Importance of Medicinal Plants in Medicine

Corresponding Author:

Vyshnavi N Department of Chemistry, Andhra University, India E-mail: nemani.vyshnavi@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction

The term “medicinal plant” refers to a wide range of plants in use in herbalism (“herbology” or “herbal medicine”). The use of plants as medicine, as well as the research into such uses. The word “herb” is comes from the Latin term “herba” and an old French word “herbe.” Herb now makes reference to any selected plant, such as a fruit, seed, stem, bark, flower, leaf, stigma, or root, and a non-woody plant. Previously, the term “herb” only referred to non-woody plants, like those derived from trees and shrubs. Such medicinal herbs are also used as food, a flavonoid, medicine, or perfume, as well as in some religious rituals. Plants have long been used in the medicinal purposes, dating back to the prehistoric time frame. Herbs were described in ancient Unani manuscripts, Egyptian papyrus, as well as Chinese writings. There is evidence that Unani Hakims, Indian Vaids, but also European and Mediterranean cultures have used herbs as medicine for over 4000 years. Herbs have been used in healing rituals by native cultures such as Rome, Egypt, Iran, Africa, and America, whereas others evolved traditional medical systems including such Unani, Ayurveda, and Chinese Medicine wherein herbal therapies were being used systematically. Traditional medical systems are still widely practiced on a variety of fronts. Population growth, insufficient drug supply, prohibitive treatment costs, adverse effects from several synthetic drugs, and the development of resistance to presently were using drugs for communicable diseases have all contributed to an increased emphasis on prevention. India has been recognized to become a rich repository of medicinal plants among ancient civilizations. The Indian forest is indeed the primary repository of a significant number of medicinal herbs, which are mainly collected as raw materials for the production of drugs and perfumery products. IN INDIA, approximately 8,000 natural medicines have indeed been codified in AYUSH systems. These same important systems of indigenous medicines are Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Folk (tribal) medicines. Ayurveda as well as Unani Medicine are most advanced and widely practiced of these systems in India.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated approximately that 80 percent of people globally rely on herbal remedies for the some aspect of their primary health care needs. According to the WHO, approximately 21,000 plant species have the ability to be used as medicines / medicinal plants, According to available data, more than three-quarters of the worldwide people relies primarily on plants and plant extracts for their health-care needs. And over 30% of all plant species have been used for medical uses at some point in their history. Plant drugs are expected to cost for up to 25% of total drugs throughout advanced nations such as the United States, while they account for up to 80% in fast developing countries such as India and China. As a result, the economic impact of medicinal herbs is much greater in countries such As India than in the rest of the world. These nations supply twothirds of the plants used in medical technology, and the rural population’s health care system is reliant on them, The ancient academics believe that herbs were used to treat a range of health problems and diseases. They conducted extensive research and experimented to reach accurate conclusions about the efficacy of various herbs with therapeutic qualities. The majority of the drugs developed in this manner have no side effects or reactions. This is why herbal treatment is gaining popularity all over the world. These medicinal herbs provide a rational means of treating many internal diseases which are otherwise thought to be difficult to cure. Treatment with medicinal plants is thought to be very safe because there are no or few adverse effects. The fact that these remedies are in sync with nature is the most significant advantage. The most important fact is that the use of herbal remedies is not limited to any age group or gender.

Acknowledgement

None

Conflict of Interest

The author declares there is no conflict of interest.