Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medicinal botany[1], medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, and phytotherapy. Sometimes the scope of herbal medicine is extended to include fungi and bee products, as well as minerals, shells and certain animal parts. Many plants synthesize substances that are useful to the maintenance of health in humans and other animals. These include aromatic substances, most of which are phenols or their oxygen-substituted derivatives such as tannins. Many are secondary metabolites, of which at least 12,000 have been isolated — a number estimated to be less than 10% of the total. In many cases, these substances (particularly the alkaloids) serve as plant defense mechanisms against predation by microorganisms, insects, and herbivores. Many of the herbs and spices used by humans to season food yield useful medicinal compounds.
The use of herbs to treat disease is almost universal among non-industrialized societies[citation needed]. A number of traditions came to dominate the practice of herbal medicine at the end of the twentieth century:
* The herbal medicine system, based on Greek and Roman sources
* The Ayurvedic medicine system from India
* Chinese herbal medicine (Chinese herbology)
* Unani-Tibb medicine
* Shamanic Herbalism
Many of the pharmaceuticals currently available to physicians have a long history of use as herbal remedies, including opium, aspirin, digitalis, and quinine. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 80 percent of the world's population presently uses herbal medicine for some aspect of primary health care. [16]Herbal medicine is a major component in all traditional medicine systems, and a common element in Ayurvedic, homeopathic, naturopathic, traditional Chinese medicine, and Native American medicine.
Few herbal remedies have conclusively demonstrated any positive effect on humans[. Many of the studies cited refer to animal model investigations or in-vitro assays and therefore cannot provide more than weak supportive evidence
Artichoke and several other plants may reduce total serum cholesterol levels in preliminary studies. [30][31]
Black cohosh and other plants that contain phytoestrogens (plant molecules with estrogen activity) have some benefits for treatment of symptoms resulting from menopause.[32]
Echinacea extracts can limit the length and severity of rhinovirus colds; however, the appropriate dosage levels, which might be higher than is available over-the-counter, require further research. [33][34]
Elderberry may speed the recovery from type A and B influenza.[35] However it is possibly risky in the case of avian influenza because the immunostimulatory effects may aggravate the cytokine cascade. [36]
Purified extracts of the seeds of Hibiscus sabdariffa may have some anti-microbial effect, but may also have some toxicity to mammalian testes.[38]
Nigella sativa (Black cumin) is a general medicinal plant can be used for diverse ailments such as cough, pulmonary infections, asthma, influenza, allergy, hypertension and stomach ache. [39][40][41]
Oregano may be effective against multi-drug resistant bacteria. [42]
Pawpaw can be used for insecticidal purposes (killing lice, worms).[citation needed]
Phytolacca or Pokeweed is used as a homeopathic remedy to treat many ailments. It can be applied topically or taken internally. Topical treatments have been used for acne and other ailments. Internal treatments include tonsilitis, swollen glands and weight loss.[citation needed]
Peppermint oil may have benefits for individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.[
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar