section outlines important early contributors to herbal medicine from ancient China, India, Greece and the modern development of the field. It also gives examples of ethnobotanical research conducted in Pakistan. The aims are to document indigenous plant knowledge, support conservation efforts, and increase research and economic opportunities. The scope has expanded to include areas like ethnomedicine, ethnopharmacology and the study of various
Traditional Healers in South Africa looks at the role played by traditional healers in Southern Africa, the legal framework of traditional healers & the whole phenomenon of traditional healers & sangomas in Southern Aafrica
Ethnobotanical studies on useful plants of Sirumalai Hills of Eastern Ghats, ...Innspub Net
This document describes an ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by tribal people and herbal practitioners in Sirumalai Hills, Tamil Nadu, India. Through interviews, 44 plant species across 28 families were recorded as being used to treat various illnesses. The plants are used in forms like juices, extracts, powders, and pastes to treat conditions such as asthma, snake bites, worms, fever, jaundice, diarrhea, skin diseases, and more. Both dicot and monocot plants are used. Further investigation of the medicinal properties of these plants could lead to new herbal treatments. Documenting traditional plant knowledge helps conserve biological resources and their sustainable use.
Medical Practitioner: Traditional HealersJen Gragera
The document discusses different traditional and folk healing practices from various cultures around the world. It describes Indigenous or folk medicine, which involves remedies and practices passed down through generations using herbs and natural elements. Various traditional healers are mentioned, such as acupuncturists, herbalists, homeopaths, and healers from traditions like Ayurveda, siddha medicine, and unani. The document also contrasts Western medicine, which relies on modern medical science and treatments like surgery, drugs, and therapies.
International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Invention (IJPSI)inventionjournals
International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Invention (IJPSI) is an international journal intended for professionals and researchers in all fields of Pahrmaceutical Science. IJPSI publishes research articles and reviews within the whole field Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, new teaching methods, assessment, validation and the impact of new technologies and it will continue to provide information on the latest trends and developments in this ever-expanding subject. The publications of papers are selected through double peer reviewed to ensure originality, relevance, and readability. The articles published in our journal can be accessed online
The document discusses traditional healing practices in the Philippines. It describes different types of traditional healers such as hilot (massage therapists), albularyo (herbalists), and faith healers. It explains various diagnostic and treatment methods used by these healers such as prayers, rituals involving animals or plants, massage, and herbal remedies. The document also describes mythical creatures that are part of traditional Philippine folklore and beliefs, and how these beliefs can influence traditional healing practices.
ABSTRACT The documentation of the biodiversity and it is traditional, as well as medicinal uses by the ethnic communities, have assumed priority due to the misuse and rampant loss of biodiversity, the emerging threats of biopiracy and the increasing patent wars on bioresources. Since, the medicinal plants are very important for the production of various drugs because thousands of years ago, these plants are used by our forefathers for the treatment of various diseases. Therefore, now a day, these medicinal plants are used for the production of various drugs as well as to cure various diseases. Though there are a good number of publications on ethnobotany on particular and different tribes but the present studies were carried out to explore the vascular plant diversity and investigate the ethnomedicinal potential and their conservation status in the villages of Guna district, Madhya Pradesh, India. In this research survey, only medicinal plant, their local names and their medicinal uses were interviewed and presented. The information was obtained from local informant i.e. Vaidhays, Hakeems and Ayurvedic Practitioners etc. having knowledge about medicinal plants. The paper deals about some medicinal plants used by the Bheel primitive tribe of Guna district, Madhya Pradesh, India. The paper enumerates 25 medicinal plant species belonging to eighteen families used by Bheel tribes for curing various ailments among human beings and animals.
Key-words: Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants, Tribes, Ethnomedicinal, Multidisciplinary science
Ethnobotanical Importance of Some Highly Medicinal plants of District Muzaffa...IOSR Journals
An ethnobotanical exploration was carried out in Muzaffarabad and its adjoining areas including
Jhelum Valley of the District Muzaffarabad during 2010-2011. All the plants with the ethnobotanical
importance were identified and segregated separately. The region is entirely mountainous, having sub-tropical
to dry temperate climate with distinct seasonal variations. This study mainly focused on the information
regarding traditional uses of plants over the years by local inhabitants. The informations were then confirmed
by Hakims and the old people of the areas. During the survey informations were collected from various sites,
i.e. Noon Bagla, Rahim Kot, Danna Kachilee, Kot Terhala, Sanwarrian, Chikar, Chikothi, Kathiee, Qazi Nag,
Rashian, Daokhun, Mojee, Lamnian, Nardaggian, Pandu, Hatian Balla, Ghahi Dopatta, Chinnari, Rabanee,
Bani Hafiz, Domel, Hattian Dopatta, Khanssian, Nandi Ka Sar, Sing Paharee,Nari Bela, Khalla Butt and
Leepa. The plants were used medicinally and for other purposes. The investigations resulted that usually one
plant or a mixture of two or more plant is used. The unplanned exploitation had resulted in the loss of
medicinally important plant species. It was concluded that afforestation programme followed by proper
protection is need of time.
Ethnobotanical survey of the medicinal plants in the central mountains (North...Innspub Net
An ethnobotanical survey for the wild medicinal plants in the central high mountains extending from northern to central Jordan has been carried out. A special questionnaire is prepared to test for the medicinal uses of the local wild medicinal plants in the study area. The information such as the Arabic local name, parts used for medication, methods of preparation, purpose of use, doses and any other remarks, were all collected from direct contact visits to local people by the researchers of this study. The total numbers of recorded species in all the study sites are 108 species belonging to 33 families. The families Asteraceae and Lamiaceae have recorded the highest species of medicinal plants. A number of 25 plants species were found to be more frequently used by the local people in the studied areas, 38 species were found to be used more occasionally than the remaining 22 species. Visits for the available herbalist’s shops in the study area were made for all the sites of the study area. The age range of the questioned sample of the people who were interviewed was ranging between 40-65- years old. It is learned from the study that the use of wild medicinal plants is highly recommended and still practiced by the majority of local people in the study area. It has been observed that the study area is very rich in medicinal plants, where some species are becoming degraded and over cultivated. The knowledge of using wild herbs in traditional folk medicine is basically more common among the elderly rather than the young generation in most of the visited domestic areas. However, the use of medicinal plants by the locals are causing great declining of the diversity of many plant species growing in all sites visited by the authors.
Traditional medicines comprise knowledge systems developed over generations within various societies before modern medicine. They include medicinal plants, minerals, animals and non-medication practices. While traditional medicines provide accessible primary healthcare in developing countries and are gaining popularity in developed countries, there is still a lack of standardized research on their safety and efficacy compared to orthodox medicines.
This document provides an introduction to using herbs for self-care and natural home remedies. It discusses why people choose herbs, noting that humans have long relied on plants for food and medicine. Herbs are generally safe to use if chosen wisely from reliable sources and with precautions like avoiding interactions with prescription drugs. The document outlines common minor conditions that herbs may help with, such as respiratory issues, digestion problems, stress, headaches, and sleep difficulties. Effects are typically seen within a few days to a few months depending on the issue. Safety tips include starting with low doses and stopping if any unpleasant reactions occur.
Herbal medicine has a long history of use and is still commonly used today, including during pregnancy. Many pregnant women use herbs to treat conditions like morning sickness, menstrual disorders, and labor pains due to their perceived efficacy and safety. However, some herbs can be harmful during pregnancy and should be avoided, like those that cause uterine contractions. Pregnant women must carefully research any herbs they consider using and consult their healthcare providers due to risks from potential toxicity. Overall herbal medicine requires caution during pregnancy and reliance on certified practitioners rather than internet or media sources alone.
The ancient Mayans had a complex healing tradition that viewed health as a balance between the mind, body, and spirit. When illness occurred due to an imbalance, shamans would use herbal remedies, rituals, and spiritual practices to restore balance. Key aspects of the Mayan healing tradition included viewing life as a force that connects all things, treating the body and soul as interconnected, using plants chosen by nature for remedies, and taking a comprehensive approach to healing that required participation from the healer, patient, plants, and spirits.
