Herbal medicine history

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine has a long history, dating back 5000 years to the beginning of the Chinese civilization. It is the result of people s effort to utilize nature for survival and is developed on the basis of long-term observation, study and practice under the guidance of ancient philosophy. 

Catuaba bark extract — Catuaba has a long history in herbal medicine as an aphrodisiac. The Tupi Indians in Brazil first discovered the qualities of the plant Andover the last centuries. 

Gleaning from herbal medicine the genesis of pharmacology (digitalis salicylic acid—aspirin morphine quinine artemisinin reserpine taxol). Ancient history-present. 

On the other hand, herbal medicine is the oldest form of healthcare known to mankind and has been used by all cultures throughout history. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 4 billion people, 80% of the world population, presently use plants for some aspect of primary health care. WHO also notes that of 119 plant-derived pharmaceutical medicines, about 74% are used in modern medicine in ways that correlate directly with their traditional uses as plant medicines by native cultures. 

The long history of marijuana use both as a recreational drug and as an herbal medicine for centuries has been reviewed (3). Cannabis sativa contains more than 450 substances and only a few of the main active cannabinoids have been evaluated. Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug. In 2001, 83 million Americans and 37% of those aged 12 and older had tried marijuana (4). 

Garlic has been a valued commodity throughout history. It has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for more than 4000 years, as a form of currency in Siberia, and as a repellent for witches by the Saxons. Today it is used as a dietary supplement because of its reported health benefits. Allicin, the molecule responsible for garlic s odor, is a rather unstable molecule that is not stored in the garlic bulb, but rather is produced by the action of enzymes when the bulb is crushed or bruised. 

Blumenthal, M. Israelsen, L.D. The history of herbs in the united states legal and regulatory perspectives. In Herbal Medicinals A Clinician s Guide Miller, L.G., Murray, W.J., Eds. The Haworth Press New York, 1998 325-353. 

In Taipei, 319 children aged 1-7 years were screened for increased blood lead concentrations (145). The consumption of Chinese herbal medicines was significantly correlated with blood lead concentrations. In 2803 subjects from Taipei a history of herbal drug taking proved to be a major risk factor for increased blood lead concentrations (146). 

When we think of licorice, we typically think of the popular candy. Licorice, however, has an important history in herbal medicine. Licorice is a perennial shrub that is indigenous to the Mediterranean and is cultivated in the Middle East. Spain, northern A.sia. and the United States. The most common variety used for medicinal purposes is Clyiyrrliizti glabra var. typica. Licorice has been used. since Roman times and was described in early Chinese writings. 

Medicinal plants are significant source of synthetic and herbal drugs. Medicinal plants have been used for the treatment of diseases since antiquity. India and China have been on the forefront when we talk about history of herbal drugs. The traditional systems of medicines viz. Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Western Herbal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Homeopathy have roots in medicinal herbs. Herbal medicine has produced number of distinguished researchers and due to its accessibility to traditions it is still practiced even by lay practitioners. 

Ramberg J, Nugent S (2002) History and Uses of Dioscorea as a Food and Herbal Medicine. Glyco Sci Nutri 3 1... 

For an introduction to the history of herbalogy and some of the early treatises, there is The Rodale Herb Book, edited by William H. Hylton (1974). In the Western world, it is noted that the impetus started during the Elizabethan Age, though herbal tradition started much earlier in China. More details are contained in Barbara Griggs Green Pharmacy The History and Evolution of Western Herbal Medicine (1991),... 

Nevertheless, Foster and Johnson emphasize that comfrey also contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), as documented in Chapter 6. Although PAs will help stop bleeding, the negative effects outweigh the beneficial, for comfrey has been found to cause liver damage and produce cancerous liver mmors. Despite its long history in herbal medicine, no clinical smdies have documented any positive effects attributable to comfrey. Many studies, however, have demonstrated its liver toxicity. 

Second, herbal medicine has a very long history and tradition It was, after all, the only form of medicine available until rather recently, and although its use has all but disappeared from modern medical practice it remains an important source of therapy in many areas of the world where the benefits of modern medicine are simply unavailable or unaffordable The use of herbal medicine has a weighty and lengthy tradition and is seen... 

The Latin name for mistletoe is Viscum album. It is a semiparasitic plant that grows on old apple, ash, and hawthorn trees. It is one of very few cancer medications with a rich traditional history. Ancient Greeks used it as an anticancer medication, and it was a popular herbal medicine of the Druids, who used it for treating epilepsy and nervous system disorders. Dr. Rudolf Steiner, founder of the Society for Cancer Research, advocated its use in 1920 for the treatment of human cancer. " Presently, it is widely used in Europe and North America to treat arthritis and rheumatism and for palhative treatment of malignant tumors. Viscum album is listed in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States Mistletoe is marketed under the brand names Iscador, Isorel, Helixor, Eurixor, Vysorel, etc. 

Licorice root. Licorice has a long history in Chinese herbal medicine as a general healing agent. While accounts of its miraculous curative powers are highly suspect, glycyrrhizic acid, its active element, certainly does have physiological effects. 

Herbal medicine and ointments derived from natural sources have existed fixmi very early history of human civilizations and numerous claims and counter claims are made with regards to their effectiveness. Psyllium husk is one such plam-based material that has traditionally been recommended for alleviation of various aliments including diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, bladder problems, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes as well as dietary supplements. The final paper in this chaptCT reviews various aspects of this species and based on its inherent properties it highlights its potentials for serious consideration in new areas including biomaterials. 

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