Medicinal plants
Medicinal Plants
Medicinal plants, also known as medicinal herbs, have been discovered and used in traditional medicine practices since prehistoric times. They are plants whose parts or extracts are used in the production of pharmaceutical drugs.
Pronunciation
Medicinal: /ˌmɛdɪˈsɪnəl/ Plants: /plɑːnts/
Etymology
The term "medicinal" is derived from the Latin word "medicinalis", which means "pertaining to medicine". The word "plant" comes from the Old English "plante", which means "young tree or shrub, herb newly planted, a shoot or strip from a plant".
Related Terms
- Herbalism: The study or practice of the medicinal and therapeutic use of plants, now especially as a form of alternative medicine.
- Phytotherapy: The study of the use of extracts from natural origin as medicines or health-promoting agents.
- Ethnobotany: The scientific study of the relationships that exist between people and plants.
- Pharmacognosy: The study of medicinal drugs derived from plants or other natural sources.
Medicinal Plants and Their Uses
Medicinal plants are used for various purposes. Some of the most commonly used medicinal plants include:
- Aloe Vera: Used for its soothing, moisturizing, and healing properties.
- Echinacea: Used to boost the immune system and fight infections.
- Ginseng: Used for its adaptogenic properties, helping the body resist physical, chemical, and biological stress.
- Chamomile: Used for its calming effects and is often used in teas to promote sleep and relaxation.
- St. John's Wort: Used for its antidepressant properties.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Medicinal plants
- Wikipedia's article - Medicinal plants
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