Herbal remedies and traditional medicinal plants are used by millions of people around the world. Medicinal plants have also been the subject of scientific research into their chemical components and biological effects. Those are sometimes effective because they contain chemicals that act on specific body systems, while others work by stimulating the body’s natural self-healing mechanisms to help it fight infection and disease. Medicinal plants also restore balance to the body’s energy systems (meridians). Medicinal plants are classified as follows:
Descriptive classification –
Plants are classified based on their appearance or their place of origin.
Rational classifications –
Medicinal plants are classified according to their chemical components and activity. It usually contain several chemical compounds that can produce helpful medicines and various plant constituents, such as essential oils, resins, saponins, and alkaloids. Medicinal plants may also contain minerals, vitamins, and amino acids.
Morphological classification –
Medicinal plants are classified based on their physical appearance or chemical content. Herbs come from all seven continents of the world. Medicinal plants have the following functions:
Antibacterial (Medicinal Plants) –
Medicinal plants that kill or inhibit bacteria. Antifungal – Plants used to kill fungus. Anti-inflammatory – medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory properties such as reducing swelling and pain. Anti-neoplastic – Medicinal plants that help prevent the growth of cancerous cells. Medicinal plants may also have anti-stress effects.
Burdock (Medicinal Plants)
(Arctium lappa) is a biennial herb native to Europe, Asia, and North America. Medicinal use of burdock dates back more than 3,000 years to the Chinese and Greek herbal traditions. Burdock is also used to treat cancer and infections such as hepatitis, malaria, and syphilis. Medicinal preparations are available in tablet, capsule, or tincture form.
Cayenne (Medicinal Plants)
( Capsicum annuum ) is a hot chili pepper grown in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Use of cayenne dates back more than 4,000 years. Medicinal cayenne contains capsaicin and capsanthin, which make the fruit of this plant extremely hot.
Celandine (Medicinal Plants)
( Chelidonium majus ) is a perennial herb native to Europe and Western Asia. Use of celandine dates back thousands of years. Celandine is also called yellow rocket or swallow-wort because its flowers resemble the tail feathers of a swallow. Medicinal preparations are available in liquid or tablet form.
Cinnamon (Medicinal Plants)
( Cinnamomum zeylanicum ) is a tree native to Asia and Africa. Medicinal use of cinnamon dates back 2,500 years. Medicinal preparations are available in capsule, powder, or liquid form.
Coleus (Medicinal Plants)
( Coleus forskohlii ) is a perennial herb native to India, Thailand, and Indonesia. Use of coleus dates back 1,000 years. Celandine is related to coleus and is also called Indian coleus. Medicinal preparations are available in capsules, liquid, or tablets form.
Coltsfoot (Medicinal Plants)
( Tussilago farfara ) is a perennial herb native to North America and Europe. Medicinal use of coltsfoot dates back 1,800 years. Medicinal preparations are available in liquid or tablet form.
Comfrey (Medicinal Plants)
( Symphytum officinale ) is a perennial herb native to Europe, Asia, and North America. Use of comfrey dates back more than 2,000 years. Medicinal polysaccharides in the root of comfrey may help stimulate the immune system and speed up healing. Medicinal preparations are available in liquid or tablet form.
Colostrum (Medicinal Plants)
( Glycomacropeptide ) is a protein substance found naturally in breast milk. Colostrum has been used for thousands of years either as a food supplement or to treat disease. Its preparations are available in powder or pill form.
Ephedra (Medicinal Plants)
( Ephedra sinica, Ephedra equisetina ) is a perennial herb native to Asia, North America, and Europe. Use of ephedra dates back 3,000 years. Medicinal ephedrine stimulates the nervous system and has been used to treat asthma, bronchitis, and congestion. Medicinal preparations are available in powder or pill form.
Echinacea (Medicinal Plants)
( Echinacea Angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea ) is a perennial herb native to North America. Use of Echinacea has increased significantly over the last ten years. Its preparations are available in liquid or tablet form.
Eggs
( Albumen ) are the white part of a bird’s egg. Use of eggs, dates back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Medicinal albumin is an important constituent of egg whites and is used for many different therapeutic purposes, including the treatment of ulcers and wounds. Medicinal preparations are available in liquid or powder form.
Elderberry
( Sambucus nigra ) is a shrub native to Europe and Western Asia. The medicinal use of the elderberry dates back 1,000 years. Medicinal use of the elderberry has increased significantly over the last ten years. The medicinal preparations are available in liquid or tablet form.
Mustard
( Brassica juncea ) is a plant native to Asia, Europe and North America Medicinal use of mustard dates back 3,000 years Medicinal preparations are available in tablet or liquid form. Medicinal polysaccharides in the seed of mustard may help stimulate the immune system and speed up healing. Polysaccharides in the fruit may help stimulate the immune system and speed up healing. These plant preparations are available in liquid or tablet form Medicinal polysaccharides in the plant may help stimulate the immune system and speed up healing.
Garlic
( Allium sativum ) is a perennial herb native to Asia, Europe, and North America. Medicinal use of garlic dates back 5,000 years. Medicinal preparations are available in capsule or liquid form.
Hawthorn
( Crataegus monogyna, Crataegus oxycantha ) is a deciduous shrub native to Europe and Western Asia. Medicinal use of hawthorn dates back 1,200 years. Medicinal preparations are available in capsule or liquid form.
Lactobacillus
It is a micro-organism that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibits harmful bacteria. Medicinal preparations are available in tablet or liquid form.
Licorice
( Glycyrrhiza glabra ) is a perennial herb native to Asia and Europe Medicinal use of licorice dates back 4,000 years. Medicinal preparations are available in tablet or liquid form. Medicinal polysaccharides in the root of licorice may help stimulate the immune system and speed up healing.
Marshmallow
( Althea officinalis ) is a perennial herb native to Europe, Asia and North America Medicinal use of marshmallow dates back 1,000 years Medicinal preparations are available in powder or liquid form. Medicinal polysaccharides in the root of the marshmallow may help stimulate the immune system and speed up healing.
Herbs and their classification is an important topic in herbal medicine, as it allows for the proper identification of a plant’s properties which may change depending on where the herb comes from or when it was harvested. For instance, some herbs have anti-inflammatory properties while others reduce blood pressure levels. That’s is how we get to know that the knowledge of herbs and classification is quite important.
