Herbal Plants: Did you know? that there are about 40 thousand types of traditional medicines in the world. Even so, it turns out that there are only about 9 thousand species of traditional plants that are claimed to have health benefits.
Of course, we do not doubt the benefits of these herbs or medicinal plants. Even today, many medicines contain several herbal plants, such as ginger.
In addition, herbal plants are often used as an alternative to overcome an illness or other things, many even use herbal plants to lose weight. Several types of herbal plants must be present at home to make it easier for you to maintain a healthy body.
What is this?
Herbal plants, or what we can call medicinal plants, are a kind of living pharmacy. In other words, plants that are part of or all of the contents of these herbal plants have benefits as medicine, ingredients, or medicinal ingredients.
Researchers have even stated that medicinal plants are plants that have benefits for cosmetics, medicine, or other health conditions, and not a few people use herbal plants to lose weight. As an alternative treatment, medicinal plants include stems, leaves, tubers, and fruit from the roots of this plant.
WHO, or the World Health Organization itself, defines medicinal plants as herbal medicines or medicinal plants that have benefits and medicinal purposes and are the original ingredients for making herbal medicines. Then, the Better Health page explains that herbal plants are traditional medicines that come from living pharmacies.
In general, these herbal plants can interact with medical drugs made by doctors. However, it cannot be done or mixed carelessly because it can endanger the health of the body.
Potential Benefits for Health
Some people tend to have the habit of consuming traditional medicines, and many people tend to believe that traditional medicines derived from medicinal plants will be more effective than drugs prepared by doctors.
For example, many people prefer to drink ginger tea prepared by traveling with ginger or googling and looking for herbal drink recipes when they feel headaches, dizziness, nausea, or what we usually refer to as “colds.”
This habit, of course, is inseparable from the lifestyle of people who are returning to nature and the benefits of medicinal plants, which are growing day by day. As a result, some people have started to turn to one type of alternative medicine to treat health problems in the body and minimize the possible side effects of medical drugs.
Plus, not a few families have started growing herbs at home as a precaution or to use as first aid when a family member is experiencing health problems.
Herbal plants are used as traditional medicine and have various effects on the body’s metabolic system. starting from the effects of antioxidants, analgesics, and even anti-inflammatory drugs.
Therefore, it is not surprising that many people use herbal plants to help treat health problems, such as coughs, fever, flu, runny nose, indigestion, headaches, insomnia, and skin problems.
In addition, herbal plants are also often processed for various needs, such as in the food and beverage industry or as basic ingredients for making cosmetics in the traditional spa industry.
Types That Can Be Grown at Home
Many countries are rich in sources of medicinal plants, which can easily be cultivated by themselves, whether on a plot of land in the yard or in small pots, to meet the family’s need for herbal medicines.
Several herbal plants are simple to grow at home, and an explanation is provided.
1. Ginger
Ginger is a type of medicinal plant that is certainly familiar to all of us. Moreover, ginger contains gingerols, which are anti-inflammatory substances as well as high antioxidants. As an herbal plant, ginger has several benefits, especially for body health, including helping to treat stomach pain, nausea, dizziness due to vertigo, headaches, vomiting, menstrual pain, and even to relieve rheumatism and osteoarthritis.
Even though ginger is an herbal plant that is classified as safe, you should not consume ginger in an amount of more than 5 grams or the equivalent of 1 teaspoon per day. This is because consuming ginger in excessive amounts will have the risk of interfering with the health of the body, one of which is increasing various kinds of side effects, such as bloating, stomach pain, heartburn, irritation of the mouth, and so on.
2. Turmeric
The turmeric herbal plant is a type of living, medicinal plant that is often found at home. Apart from being a medicinal plant, turmeric is also often used as a spice in the kitchen, in herbal medicine, and even in beauty products.
Turmeric has a myriad of benefits for health and beauty. This is because turmeric contains curcumin. These substances can help maintain the digestive system, lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease, and even lower blood sugar levels.
Meanwhile, in the field of beauty, turmeric is known to have benefits for brightening the skin and as an antioxidant. Even though it has many benefits, people who have stomach problems such as ulcers or GERD or who are regularly taking blood thinners, are not advised to consume too much turmeric.
3. Galangal
The third herb that can be easily grown at home is galangal. Galangal is a herbal plant that is often used in the kitchen. As an herbal plant, galangal contains beta-sitosterol and flavonoids, which are certainly good for the body.
In addition, galangal is included in a type of natural medicinal plant that contains vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber, and iron. Galangal has benefits for the health of the body, namely as an antioxidant, reduces pain, and fights infection, and inflammation has the potential as an anti-cancer agent, and can even increase male fertility.
4. Kaempferia Galanga
Kaempferia galanga is a type of herbal plant that functions as a natural medicine and has many health benefits. The benefits of the herb can be said to be quite a lot, such as increasing appetite, increasing body stamina, and even launching menstruation.
Then, this plant also has the benefit of helping to overcome health problems such as colds, flu, headaches, coughs, diarrhea, and even gastric ulcers.
5. Curcuma
Curcuma is a type of traditional medicine that can be used and is effective for treating digestive disorders, such as flatulence after eating, gastric disorders, and even irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS.
This herbal plant can also be used as an appetite enhancer, so it is often found in herbal food supplement capsules for children. However, this curcuma has side effects if consumed in large quantities or in excess, such as irritating the stomach and causing vomiting.
6. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera, which has thorns on each edge, is one of the herbal plants that is commonly grown in the yard or pots for use as herbal medicine. Aside from being a herbal medicine, aloe vera is also beneficial for beauty, so many people try to apply it to their hair and skin or even consume it directly.
Aloe vera has several benefits, including improving digestive health, healing wounds, maintaining oral health, and treating acne.