ABSTRACT- Aritar is hilly area and altitude of the area varies from 800-3000 meter. The region harbor different tribal communities like Lepcha, Bhutia, Sherpa, Limboo, Newar, Chettri, Bhaun, Rai, Tamang, Sunwar, and Gurung. Due to the diversity of different tribal communities, traditional healers of different groups are found in this area. Medicinal importances of different plants were recorded after conducting interview with traditional healers, old man, women of different tribal communities of the area. The traditional medicinal uses of 50 plants species belonging to 38 families are reported in my study.
Key-words- Ethnomedicinal, Aritar, East Sikkim, Traditional healers, Lepcha, Bhutia, Sherpa, Limboo, Newar, Chettri, Bhaun, Rai, Tamang, Sunwar, Gurung
Este documento resume la experiencia de un estudiante de Contabilidad en la Universidad Católica Los Ángeles de Chimbote participando en actividades pastorales. El estudiante ayudó a compartir mensajes bíblicos con ancianos y aconsejar jóvenes sobre las drogas. La experiencia le permitió comprender la importancia de la confianza y enseñar a quienes no saben. El estudiante se compromete a participar activamente en talleres futuros y promover la acción pastoral a través de la educación y la comunicación.
The Archives for Women in Medicine Projectjmsedgwick
The document summarizes the history and work of the Archives for Women in Medicine project. It discusses the goals of collecting, providing access to, and promoting collections that celebrate women leaders in medicine. It highlights some of the collections, including those of pioneering women in medicine and their communities of influence. The Archives has expanded collections, provided digitization initiatives, research fellowships, and events to promote the collections and celebrate women's history in medicine.
An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used to treat skin ailments was conducted in Woreda Tahtay Adiyabo and Merebleke, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia between December 2013 and June 2014 to document the use, conservation and management of medicinal plants. To collect accurate information, 100 informants (80 men and 20 women, aged from 25-70) were selected purposively. Ethno botanical data were collected through semi structured interview and field observation and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods and informant consensus factor. A total of 40 medicinal plants distributed across 27 families and 39 genera, which the informants confirmed that they are used to treat 12 human skin ailments. Woody plants comprised the largest number accounting for 26 species (65%). Leaves were the most frequently required plant parts (58 %) followed by seeds (12%). Remedies were mostly prepared from fresh plant materials, mostly from single plant species and crushing (48%) was the common method of preparation to make the remedy. The highest informant consensus was documented for Xanthium strumanium and Ziziphus spina-christi by 50(50%) informants to both for their medicinal value in treating Tinia capitis and Tinia corporis respectively. Drought and agricultural expansion are the major threats to medicinal plants. The local people of the two Woredas have used traditional botanical knowledge to treat skin ailments but the availability of plants is rare. Consequently, the traditional healers and the local people should be aware on how to use plants for various purposes and the traditional healers should grow some plants in their home gardens.
The document provides an overview of ethnobotany, describing it as the scientific study of relationships between people and plants. It discusses key topics in ethnobotany such as its history, important figures, branches including ethnomedicine and agriculture, and the use of plants in religion and ritual. Examples are given throughout to illustrate ethnobotanical concepts and how human cultures have influenced relationships with important plant species.
Ethnobotany as an interdisciplinary science is, therefore, in a position to contribute to development of the wealth of traditional knowledge of the indigenous people concerning their natural systems and environment, their knowledge on utilization and maintenance of plant resources on a long-term basis without damaging or destroying their habitats.
Ethnobotanical data can be utilized by economic botanists to discover new plant resources, to provide fresh ideas for environment planners, as a tool for basic selection of plant species for development of drugs by pharmacologists, phytochemists and clinicians, as a new source of history through the study of plant names by linguists, as a source for locating new germ plasm for agriculturists, etc. Some works on ethnobotany performed only in last decades of 20th century.
Ehhno-boatany accounts for the study of relationship between people and plants for their use as medicines, food, fodder and other household purposes or other words it deals with the acquired knowledge system about the use of the useful biological resources among various human communities. It is based on the natural and direct relationship of people and plants including both the fundamental and cultural aspects.
Hello,
This is a short presentation of the history, philosophical principles, and main therapeutic modalities of Naturopathic Medicine or Naturopathy. In this presentation, you will find a historical glimpse of some pivotal names and the main contributions that helped embody Naturopathy thus far.
Please, if you enjoyed this presentation, remember to Like and leave a comment.
You will find the references at the end of the presentation.
This is a protected presentation, however, you can share the link with the ones you love.
Thank you so much,
Xermã
The document provides an overview of the history and types of folk medicine. It discusses how medicine began as an art using intuitive and observational methods. Primitive medicine still exists in parts of Asia, Africa and South America. Folk medicine comprises traditional healing beliefs and remedies passed down through generations without a scientific basis. It includes herbs and treatments available in homes. While inexpensive and sometimes effective, folk remedies can also be dangerous without proper knowledge. The document lists several common folk treatments for ailments like toothaches, sore throats, fevers and more.
This document provides an introduction to ethnobotany, including definitions from various scholars, a history of the field dating back thousands of years, and the aims and scope of ethnobotany research. It notes that ethnobotany studies the relationship between plants and traditional people and their various uses of botanicals. The history section outlines important early contributors to herbal medicine from ancient China, India, Greece and the modern development of the field. It also gives examples of ethnobotanical research conducted in Pakistan. The aims are to document indigenous plant knowledge, support conservation efforts, and increase research and economic opportunities. The scope has expanded to include areas like ethnomedicine, ethnopharmacology and the study of various
Traditional Healers in South Africa looks at the role played by traditional healers in Southern Africa, the legal framework of traditional healers & the whole phenomenon of traditional healers & sangomas in Southern Aafrica
Ethnobotanical studies on useful plants of Sirumalai Hills of Eastern Ghats, ...Innspub Net
This document describes an ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by tribal people and herbal practitioners in Sirumalai Hills, Tamil Nadu, India. Through interviews, 44 plant species across 28 families were recorded as being used to treat various illnesses. The plants are used in forms like juices, extracts, powders, and pastes to treat conditions such as asthma, snake bites, worms, fever, jaundice, diarrhea, skin diseases, and more. Both dicot and monocot plants are used. Further investigation of the medicinal properties of these plants could lead to new herbal treatments. Documenting traditional plant knowledge helps conserve biological resources and their sustainable use.
Medical Practitioner: Traditional HealersJen Gragera
The document discusses different traditional and folk healing practices from various cultures around the world. It describes Indigenous or folk medicine, which involves remedies and practices passed down through generations using herbs and natural elements. Various traditional healers are mentioned, such as acupuncturists, herbalists, homeopaths, and healers from traditions like Ayurveda, siddha medicine, and unani. The document also contrasts Western medicine, which relies on modern medical science and treatments like surgery, drugs, and therapies.
International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Invention (IJPSI)inventionjournals
International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Invention (IJPSI) is an international journal intended for professionals and researchers in all fields of Pahrmaceutical Science. IJPSI publishes research articles and reviews within the whole field Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, new teaching methods, assessment, validation and the impact of new technologies and it will continue to provide information on the latest trends and developments in this ever-expanding subject. The publications of papers are selected through double peer reviewed to ensure originality, relevance, and readability. The articles published in our journal can be accessed online
The document discusses traditional healing practices in the Philippines. It describes different types of traditional healers such as hilot (massage therapists), albularyo (herbalists), and faith healers. It explains various diagnostic and treatment methods used by these healers such as prayers, rituals involving animals or plants, massage, and herbal remedies. The document also describes mythical creatures that are part of traditional Philippine folklore and beliefs, and how these beliefs can influence traditional healing practices.
ABSTRACT The documentation of the biodiversity and it is traditional, as well as medicinal uses by the ethnic communities, have assumed priority due to the misuse and rampant loss of biodiversity, the emerging threats of biopiracy and the increasing patent wars on bioresources. Since, the medicinal plants are very important for the production of various drugs because thousands of years ago, these plants are used by our forefathers for the treatment of various diseases. Therefore, now a day, these medicinal plants are used for the production of various drugs as well as to cure various diseases. Though there are a good number of publications on ethnobotany on particular and different tribes but the present studies were carried out to explore the vascular plant diversity and investigate the ethnomedicinal potential and their conservation status in the villages of Guna district, Madhya Pradesh, India. In this research survey, only medicinal plant, their local names and their medicinal uses were interviewed and presented. The information was obtained from local informant i.e. Vaidhays, Hakeems and Ayurvedic Practitioners etc. having knowledge about medicinal plants. The paper deals about some medicinal plants used by the Bheel primitive tribe of Guna district, Madhya Pradesh, India. The paper enumerates 25 medicinal plant species belonging to eighteen families used by Bheel tribes for curing various ailments among human beings and animals.
