Medicine from PlantsMedicine from Plants

HistoryHistory Throughout human history, people

have learned to use plants to help heal themselves.

Many cultures have folk medicine traditions that include the use of plants and plant products.

Many drugs used today originated in the herbal traditions of various cultures.

Preventing diseasePreventing disease Plants have an important role in the Plants have an important role in the

prevention of disease for humans. prevention of disease for humans. Without fruits and vegetables we would Without fruits and vegetables we would not get the proper vitamins (not get the proper vitamins (vitamin A, C vitamin A, C and Eand E) to prevent disease) to prevent disease

Herbal MedicineHerbal Medicine Today we are using traditional herbal Today we are using traditional herbal

medicines more and more. Take a look medicines more and more. Take a look at at BootsBoots and you will find a number of and you will find a number of herbal medicines on the shelves:herbal medicines on the shelves:

- Saint Johns Wort- treats depression- Saint Johns Wort- treats depression- - Bill Berry- improves blood flowBill Berry- improves blood flow- Ginger root- immune system- Ginger root- immune system- - Ginseng- energy enhancement Ginseng- energy enhancement

Ginseng- Found in S. E. Asia

Illegal drugsIllegal drugs The early Chinese and

Greek pharmacies included opium to prevent pain.

Hindus used the cannabis (marijuana) plants as anesthetics.

Some of these plants are highly addictive and therefore are illegal for non-medical purposes Cannabis

Rainforests and DrugsRainforests and Drugs The high species diversity makes rain forests

highly prized for new medicinal drugs. Drugs that originated in the rain forest range

from early forms of the birth control pill to highly specialized medicines derived from the Madagascar rosy periwinkle which is used to treat cancer.

Discovered drugs represent a fraction of the potential medicines the rain forests may hold

Save our future. Save the Rain Save our future. Save the Rain Forest!!!Forest!!!

Some examplesSome examples(don’t need to copy this (don’t need to copy this

down) down)

Foxglove Plant

The flowers of the foxglove contain chemicals that affect heartbeat and pulse

IpacesIpaces

This plant is used to make patients vomit if they have ingested something poisonous

HomeworkHomework Find a traditional Thai drug that is Find a traditional Thai drug that is

derived from plants or plant derived from plants or plant products.products.

Think of the traditional hill tribes and Think of the traditional hill tribes and how they use the surrounding plants. how they use the surrounding plants.

Garlic Garlic (Kra (Kra

Thiam)Thiam) BY JAY M.6 #6(sci)

CHaRacterisTIcsCHaRacterisTIcs An indispensable ingredient in Thai An indispensable ingredient in Thai

cuisine.cuisine. Annual herbaceous plantAnnual herbaceous plant Has underground bulbs comprising Has underground bulbs comprising

several clovesseveral cloves . . It is available in It is available in different varieties, some with very different varieties, some with very white papery skin, some with pink, white papery skin, some with pink, some with pink and white skin and some with pink and white skin and some creamy in colorsome creamy in color..

UsefulnessUsefulness Dried mature bulbs are used as a flavoring and Dried mature bulbs are used as a flavoring and

condiment in Thai cuisinecondiment in Thai cuisine . . Garlic oil can be made Garlic oil can be made by chop a handful of garlic, and fry it in plenty of by chop a handful of garlic, and fry it in plenty of hot oil until goldenhot oil until golden . . They can be stored in a jar They can be stored in a jar for garnishing soup and for tossing with noodles for garnishing soup and for tossing with noodles and riceand rice . . The bulbs contain a 0.1-0.36% garlic oil The bulbs contain a 0.1-0.36% garlic oil and organic sulfur compoundsand organic sulfur compounds . .

Therapeutic uses - antimicrobial, diaphoretic, Therapeutic uses - antimicrobial, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, ant flatulence and diuretic, expectorant, ant flatulence and cholesterol lowering agentscholesterol lowering agents..

Pictures of Garlic

Asiatic Pennywort : Thai name -Bai Bua Bok

Asiatic Pennywort :

It is a small, annual, slender, creeping herb. It has long-stalked, green reniform leaves with rounded apices that have smooth texture with palmately netted veins. The stems are creeping in nature, green to reddish green in color, interconnecting one plant to another. The flowers are pinkish to red in color, born in small, rounded bunches near the surface of the soil.

• Each flower is partly enclosed in 2 green bracts. The hermaphrodite flowers are minute in size (less than 3 mm), with 5-6 corolla lobes per flower. Each flower bears 5 stamens and 2 styles. Pennywort's rootstock consists of rhizomes, growing vertically down. They are creamish in color and covered with root hairs. Fruits are small and flattened.

Medicinal Uses

• It has been used for wound healing, better circulation, memory enhancement, cancer, vitality, general tonic, respiratory ailments, detoxifying the body, treatment of skin disorders (such as psoriasis and eczema), revitalizing connective tissue, burns and scars treatment, clearing up skin infections, slimming and edema, arthritis, rheumatism, treatment of liver and kidneys, periodontal disease, strengthening of veins (varicose veins), blood purifier, high blood pressure, sedative, anti-stress, anti-anxiety, an aphrodisiac, immune booster, anabolic and adaptogen etc.

Product of Asiatic Pennywort

Andrographis pa niculata (Burm.F.

) Nees (ฟา้ทะลายโจร)

By : N@t

Introduction…• Scientific Name : Androg

raphis paniculata (Bur m.f.) Nees

• Family Name : ACANTHACEAE

• Other Common Name : An drographis, Chuan Xin

Lian, Kan Jang (Chines e), Kalmegh (Bengali,

Hindi), King of Bitters.

What’s more >.<• Habitat : Sometimes grown i

n gardens for medicinal use s.It prefers rich loamy soil.

It flowers frequently and ca n be spread -ed from stem cu

   ttings or seeds.• Physical Description: A small

tender herb to 7 0 cm tall with many branches. Stems

squarish and generally light green. Leaves elliptic with a

cuminate tips. Pods to 1 . - 7 cm long, 2 celled, contai

ning 1 2 seeds.

Medicinal Use• A decoction of the leave

s is often taken orally to cure diabetes and to red

uce high blood pressure. A leaf poultice is applied

topically to relieve skin ir ritation and insect bites.

• treatment of upper re spiratory infections s

uch as the common cold

Toxicity • andrographis has not b

een associated with an y major side effects.

• No problems were foun d in patients treated wit h 1200 mg/day of andro

graphis.• Taki ng l ar ge or al dos

es of andrographis may cause gastric discomfor

t , vomiting, and loss of appetite.

What is that??

Holy Basil, Sacred Basil

Scientific name :Ocimum tenuiflorum Linn., Ocimum sanctum Linn. Family name :Labiatae

Properties• Its traditional use has been in the treatment of

colds and flues where its purifying actions are believed to cleanse the respiratory tract of toxins.

• It is also helpful in the relief of digestive gas and bloating.

• Recent scientific reports have confirmed the healing properties of holy basil in medical conditions ranging from diabetes to cancer.