Herbal Plant
There are several varieties of herbal plants valued for their therapeutic benefits on the
body’s health as well as used for various medicinal purposes. Below are a few examples of these herbal plants and
their respective uses. Note that the herbal plant featured here are those that are considered popular based on
today’s market standards.
Angelica
Known as garden angelica, Angelica archangelica is an herbal plant believed to be a native of Syria but was
later propagated in European countries where the climate is cool. The parts of this herbal plant used for medicinal
purposes are its roots, leaves, and sometimes the seeds.
Angelica is said to contain many active constituents, chief of which are volatile oils, valeric acid, angelic
acid, sugar, a bitter principle, and a peculiar resin called Angelicin which has stimulating effects on the lungs
and the skin. This herbal plant is said to be a very good remedy for colds, coughs, pleurisy, wind, colic,
rheumatism, and diseases of the urinary organs.
Cayenne
Cayenne or Capsicum got its name form the Greek term for “to bite”, which is an allusion to the hot pungent
properties of the fruits and seeds. This herbal plant has been used in the West Indies as an ingredient for a
preparation they called, Mandram. The cayenne herbal plant is said to be a powerful local stimulant, with no
narcotic effect. It is largely used in hot climates as a condiment and most useful for weak digestion and loss of
appetite.
This herbal plant is said to help people who are addicted to drink. It has properties that can help reduce
dilated blood vessels and thus relieve chronic congestion. Also, it is often added to tonics with the belief that
it is unequaled in fighting off diseases.
Dandelion
The dandelion is a common roadside plant occurring in the Southern Hemisphere. Famous for its thick tap
root which produces a rich extract, this herbal plant was first mentioned as a medicine in the work soft the
Arabian physicians of the tenth and eleventh centuries. Today, this herbal plant is widely accepted as a diuretic,
a tonic, and slightly aperient although it is not yet official. It is used to stimulate the bodily systems,
especially the urinary organs, kidneys, and liver.
Echinacea
One of the three top-selling herbal plants in 1997 was Echinacea. Sometimes called coneflower or niggerhead, the
Echinacea is said to increase bodily resistance and boost up the immune system. This herbal plant is antiseptic and
is used for boils, erysipelas, septicaemia, cancer, syphilis, and other impurities of the blood.
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