Key-words: Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants, Tribes, Ethnomedicinal, Multidisciplinary science
Ethnobotanical Importance of Some Highly Medicinal plants of District Muzaffa...IOSR Journals
An ethnobotanical exploration was carried out in Muzaffarabad and its adjoining areas including
Jhelum Valley of the District Muzaffarabad during 2010-2011. All the plants with the ethnobotanical
importance were identified and segregated separately. The region is entirely mountainous, having sub-tropical
to dry temperate climate with distinct seasonal variations. This study mainly focused on the information
regarding traditional uses of plants over the years by local inhabitants. The informations were then confirmed
by Hakims and the old people of the areas. During the survey informations were collected from various sites,
i.e. Noon Bagla, Rahim Kot, Danna Kachilee, Kot Terhala, Sanwarrian, Chikar, Chikothi, Kathiee, Qazi Nag,
Rashian, Daokhun, Mojee, Lamnian, Nardaggian, Pandu, Hatian Balla, Ghahi Dopatta, Chinnari, Rabanee,
Bani Hafiz, Domel, Hattian Dopatta, Khanssian, Nandi Ka Sar, Sing Paharee,Nari Bela, Khalla Butt and
Leepa. The plants were used medicinally and for other purposes. The investigations resulted that usually one
plant or a mixture of two or more plant is used. The unplanned exploitation had resulted in the loss of
medicinally important plant species. It was concluded that afforestation programme followed by proper
protection is need of time.
Ethnobotanical survey of the medicinal plants in the central mountains (North...Innspub Net
An ethnobotanical survey for the wild medicinal plants in the central high mountains extending from northern to central Jordan has been carried out. A special questionnaire is prepared to test for the medicinal uses of the local wild medicinal plants in the study area. The information such as the Arabic local name, parts used for medication, methods of preparation, purpose of use, doses and any other remarks, were all collected from direct contact visits to local people by the researchers of this study. The total numbers of recorded species in all the study sites are 108 species belonging to 33 families. The families Asteraceae and Lamiaceae have recorded the highest species of medicinal plants. A number of 25 plants species were found to be more frequently used by the local people in the studied areas, 38 species were found to be used more occasionally than the remaining 22 species. Visits for the available herbalist’s shops in the study area were made for all the sites of the study area. The age range of the questioned sample of the people who were interviewed was ranging between 40-65- years old. It is learned from the study that the use of wild medicinal plants is highly recommended and still practiced by the majority of local people in the study area. It has been observed that the study area is very rich in medicinal plants, where some species are becoming degraded and over cultivated. The knowledge of using wild herbs in traditional folk medicine is basically more common among the elderly rather than the young generation in most of the visited domestic areas. However, the use of medicinal plants by the locals are causing great declining of the diversity of many plant species growing in all sites visited by the authors.
Traditional medicines comprise knowledge systems developed over generations within various societies before modern medicine. They include medicinal plants, minerals, animals and non-medication practices. While traditional medicines provide accessible primary healthcare in developing countries and are gaining popularity in developed countries, there is still a lack of standardized research on their safety and efficacy compared to orthodox medicines.
This document provides an introduction to using herbs for self-care and natural home remedies. It discusses why people choose herbs, noting that humans have long relied on plants for food and medicine. Herbs are generally safe to use if chosen wisely from reliable sources and with precautions like avoiding interactions with prescription drugs. The document outlines common minor conditions that herbs may help with, such as respiratory issues, digestion problems, stress, headaches, and sleep difficulties. Effects are typically seen within a few days to a few months depending on the issue. Safety tips include starting with low doses and stopping if any unpleasant reactions occur.
Herbal medicine has a long history of use and is still commonly used today, including during pregnancy. Many pregnant women use herbs to treat conditions like morning sickness, menstrual disorders, and labor pains due to their perceived efficacy and safety. However, some herbs can be harmful during pregnancy and should be avoided, like those that cause uterine contractions. Pregnant women must carefully research any herbs they consider using and consult their healthcare providers due to risks from potential toxicity. Overall herbal medicine requires caution during pregnancy and reliance on certified practitioners rather than internet or media sources alone.
The ancient Mayans had a complex healing tradition that viewed health as a balance between the mind, body, and spirit. When illness occurred due to an imbalance, shamans would use herbal remedies, rituals, and spiritual practices to restore balance. Key aspects of the Mayan healing tradition included viewing life as a force that connects all things, treating the body and soul as interconnected, using plants chosen by nature for remedies, and taking a comprehensive approach to healing that required participation from the healer, patient, plants, and spirits.
ABSTRACT- Aritar is hilly area and altitude of the area varies from 800-3000 meter. The region harbor different tribal communities like Lepcha, Bhutia, Sherpa, Limboo, Newar, Chettri, Bhaun, Rai, Tamang, Sunwar, and Gurung. Due to the diversity of different tribal communities, traditional healers of different groups are found in this area. Medicinal importances of different plants were recorded after conducting interview with traditional healers, old man, women of different tribal communities of the area. The traditional medicinal uses of 50 plants species belonging to 38 families are reported in my study.
Key-words- Ethnomedicinal, Aritar, East Sikkim, Traditional healers, Lepcha, Bhutia, Sherpa, Limboo, Newar, Chettri, Bhaun, Rai, Tamang, Sunwar, Gurung
Este documento resume la experiencia de un estudiante de Contabilidad en la Universidad Católica Los Ángeles de Chimbote participando en actividades pastorales. El estudiante ayudó a compartir mensajes bíblicos con ancianos y aconsejar jóvenes sobre las drogas. La experiencia le permitió comprender la importancia de la confianza y enseñar a quienes no saben. El estudiante se compromete a participar activamente en talleres futuros y promover la acción pastoral a través de la educación y la comunicación.
The Archives for Women in Medicine Projectjmsedgwick
The document summarizes the history and work of the Archives for Women in Medicine project. It discusses the goals of collecting, providing access to, and promoting collections that celebrate women leaders in medicine. It highlights some of the collections, including those of pioneering women in medicine and their communities of influence. The Archives has expanded collections, provided digitization initiatives, research fellowships, and events to promote the collections and celebrate women's history in medicine.
The document provides information on various Africanisms - words, practices, and cultural elements that were brought from Africa to North America. It discusses how aspects of African dance, food, folk art, folklore, language, and medicine influenced American culture and continue to be practiced in African American communities today. Many common words in the English language, musical and dance styles, foods, and holistic health practices trace their origins back to different regions of Africa.
1) Traditional African medicines are estimated to cause several thousand deaths annually in South Africa, far exceeding deaths from AIDS. However, the true mortality burden is difficult to determine due to lack of data on causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa.
2) A major study found that traditional African medicines were responsible for over 50% of acute poisoning deaths among black South Africans. However, the problem has been downplayed by health officials and scientists with financial interests in commercializing traditional medicines.
3) Better data collection is needed to accurately measure mortality from traditional African medicines and inform public health policies, as non-communicable diseases like traditional medicine poisoning likely account for a significant portion of deaths.
Presentation for a series of lectures on Colonialism prepared for PS 212 Culture and Politics of the Third World at the University of Kentucky, Summer 2007. Dr. Christopher S. Rice, Instructor.
This document provides an overview of Tibetan and Chinese traditional medicine systems. It discusses that Tibetan medicine is based on balancing the three bodily humors - wind, bile, and phlegm. The Four Tantras is the fundamental Tibetan medical text that discusses anatomy, diagnosis, and treatments including herbal preparations. Chinese traditional medicine is based on the doctrines of yin-yang and five phases, and views the body as a continuum between these forces. When yin-yang is imbalanced, disease can result. Both systems use herbal medicines to treat ailments by restoring balance.
