ABSTRACT
From time immemorial, man has relied on the fascinating world of herbal medicines for two important reasons, namely, for getting healthy and staying healthy in a natural way. An herb is a plant with no woody stem above the ground. Commonly the term herb refers to aromatic plants whose leaves, stems, flowers, or seeds are used in cookery or medicine. Herbal remedies have gained popularity all over the world. The four most commonly used herbs are mint, parsley, sage, and thyme. Table 7.1 lists some commonly used medicinal plants and their uses. The pain killing drug morphine is derived from poppy; digitalin, a heart stimulant, is extracted from fox gloves; and colchicine, a drug used in the treatment of rheumatic arthritis, is obtained from cochicum (Peterson, 1995). Apart from their culinary use, herbs may be used to make aromatic mixtures with dried petals of fragrant flowers. Potpourris can be made from various mixtures of dried flowers and herbs. Aroma therapy, the therapeutic use of blended essential oils, is practiced to uplift physical and emotional strength and to relieve stress and fatigue. A mixture of rosemary, lemon, and basil is very good for memory enhancement. Ginkgo biloba extract is the most popular herbal medicine for alleviating many symptoms associated with aging, memory loss, depression, and senility, including Alzheimer’s disease.
