Herbalism, also known as herbal medicine, is the study of pharmacognosy and the use of medicinal plants for therapeutic purposes 1. The use of medicinal plants dates back to the Paleolithic age, approximately 60,000 years ago 1. The practice of herbalism has been a part of traditional medicine in many cultures around the world. In fact, some modern remedies have been derived from herbal medicines, such as artemisinin, which is used to treat malaria 1.
Herbalism is a complex science that stems from a diverse array of traditions, cultures, and worldviews 2. It involves the use of various parts of plants, including leaves, stems, flowers, roots, and seeds. These plant parts can be used in different forms such as teas, tinctures, capsules, and powders 3.
Herbalism has been used to treat a wide range of health conditions such as anxiety, sleep problems, low libido, and chronic pain 3.
African Traditional Medicines (ATM’s)
South Africa is home to an extensive and diverse collection of medicinal African herbs. The Khoisan people have used some of these herbs for thousands of years and introduced them to the early settlers 1. The use of medicinal plants as a fundamental component of the African traditional healthcare system is perhaps the oldest and the most assorted of all therapeutic systems 1. In most parts of rural Africa, traditional healers prescribing medicinal plants are not only easily accessible and affordable but at times the only option available 1.
Some popular South African herbs and their traditional uses are:
African Dream Root: Traditionally used to induce vivid lucid dreams during the initiation process of shamans 1.
African Wild Ginger: Used as an anti-inflammatory and effective in the treatment of dyspepsia, migraine headache, morning sickness, nausea (chemo-induced), post-operative nausea and/or vomiting, osteoarthritis, respiratory infections, rheumatoid arthritis, and SSRI taper/discontinuation 4.
African Potato: Used by a number of people with HIV/AIDS due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties similar to cortisone but without the side effects 4.
Buchu: Used by herbalists to treat urinary tract infections and inflammation, as well as inflammation of the prostate. In Europe, it was also used to treat gout 4.
Devil’s Claw: Taken to Europe from South Africa in the 1800s by colonists and used specifically as a plant medicine. It contains chemicals that might decrease swelling and is often used to treat conditions that involve both pain and inflammation 4.
Celtic Herbalism
Celtic herbalism is the study of traditional herbal medicine of the Celtic linguistic community that dominated large spans of Central and Western Europe between 800 BC and 500 AD 5. The knowledge of their traditional medicine is very limited, but their herbal traditions were occasionally recorded in the classic Greco-Roman texts on herbal medicines 5. The provenance of Celtic (Gallic) healing methods and magical formulas as recorded by Pliny, Scribonius Largus, and Marcellus Empiricus can still be found in the first part of the medieval Welsh (Cymry) herbal manuscript Meddygon Myddfai 5.
The majority of Myddfai I recipes were based on the Mediterranean herbal tradition of Dioscorides and Macer Floridus, but they preserved the unique herbal preparation signatures distinct from continental and Anglo-Saxon counterparts in increased use of whey and ashes as vehicles for formulation of herbal remedies 5. Six plants could be hypothetically attributed to the Celtic (Welsh) herbal tradition including foxglove (Digitalis purpurea L.), corn bellflower (Legousia speculum-veneris L.), self-heal (Prunella vulgaris L.), sharp dock (Rumex conglomeratus Murray), water pimpernel (Samolus valerandi L.), and river startip (Scapania undulata L.) 5.
Celtic Herbal Medicine is an attempt to encourage a return to the holistic and elemental aspects of the Western Herbal Tradition. Although the origins of Western Herbal Medicine stem from ancient Greece, there have always been other influences 6. The Druids were also the shamans of the Celts, the ancient “witchdoctors” and they used trees for medicine. Some herbs used for medicine by the Celts include:
Yarrow: Used to stop bleeding, heal wounds, and treat digestive problems.
Meadowsweet: Used to treat pain, inflammation, fever, and digestive problems.
Elder: Used to treat colds, flu, fever, and respiratory infections.
St. John’s Wort: Used to treat depression, anxiety, and nerve pain.
Nettle: Used to treat allergies, arthritis, and urinary tract infections.
In Conclusion
Traditional herbalism is the practice of using plants and their extracts to treat various ailments. It has been used for centuries in many cultures around the world, including Africa, Asia, and Europe. In modern times, traditional herbalism has seen a resurgence in popularity as people seek out natural remedies for their health concerns 7. Many modern medicines are derived from plants, and traditional herbalism is often used as a source of inspiration for new drug development 7. However, it is important to note that not all herbal remedies are safe or effective, and some can even be harmful if used improperly 7. In many countries, herbal medicines are subject to rigorous manufacturing standards, but this is not the case everywhere 7. In some countries, herbal products are sold as dietary supplements, which do not require pre-approval of products on the basis of efficacy, safety, and quality 7. Despite these challenges, traditional herbalism remains an important part of many cultures around the world and continues to be used by millions of people every day.
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