In general, the use of aloe vera is usually on the skin, where it is safe to do it, especially on wounds that are still relatively mild. If you want to consume aloe vera directly, then you must pay attention to whether there will be signs of allergies when consuming it. Consuming aloe vera directly is not recommended for women who are pregnant, children under 12 years of age, and nursing mothers.
7. Cat Whiskers
A well-known herbal plant is cat’s whiskers. This one herbal plant is known to have properties that relieve several health problems, such as swollen gums and sores on the skin. Cat whiskers also contain anti-inflammatory substances that can help control the symptoms of allergies, rheumatism, gout, and kidney disease, and stop convulsions.
In fact, according to a study published in the journal Ethnopharmacology, cat whiskers have diuretic properties that can trigger an increase in urine production.
Indirectly, going back and forth to urinate can help expel the bacteria in the bladder. This can also help reduce the possible risk of urinary tract infections.
8. Betel Leaf
Since ancient times, betel leaf has been known as a powerful herbal plant for treating various health problems. In fact, since ancient times, people have been accustomed to chewing betel nuts to maintain healthy teeth and oral hygiene.
Of course, this tradition of eating betel nut is not just a tradition that was practiced by many people in the past. This is because the tradition of chewing betel nuts has also been shown to have benefits; chewing betel is proven to inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth, so chewing betel can prevent cavities and other gum diseases.
In addition, the antioxidant tannins in betel leaves can accelerate the body’s response to clotting blood and healing wounds. That is why betel is often used to stop nosebleeds as well as to treat burns.
9. Basil Leaves
The community recognizes basil leaves as a side dish or complementary food that functions to add aroma to food or eliminate unpleasant odors, such as fishy ones, when you want to process an ingredient.
However, besides functioning as a complement, basil leaves can also be used as an herbal plant. This may sound less familiar. However, this basil leaf has several benefits that are good for health, such as relieving flatulence, treating scratches on the skin, and even increasing appetite.
10. Lime
This is an herb that is easy to grow at home and can be used for many things. Lime contains vitamin C and antioxidants, both of which are beneficial to the body’s health. Consuming lime regularly will improve a person’s immune system, prevent kidney stones, reduce the risk of heart disease, improve skin health, and help absorb iron.
In general, lime is safe for consumption. However, because lime contains acid, people with stomach ulcers and GERD should avoid it because it can cause stomach pain.
11. Mint Leaves
a little similar to basil leaves, but mint leaves have a different texture, aroma, and even taste than basil leaves. Mint leaves are a type of herbal plant that has a distinctive aroma. When mixed in drinks such as tea, mint leaves can relieve indigestion and nausea.
In addition, when used in topical form, the benefits of this herbal plant can relieve muscle pain.
12. Rosemary
Included in the Lamiaceae group, the rosemary plant is the same as basil and lavender leaves. This herbal plant has a distinctive aroma and is not difficult to grow in the yard or in small pots. Not only does rosemary have a distinctive aroma, but it also contains calcium, iron, and vitamin B6.
In addition, rosemary also contains antioxidants, which are believed to be able to boost the immune system and improve blood circulation. According to a study conducted by Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, the aroma of rosemary can increase concentration and even improve mood.
13. Coriander Leaves
You may be familiar with coriander seasoning, which is often used as a cooking spice. Apart from functioning as a spice, coriander plants, namely the leaves, have benefits as herbal plants.
Coriander leaves are one of the herbal plants that have many health benefits for the body. Even some studies also say that coriander leaves are good for maintaining digestive health. This is because coriander leaves contain ingredients that can eliminate toxic substances in the digestive system.
14. Garlic
Known as a kitchen spice, garlic is an herbal plant that has many benefits because it contains vitamins B6, C, and magnesium.
In addition, garlic is also rich in antioxidants, which make it able to boost one’s immune system, relieve colds, maintain blood pressure, fight premature aging, and even prevent heart disease.
How to Take
Various types of herbal plants can are consumed. They are usually processed into powder, capsules, cream, dried, chopped, or made into a liquid.
Here’s how to use herbal plants that are commonly used, namely:
- Capsule-shaped herbal medicines are usually consumed directly with water.
- Drugs in liquid form can also be consumed directly.
- Crushed herbal medicine can be consumed like tea.
- Dried herbal medicines can be consumed by boiling.
- Herbal medicine in the form of a cream can be directly applied to the part of the body that requires treatment.
- Herbal medicine can also be used for soaking in warm water.
It is better not to self-diagnose the health complaints you are experiencing. Make sure you consult with your doctor before using medication or treatments using herbal ingredients.
Things to Look For When Consuming
Here are the things you need to pay attention to before using herbal ingredients:
- Make sure you know the information and explanations about the herbal ingredients you will use.
- If you decide to use herbal ingredients as a treatment, don’t use them as the main treatment. Use only as a preventative measure.
- Make sure you follow the dosage or method of consumption according to the information provided.
- Beware of allergic reactions that can occur after taking herbal medicines.
- There’s nothing wrong with finding out the manufacturer or maker of the herbal medicine you are going to
- consume to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the medicine you are taking.
Who Should Avoid?
Everyone cannot consume herbal ingredients. Several groups should avoid using it for treatment, such as:
- People with kidney disorders.
- pregnant and lactating women.
- older people.
- Children.
- Side Effects of Herbal Plants
The following are side effects of herbal plants to watch out for, namely:
- Allergic reaction.
- Rash.
- Asthma.
- Dizzy.
- Headache.
- Nauseous.
- Gag.
- Bloated.
- Diarrhea.
Keep this in mind before deciding to use herbal plants as alternative medicines. You need to understand that medicinal plants cannot replace medical treatment from a doctor. So when you are sick, you still need further consultation, especially if the pain you feel does not go away.
