Reviving Traditional Medicine in the Peruvian Andes

1996 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-9
Author(s):  
Inge Bolin

The use of medicinal plants and medical practices in the Andes is as old as Andean culture itself. Ancient Mochica pottery depicting curanderos dressed in splendid garments, holding parts of the potent San Pedro cactus in their hands, and bending over a patient suggest that healers have long held a prominent place in Andean society. The Incas built on the medical achievements of the societies preceding them, adding a diversity of practices such as trepanation and embalming which we know well from archaeological sites. In ancient times knowledge of herbs and healing methods was not monopolized by specialists but was widespread within the population at large. Where the help of a specialist was required, this service could be easily obtained and was either free of charge or much less costly than is today's modern medicine.

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-86
Author(s):  
Mansureh Ghavam ◽  
Zeinab Soleimaninejad

Background: Nowadays, many people believe in traditional medicines and use them for different diseases. Knowledge of medicinal plants and traditional medicine has been practiced for centuries through trial and error, and many important treatments for the disease have been passed down from one generation to the next. Ephedra is a valuable plant and has been used to treat diseases since ancient times. Accordingly, this study aims to comprehensively introduce Ephedra distachya L. in traditional medicine. Methods: In this review study, databases such as Google Scholar, SID, Scopus, and books on medicinal plants in Persian and English languages were searched to collect data. The keywords included "ephedra", "traditional medicine", "goat’s beard", and "medicinal plants". Results: Many resources highlighted the importance of using ephedra due to its useful properties. Experimental studies in traditional medicine show the effect of this plant in the prevention of diseases, such as asthma and bronchitis. Conclusion: Considering the beneficial effects of ephedra and scientific evidence about its effects, further studies are needed to better understand the use of this plant in traditional medicine.


Author(s):  
Mustafa Eray Bozyel ◽  
Elif Merdamert Bozyel ◽  
Kerem Canli

Humans have known the therapeutic properties and plant origin poisons of many plant species since ancient times. Ancient people who had no real and scientific knowledge on diseases and treatments tried to find solutions to these problems by the opportunities they had and the theories they could produce. Plants are the most important source of traditional folk medicine. People around the world have benefited from plants grown in their environment for this purpose. In these drugs, whole plant or various plant organs or secondary substances were used. Over the years, several therapies have emerged to treat herniated disc, ranging from conservative treatment to minimally invasive and percutaneous techniques to open surgical methods. This chapter examines the recent studies to form a compilation on ethnobotanical uses of medicinal plants for the treatment of herniated disc and their local names, parts, and usage forms in Turkish traditional medicine.


2022 ◽  
pp. 271-284
Author(s):  
Fatima Siddiqua ◽  
Rashmi Husniwara Rahman

Ancient science relating to plants has always been a source of drug discovery, and in ancient times, people used medicinal plants to fight against pandemics. Researchers suggest ancient medical practices like Ayurveda, Unani, and traditional herbal medicine as a potential source to cure or prevent diseases like COVID-19. The internet of things (IoT) aims to help solve real-world problems by connecting all modern-day devices. An internet of healthcare things (IoHT), a branch of IoT, is creating a revolution in medicine. We can incorporate ancient knowledge into the IoT system and help people worldwide fight this pandemic by spreading the knowledge of Ancient Indian medicinal practice.


Author(s):  
Hamed Fathi ◽  
Mohammad Ali Ebrahimzadeh ◽  
Ramin Ataie ◽  
Shahram Eslami ◽  
Niusha Esmaealzadeh ◽  
...  

