https://wikimd.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Medicinal_plantsMedicinal plants - Revision history2026-04-25T23:20:50ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.44.2https://wikimd.org/index.php?title=Medicinal_plants&diff=4961650&oldid=prevPrab at 12:46, 11 May 20232023-05-11T12:46:18Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>[[Medicinal plants]], also known as medicinal herbs, have been used in traditional medicine practices since prehistoric times. Plants synthesize hundreds of [[chemical compounds]] for functions including defense against insects, fungi, diseases, and herbivorous mammals<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Veeresham|first1=Ciddi|title=Natural products derived from plants as a source of drugs|journal=Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research|year=2012|volume=3|issue=4|pages=200|doi=10.4103/2231-4040.104709|pmid=23373011}}</ref>.<br />
[[File:20120726Lythrum salicaria2.jpg|thumb|20120726Lythrum salicaria2]]<br />
=== Usage and Benefits ===<br />
[[File:Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden - IMG 7245.JPG|thumb|Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden - IMG 7245]]<br />
Different parts of plants, including the leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds, are used for medicinal purposes. These plants are used as traditional medicines, herbal supplements, or sources for active ingredients for pharmaceutical drugs<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Fabricant|first1=DS|last2=Farnsworth|first2=NR|title=The value of plants used in traditional medicine for drug discovery|journal=Environmental Health Perspectives|year=2001|volume=109|issue=suppl 1|pages=69–75|pmid=11250806}}</ref>.<br />
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=== Some Examples ===<br />
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* [[Digitalis purpurea]] (foxglove) - This plant is used to prepare digoxin, a medication used to treat various heart conditions.<br />
* [[Catharanthus roseus]] (Madagascar periwinkle) - The plant is the source of the drugs vincristine and vinblastine, used to treat cancer.<br />
* [[Papaver somniferum]] (opium poppy) - This is the main source of morphine, widely used in pain management.<br />
=== Safety and Regulation ===<br />
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While many medicinal plants have beneficial health effects, they can also have dangerous side effects and interact with other drugs. Therefore, they must be used under the supervision of a health care professional<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Ernst|first1=E.|title=The efficacy of herbal medicine – an overview|journal=Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology|year=2005|volume=19|issue=4|pages=405–409|doi=10.1111/j.1472-8206.2005.00335.x|pmid=16011727}}</ref>. In many countries, medicinal plants and their products are regulated by government agencies like the [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) in the United States.<br />
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== Summary ==<br />
Medicinal plants, also called medicinal herbs, have been discovered and used in traditional medicine practices since prehistoric times. Plants synthesise hundreds of chemical compounds for functions including defence against insects, fungi, diseases, and herbivorous mammals. Numerous phytochemicals with potential or established biological activity have been identified. However, since a single plant contains widely diverse phytochemicals, the effects of using a whole plant as medicine are uncertain. Further, the phytochemical content and pharmacological actions, if any, of many plants having medicinal potential remain unassessed by rigorous scientific research to define efficacy and safety.<br />
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== See Also ==<br />
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* [[Pharmacognosy]]<br />
* [[Traditional medicine]]<br />
* [[Herbalism]]<br />
{{stub}}<br />
{{Medicinal herbs & fungi}}<br />
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]<br />
[[Category:Pharmacology]]<br />
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]<br />
[[Category:Herbalism]]<br />
[[Category:Traditional medicine]]<br />
[[Category:Pharmacognosy]]</div>Prab