Understanding the most beneficial herbs
Medicinal herbs play a crucial role in health care for millions globally and have a rich history dating back to ancient civilizations. The effectiveness of these plants continues to be a subject of interest and research. Understanding which herbs are most beneficial requires insight from experts in the field.
Medicinal plants encompass both wild and cultivated species utilized for preventing and treating a variety of health issues. These range from common colds and anxiety to more serious conditions such as nausea and skin diseases.
An estimated 20,000 species of these plants exist worldwide. Notably, about 11% of the essential drugs recognized by the World Health Organization originate from flowering plants.
According to Svetlana Kanevskaya, a Doctor of Medical Sciences and a Professor of Integrative Medicine at the RODINA Health and Longevity Club, the human use of plants for healing dates back to a time before writing was invented.
Ancient societies combined various seeds, herbs, leaves, fruits, and bark to form mixtures aimed at treating numerous ailments. Traditional Chinese medicine has a history of thousands of years.
The earliest written records, found on clay tablets from Nagpur in central India, document the medicinal use of plants like poppies and mandrake, dating back about 5,000 years.
In contemporary times, extensive clinical studies are being conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of medicinal plants in treating significant health conditions.
These studies focus on issues like diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, major depressive disorder, chronic infections resistant to antibiotics, postmenopausal osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, asthma, chronic inflammation, and myasthenia.
The research involves rigorous clinical trials, including detailed statistical analyses, animal studies, and cell tests. These tests evaluate the chemical properties, pharmacological effects, and potential toxicity of the plants.
Researchers also analyze the active components and explore how these plants produce their beneficial effects on health.