The document summarizes some of the fundamental principles of naturopathy. It discusses 10 principles: (1) the body heals itself, (2) the main cause of disease is enervation or fatigue of the nervous system, (3) the deposit of metabolic waste products in the body is what causes disease, (4) acute disease is a remedial process by which the body heals itself, (5) food is a building material but does not increase vitality, (6) fasting provides an opportunity for the body to heal itself, (7) germs are found in diseased conditions but do not cause disease, (8) exercise maintains balance between nutrition and drainage, (9) external treatments only provide
History and traditional system of medicine.ritamchoudhury
This document discusses the history and traditional systems of medicine. It describes how pharmacognosy is the study of physical, chemical, biochemical, and biological properties of drugs from natural origins. It then outlines several traditional medicine systems from around the world, including Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, Unani medicine, homeopathy, siddha, aromatherapy, and contributions from important figures like Sushruta, Hippocrates, Aristotle, Dioscordies, Galen, and Linnaeus. The conclusion emphasizes that herbal medicines have been used for thousands of years by early civilizations to treat diseases and alleviate suffering.
This document defines diet, food, nutrition and provides information on the components of a balanced diet. It discusses the main nutrients found in food - proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. For each nutrient, it describes sources, functions, deficiency diseases and recommendations. Protein-energy malnutrition and its prevention are explained. The roles of specific vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6, B12, folate) in health are also summarized.
Traditional Chinese medicine has been practiced for over 5,000 years and includes techniques like acupuncture, herbalism, and massage therapy. Herbalism involves using plants and plant extracts as medicine, with the first herbalism book in China listing 365 medicinal plants. Acupuncture places thin needles into the skin at specific points to balance the body's energy flow and treat various illnesses. Massage therapy involves four stages - relief of pain, correction of issues, strengthening of muscles, and maintenance to prevent future problems. These traditional Chinese medicine practices continue to be used worldwide as effective and inexpensive treatment options.
to download this presentation form this link
https://mohmmed-ink.blogspot.com/2020/11/herbal-medicine.html
herbal medicine in Gaza .. use and side effect
this work first was done by a medic student in the islamic University .... because its a good work i shared it . and i never asked for the permission .... sorry
but this link will lead to the original one...
http://www.slideshare.net/FaToOoMaa/final-herbal-medicine
Cancer (Diet therapy, Nutritional care)Supta Sarkar
This document provides an overview of cancer and discusses several cancers related to the digestive system. It begins with introducing cancer and its causes at the cellular level. Some key statistics about cancer worldwide and in India are presented. The document then discusses several specific cancers in depth, including oropharyngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, and stomach cancer. For each cancer, it covers risk factors, symptoms, treatment options, and potential nutritional issues resulting from treatment.
The document discusses 10 herbal medicines approved by the Department of Health for treating common ailments. It provides the scientific name and description of each plant, their medicinal uses, and instructions for proper preparation. The 10 herbs approved are: sambong, akapulko, niyog-niyogan, tsaang gubat, ampalaya, lagundi, ulasimang bato, bawang, bayabas, and yerba buena. Preparations typically involve boiling or soaking plant parts in water to produce a decoction or infusion for drinking or external application. Proper harvesting and dosage are emphasized.
This document provides information about a book titled "500 Single Best Answers in Medicine". It lists the authors and their credentials. It also acknowledges the editorial advisor and provides brief information about the publisher and date of publication.
This document discusses the contribution of medicinal plants to modern medicine. It notes that around 50,000 plant species have been used medicinally throughout history. Roughly 100 plant species have contributed significantly to modern drugs, with 80% of drugs for antimicrobial, cardiovascular, immunosuppressive and anticancer uses derived from plants. The document outlines the history of herbal medicine from ancient times to modern day, noting key herbal texts and contributions from various civilizations including China, India, Europe and North America. It provides examples of commonly used medicinal plants and their chemical constituents that led to modern pharmaceuticals.
Traditional medicine (also known as indigenous or folk medicine) comprises medical aspects of traditional knowledge that developed over generations within the folk beliefs of various societies before the era of modern medicine.
Naturopathy is a holistic approach to wellness. The underlying principles of naturopathy are the importance of a healthy diet, clean fresh water, sunlight, exercise and stress management.
Fundamentals of Ethnobotany. Uncover the fascinating world where plants and cultures intertwine with our PowerPoint presentation on the Fundamentals of Ethnobotany. This informative and visually engaging presentation delves into the essential aspects of ethnobotany, offering a comprehensive overview of the intricate relationships between plants and human societies.
Key Highlights:
Introduction to Ethnobotany: Understand the foundational concepts of ethnobotany, exploring its definition, scope, and significance in the study of plants and cultures.
Historical Perspectives: Take a journey through time to explore how different civilizations have utilized plants for medicinal, culinary, and ritualistic purposes. Gain insights into the historical development of ethnobotanical knowledge.
Cultural Significance of Plants: Delve into the diverse ways in which various cultures integrate plants into their customs, traditions, and belief systems. Explore the symbolic and practical roles of plants in different societies. The scope of Ethnobotany. History of ethnobotany. Objectives of Etnobotany and rich tapestry of ethnobotany.
This document discusses the field of ethnobotany, which is the study of relationships between plants and humans in particular cultures. It examines how ethnobotanists explore how different peoples use plants for food, shelter, medicine, clothing, and religious ceremonies. Some key figures in the development of ethnobotany are mentioned, such as John Harshberger who coined the term. Different branches of ethnobotany are also outlined. The document emphasizes that ethnobotany requires both botanical and anthropological training to understand cultural plant concepts. Examples of some medicinal plants from South America and India are provided, and the significance of medicinal plants for developing new drugs and protecting human and environmental health is discussed.
Down-to-Earth Herbal Remedies and Tips for Your Healthy LifestyleRoger Jirves
A Brief History of European Natural and Herbal Remedies. The earliest Roman knowledge of natural healing came from earlier Egyptian methods. The ancients took their medicine from Mother Nature. They didn't have the modern scientific and technological advances or ideas that led to modern medical treatments. In many ways, this is a good thing. Early European healers like Hippocrates, known as the father of modern medicine, understood the benefits of herbal medicines that offer little to no side-effects promised by modern drugs.
Phytomedicine Lecture I.pptx for Biomedical studentsGebreAyanaw
This document discusses the history and current state of phytomedicine and herbal medicine. It covers:
- The origins of herbal medicine dating back thousands of years to ancient civilizations like China, India, Greece and Rome.
- How herbal medicine declined in the 1960s due to advances in synthetic drugs but saw a revival in the 1980s with growing research on medicinal plants.
- The major traditional herbal medicine systems still practiced from Asia including Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, Tibetan medicine and Unani medicine.
- The current categories of herbal medicine including phytotherapy which takes a science-based approach to whole plant extracts, over-the-counter herbal medicine
This document provides information about the herbal medicine phytomedicine. It begins with definitions of terms like herbal medicine, herbs, and herbal drug preparations. It then discusses topics like the history and development of herbal medicine in places like India, China, and the West. It provides details on Ayurvedic principles and traditions. It also gives an overview of specific herbs like Arjuna and their constituents, actions, and traditional uses.
History, future & scope of pharmacognosy.ssuserbc083e
1) Pharmacognosy is the study of medicinal plants and natural products. It originated as early humans began associating curative properties with certain plants through trial and error.
2) Ancient civilizations like Egypt, China, and India made significant contributions to early pharmacognosy. Egyptians documented medicinal plant uses in papyruses as early as 1500 BC, and Chinese and Indian medical systems incorporated hundreds of plant-based treatments.
3) Today pharmacognosy involves standardizing natural drugs, studying plant parts and extracts, and researching natural products for new medicines and pharmaceutical aids. It draws on the historical knowledge of herbalism around the world.
This document provides information about the book "Amazing Healing Plants" by Dr. JC Kurian. It summarizes that Dr. Kurian is an expert in ethnobotany and medical anthropology who has researched medicinal plants for decades. The book describes 303 medicinal plants used in India and tropical regions to treat 218 diseases. It includes photos and instructions for using different plants as natural remedies for various health conditions.
Mayan civilization healing and medicineAshish Singh
The ancient Mayans had a complex healing tradition that blended physical, mental, spiritual and herbal remedies. Their tradition survived the Spanish conquest through oral teachings across generations. Key aspects included viewing illness as imbalance that could be addressed through herbal remedies, rituals, and balancing the flow of life energy. Mayan healers called shamans and ah-men used plants, ceremonies, bloodletting and other techniques based on principles like hot/cold balance to treat ailments while respecting nature's cycles. Though their writings were destroyed, the Mayans' sophisticated approach to holistic healing lived on through community practices.
