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The Importance of Plant As Medicine

The focus on integrated medicine has led to an abundance of plant choices for treating sickness. There are many ways that plants can be used to treat illness, including aromatherapy and crude drugs.

Plant As Medicine

Aside from treating the body, plants can also be used for preventative medicine. Aromatherapy is a good example of a natural therapy that treats the mind and body.

The Ancient Egyptians

The Egyptians used plant as medicine to treat a variety of ailments. For instance, they believed that wekhedu, a parasitic disease, was rooted in the bowels and could spread throughout the body. They practised regular purging to eliminate the parasites. According to the ancient Egyptian historian Herodotus, this process took place three times per month. The Egyptians used plants extracts as medicine for a variety of ailments, including digestive problems and illnesses. They used therapeutics extended from different plants to include several animal products and minerals. Some of these plants are still used in the present day.

Ancient Egyptian pharmacology has been studied using papyri, mummified and skeletal remains. These remains give evidence of how plant, animal and mineral ingredients were used in medicine. The study of Egyptian medicine has also revealed the widespread practice of adding tree resin to wine. The addition of tree resin to wine was most likely intended to protect the drinkers from diseases. This practice was common throughout the ancient world. (1)

IMPORTANCE OF PLANT AS MEDICINE

 

In ancient Egypt, doctors were required to be properly trained and practised in order to provide effective treatments to patients. Egyptian physicians were required to keep strict rules regarding the treatment of patients, and they used authoritative texts and methods to treat their patients. Their medical achievements are truly impressive.

Chinese Medicine

The importance of plants as medicine has been documented in China for many centuries. There are many plants that have medicinal properties that are used in traditional Chinese medicine. In China, tens of thousands of plant species have been used in traditional medicine. These plants are important sources of medicines, both for their traditional and modern uses.

Many of these plants are suitable for everyday use. Some of these plants have even been regarded as appropriate food. The traditional paradigm for using plants in Chinese medicine incorporates three concepts that many Westerners may not recognize. These include a nutritive approach to herbal therapy, the energetics of plant fractions, and the use of traditional formulations to produce a therapeutic effect.

Chinese medicinal plants (CMM) are plants that have therapeutic and preventive effects on diseases. China is home to more than 10,000 different types of medicinal plants. This represents about 87% the total number of CMM resources. China has long used different therapeutically active plant ingredients. As early as 2600 BC, some CMMs with dual-purpose as food and drug, such as plum, peach and jujube, were recorded.

Many of the plants that are used in modern medicine come from developing countries. In fact, two-thirds of plants used in modern medicine are grown in developing countries. In rural areas, traditional plant medicine is the foundation of health care systems. (2)

African Medicine

Traditional African medicine has been based on plant-based treatments for thousands of years. Today, up to 80% of Africans use these medicines on a regular basis and consult traditional health practitioners for treatment. These remedies are often the only available treatment options and are widely affordable and culturally accepted. These medicines have been proven to treat many types of disease and are also the source of several prescription medicines. Many consumers automatically assume that all medicines made from plants are safe, but this may not always be the case.

In a literature review conducted to identify the southern African plants that are used to treat UTIs in traditional South African Medicine. This highlighted gaps in current research and the need for further study. A total of 153 southern African plant species were identified as being used to treat UTIs. Eighty-five plants from southern Africa were found to have notable inhibitory properties against major UTI-causing bacteria. (4)

Many traditional African practitioners practise divination, which is a method of consulting with the spirit world to determine the cause of a condition or disease. These methods involve the use of a series of randomly arranged symbols to get answers to questions about the cause of the disease. Through this process, Africans can uncover the cause of a disease or violation of the established order.

While western medicine may have labelled herbal medicine as primitive, modern scientific investigations have helped to improve the understanding of its therapeutic effects. This knowledge has led to the development of many pharmaceuticals that are derived from plant medicines. Although there are still some concerns about the safety of African medicinal plants, the future of traditional African medicine looks bright, especially in the context of improved access to services and increased coverage of health care. (4)

Echinacea Medicine

The Echinacea plant is a perennial herb native to the midwestern U.S. and Canada. Its petals are pink or purple and surround a spiky seed head that’s red or brown. Different species of the plant have varying health benefits. They contain a complex blend of active substances. Some have antiviral properties and others support the immune system. Polysaccharides, glycoproteins, alkamides, and volatile oils all play a role in the plant’s therapeutic effects.

The Echinacea plant is safe to use. It has a long history of use among indigenous groups in North America. Moreover, recent clinical studies have concluded that it’s one of the safest herbal products on the market. The only minor risk involved in using the plant is a slight risk of allergic reaction.

Echinacea was used as a throat infection treatment by Native Americans, as well as for pain and wounds. It has also been used historically in Eclectic Medicine for septic diseases. (5)

Echinacea essential oils also contain a number medicinal compounds, including germacrene D, a sesquiterpine hydrcarbon with antimicrobial qualities, and alkylamides. These can be detected through the tingling feeling on the tongue caused by tasting the oil. (4)

The Echinacea plant is a powerful natural remedy for colds and other respiratory tract infections. It has also been shown to fight viral infections and prevent the occurrence of bacterial infections. Its active compounds have been shown to reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of secondary infections. Echinacea products are often recommended by integrative physicians for viral illnesses. (6)

Lemon balm Medicine

Lemon balm is a widely used herb and has many benefits for health. Its leaves are used to flavour food and drinks, and are commonly used in herbal teas. The essential oil from the leaves is also used in perfumery and aromatherapy. It is also popular in beekeeping, and its flowers are used to support bee hives.

