An Overview of Medicinal Plants and Herbs

In the past, individuals have relied on plants and plant products for the completion of their basic needs including food, medicine, clothes, shelter. In the field of health and medicines, medicinal plants had a prevailing role over ornamental, parasitic, or other plants. Medicinal plants and herbs have been utilized by the populace for the completion of nutrients and treatment of disorders.

The advancement in the field of pharmacy has revolutionized the life of human beings. This has reduced the time to cure the disease but at the same time, a chemical used to make drugs have become the cause of some serious ailments. In this time of hustle and bustle, people want to get mental relaxation.

Therefore, most of the traffic especially in developed countries where the trend of agricultural and industrial field is at its peak left the track of chemical pharmacy and start moving towards the way of organic products.

Historical Viewpoint

The establishments of average conventional frameworks of medication for ailments that have been appeared in human beings or other living organisms including cattle, sheep, cows, goats, horses, etc. have prepared from plants. They update the list of existing prescriptions. This therapeutic plant treatment depends on the experimental discoveries of millions of years.

The first study was reported from Mesopotamia in 2600 BC. The material that was utilized at that time includes the oil of Cedrus sp. (Cedar), Commiphora sp. (Myrrh), Cupressus sempervirens (Cypress), Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice), Papaver somniferum (Poppy juice) are still utilized by humans to treat cold, heal inflammation and to reduce the risk of parasitic attack.

Conventional medication practice is common in some countries including Pakistan, India, Japan, China, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. Only in China, almost 40% of the treatment is carried out through traditional organic products. In Thailand, herbal products made from legumes and beans have increased the cultivation of members of the family Caesalpiniaceae, Fabaceae, and Mimosaceae.

The calculated research of the nineteenth century has concluded that the sale of organic products i.e., herbal products gives a yield of US$2.5 billion. Nowadays, the use of herbal products is on accent in Japan and other countries.

Medicinal plants play a major role in the improvement of the pharmaceutical industry. For the treatment of various diseases including malignant tumors and the infections related to viral invasion i.e., AIDS, Hepatitis, etc. Many drugs in the USA including meperidine, reseinnamine, reserpine, vinblastin, and vincristine have been prepared from the mixture of ingredients taken from hundred plants.

Serpentine, used in the treatment of high blood pressure and hypertension, was first isolated from the root of an Indian plant Rauwolfia serpentine in 1953. Another product Vinblastine extracted from the plant Catharanthus rosesus has been utilized for the treatment of various disorders including leukemia, Hodgkins, cancer of the neck, and testes. The products of another plant i.e., Nothapodytes nimmoniana (Mappia foetida) are used to reduce the growth of cervical tumors in Japan.

In the current scenario, plants are not only vital in medical care services, but will also prove to be the best source of future meds. As many medicines have been introduced to reduce the suffering of living organisms and to ease their life but still there is a need to explore the world of pharmacy.

It is because researchers have assessed that the proper treatment is only available for 33% of all known human disorders. So, this fight against infections should be carried out in the same way. The main reason behind this high demand for traditional medicines is that they have little or no side effects.

The revolutionary change in the pharmaceutical industry brings about in the last 50 years is due to plant or their extracts. The chemical compounds found in these extracts are proved to be effective for plants and animals.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the addition of herbal products at the national level because of their availability at cheap prices, under the approach of every person, widely tested, and have no side effects than modern engineered drugs.

Previously, no beneficial uses of few plant species including Artemisia, Bacopa, Catharanthus, Lantana, and Taxus were known but now recent research work has shown that these species have valuable significance in controlling harmful diseases.

At the commercial level, morphine was the first drug derived from plants were manufactured by E. Merck in 1826. Their production and demand go on increasing till 1991 when a total of 50% of drugs are directly constituted plant items or contains any of its derivatives.

Comparison of Herbal Product with Chemical Drugs

As the medicinal plants eased the life of most people but their disadvantages cannot be neglected. The plants which are previously proved to be beneficial are not recommended these days because certain chemicals found in these plants are injurious to human health. For example, the Tobacco plant Nicotiana tabacum contains carcinogenic chemicals.