643Curanderismo, from the Spanish verb curar (to heal), is.docxblondellchancy
643
Curanderismo, from the Spanish verb curar (to heal), is a broad healing tradition found in in Mexico and Mexican American communities throughout the
United States. It has many historical roots in common
with traditional healing practices in Puerto Rico and
Cuba, and in other Latin-American communities, as well
as with traditional practices found throughout Latin
America. At the same time, curanderismo has a history
and a set of traditional medical practices that are unique to
Mexican cultural history and to the Mexican American
experience in the United States. It represents a blending
(syncretism) of traditional indigenous practices of the
Aztec civlization of ancient Mexico with Spanish influ-
ences from Medieval Europe and the Classical Period in
Ancient Greece-Rome, as well as from modern biomedi-
cine and even “complementary and alternative” medicine.
Curanderismo has seven cultural historical roots (Table
39-1). Its theoretical beliefs trace their origins partly to
ancient Greco-Roman humoral medicine, also reflected in
Arabic Unani medicine (Chapter 32), especially the empha-
sis on balance and the influence of hot and cold properties of
food and medicines on the body. Many of the rituals in
curanderismo date to healing practices that were contem-
porary to the beginning of the Christian tradition and
even into earlier Judaic writings. Other healing practices
derive from the European Middle Ages, including the use
of traditional medicinal plants and magical healing practices
in wide use at that time. The Moorish conquest of Spain
is visible in the cultural expression of curanderismo (see
Chapters 32 and 40). Some Mexican American concepts of
folk illnesses originated in the Near East and then were
transmitted throughout the Mediterranean, such as belief
in mal de ojo, or the “evil eye” (the magical influence of
39 C H A P T E R
Latin American Curanderismo
R O B E R T T. T R O T T E R I I
M A R C S. M I C O Z Z I
staring at someone). Homeopathic remedies for common
health conditions such as earaches, constipation, anemia,
cuts and bruises, and burns were later brought from
Germany and Europe to the Americas to be passed down
to the present time within curanderismo. There is also sig-
nificant sharing of beliefs with Aztec and other Native
American cultural traditions in Mexico (see Chapters 37
and 38). Some of the folk illnesses treated in pre-Columbian
times, such as a fallen fontanelle (caída de la mollera) and
perhaps the blockage of the intestines (empacho), are parts
of this tradition. The pharmacopeia of the New World is
also important in curanderismo (and added significantly
to the plants available for treatment of diseases in Europe
from the 1600s to the present). Some healers (curanderos)
keep track of developments in parapsychology and New
Age spirituality (see Chapter 42), as well as acupuncture
and Asian healing traditions, and have incorporated these
global perspective ...
his guideline should be read in conjunction with other ICH guidelines relevant to the
conduct of clinical trials (e.g., E2A (clinical safety data management), E3 (clinical study
reporting), E7 (geriatric populations), E8 (general considerations for clinical trials), E9
(statistical principles), and E11 (pediatric populations)).
This ICH GCP Guideline Integrated Addendum provides a unified standard for the European
Union, Japan, the United States, Canada, and Switzerland to facilitate the mutual acceptance
of data from clinical trials by the regulatory authorities in these jurisdictions. In the event of
any conflict between the E6(R1) text and the E6(R2) addendum text, the E6(R2) addendum
text should take priority.
Arid zone medicinal plants A Presentation by Mr Allah Dad Khan Former DG Agri...Mr.Allah Dad Khan
Arid zone medicinal plants A Presentation by Mr Allah Dad Khan Former DG Agri Extension /Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan
This document provides an overview of the history and evolution of medicine from ancient times to the present. It discusses how early medicine was intertwined with religion and magic before the development of scientific knowledge. Key developments discussed include the emergence of organized medical systems in ancient Egypt, Babylon, Greece, China, India, and their varying approaches. The document then outlines the growth and spread of scientific medicine over time, as well as persisting traditional healing practices. It emphasizes how medicine has broadened in recent decades to focus on disease prevention and health promotion on a global scale.
Merits of traditional system of medicineDonaldTandia
This document discusses the merits and importance of traditional medicine systems. Some key points made include:
- Traditional medicine is very cost effective compared to modern medicine and uses natural products that have few side effects.
- It serves as an important basis for drug discovery and development, as many modern drugs are derived from plants used in traditional systems.
- Traditional medicine can be very effective for chronic conditions and is easily accessible in many parts of the world.
- Diseases like malaria continue to be treated using herbal medicines identified through traditional knowledge.
This document provides an overview of the history and evolution of medicine from ancient times to the present. It discusses how in early civilizations like Egypt, Babylon, Greece, China, India, and Rome, medicine was intertwined with religion and magic. It then outlines key developments in various medical systems over time, including Ayurveda and Unani in India, traditional Chinese medicine, and the contributions of figures like Hippocrates to the development of scientific medicine in Greece. The document also notes how modern medicine has improved health but not penetrated all areas equally, and discusses current goals around prevention, health promotion, and addressing health inequalities.
Similar to Herbal Medicine as a Nature-Based Healing Modality (19)
Herbal Medicine as a Nature-Based Healing Modality
1. Running head: HERBAL MEDICINE AS A NATURE-BASED HEALING MODALITY
Herbal Medicine as a Nature-Based Healing Modality
Denell B. Nawrocki
California Institute of Integral Studies
November 12, 2015
2. HERBAL MEDICINE AS A NATURE-BASED HEALING MODALITY 2
Introduction
My first memories of exposure to herbal medicine are from my early childhood, when my
Mother would bring fresh springs of mint she picked from her garden and made me tea when I
felt unwell. The beautiful, lush green leaves danced gracefully in my mug as I inhaled the cool
smell of mint in the warm steam. Little did I understand at the time, my Mother was utilizing
knowledge and wisdom human-kind has known for millennia- that the plant kingdom of our
Earth has incredible restorative and healing effects on our human bodies, psyche and spirit. She
knew somehow that by steeping that plant in warm water with the intention to help me feel
better, my symptoms would improve and I would feel better. This piece of knowledge of giving
someone healing medicine based on plants is just the small tip of an extensive herbal panacea
that is available for humans to use on for healing benefits.
In the following pages I will explore herbal medicine as a healing modality and its place
in the history of health care practices. I will look at the requirements one needs in order to
practice herbal medicine, how herbal medicine is situated within the medical field, and the
challenges and successes of herbal medicine integrating into Western biomedicine. I bring in
personal experiences of working with herbal medicine and conclude with final thoughts on the
future of Herbal Medicine as a CAM modality. Through this examination, the healing
capabilities of herbal medicine will be recognized, and a greater awareness of the healing
potential of the plants of Earth will be revealed.
Philosophy of Healing
Herbal medicine is a holistic practice utilizing various flora from around the world, where
diagnostics and prescriptions are based upon the whole individual person which includes body,
mind, and soul, as well as their community. In herbalism, there is an understanding that the
3. HERBAL MEDICINE AS A NATURE-BASED HEALING MODALITY 3
health and wellness of a single individual has an effect on the wellbeing of the community, and
places attention on finding and treating the root cause of a problem. Only when the root cause
remains unidentified is treatment offered for symptoms only (Micozzi, 2014). Herbs are most
effective on the physical level of a human, yet there is a deeply rooted spiritual aspect to herbal
medicine as well. Many indigenous traditions consider herbal medicine ‘plant-spirit medicine’
and that by working with and ingesting parts of different plants, one would consume the quality
of their ‘spirit’
Above all, herbal medicine is the medicine of nature. It is based upon the characteristics
and archetypal essence of all matter on Earth. The associations and interplay with the various
organ systems and the four seasons and elements of our planet (Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Metal,
Wood), tastes and temperatures our body senses experience, temperaments and tendencies
(rising, floating, condensing, sinking) and the concepts of movement/stagnation represent the
basis for most herbal medicine practices from around the world (Mills, 1991).These practices
take into consideration the inherent cyclical aspects of nature and the predictable traits and
sequences that nature follows. These patterns in nature are then applied to whatever symptoms
an individual may present. Mills (1991) explains this idea further stating:
In [herbal] medicine it is also possible to see the living being as a cosmos,
subjected to vagaries of weather and tide, which lead in turn to predisposition to
illness, the illness having identifiable patterns as a result. With the recognition of
these patterns one can look for treatment that emphasizes the return of
homeostatic balance rather than attacks symptoms or external agents.
Herbal medicine treats the human body as though it is a microcosm of Earth and treats the
imbalances of the Earth-body with plants or herbs.
Herbs are another name for parts of plants that have been used in healing remedies.
According to Micozzi (2014), an herb can be any of the following: “an angiosperm (i.e., a
4. HERBAL MEDICINE AS A NATURE-BASED HEALING MODALITY 4
flowering plant), shrub, tree, moss, lichen, fern, algae, seaweed, or fungus. The herbalist may use
the entire plant or just the flower, fruits, leaves, twigs, bark, roots, rhizomes, seeds, or exudates
(e.g. tapped and purified maple syrup), or a combination of parts.” These parts may be used
fresh, dried, powdered. Herbs can be applied topically or can be taken internally to treat a wide
range of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual symptoms. Whole or chopped herbs can be
used in infusions (steeped as tea) or decoctions (simmered over low heat). Herbs can be also
processed into tinctures, oils, oil infusions, and salves to then be created into various wellness
products for the body.
With the thousands of different medicinal plants found throughout the world and the
many ways to prepare them, it is a wonder to envision how ancient humans knew what different
plants were helpful and which were harmful. Yet over time humans developed a deep
relationship with their plant allies and created a body of knowledge on the healing potentials of
Earth’s flora. The story of how humans grew in relation with medicinal plants is a vitally
important aspect of herbal medicine.
History
There is little doubt that plants were the first sources of medicine. Even animals have
been observed to use them intuitively to treat severe wounds and maladies, and for more than
simple nourishment. Herbal medicine is one of the oldest forms of medicine practiced by humans
in all of history. Hieroglyphs, drawings, and inscriptions of various plants in medicinal form
have been found in ancient sites around the world. This form of healing stretches back across
time and connects us to our more primitive ways. The history of herbal medicine dates back to
the very beginning of human-kind.
5. HERBAL MEDICINE AS A NATURE-BASED HEALING MODALITY 5
Plants can be easily accessible to everyone, and among vegetation in any habitat, there
are always some with “established pharmacological or other medicinal effects” (Mills, 1991).
Given the native intelligence of the human species, it is not a coincidence that all but the most
technological of societies utilize a vast array of knowledge about the plants in their vicinity.
Traditionally this knowledge was orally passed down in family-systems through the language of
personal experience, and the symbolism attributed to that experience.
In every rural community of the pre-industrial world there was what was known as the
‘medicine woman’ or ‘wise women’ whom were regarded as specialists in “the art of using
healing plants” (Mills, 1991). These medicine women would provide services for basic health
care for their communities, treating injury and illness with plant medicine, and acted as midwives
for birth and death as well. These women were not considered shamans of the community, who
specialize in treating human sicknesses of an emotional or spiritual nature (Mills, 1991). Instead,
herbal medicine is seen as a craft tradition rooted in a history of personal concoctions,
experiences with the plants themselves, and family lore that treat physical and mental human
ailments.
Although rural herbalism traditions were never formally written down, the tradition
inspired major medical concepts of early human civilization. The importance of plant remedies
can be found in records for every major civilization we have history of. Byzantine, Arab,
Persian, Egyptian and Roman civilizations practiced extensive herbal medicine therapies, as well
as ancient cultures in China and India. There are also records of “surviving traditions in Tibet,
Japan, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, among many others” (Mills, 1991). Over time,
these civilizations traded and exchanged herbal knowledge, and a blending of herbal traditions
emerged. Herbs such as cinnamon, ginger, clove, nutmeg, and myrrh are all native to Central
6. HERBAL MEDICINE AS A NATURE-BASED HEALING MODALITY 6
Asia, yet they became essential in the herbal healing traditions of many Western societies as well
(Cantin, 2009). However, what formalized herbal medicine in the far west of the United States as
a useful and valuable means of healing was the blending of European cultures with that of the
indigenous peoples of North America in the early days of colonization.
During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries a large influx of dispossessed European
peoples moved to the ‘New World’ and populated the large tracts of wild-land that encompassed
much of the US during that time. These peoples often lived in remote, far-off regions where the
medicine-practices of the city could not reach. Being of rural-stock themselves, these immigrants
fell back into their old ways of learning about and utilizing many familiar medicinal plants of the
region. This came easily because it is an ecological and medicinal wonder that “the wild flora of
North America, especially around the eastern seaboard, has a great deal in common with Europe”
(Mills, 1991). However, regardless of the knowledge and wisdom these immigrants arrived with,
nothing prepared them for the vast botanical knowledge of the local indigenous population of
‘Indians’ and these people’s willingness to share what they knew. There are countless numbers
of stories of trappers, traders and explorers falling ill or receiving injuries, only to be nursed back
to health by the friendly native tribes. Most often, these tribes successfully used local flora to
heal the distressed individuals and words spread about Indian lore and herbal remedies (Mills,
1991).
White men and women began to seek out and record these herbal remedies, and for the
first time in herbal history, a body of literature developed on the healing practice. One of these
‘white Indian doctors’ was Samuel Thomson (1769-1843), who became so enamored with the
value of herbal remedies versus the more modern, Western ways of healing, that he taught
himself to read and write so as to make a career out of this solely oral tradition (Mills, 1991).
7. HERBAL MEDICINE AS A NATURE-BASED HEALING MODALITY 7
Thomson wrote and published a widely popular book named New Guide To Health/Botanic
Family Physician in 1823 which initiated a medical ideological movement based on herbal
remedies called Thomsonism and instigated the American Botanical Medical Movement (BMM)
(Rothstein, 2002). These two ideological movements voiced out against Heroic medicine, an
ideology and practice which included “bloodletting, the use of cantharides (or ‘blistering’) on the
skin and the oral intake of a mercury preparation called ‘calomel’” (Libster, 2009). These
practices led to a series of serious side-effects, ultimately making the patient worse than they
were. For example, some of the most visible “adverse effects of the use of calomel were
excessive salivation, soreness and swelling of the guns and tongue, ulcers, a metallic order, and
rotting jaw bones” (Libster, 2009). In direct contradiction to Heroic medicine, Thomsonisn
philosophy was a based upon “the study of patients, not books- experience, not reading” and
developed herbal medical treatments based upon the needs of the patient and what he learned
through observing the local tribes (Rothstein, 2002). His methods, along with others developed
by the BMM were centered on nature cures, which were gentler and caused fewer adverse effects
than heroic medicine. The popularity of the BMM was demonstrated by the number of followers
of the movement. They sought out herbs to heal even though some of the remedies were not
particularly pleasant: bitter tastes, purging-agents, and strange-smelling concoctions were
administered to willing patients. All in all, belief in the importance of being one’s own doctor
and the potential of the nature cure helped steer the individuals of all socio-economic classes to
botanical medicine, and the movement continued to flourish until the end of the nineteenth
century (Libster, 2009).
Thomson’s methodology and the Botanical Medical Movement eventually led to the
inspiration of both eclecticism (an approach to medicine drawing upon many different theories
8. HERBAL MEDICINE AS A NATURE-BASED HEALING MODALITY 8
and schools of thought) and physiomedicalism- a 19th
century system of herbal medicine (Mills,
1991). The rise in medical herbalism coincided with the emergence of manipulative therapies,
such as osteopathy and chiropractic, and the combination represented a new wave of health care
emerging in the United States. Thomson’s successors, such as Wooster Beach of the eclectic
school, and physiomedical theorist W. H. Cook, continued to research the detailed effects of
herbal remedies and their scientific implications. Contemporary ideologies of human health arose
within this body of research, such as ‘homeostasis, the necessity of keeping body fluids alkaline,
remedies to aid in autonomic nervous-system support (Mills, 1991). At the turns of the twentieth
century, these schools of thought and practice were unfortunately never formally adopted by the
newly established American Medical System. They eventually disappeared from modern
American medicine practice (Mills, 1991).