Lemon balm is a perennial herb that is native to the Mediterranean Basin, Iran, and Central Asia. The plant grows up to 1 m tall and has white flowers with a citrusy scent. It is a member of the mint family and is often found in gardens. It is also used for medicinal purposes.

Lemon balm is a perennial herb that grows best in partial shade and can tolerate cooler temperatures. In full sunlight, lemon balm leaves will be smaller, but they’re highly fragrant. If you’re growing lemon balm in a northern climate, be sure to create adequate drainage. Also, keep in mind that lemon balm plants can be killed by wet soil.

Lemon balm is a great herb for treating a variety of health issues, including stress, depression, and anxiety. The herb’s calming properties have made it popular as a therapeutic herb for a long time. Lemon balm is also an excellent culinary herb. It adds a delicate lemon flavour to many dishes. (6)

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), traditional medicine represents the only way to access medical care for millions of people the world over (7)

Interestingly, many patients choose to combine natural products and herbal medicine with their pharmaceutical medication to mitigate their possible side effects (7)

About Us

CannaTelehealth, specialises in providing online consultations for various healthcare needs, including assistance with alcohol addiction. Our platform is designed to facilitate the use of advanced telehealth technology by medical professionals, ensuring the security and privacy of patient information in compliance with regulations.

We have developed an online system that simplifies the process of booking appointments with qualified and experienced General Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners, who can assist patients in accessing prescriptions for Medicinal Cannabis for their medical conditions. Our telehealth system is fully supported by our clinical team, guaranteeing that all consultations are conducted by appropriately qualified healthcare professionals.

Our doctors are authorised to prescribe Medicinal Cannabis under Schedule 8 of the Therapeutic Goods Act. In the initial consultation, your nurse or doctor will collaborate with you to determine the suitability of Medicinal Cannabis for your specific symptoms and conditions. If deemed appropriate, they will then apply for TGA approval for your electronic prescription, which can be presented at your pharmacy of choice.

Medical Cannabis Doctors Online Treatment and Consults

CannaTelehealth’s doctors have extensive experience in assessing patients for medicinal cannabis. Prior to having an online consultation with our healthcare professionals it is a good idea to write down your questions before your consultation so that you don’t forget them.

Our doctors will review your medical history and confirm that you meet the criteria for a medicinal cannabis prescription under the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Special Access Scheme. We will then either prescribe medication through the Authorised Prescriber pathway or submit your application to the TGA and you should receive your product within 2 business days.

All our doctors are trained under the TGA authorised prescriber scheme and have detailed knowledge of how cannabis affects the body. Our doctors are also able to recommend the best dosage and type of cannabis for your condition. Our doctors are able to prescribe all forms of medicinal cannabis including capsules, tinctures, sprays and vape cartridges.

The cost of your medical cannabis will vary depending on your condition and the specific product that is recommended for you.

Our clinic offers bulk billing for patients who have been approved by the DVA. This is worth checking for your eligibility criteria for this discounted online consultation.

Book a consultation – Follow the simple steps to engaging with an online health professional who will assess your eligibility for alternative treatments such as medicinal cannabis and what might be the cause of your chronic pain.

To contact us at CannaTelehealth you can either go directly to the website and add your details directly to our ‘Contact Us Form’ We will contact you within 1 hour. Normally our online healthcare professionals who are pain medicine specialists will have a booking time within 1 day if suitable. Alternatively you may contact us via info@cannatelehealth.com.au.

References:

  1. Traditional ancient Egyptian medicine: A review Ahmed M. Metwaly,a Mohammed M. Ghoneim,a,b,⁎ Ibrahim.H. Eissa,c Islam A. Elsehemy,d Ahmad E. Mostafa,a Mostafa M. Hegazy,a Wael M. Afifi,a and Deqiang Doue,⁎Saudi J Biol Sci. 2021 Oct; 28(10): 5823–5832.
  2. Plant metabolomics: a new strategy and tool for quality evaluation of Chinese medicinal materials Qi Xiao, Xinlu Mu, Jiushi Liu, Bin Li, Haitao Liu, Bengang Zhang, and Peigen Xiao Chin Med. 2022; 17: 45.
  3. A Review of Plant-Based Therapies for the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections in Traditional Southern African Medicine Ian Cock, 1 , 2 Nothando Mavuso, 3 and Sandy Van Vuuren 3Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2021; 2021: 7341124.
  4. Mirjalili MH, Salehi P, Badi HN, Sonboli A. 2006. Volatile constituents of the flowerheads of three Echinacea species cultivated in Iran. Flavour Fragr J. 21:355–358
  5. Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of the Beverage Obtained by Fermentation of Sweetened Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) Tea with Symbiotic Consortium of Bacteria and Yeasts Aleksandra S. Velićanski, Dragoljub D. Cvetković, Siniša L. Markov, Vesna T. Tumbas Šaponjac, and Jelena J. Vulić Food Technol Biotechnol. 2014 Dec; 52(4): 420–429.

 

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