The contrasting point between medicinal plant and the chemical engineered drug is that synthetic product typically constitutes of a single chemical in large amount while traditional products resulted from the mixture of more than 100 ingredients from a same or different plant.

Normally, it is simple and easy to sort out the action and symptoms of a single substance, however, it will become difficult for researchers to sort out all the complex associations and cooperative energies that may be occurring between every one of the different synthetic substances found in a plant, or unrefined plant extracts containing these chemicals.

It’s uncommon for a plant to contain a single reported tumor-causing chemical but perhaps it constitutes five different synthetic compounds that are anti-cancerous, and which may encounter the effect of the single substance having poisonous impacts. In short, plant extracts are a hub of anti-cancerous substances.

The two biggest nations of Asia, which have the most extravagant varieties of enlisted and generally most familiar medicinal plants are India and China. The subcontinent is notable for its variety of herbal plants (which have medicinal properties), trees, and the most important its traditional recipes.

There is a dire need to set up these conventional products at both the public and global level for the understanding of continuous formative patterns in conventional products and incidental effects brought about by these medicinal plants.

The individuals who are already engaged with chemical pharmacy now looks for natural therapy. Most of the time, herbalists do not directly give the cure of disease rather they focus on the cause of disease. It stimulates other systems to work properly and make the recovery of the body using the healing power of products. This is the traditional way to repair the primary infection. Otherwise, simple drugs are used to treat a problem.

Some Common Herbs and their Advantages

The herbs used as drugs for a long have some side effects along with their beneficial perspectives. Following are some medicinal plants/herbs with their disadvantages which are utilized by humans for hundreds of years.

Organic/ herbal products are preferred over chemicals due to cheap rates, effectiveness, easy accessibility, and fewer side effects. The name of some common herbs with their beneficial aspects are described as:

Echinacea: Echinacea is normally called purple coneflower. The plant organs are used to treat various ailments such as toothaches, throat infections, stomach problems.
Ginseng: Ginseng roots boost the energy level of the body and help to maintain immunity. It also assists in the normal functioning of the brain.
Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo is a source of antioxidants. Previously, its leaves and seeds have been utilized for tinctures, now leaf extract is proved to be helpful against the treatment of certain disorders including mental disabilities, cardiac disorders, and sexual disabilities. It can also be used to deal with problems i.e., aging, enhances the rate of circulation, and reduce memory loss.
Garlic or Bawang: Garlic commonly used ingredient of cooking is productive for lowering blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and triglyceride level, and controlling blood regulation and cardiac problems i.e., reduces the risk of atherosclerosis.
Chamomile: The leaves extract of the plant has been utilized for medical purposes. It is proved to be effective against respiratory and digestive problems i.e., nausea, constipation, diarrhea, etc.
Ginger: Ginger, a commonly used rhizome has been utilized as a cure for flu, throat infection, headache, hypertension, and nausea.
St. John’s wort: Previously, it was used to treat several lung and kidney disorders, insomnia, or hypertension but now it has proved to be effective against depression.
Soy: Soybeans are a good source of polypeptides and triglycerides. They contain various organic and inorganic nutrients, vitamins, steroids, terpenoids. All these components are useful for females to reduce the symptoms of menopause and lessen the danger of breast cancer.
Aconite: The members of the family Aconitum contain alkaloids in their roots that are used for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects still used to treat various disorders including fever, neural and cardiac disorders.
Alfa alfa: Commonly used herb by herbalists as it is a source of various nutrients (e.g., Ca, K, P, Fe) and vitamins (e.g., A, K, C, and E). But the utilization of this herb causes the appearance of a syndrome Systemic Lupus Erythromatosus (SLE) in those who had excessively used the herb.
Aloe vera: It was used internally as well as externally due to extensive beneficial properties. But a high dose of aloe vera gel can cause a dearth of potassium. It is because glycosides found in the laxative can disturb the electrolyte ratio.
Comfrey: Preciously, this herb was used as an energy source in tea to renew broken bones and to treat wounds. Then, the researchers came to know the ingredients. One of them was pyrrolizidine, which is the main cause of hepatotoxin. Except for being carcinogenic, this alkaloid reduces blood flow towards the liver.
Ephedra: Ephedra has been used in medicines to reduce fats and to treat the respiratory disorder with no side effects. Besides its advantages, certain disadvantages of ephedra cannot be neglected. The abnormal utilization of herb causes serious disorders including uneasiness, irritability, high blood pressure, and other cardiac problems.
Ginkgo biloba: Both fruits and seeds of plants have medicinal value. It resolves the memory issues, but scientists came to know that long-term exposure to the herb results in mental disturbances i.e., fruits and seeds have been used hemorrhage, dural hematomas.
Ginseng: Commonly used medicine in China, which is effective to create immunity, reduces stress level, helps to maintain blood glucose level, and high blood pressure at normal. But now it is said that the herb activates the circulation of stress-causing hormones in the body which lead to hypertension and even brain hemorrhage. It also decreases the viscosity of blood making it thinner than normal.
Isapghul: Due to its laxative properties, Ispaghul was used by piles patients to ease the process of excretion. It is also recommended to individuals who face constipation. But its excessive use increases blood cholesterol level and bronchospasm and other respiratory obstructions.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): The herb is utilized by individuals as a medicinal item for a long. In the past, the roots of the plant were used in the treatment of stomach and respiratory disorders i.e., asthma, arthritis, ulcer, etc. Moreover, it activates the mucous glands in the trachea and helps the normal functioning of the liver.