Physiomedicalism, with its Thomsonian roots, only survived due in part to the individuals
whom brought it to Britain, where it was well-received and adopted by people of newly-formed
industrial cities. Thousands of people from the country populated the growing cities, and wanted
to have access to the traditional folk remedies they were accustomed to. Urban herbalists whom
set up shop in the crowded streets of Britain administered herbal medicine to the urbanized
individuals. This trend in herbalism continued in Britain well the 1970s. Training for herbalists
in Britain was based on physiomedical principles and almost half of the remedies taught were
from America. Without this “fortunate reverse colonialism the whole Thomsonian experiment
might have been buried in the specialist history books” but now the legacy lives on in the
herbalist training done in Britain (Mills, 1991).
Herbalism was widely forgotten in the United States by the turn of the twentieth century.
With the rise of the AMA, antibiotics, and allopathic procedures, herbalism fell into the
9. HERBAL MEDICINE AS A NATURE-BASED HEALING MODALITY 9
background and reemerged as an oral tradition in the rural areas of the United Stated. However,
in the last decade, herbal products have gained increasing popularity, and are now used by
approximately 20% of the population of the U.S. (Bent, 2008). Nowadays these dietary herbal
supplements are complex mixtures of organic chemicals that come from any raw or processed
parts of plants. The classification of ‘dietary supplement’ allows manufacturers to produce, sell,
and market herbs without demonstrating safety and efficacy, unlike their pharmaceutical
counterparts (Bent, 2008). Sadly, what was once a land-based medicine has turned into a money-
making manufacturing process, stripping previous processes of gleaning knowledge through
experience and personal interaction with the plant, to a one-size-fits-all supplement anyone can
have. The role of the professional herbalist was lost in the mechanization of the medicine, yet
there are many schools of thought still supporting the practice of herbal medicine as a therapy.
Although herbalism has become packaged and commodified in the last few decades,
there has been a resurgence of traditional herbal practice in the United States. The American
Herbalist Guild is an association of Herbal Practitioners founded in 1989 that represent the
“goals and voices of herbalists specializing in the medicinal use of plants. [Their] primary goal is
to promote a high level of professionalism and education in the study and practice of therapeutic
herbalism” (2013). This new resource provides directories of professional herbalists and schools,
professional trainings, the Journal of the American Herbalist Guild, and educational resources.
Within the guild, a list of over 50 different schools on Vital Herbalism, Phytotherapy, Herbal
Studies and Herbal Medicine is available, a testament to the rise in interest of medical herbalism.
Current requirements for practice
It is an interesting concept to think about the ‘requirements for practice’ for herbalists,
considering traditional folk medicine knowledge was practiced and orally passed down for
10. HERBAL MEDICINE AS A NATURE-BASED HEALING MODALITY 10
centuries. Today, the title Herbalist has a shifting meaning, yet it originally meant “one versed in
the knowledge of herbs and plants” and one who knows how to utilize them in medical situations
(Micozzi, 2011). However, there are a variety of herbal practitioners available today and they
include: professional herbalists, lay herbalist, and plant gatherer/plant grower/medicine maker.
Professional herbalists undergo formalized trainings and/or a long apprenticeship in
plant and medicinal studies (Micozzi, 2011). Plant and spiritual healing studies can be
undertaken as well to accompany clinical applications. Formal training includes developing
familiarity and relationship with specific plants which “involves their identification, harvesting
criteria, preparation, storage, therapeutic indication, contraindications, and dosing” (Micozzi,
2014). Professional herbalists have a familiarity with each medicinal plant and formula, which
permits the herbalist to design a precise formula for each patient, unlike a Western doctor’s use
of one-size-fits-all pharmaceuticals. Professional herbalists spent dedicated time in learning
many different herbs through formal education so as to administer to most effective remedy for
each individual patient. The breadth of knowledge to be skilled in such diagnosis is testament to
the amount of dedication a professional herbalist has for their craft. Each cultural system and
medical system has different types of herbal practitioners, and there are various types of
professional herbalists whom have mastered the use of plants as healing aids. Distinct
professional herbalists include trained medical herbalists, clinical herbalists, licensed
Naturopathic doctors, licensed acupuncturists trained in Chinese herbal medicine, licensed
Aryuvedic doctors, Native American herbalists and shamans, Latin American curanderas, and
other lineages of culturally recognized professional herbalists (Micozzi, 2014).
Unlike a professional herbalist, a lay herbalist has a broad knowledge of useful plants for
health problems, but do not undergo comprehensive training in medical or spiritual diagnosis and
11. HERBAL MEDICINE AS A NATURE-BASED HEALING MODALITY 11
management (Micozzi, 2014). Lay herbalists are able to evaluate medical plant quality, strength,
uses, and proper doses (Micozzi, 2014). They are normally local healers and vendors, and
practice herbal medicine as a means to support their community. Lay herbalists may continue the
work as a family tradition and are sensitive to the needs and desire of the herbal marketplace.
Plant gatherers, plant growers and medicine makers may consider themselves herbalists,
but like lay herbalists, they have no formal medical training to treat and diagnose with herbs.
These individuals are as pharmacists are to physicians: they collect, harvest, cultivate, process
and store the herbs, whereas the clinical herbalist prescribes them (Micozzi, 2011). These
individuals know the plants in a different capacity than clinical herbalists. They know where
wild-plants grow and in what ecosystem, how to properly and ethically harvest the plants, what
the proper preparations are to receive the maximum healing benefits, and how to store the plants
so they remain potent. In some systems, “preparing and handling the medicines is considered a
spiritual privilege and responsibility” and are reserved specifically for the plant gatherers and
growers. However, just because someone is a plant grower does not mean they are not herbalists.
There are practicing herbalists who grow and collect their own raw plant materials as well.
In order to be a professional medical herbalist, one must undergo extensive training,
education, and practice. As stated in the section on the history of herbalism, there are numerous
herbal-study schools specializing in lay herbalism and traditional wild-crafting (the process of
foraging and creating medicine from plants found in nature). In the San Francisco Bay Area
alone, the number of rising lay herbalists is growing, with more and more individuals being
drawn to creating and using herbal remedies created by non-professionals. This is not to say that
medical herbalism is obsolete, but the truth of the matter is that as herbalism popularity continues
to grow, more and more individuals have taken the old-route of learning through oral-tradition
12. HERBAL MEDICINE AS A NATURE-BASED HEALING MODALITY 12
and are now making and selling their own herbal remedies. A quick search for ‘herbal remedies’
on the personal entrepreneur sale-platform Etsy.com gives testament to the growing number of
lay herbalists in the United States.
How it is situated within the medical field
There is an ever-increasing interest and demand for herbal products as adverse side-
effects of long-term use of pharmaceutical emerge. Many individuals are opting for herbal
remedies to treat their condition. Due to this increase in demand, the U.S. governments are has
interceded with legislation to mediate herbal prescriptions. Most herbal products sold in stores
are regulated as ‘dietary supplements’ to help stave off potential lawsuits from misdiagnosis or
dose disproportions. In 1994, the U.S. Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA)
set guidelines with “regard to quality, labeling, packaging, and marketing” of herbal supplements
(www.fda.gov). The DSHEA allows manufactures of packaged herbal supplements to make what
are called “structure and function claims” but no therapeutic or prevention claim. For example, a
label can claim St. John’s wort “optimizes mood” but cannot claim it is a “natural
antidepressant” because the latter is a therapeutic claim (Micozzi, 2014). This act sparked a surge
of interest in herbal products and an increase in demand for such products. Other regulatory
legislation of the DSHEA includes:
Criminal action for the sale of toxic or unsanitary products, ban on the sale of
products making false claims, the seizure of products that pose an unreasonable
risk of illness and injury, sue companies claim their products to cure or treats
diseases, stop sale of an entire class of products if the pose an imminent health
risk, and stop products from being marketed if the FDA does not receive
sufficient safety data in advance (Micozzi, 2014).
These statutory regulations are for both finished dietary supplement products and dietary
ingredients. According to the FDA website on Dietary Supplements, the DSHEA was created
with a main focus of “ensuring the safety and accurate labeling of dietary supplements” (2015).
13. HERBAL MEDICINE AS A NATURE-BASED HEALING MODALITY 13
Considering how many lay herbalists are creating product and selling them on the market, it is
highly important for such medicines to be evaluated and reviewed when used for clinical
purpose. Quality and safety are of the upmost importance for the herbal supplements prescribed
by medical herbalists.