Introduction: Depression is a chronic and common disease and is currently used to treat antidepressants such as tricyclics, which sometimes lead to the activity of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. The use of chemical and industrial drugs by their patients can be due to the lack of treatment for depression. Therefore, in order to promote health, the use of natural products and herbs, and clinical trials and studies with traditional medicine approaches to the treatment of depression is important. In the past, natural products have also been used. The Qurchr('39')an and Islam, while analyzing the causes and phenomena of depression, have addressed the ways of its treatment. In particular, this study has been conducted in line with the on the revival of traditional Iranian and Islamic medicine, and it seems necessary. Material and Methods: In this paper, materials based on electronic library resources, including scientific articles and relevant books from foreign and domestic authoritative journals and websites, have been conducted with proper keyword searches. The medicinal herbs used in depression in traditional medicine and modern medicine, the teachings of the Islamic religion, the reports presented in this regard in English and Persian, and the experiences of the several years of research on various indigenous herbs seeking research You know, it was a benchmark for study and was studied after collection. Results: In traditional medicine, for the treatment of many diseases, such as depression and anxiety, some herbs such as Citrus aurantium L. and Ocimum basilicum have been known and used for many years. Studies on Echium amoenum L. and Feijoa sellowiana have also been carried out today. It is also used to treat acupuncture. In traditional medicine, and of course, Islam and the Quran, depression has been discussed and appropriate solutions have been presented. So that natural products derived from medicinal plants are known and recommended. Meanwhile, in Islam and the Qurchr('39')an, healthy, halal and herbal remedies have also been addressed. In ancient Traditional Iranian medicine, it has been given great importance to the theme of sport, heroism and its moral outcomes. Also, Islamic scholars believed in the benefits of spiritual education and its role in physical strengthening. Relaxing exercises also significantly reduced depression. Conclusion: Given that patients with depression may be susceptible to suicide due to frustration. The use of medicinal herbs and traditional medicine and Iranian medicine, in view of their desirable, natural and safe effects, is necessary. According to Islamic texts, practical commitment to Islamic beliefs can be a deterrent to many psychological disorders. Reading the Qurchr('39')an, believing in God, practicing the teachings of the Qurchr('39')an and prayer, and other divine duties are also effective in creating calm and promoting the health and treatment of diseases such as depression.


Our Nature ◽  
1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Bhattarai ◽  
R.P. Chaudhary ◽  
R. SL Taylor

Despite new advances in modern medicine, the cultural use of plant in traditional medicine continues from ancient time to this day all over the world. The present research seeks to explore ethnomedicinal plants used by the local people of Nawalparasi district for primary healthcare. Local healers were interviewed regarding the detail uses of plants. When convenient a jungle or forest walk was also conducted, accompanying local healers for plant collection and detailed information gathering. A rich and unique diversity of 94 ethnomedicinal plant species belonging to 49 families under 86 genera were documented. In Nawalparasi, the expense of modern medical treatment combined with the poor economic status of indigenous people and a strong belief in the traditional medicine and traditional medical practitioners are the main reasons for the persistence of the traditional healing system. In addition, we have also documented a lack of continuation and flow of indigenous knowledge from the elders to the younger generation. Youth tend to be attracted by the wave of modernization and do not appreciate the importance of conservation of traditional knowledge. The use of plants in Nawalparasi is an old tradition and the exploration of such unique cultures should be completed thoroughly so that the oral traditions are not lost forever. Immediate conservation and management approaches of valuable medicinal plants with the involvement of local indigenous people of Nawalparasi district will encourage the sustainable conservation of both biological and cultural diversity.Key words: Traditional medicine; Local healers; Healthcare; Conservation; NawalparasiDOI: 10.3126/on.v7i1.2555Our Nature (2009) 7:82-99


Author(s):  
Tawseef Ahmad Mir ◽  
Rakesh Kumar Khare ◽  
Muatasim Jan

People are using medicinal plants to alleviate diseases since the time immemorial. The present paper enumerates a total of 25 medicinal plants belonging to 19 families used for the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery diseases in Khag tehsil of district Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Asteraceae was the dominant family. Leaves were found to be dominant plant used for the preparation of herbal remedies. It was found that in this era of modern medicine, people are still relied on traditional medicine to get their primary health care. It was also revealed medicinal plants are under serious threat and needs to be conserved as so as to enjoy this legacy in future too.