It was considered that the substance glycyrrhizin found in the herb affects the secretion of the adrenal gland but now it is proved that the herb contains acid glycyrrhizinic acid involves in the movement of sodium and potassium ions across the membrane through the gradient. Therefore, people with high blood pressure, kidney disorder, or others with a lack of potassium in their body must avoid its excessive use.
Sassafras: It has been used to treat certain problems including flu and the common cold. The roots of the herb are toxic and contain carcinogenic substances. One should avoid its excessive use.
Senna: The herb is used to make tea which helps to reduce weight, but its regular dose makes a dearth of potassium ions in the body which ultimately upset the circulatory and digestive system.
St. John’s wort: An angiosperm Hypericum perforatum, having yellow flowers, used to make this herbal medicine. Previously, it was used to treat several lung and kidney disorders, insomnia, or hypertension but now it has proved to be effective against depression. Few side effects including drowsiness and allergy reactions, low blood glucose levels are known but it can react with other chemicals if used with some other medicines.

Adaptive Measures and Side Effects of Medicinal Plants

First, it is necessary to explain the meaning of the word “toxic”. The food items which are utilized by us daily could be a source of allergic reaction or susceptible to some other disease. For example, the basic component found in oats, rye, wheat, seeds of fruits, vegetables, and pulses are gluten, glycosides, thiocyanates, alkaloids, and lectins are considered as safe. In the same way, the two necessities of life are water and oxygen, required by every individual but their excess can cause the death of an organism. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a balance between everything. Based on a safety perspective, herbs are classified into three groups.

The first group contains those herbs which are poisonous to some extent and can neither be taken by a person without the prescription of a specialist. For example, Aconitum sp., Digitalis sp., Arnica sp., and Atropa belladonna.
The second group contains active herbs which do not cause any hazardous effects under normal conditions. For example, Eonymus sp. and Lobelia sp.
The third group contains those herbs which are specific to toxicity. Laymen are instructed to stay away from the interior utilization of these herbs. For example, Dryopteris (Male Fern), Corynanthe (Yohimbe), and Comfrey (Symphytum).

Maintenance of Regular Dosage of Herbal Drugs

Excessive or abuse use of these medicines leads to create serious problems. The probability of harmful effects of these products increases spontaneously when the profit and yield of these products are not under the control of anyone, and the client should not be given proper guidelines about its use. In some regions of the world, these drugs are managed through true controls and thorough assembling principles, but this is not the case all over the world.

The herbal products are regarded as “phytomedicines” in Germany. A phytomedicine available in the market must be safe to use and appropriate guideline should be given before its use. To avoid the mixing of side effects of chemical pharmacy and herbal pharmacy, it is necessary to adopt regulatory controls for herbal products. If any allergic reaction or other complexities appear, it is advised to consult a specialist.