Challenges and successes with integration into biomedicine
As a rule, herbal medicine is safer than conventional medicine because they are more
dilute and the side effects tend to be less severe. However, although herbs are natural parts of
plants, such as the flowers, stems, seeds, or roots, they are not all safe. In some cases an herb
may be toxic to a human, and many plants have poisonous effects. Other plants may be edible at
some points in their growth cycle, but become toxic at other stages. (Kamahi & Zampieron,
1999). Some plants are highly poisonous and produce highly uncomfortable effects- even death.
And yet, even some of these plants can be prepared in a certain way to make them useful in
medicinal application. For example, “the shoots of young poke root plants are safe to eat only if
boiled three times” but are considered highly toxic else wise (Kamahi & Zampieron, 1999). It is
important for individuals practicing herbal medicine to know when and how to use specific herb,
and have a responsibility to educate the patient about the herb they prescribe. Without the proper
protocol and instructions, herbs prescribed with the intention of healing can worsen a condition.
Allergies are also common with certain plants. It is claimed that nearly every substance
we come into contact with is a potential allergen for someone (Kamahi & Zampieron, 1999).
Herbs are no exception. A really good herbalist will potentially know 1,000 to 2,000 plant
species with medicinal application. This is only a small fragment of the 300,000 higher plant
species that are all chemically distinct (Duke, 1997). It becomes nearly impossible for an
14. HERBAL MEDICINE AS A NATURE-BASED HEALING MODALITY 14
herbalist to be able to assess a client for distinct allergies, and sometimes mistakes are made. But
this is not unlike other physicians and pharmacists who also make occasional mistakes.
Besides the risks concerning toxicity and potential allergies, herbal medicine has become
popular in recent years. Herbal medicines serve as therapeutic alternatives, safer choices, and on
occasion, as the only effective treatment. For example, herbs are being used in dermatology to
treat varicose veins, inflammation, and acne with great success (Dattner, 2003). It is also well
known throughout the field of oncology that many cancer patients supplement with herbal
medicine during conventional treatment to treat nausea, mood, and appetite (Richardson,
Sanders, et al; 2000). Herbal medicine is being utilized outside of the sphere of dietary
supplements and in their raw form for treatments such as those mentioned above. The beauty of
integrating natural healing remedies into the world of Western biomedicine is changing the face
of health care and giving patients options for medication.
My Experience with Herbal Medicine
I have worked with herbal medicine for the past two years and have had very exciting
results. There is a wonderful apothecary in my local area called Rosemary’s Garden, an over-the-
counter herbal pharmacy and store, where an individual can go and get free advice from trained
herbalists and purchase the prescribed medicine at a reasonable price. It’s a heartwarming feeling
to be able to enter into a shop, have an open discussion with a trained and certified herbalist-
who work in the shop- and get ideas for treatments and remedies at the same location they are
purchased. I have overheard conversations occur over the raw-herb measurement table
concerning such conditions as depression, cancer, IBS and anxiety. Many patrons of the store
tend to add their opinions into the conversations because many of them are lay-herbalists as well.
Rosemary’s Garden is a hub of herbal medicine practitioners, of whom some trained and
15. HERBAL MEDICINE AS A NATURE-BASED HEALING MODALITY 15
certified professional herbalists, and others self-taught lay herbalist. There is definitely a sense of
community-supported healing for those who wish for advice and help.
I have the experience of receiving tailored herbal remedies by a certified herbal medicine
practitioner and Doctor of Indigenous medicine named Phyllis Bala. I have suffered from eczema
for most of my life and for a large portion of the time have resorted to used topical cortisol
creams to help with the inflammation and itchy sensations. Yet, just as with every topical
pharmaceutical ointment, the cortisone cream only treated the immediate symptoms and the
eczema always returned. I went to Phyllis when I felt disempowered with the care I received for
the eczema. Before creating a remedy for me, Phyllis asked questions about my recent life
experience, diet, elimination and personal spiritual practices. When I finished with my story,
Phyllis went to her apothecary and gave me a mix of various tinctures, raw herbs and herbal
juices to take, along with a protocol I was to follow. There were specific instructions as to how to
prepare the herbs and with what sort of tools. Timing was paramount and I was to consume the
medicine quickly after preparation. I remember thinking there was a lot to remember, but Phyllis
assured me that the protocol she was giving me would help with the eczema for good. For the
next several weeks I complied with the protocol. It was somewhat tedious preparing and
remembering to prepare the herbs, yet lo and behold my skin began to clear and my body-system
healed itself of eczema. Personally working with the plants was an incredible empowering
experience and sold me on the power of herbal medicine.
Inspired by my experience with Phyllis, I now wild-harvest and create my own herbal
medicines as a hobby. I guess you could say I am a “lay herbalist”, although I am not interested
in selling the remedies for money. I tend to gift them to my family and friends to support their
health and wellness, and I only work with plants that I know be to non-toxic. Searching for and
16. HERBAL MEDICINE AS A NATURE-BASED HEALING MODALITY 16
discovering wild medicinal plants feels like a treasure hunt. Whenever I go out and forage, I
experience a deep sense of connection to the millions of medicine men and women who came
before me. Making medicine from the land surrounding my home has formed a deep connection
between me and my place and I believe has helped me remain flu-free for several years now.
Conclusion
The practice of using plants found in nature to help humans heal is neither unknown nor
uncommon in human-history, yet the practice of herbal medicine is still finding its place among
contemporary biomedicine practices. A merge of nature and manufactured medicine is rising and
plants which were at one time inaccessible to certain populations are now found on the shelf of a
local drug store. However, how will the technological evolution of herbal medicine affect the
natural cyclical processes it is based upon? At this time, no answer can be given, yet one can
only have hope that lands that are home to these medicinal plants will be protected and the
harvesting process remain in integrity with the balance of nature and natural life. I will continue
in the way of my Mother and will turn to the plants I have come to know and love to help me
stay well and feel good. It is through this continued practice such as this that herbalism will
flourish and help bring Earth-based medicine back to our health system.
17. HERBAL MEDICINE AS A NATURE-BASED HEALING MODALITY 17
References
Bent S. (2008) Herbal medicine in the United States: Review of efficacy, safety, and regulation:
Grand rounds at University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. Journal of
General Internal Medicine.;23(6):854-859. doi:10.1007/s11606-008-0632-y.
Cantin, C. (2009, January 26). A History of Herbal Medicine for Herbalists. Retrieved October
28, 2015. http://www.evergreenherbgarden.org/articles/history-herbal-med.html
Dattner, A. M. (2003), From medical herbalism to phytotherapy in dermatology: back to the
future. Dermatologic Therapy, 16: 106–113. doi: 10.1046/j.1529-8019.2003.01618.x
Duke, J. (1997). The green pharmacy: New discoveries in herbal remedies for common diseases
and conditions from the world's foremost authority on healing herbs. Emmaus, Pa.:
Rodale Press
Libster, M. (2009). A History of Shaker Nurse-Herbalists, Health Reform, and the American
Botanical Medical Movement (1830-1860). Journal of Holistic Nursing, 27(4), 222-231.
Micozzi, M. (2014). Western Herbalism. In Fundamentals of Complementary and Alternative
Medicine (5th ed.). London: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Mills, S. (1993). The essential book of herbal medicine. London: Arkana.
Richardsom, M., Sanders, T., Palmer, J., Greisinger, A., & Singletery, S. (2000).
Complementary/alternative medicine use in a comprehensive cancer center and the
implications for oncology. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 18(3), 2505-2514.
Rothstein, W. G.(2002). The People's Doctors: Samuel Thomson and the American Botanical
Movement, 1790-1860 (review). Bulletin of the History of Medicine 76(1), 147-148. The
Johns Hopkins University Press. Retrieved October 28, 2015, from Project MUSE
database.
The American Herbalists Guild. (2013, September 2). About us.Retrieved October 28, 2015.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2015, September 7). Dietary Supplements.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
Zampieron, E., & Kamhi, E. (1999). How safe are herbs? In The natural medicine chest: Natural
medicines to keep you and your family thriving into the next millennium. New York, NY:
M. Evans and.