Author(s):  
 Hadi Erfani ◽  

<!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"justify"} --> <p class="has-text-align-justify">This article examines the medicinal and dietary supplement on the biological activities of identified chemicals from Ginger (<em>Zingiber officinale</em>) of Zingibracea family. Ginger have long been used in traditional medicine. One of the plants that is very effective in extracting essential oils is ginger, which has been studied by researchers in agricultural sciences and chemistry. The use of medicinal plants has a long history and one It has been one of the most important sources for overcoming the disease. Then From the creation of modern medicine and the widespread use of drugs chemically, people's tendency to medicinal plants decreased. Ginger plants are used, which can lead to the development and progress of countries. Ginger is a rhizome plant that grows to a height of 90cm centimeters.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-162
Author(s):  
Ramesh Ahirwar

The paper contains information on 30 ethnomedicinal plants used by the Baiga tribe of Baiga-Chakarea in district Dindori, Madhya Pradesh was collected through interviews and discussion regarding the plant prescribed, such as part of the plant used, medicinal uses, and detailed information about mode of preparation, form of usage and method of application. A total of 30 species belonging to 29 genera and 23 families to treat various ailments. The documented medicinal plants were mostly used to cure cold, cough, diabetes, dysentery and skin diseases, etc. According to the informants the indigenous knowledge is drastically disappearing, the younger generations are not interested to practice traditional medicine due to the changes in life style and the intervention of modern medicine. Hence the documentation of traditional knowledge among the ethnic people is essential to the betterment of our future generation, since most of the lives saving medicines are derived based on ethnic wisdom of this traditional community those who directly depend on plants for their survival.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Maria Luisa Non-Cabrera ◽  
Angem Librando Descallar ◽  
Christine Dawn G. Obemio ◽  
Tres Tinna B. Martin-dela Cruz ◽  
Rhumer Lañojan

An ethnomedicinal study was conducted to document the medicinal plants used, the manner of preparation and application in the treatment of ailments and the consensus in the use of medicinal plants to treat various ailments among four (4) indigenous people's groups, the Obo in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, T'boli in Maitum, Sarangani Province, and Blaan and Tagakaolo in General Santos City. The ethnobotanical interview was conducted using open-ended semi-structured questionnaires among identified traditional healers and elders as well as the household in the community. A total of 136 plants species, mostly herbs (47%), have been recorded with the corresponding conditions or illnesses in which they are believed to exert a therapeutic effect. Plant parts utilized for traditional medicine of the 4 IP groups include leaves (38%), roots (25%) and bark/stem (16%). Decoction (54%) and direct consumption (27%) applied via oral route are the common traditional medicine preparation. The IP communities in the SOCSARGEN Region have a rich pharmacopeia of traditional medicinal plants that persist through time despite the availability and convenience offered by modern medicine. Read full article here.


Author(s):  
Esther Salmerón-Manzano ◽  
Jose Antonio Garrido-Cardenas ◽  
Francisco Manzano-Agugliaro

The use of medicinal plants has been done since ancient times and may even be considered the origin of modern medicine. Compounds of plant origin have been and still are an important source of compounds for drugs. In this study a bibliometric study of all the works indexed in the Scopus database until 2019 has been carried out, analyzing more than 100,000 publications. On the one hand, the main countries, institutions and authors researching this topic have been identified, as well as their evolution over time. On the other hand, the links between the authors, the countries and the topics under research have been analyzed through the detection of communities. The last two periods, from 2009 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2019, have been examined in terms of research topics. It has been observed that the areas of study or clusters have been reduced, those of the last period being those engaged in unclassified drug, traditional medicine, cancer, in vivo study—antidiabetic activity, and animals—anti-inflammatory activity. In summary, it has been observed that the trend in global research is focused more on the search for new medicines or active compounds rather than on the cultivation or domestication of plant species with this demonstrated potential.


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