The current focus is to clean the environment from harmful anthropogenic activities. The current emphasis is on screening the environment for man-made genotoxic and carcinogenic compounds. They bring down investigations on the danger or valuable impacts of normal happening which are going to happen in the everyday life of individuals. The phenolic compounds placed in this category, are pervasive, utilized as food substances, and inhaled in milligram amounts. These medicinal plants bring changes in the hereditary material. These changes include both point mutation and larger mutation from the separation of DNA strands to the formation of the peptide chain. It has proved by the scientist that these herbs are fruitful against toxic activities of various carcinogenic substances found in the genomes of individuals. The phenolic compounds found in the organisms activate certain lesions, papillomas and become a cause of cancer.

Gives Allergic Reactions

It is important to maintain a balance in the body of individuals who take a regular dose of herbal medicines. It is because they react with the chemical process already taking place in the body of the organism and disturb them which results in an allergic reaction. Such people should consult their physiologists before its use and should enhance the utilization of healthy food including vegetables, beans, etc.

Inappropriate Usage

Improper use of these drugs disturbs the homeostatic processes occurring in the body of individuals. So, it is advised to remember preventive measures.

Interaction With Other Chemicals

It is necessary to keep in mind that these herbal products can interact with food items or other chemicals ingested in the body and may lead to the death of an individual.

Researchers have recognized the most conceivably serious or dangerous herbal/drug, found in the natural:

Influences the retention of medications
Speed up the process of potassium uptake whenever given with diuretics
Effect the functioning of monoamine oxidase inhibitors
React with glycosides
Upgrades the impacts of barbiturates
Changes the blood glucose level
Counteract the effect of anticoagulant drugs.
Contaminated or Polluted Products

Sometimes, supplements are polluted with undesirable substances, like heavy metals i.e., Pb Cr, etc., or even tainted with drug constituents. Such disappointments in quality control are very uncommon, yet when they do happen, they can be not neglected. These sorts of security perils are seen regularly in herbal products imported from China, India, or different regions of the world where quality control strategies are less severe than in another developed country.

Conclusion

The conventional clinical system was valuable and still admired by people. For over 3,000 years, these practices have effectively set an illustration of natural products to use in restoring numerous unpredictable sicknesses. Numerous benefits of such environmentally friendly customs exist. The plants utilized for different treatments are promptly accessible, simple to ship, and have a somewhat elongated life span. The main benefit of herbal medication is the negligible disadvantages, and moderately minimal expense compared with the chemically manufactured drugs.

The success story of medicinal plants is based on the perception and profit of the countryman plus its different partners, steady government strategies, accessibility of guaranteed markets, beneficial profits, and access to proper agrochemical procedures. The effective foundations of medicinal plants area may enhance the country’s business, support trade throughout the world, and add to the wellbeing of millions of individuals. Even the best medication turns into an intense toxin when utilized inappropriately. An investigation by the European association of cosmetics, businesses, and administrations has tracked down approximately 27 poisonous substances found in the 350 plants utilized in the cosmetics, an outcome that clients ought to be cautioned about the results.

The populace progressively moving towards natural and organic products since they are accepted to be more secure, the need to impart conceivably deadly poisons in these products is all the seriously squeezing. Euromonitor took notice and shows that the worldwide market for cosmetics and toiletry items is based upon the growth of only 1% every year since 2009, is required to develop at 9% each year somewhere in the range of 2003 and 2009 to maintain a worth of $5.8billion. To finish up, not all organic/drugs are unsafe. For instance, some products can upgrade the impact of a drug, in this way permitting people to lessen their uptake. Even an intense toxin turns into the best medication on legitimate dose organization.

References

Galor, S., & Benzie., I. F. (2011). Herbal medicine – Herbal medicine – NCBI bookshelf. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
Hill, A., & LD. (n.d.). 9 popular herbal medicines: Benefits and uses. Healthline.
Herbal medicine. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins Medicine, based in Baltimore, Maryland.
George, P. (2011). Concerns regarding the safety and toxicity of medicinal plants-An overview. Journal of applied pharmaceutical science, 1(6), 40-44.
Dar, R. A., Shahnawaz, M., & Qazi, P. H. (2017). General overview of medicinal plants: A review. The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 6(6), 349-351.

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