HERBS: THE NATURES

GIFTS TO HUMAN LIFE

Prof G N Pandey
Adjunct Professor, IIIT, Allahabad,
Ex-Vice Chancellor, JRH University, Chitrakoot, UP, India
Phones : 00-91-522- 2302163,2302826
Cell : 983073805, 313021535
Email: pandey63@rediffmail.com
 ●
most of the disease are
induced by the genetic as
well as environmental
It is well ●
contributions.
the pattern of disease are
establishe different both in
intensity, magnitude and
d that size with regard to
coverage of population in
developing and
developed countries.
It is matter of coincidence that developing
counties are also tropical countries with
higher incidences of diabetes and related
disease blood pressure and related
disease.
Dengue
 Malaria Incidence Worldwide
World map showing uneven distribution of age-adjusted CVD mortality by country.
Nevertheless, the environmental conditions of these tropical countries are
conducive to growth of herbal plants like,
Alfalfa (Family: Leguminosae Genus: Medicago Species: Sativa),

Allspice (Family: Myrtaceae Genus: Pimenta Species: Officinalis, Dioca),

Aloe (Family: Liliaceae Genus: Aloe Species: Vera),

Anise (Family: Umbelliferae Genus: Pimpinella Species: Anisum)

Balm, Lemon (Family: Labiatae Genus: Melissa Species: Officinalis),

Basil (Family: Labiatae Genus: Ocimum Species: Basilicum, Sanctum),

Bay (Family: Lauraceae Genus: Laurus Species: Nobilis),

Caraway (Family: Umbelliferae Genus: Caurm Species: Carvi),

Catnip (Family: Labiatae Genus: Nepeta Species: Cataria),

Chamomile (Family: Compositae Genus: Matricaria, Anthemis Species: Chamomilla,

Nobilis respectively), Chicory (Family: Compositae Genus: Cicorium Species: Intybus),

Cinnamon (Family: Lauraceae Genus: Cinnamomum Species: Zeylanicum,

Cassia, Saigonicum), Clove (Family: Myrtaceae Genus: Eugenia, Syzygium Species:

Caryophyllata, Aromaticum),

Coriander (Family: Umbelliferae Genus: Corinadrum Species: Sativum),

 Cranberry (Family: Ericaceae Genus: Vaccinium,

Oxycoccus Species: Macerocarpon, Quadripetalus respectively),

Dandelion (Family: Compositae Genus: Taraxacum Species: Officinale),

Dill(Family: Umbelliferae Genus: Anethum Species: Graveolens),

Echinacea (Family: Compositae Genus: Echinacea Species: Angustifolia,

Purpurea), Eucalyptus (Family: Myrtaceae Genus: Eucalyptus Species: Globulus),

Fennel (Family: Umbelliferae Genus: Foeniculum Species: Vulgare, Vulgare

Dulce),

Feverfew (Family: Compositae Genus: Chrysanthemum, Matricaria, Tanacetum

Species: Parthenium),

Garlic (Family: Amaryllidacae Genus: Allium Species: Sativum),

Ginger (Family: Zingiberaceae Genus: Zingiber Species: Officinale), Ginkgo

(Family: Ginkgoaceae Genus: Ginkgo Species: Biloba),

Ginseng (Family: Araliaceae Genus: Panax,

Eleutherococcus Species: Ginseng and Quinquefolius, Senticosus),

Horehound (Family: Labiatae Genus: Marrubium Species: Vulgare), Hyssop

(Family: Labiatae Genus: Hyssopus Species: Officinalis),

Juniper (Family: Cupressaceae Genus: Juniperus Species: Communis)

 The distribution
between
vegetarian and
non-vegetarian is
not scientific,
non-vegetarian
food

Since the distribution between vegetarian and non-vegetarian is not scientific,

non-vegetarian food including fish, chicken, is fully supported by vegetarian means.

It is also known that so much of genes are conserved to animal genetic setup.

This is also known as life support system.

Obviously, there is full coordination between plant and animal kingdom including human being.

However, the “Mother” nature has provided plants mostly with chlorophyll “God” to sustain their life and lives of all animal species including man on earth.

Thus the plants are essential for our very existence while their existence does not depend upon us. This is universal fact.
Today, people searching for cures to
their medical ailments are turning in
progressively greater numbers to
alternative medicine.

Generally speaking, alternative

medicine is any type of therapy
which is not a part of
conventional, allopathic medicine.

Approaches to care for the body as diverse as

traditional Chinese medicine,
osteopathic/chiropractic manipulation of the
body, and energy medicine—the application of
electrical, magnetic, or other similar fields and
forces to the body—fall into this broad category.

Alternative medicine offers people the opportunity

to take control of their bodies and their health.
One should always be careful, however, to research
any therapy (whether conventional or alternative)
to ensure that risks are minimal and are
outweighed by the likely benefits.
 Who is using herbal medicine?
Unfortunately, a study in the New
Many herbs can interact
Nearly
nearly one-third
England Journal of Medicine found that
with 70%prescription
of people taking herbal

of
medicines (most of whom were well
Americans
medications
educated and cause use
and had a higher-than-average
unwanted or dangerous
income) were reluctant tell their doctors
that they herbs.
used complementary and
reactions.
alternative medicine.
 Contd…
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For earliest
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al
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eraproviding
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Contd ….
Herbal medicine is cost effective and less
expensive than the medicines bought from an
allopathic pharmacy. 

Another merit of herbal medicine is that it can

be bought without a prescription. They are
available in any health store. 

Herbal medicine and remedies are more

effective than allopathic medicine for certain
ailments. 

The chemical medicine prescribed by a

pharmacist could have certain negative side
effects.

However, many of the herbal medicines and

remedies do not have negative side effects. If
any, they are softer than allopathic medicine. 
 Herbal medicine can be
effectively used for body’s natural
detoxification process.

The herbs such as Plantago psyllium seed,

rhubarb juice powder, aloe vera, alfalfa
juice, chlorella, carrot concentrate and
garlic can be used to cleanse the colon,
improve digestion and food absorption and
boost your immune system. Some digestive
disorders such as colitis, indigestion,
peptic ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome
can be cured using the herbs
Some important herbal What is herbal
medicines medicine good for?
 Herbal medicine is used to treat
many conditions, such as asthma,
eczema, premenstrual syndrome,
rheumatoid arthritis, migraine,
menopausal symptoms, chronic
fatigue, and irritable bowel
syndrome, among others. Herbal
supplements are best taken under the
guidance of a trained health care
provider. Be sure to consult with your
doctor or pharmacist before taking
any herbs. Some common herbs and
their uses are discussed below.
 Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

used to treat circulatory disorders and enhance memory.

Although not all studies agree, ginkgo may be especially
effective in treating dementia (including Alzheimer's
disease) and intermittent claudication (poor circulation
in the legs). It also shows promise for enhancing memory
in older adults. Laboratory studies have shown that
ginkgo improves blood circulation by dilating blood
vessels and reducing the stickiness of blood platelets. By
the same token, this means ginkgo may also increase the
effect of some blood-thinning medications, including
aspirin. People taking blood-thinning medications should
ask their doctor before using ginkgo.
Kava kava (Piper methysticum)
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)

 is used by mo re tha n 2 million men in t he US f or t he treat ment o f b enig n

prosta tic hyperpla sia (BPH), a non-cancero us enla rg ement of the
pro st at eg la nd. A numb er of st udies sug gest that theherb is eff ect ive fo r
treat ing symptoms, including t oo -f requent urina tio n, having t ro ub le
st arting or maint aining urina tion, a nd needing to urinat eduring t he
nig ht. But a well-co nduct ed st udypublished in theFebrua ry 9, 2006
edit io n of the New England J o urnal o f Medicine fo und that sa w
pa lmet to was no b et ter t ha n pla cebo in relieving thesig ns and sympto ms
of BPH.
 St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is well known for its

antidepressant effects. In general, most studies have shown that St. John's
wort may be an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression, and
has fewer side effects than most other prescription antidepressants. But the
herb interacts with a wide variety of medications, including birth control
pills, so it is important to take it only under the guidance of a health care
provider.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) 

Valerian (Valeriana
officinalis) is a popular
alternative to commonly
prescribed medications for sleep
problems because it is
considered to be both sa fe and
gentle. Some studies bea r this
out, a lthoug h not a ll ha ve found
va lerian to be effective. Unlike
many prescription sleeping pills,
valeria n ma y have fewer side
effects such as morning
drowsiness.