Medicinal Herbs- PDF ebook

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MEDICINAL HERBS

Medicinal herbs are used to treat a broad array of physical problems. This is because they contain secondary metabolites which act as bioactive ingredients. In particular they have been used to treat cancers, cardiovascular disorders, and hypertension; neurological disorders e.g. Parkinson's disease and epilepsy, and malaria. For instance, vinblastane, vincristine and taxol have anti-neoplastic properties meaning that they attack and destroy cancer cells i.e. neoplasms or tumours. Digoxin is used as a cardiotonic because it helps to stimulate heart contractions and thereby cause it to pump more blood around the body. Reserpine has an effect on the regulation of blood pressure. Quinine and artemisinin are used in the treatment of malaria. Morphine has been used for centuries to ease pain and codeine remains the benchmark of antitusive drugs used to ease the symptoms of coughs. Some other bioactive ingredients are also involved in the treatment of mental health disorders e.g. schizophrenia and dementia.

Medicinal herbs are plants which contain chemicals that have an effect upon the body. Of course whilst many have a favourable effect, some which are classed as poisons are regarded as medicinal because when given in appropriate doses they can be used to attack pathogens in the body.

The Medicinal Herbs ebook is a practical guide for anyone who is interested in using herbs for medicinal purposes. This ebook is a fascinating read that looks into the chemicals in herbs and their effects on the body. Illustrations and descriptions included in this help you identify the plants effectively.

It covers ways in which herbs can be used for medicinal purposes and how you can prepare herbs for use in this purpose. The majority of this ebook covers a thorough directory of medicinal herbs and looks at the herbs origin, appearance, culture, chemistry, the parts used, what the herb can be used for and the herb’s properties. This ebook even has a section for starting a business using medicinal herbs.

Pages: 117
Images: 99
ISBN: 978-0-9942948-7-6

Table of Contents
CREDITS

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF MEDICINAL HERBS
What are they?
Uses of medicinal herbs
The evolution of medicinal herbs
The scope of medicinal herbs

CHAPTER 2 CHEMICALS IN HERBS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE BODY
Terms used to describe medicinal effects of herbs
Types of chemicals found in medicinal herbs
Other terms describing medicinal herbs

CHAPTER 3 WAYS HERBS ARE USED
Different applications
Medicinal uses
Some important points

CHAPTER 4 METHODS OF PREPARING HERBS FOR USE
How to make herbal tea
How to make herbal decoctions
How to make herbal ointments

CHAPTER 5 DIRECTORY OF MEDICINAL HERBS
Agrimonia eupatoria
Allium sativum
Aloe vera
Alpinia galanga
Angelica archangelica
Armoracia rusticana
Asparagus officinalis
Asperula odorata (syn. Galium odoratum)
Betula spp.
Borago officinalis
Calendula officinalis
Cannabis sativa
Capsicum annum
Citrus limonum
Echinacea purpurea
Elettaria cardamomum
Eucalyptus spp.
Ficus carica
Foeniculum vulgare
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Humulus lupulus
Hyssopus officinalis
Lavandula angustifolia (syn. L. officinalis)
Levisticum officinale
Linum usitatissimum
Matricaria chamomilla (syn. M. recutita)
Melaleuca alternifolia
Melissa officinalis
Mentha x piperita
Mentha pulegium
Mentha spicata (syn. M. viridis)
Oenothera biennis
Origanum vulgare
Panax quinquefolius
Papaver orientale
Petroselinum crispum (syn. P. sativum)
Pimpinella anisum
Rheum palmatum
Ribes rubrum
Rosmarinus officinalis
Rubus idaeus
Ruta graveolens
Salix alba
Salvia officinalis
Sanguisorba officinalis
Satureja hortensis
Symphytum officinale
Taraxacum officinale
Thymus vulgaris
Ulmus rubra (syn. Ulmus fulva)
Valeriana officinalis
Vanilla aromatica
Zingiber officinale

CHAPTER 6 WORKING WITH MEDICINAL HERBS
Legal and ethical considerations
Selling medicinal plants: Opportunities
Where to market herb products
Processing concerns
Starting a herb business
Marketing
Deciding how to proceed
Planning
Formal planning process
Preparing a business plan for a herb farm or nursery
Standards
Production requirements
Final thoughts

APPENDIX