Medicinal plants
Medicinal plants, also known as medicinal herbs, have been used in traditional medicine practices since prehistoric times. Plants synthesize hundreds of chemical compounds for functions including defense against insects, fungi, diseases, and herbivorous mammals[1].
Usage and Benefits
Different parts of plants, including the leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds, are used for medicinal purposes. These plants are used as traditional medicines, herbal supplements, or sources for active ingredients for pharmaceutical drugs[2].
Some Examples
- Digitalis purpurea (foxglove) - This plant is used to prepare digoxin, a medication used to treat various heart conditions.
- Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle) - The plant is the source of the drugs vincristine and vinblastine, used to treat cancer.
- Papaver somniferum (opium poppy) - This is the main source of morphine, widely used in pain management.
Safety and Regulation
While many medicinal plants have beneficial health effects, they can also have dangerous side effects and interact with other drugs. Therefore, they must be used under the supervision of a health care professional[3]. In many countries, medicinal plants and their products are regulated by government agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States.
Summary
Medicinal plants, also called medicinal herbs, have been discovered and used in traditional medicine practices since prehistoric times. Plants synthesise hundreds of chemical compounds for functions including defence against insects, fungi, diseases, and herbivorous mammals. Numerous phytochemicals with potential or established biological activity have been identified. However, since a single plant contains widely diverse phytochemicals, the effects of using a whole plant as medicine are uncertain. Further, the phytochemical content and pharmacological actions, if any, of many plants having medicinal potential remain unassessed by rigorous scientific research to define efficacy and safety.
See Also
 | |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Medicinal herbs and fungi | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
- ↑ , Natural products derived from plants as a source of drugs, Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research, 2012, Vol. 3(Issue: 4), pp. 200, DOI: 10.4103/2231-4040.104709, PMID: 23373011,
- ↑ , The value of plants used in traditional medicine for drug discovery, Environmental Health Perspectives, 2001, Vol. 109(Issue: suppl 1), pp. 69–75, PMID: 11250806,
- ↑ , The efficacy of herbal medicine – an overview, Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology, 2005, Vol. 19(Issue: 4), pp. 405–409, DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2005.00335.x, PMID: 16011727,
Transform your life with W8MD's budget GLP-1 injections from $125.
W8MD offers a medical weight loss program to lose weight in Philadelphia. Our physician-supervised medical weight loss provides:
- Most insurances accepted or discounted self-pay rates. We will obtain insurance prior authorizations if needed.
- Generic GLP1 weight loss injections from $125 for the starting dose.
- Also offer prescription weight loss medications including Phentermine, Qsymia, Diethylpropion, Contrave etc.
NYC weight loss doctor appointments
Start your NYC weight loss journey today at our NYC medical weight loss and Philadelphia medical weight loss clinics.
- Call 718-946-5500 to lose weight in NYC or for medical weight loss in Philadelphia 215-676-2334.
- Tags:NYC medical weight loss, Philadelphia lose weight Zepbound NYC, Budget GLP1 weight loss injections, Wegovy Philadelphia, Wegovy NYC, Philadelphia medical weight loss, Brookly weight loss and Wegovy NYC
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
