Medicinal plants are plants that are used to treat human ailments. Herbs have been utilized since prehistoric times and are still frequently used now in many nations to treat ailments due to a lack of pharmaceuticals, the adverse effects of various treatments, and the development of resistance to certain drugs. According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people throughout the world rely on herbs for therapeutic purposes. This is because therapy with medicinal plants is safe and has few side effects. Herbs are used in pest management, as spices, and in the manufacture of toothpaste, perfumes, and a variety of other items.
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is commonly used to treat skin ailments, but it also has several health advantages. Aloe vera leaves with gel-like tissues contain vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, and minerals. The use of aloe vera promotes wound healing and heals skin burns. it can be used for skin treatment, Aloe vera helps prevents wrinkles by assisting the skin in retaining moisture. It has the potential to be utilized as a diabetic treatment since it may increase insulin sensitivity and hence reduce blood sugar levels. It also has laxative chemicals under the surface of the leaf that, when taken internally, may help cure constipation. It can be used to treat mouth ulcers or canker sores that occur within the mouth, as well as to relieve the discomfort associated with them. Aloe vera can soften skin irritations, burns, wounds, and rashes, treat cold sores, moisturize your hair and scalp, and reduce inflammation when used topically.
2.Basil
Basil is used in making colorful and flavored food dishes but also can be used for many health benefits. Basil is used to treating snake and insect bites used to treat loss of appetite. It also works as a pain reliever, blood vessel protector, immune booster and. Basil can be used to prevent cancer because of its phytochemicals that can prevent lung, liver, and skin cancer. Basil may be used to reduce high blood sugar levels hence it’s important to be added to our diet. Basil contains essential oils that can help to stop inflammations in the body such as bowel issues and arthritis
3.Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper is a spice used in many recipes to add a touch of heat to your food but it can also be used for many of its health benefits. Cayenne can be used as a pain relief because it contains capsaicin compound. Cayenne can be used to support digestion because it helps increase the production of digestive fluids and sends enzymes to the stomach to aid digestion. Cayenne supports weight loss because the capsaicin compound found in cayenne increases the amount of heat your body produces hence helping you burn more calories. Cayenne also prevents blood clots, relieves migraine, nerve, and joint pain promotes detoxification, and improves allergy symptoms
4. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice that comes from the bark of the Cinnamomum tree. The compounds found in cinnamon have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Cinnamon may help in the reduction of blood pressure, lowering blood sugars in diabetic patients. Cinnamon can also be used for intestinal problems and other stomach problems
5. Coriander Seed
Coriander leaves are used by many people in dishes like soups or salads. The dried seeds of the cilantro plant also known as coriander are commonly used as whole seeds or ground into powder. Consuming coriander seeds can help to lower blood sugar levels by promoting enzyme activity that helps remove sugar from the blood. Coriander offers several antioxidants that can help lower inflammation and help slow the growth of lung colon prostate and breast cancer. Coriander extracts ease digestive issues by decreasing abdominal pain and bloating and can be used to increase appetite.
6. Cumin Seed
Cumin seeds come from the herb Cuminum cyminum, which is a member of the parsley family. Cumin seeds can aid your digestion and also help to treat diarrhea, they are used to control blood sugar in diabetic patients, promote the health of your skin, relieve respiratory conditions, promote detoxification, and combat oxidative stress, cumin has anti-cancer properties and can help keep cancer cells from multiplying and may help in lowering cholesterol in your body.
7. Garam Masala
Garam masala is an Indian spice blend that commonly contains cinnamon, cardamom, black peppercorns, cumin, and cloves. Although garam masala is added to dishes to add flavor it has many health benefits. garam masala helps digestion, fights diabetes by helping improve insulin sensitivity, reduces inflammation, boosts your heart health and regulates blood pressure, reduces inflammation in the body, and lowers cancer risks because of the clove in garam masala that inhibits tumor growth.
8. Ginger Root
Ginger is mostly used as a spice and it’s mostly used while fresh or as a dried powder. Ginger has powerful medicinal properties and can be used to aid digestion, fight common colds and reduce nausea. It works as a potent antioxidant and hence can help reduce oxidative stress, supports digestion, reduces pain, and lowers high cholesterol levels that may cause heart diseases. Ginger root benefits also include its ability to lower blood sugars, reduce arthritis pain and fight cancer.
9. Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is made from pods of the vanilla plant and is used to flavor foods and beverages. But vanilla extract also comes with a slew of health benefits, including its ability to fight bacterial infections, reduce inflammation, boost your mental health, help reduce sugar intake because it has few calories than the use of sugar, reduce fevers and ease toothache pain
10. Turmeric
Turmeric supplements can be taken in place of antidepressants, anticoagulants, arthritis medications, skin condition treatments, anti-inflammatory medications, and cholesterol regulators. Other turmeric benefits include its ability to aid weight loss, treat gastrointestinal issues, ease pain, and treat wound infections. Turmeric can also treat cancer.
11. Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle Products are made from the roots, stems, and leaves of stinging nettle. It contains vitamins A, vitamin C, and vitamin K . Contains calcium iron magnesium phosphorus sodium and potassium. can help to improve urinary issues and treat enlarged prostate, prevent reactions to hay fever an allergy that causes inflammation in the lining of the nose, ease joint pain, helps lower blood pressure, slow down bleeding after surgery, and act as antioxidants hence help defend body cells against damage from harmful diseases like cancer.
12. Rosemary
Rosemary is an aromatic herb that’s part of the mint family it’s a good source of iron, calcium, and vitamins A, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. It’s known for its ability to improve memory, it’s a good source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that help blood circulation. Its Oil products promote hair growth and treat dandruff, relieve muscle aches and pains, improve cognitive function and soothe digestive issues. Rosemary helps against bacterial infections. Rosemary can be chopped or ground and added to meals, or rosemary oil can be diffused and applied topically.
13. Sage
Sage is a woody herb that’s closely related to rosemary and has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Sage contains iron, vitamin K, vitamin B6 calcium, and Manganese. Can be used as an antioxidant, may reduce blood sugar levels, and has been used traditionally as a remedy against diabetes, when consumed even in small amounts, sage can improve your memory and concentration, prevent degenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s, reduce inflammation, improve the health of your skin and strengthen your bones. May be used to cure skin, mouth, colon, liver, kidney, and breast cancer.
14. Red Clover
Red clover is a plant that belongs to the legume family. Its benefits are a result of calcium, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, thiamin, and vitamin C found in its flowers. It can be used to treat respiratory issues like asthma, can reduce problems of menstrual symptoms and menopausal symptoms in women’s health, help you to maintain strong bones, reduce skin inflammation that causes conditions like arthritis, help lower your risk of certain cancers, such as prostate, endometrial and breast cancer.
15.Garlic
Garlic is highly nutritious and its reach is in manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and fiber. Garlic can help fight the common cold, and can also help reduce high blood pressure, garlic improves cholesterol levels which lower the risk of heart disease raw garlic contains antioxidants that help prevent dementia. It can also be consumed to improve bone health and help to reverse hair loss.
16. Olive Leaf
Olive leaf comes from the olive tree, and it is used in extracts, powders, and teas to reduce inflammation, improve cardiovascular health, boost the immune system, prevent diabetes, support cognitive function, protect the skin, kill bacteria and fungi, reduce the risk of cancer and boost energy levels.
17. Mustard Seed
Mustard seeds come from various mustard plants and they are used as a spice in many regions of the world. They are an excellent source of folate, vitamins A, vitamin C, and vitamin K, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Mustard seeds can reduce inflammation that causes pain and swelling, treat gum disease, boost the health of your heart, skin, and hair, and help to prevent or fight infections due to their antibacterial and antifungal properties.
18. Moringa
Moringa has been used for centuries due to its medicinal properties that benefit our health. Moringa contains vitamins A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. it’s also rich in iron phosphorus potassium calcium, and magnesium. Moringa plant is used to nourish skin and hair, helps treat diabetes, helps treat asthma, allergies, arthritis, epilepsy, and thyroid disorders, and helps reduce high blood pressure, and cancer. It helps treat anemia and sickle cell disease, helps improve eye health, helps in protection against kidney disorders, helps in the healing of wounds, and contains calcium and phosphorous which help keep bones stronger and help fight against bacterial diseases.
19. Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a flavoring spice that is rich in calcium potassium manganese magnesium and iron also contains vitamin A and vitamin C. it can be used to lower blood pressure, can be used to fight fungal and bacterial infections, reduce inflammation, repel insects, ease stomach aches, boost energy, ease anxiety, reduce fevers, ease pain, stimulate menstrual flow and its use to manage diarrhea.
20. Pine Bark
Pine bark extract can be used to lower blood sugar levels, fight infections, help prevent hearing loss, improve erectile dysfunction, reduce inflammation, boost athletic performance and protect your skin from ultraviolet exposure. Helps support heart health by limiting the buildup of fats.
21. Thyme
Thyme is an herb that’s part of the mint family and is often used in cooking. Thyme is a source of vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, manganese, and calcium. It can be used to fight acne, relieve respiratory conditions like sore throat and bronchitis, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and fight cancer cells. Can be used to repel pests like rats, helps prevent bacterial infections, is used for disinfecting, and for boosting mood.
Herbs are natural products that have no adverse effects and are effective in the treatment of many incurable diseases. They are environmentally friendly and locally available, thus there is a need to promote them in order to save human lives
