SLC S21 Week 1 - A Comprehensive guide to Herbal Medicines

I am from Pakistan so here is my research and history of herbal medicine according to my cultural and region;

Indus Valley Civilization (3000 BCE - 1500 BCE)

• Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine was emerged in indus valley civilization which have its main emphasis on herbal remedies.
• There were different herbs such as turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon which were utilized for medicinal purposes.

Vedic Period (1500 BCE - 500 BCE)

• It was time period when ayurveda was evolved with texts such as Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita which gives details of herbal remedies.
• There were different herbs such as neem, tulsi, and cardamom were useful and utilized at that time for multiple disorders.

Greek Influence (500 BCE - 100 CE)

• If we move back then Greek has also an influence in unani medicine which was introduced by Greek physicians such as Hippocrate and they implemented herbalism.
• Also there were researchers and scholars such as Galen and Dioscorides who wrote about herbal medicine more comprehensively.

Islamic Golden Age (8th - 13th century)

• Arabic researchers also have a lot of impact in herbal medicine and these are Ibn Sina (Avicenna) and Ibn Rushd (Averroes)who have significant contributions in herbal medicine.
• Unani medicine was flourished in that era which in turn integrated Greek and Ayurvedic principles more significantly.

Mughal Era (1526 - 1756)

• In the times of royal patronage there were Mughal emperors who always encouraged herbal medicine.
• Tibb-e-Unani was promoted greatly by Mughals which also give significant promotion to Unani and Ayurvedic principles.

British Colonial Era (1858 - 1947)

• British colonial rule introduced their Western medicine which suppressed the usage of traditional herbal practices which was well known before.
• After the occurrence of freedom movement people renewed their interests in traditional herbal medicine and still it is in use.

Post Independence (1947 - present)

• There were different institutes such as Hamdard University were established which promoted herbal medicine.
• There were a system of modern research at Pakistan herbal medicine which was a leading cause of new discoveries.

Traditional Herbal Medicine Systems

• There were unani medicine which maintained a balance in bodily humors by using herbs such as neem, tulsi, and cardamom.
• Ayurveda was another field introduced properly which have its emphasizes on particular herbs such a as turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon.
• Tibb-e-Unani combined both Unani and Ayurvedic principles.

So here is all about herbal medicine evolution and heritage of Pakistan which involves traditional medicinal usage blending with modern research.

This is a comprehensive comparison of Modern Medicines and Herbal Medicines for Cold and Headache both ailments specifically;

Cold

Headache

These are 3 common herbs I took from my kitchen so these are some of its health benefits and recipe ideas;

1. Daar Cheeni (Cinnamon)

Health Benefits:

• It is helpful in reducing blood sugar levels
• It is useful for heart health improvement
• It is used for running out a good process of digestion
• It is used for reducing inflammation.

Recipes

• Cinnamon Tea: You need to take 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon powder in water which is boiling for 3-4 minutes. After that you can strain and enjoy it.

2. Choti Ilachi (Green Cardamom)

Health Benefits

• It is helpful in improving your digestion
• It helps to get comfort from nausea and bloating like feelings
• It is useful for a fresh breath so can be used as a mouth freshener.
• It can reduce inflammation or swelling in body.

Recipe

• Cardamom Chai or tea: First of all you will add 3-4 green cardamom pods when your tea leaves are boiling in water or in milk and then you may enjoy it after 5 minutes.
• Cardamom Rice Pudding: This is an interesting recipe in which you need to mix 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom in powdered form with cooked rice, milk, sugar, and nuts and any other delicious fruit chunks which you want and then you may enjoy this pudding.

3. Ajwain (Carom Seeds)

Health Benefits

• It helps to get you relief from the problems of indigestion and bloating.
• It is used for boosting up your respiratory health
• It helps in reducing any inflammatory condition in your body
• It is an antioxidant which detoxify your overall body.

Recipes

• Ajwain Water: You need to take 1/2 teaspoon of ajwain seeds in water which is boiling for 5 minutes. After straining you can drink it so if you have poor gut health or abdominal spasm or any inflammatory condition you nay get quick relief.
• Ajwain Paratha: You can mix 1/4 teaspoon of ajwain seeds with flour, water and butter for making delicious paratha or dough.

These all are herbs commonly present in all Pakistani kitchen almost and can be used in an effective way,just there's a need to focus on their benefits.

Forms of Herbs

There are different forms of herbs I am going to discuss below in this table:

Common Forms of Herbs:

Now question arises that how to choose right form so for this you need to consider your intentions to use particular herb, shelf life of a herb and your personal choice and then you can make your herb selection perfect

From above herbs from my kitchen I have choosed ijvain for making research on it so here I am with potential side effects and it's usage precautions;

Before moving on side effects and precautions to use about this herb I must want to say that there are a lot of benefits but side effects remains side by side;

Potential Side Effects:

• It may cause some of the allergic reactions at your skin specialist in the form of rashes and itching but if it is used in excessive amount daily.
• There may be some of the digestive issues like feeling of nausea and diarrhoea you may feel after it's use of more than one teaspoon.
• You can also feel upset of your stomach if it is not taken in appropriate amount or if it is taken with another medical complication.
• You may feel some of the respiratory health issues like your asthma can become more severe if it is already present and you may feel increase in cough.

Precautions

There are always some of the preventive measures and precautions if you are taking any herb or even if you are taking any medicine.

• First of all you need to start with a small dose like with a pinch of her for assessing tolerance of your body and then you can take it within appropriate amount.
• If you are a pregnant women or if you are breastfeeding or you have any skin allergy then you should not use it without proper consultation of a doctor.
• You should not take it more than one teaspoon in one day and you should always combine it any other spice or her to minimise it's side effect.
• You should choose purely organic ajwain seeds or grounded form of ajwain for use because if there are any other spices mixed or any other herbs present in it then it may be problematic for you because you don't know that which thing is included in it which you are taking.

Contraindications

There are some of the conditions in which you cannot use ajwain in your diet.

• If you have any bleeding disorder than you can never take it in your diet.
• If there is any underlying kidney or liver disorder then you should avoid to use this Herb.
• If you have to go through a surgery after 2 week then stop uses of this herb two weeks before your surgery.

I want to invite @goodybest,@mile16,@wilmer1988,@kouba01