Published 26/08/2014
“Ancient Medicines” is a wonderful description. It tells us that there have been medicines before laboratories, natural medicines that grew in the fields, that were picked at certain times of the year and even to the time of day to gain the best of them for healing.
It was a folklore science, handed down from generation to generation, anecdotal is often a word used to describe the ancient medicines and their success.
It is interesting how we accept the stories handed down through the ages, stories told through the eyes of the citizens of ancient times. Yet we have trouble believing that these same citizens could have had healing methods using the natural plants that nature has provided for us in the fields.
Even our scientists realise the value of the plants and their properties. How often do they try to copy what nature has done. Many of our allopathic medicines are the laboratory versions of the natural product.
Looking at some of the medicinal plants that have been used over many centuries we have:
BUPLEURUM used for more than 2000 years to help in the treatment of fevers, pain and Inflammation.
CALENDULA used as far back as the 12th century, throughout Europe for skin infections, Eczema, sunburn and burns.
GINGER has a history dating back 2,500 years in China and India, Rheumatism, nausea, travel sickness , and cold extremities are a few of the complaints for which it was used.
GINGKO BILBOA is the oldest living tree species in the world and is traditionally used for memory lapses and some blood conditions.
LEMON BALM Used in ancient Greece and Rome to help nervous disorders and melancholy. Helps stimulate clear thinking.
LICORICE Pliny the elder (23-79AD) used Licorice to assist with asthma, fatigue, mouth ulcers and infertility.
Your health is your Wealth Guard it well
Barbara
Image courtesy of Praisaeng/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net