In simple words, medicinal plants may be defined as plants that possess medicinal properties and help in curing various ailments of the body either slowly or rapidly. However in terms of plant science, there are many plants that secrete special chemical compounds from different parts to survive in adverse conditions. The compounds synthesized by plants were identified and now are used for therapeutic purposes in all the herbal industries. It is said that almost all the plants have medicinal properties and hence advised by all the health practitioners to consume all those fruits, vegetables, roots and herbs that are considered edible. These active ingredients synthesized by plants help them to get protected from predators for example animals, microorganisms, rodents, birds and rodents. Following this property, various growers have started the commercial cultivation of medicinal plants on a larger scale to generate profit.
Unique Features of Medicinal Plants
Medicinal plants are recognized and regarded by all the florists and herbal as well as cosmetic industries owing to their potential to cure various disorders. These plants have unique features due to which these are cultivated by both commercial florists and home gardeners. Some of these features are presented here in the next section.
Type of Body Disorders Cured By Medicinal Plants
The naturally occurring compounds secreted by the medicinal plants help in curing all types of disorders of the body that include mental, respiratory, stomach, skin, intestinal etc without any side-effects. In addition, a single plant has the capability to cure multiple disorders. The properties of these plants are also identified and enlisted by World Health Organization. Some of the examples of these medicinal plants may include Indian Neem, Saffron, Anethum, and Turmeric. The detailed descriptions of medicinal properties are given in subsequent sections of the book.
Benefits of Growing Medicinal Plants at Home
Archaeological evidences also prove that plants were the major sources of medicines for human beings of that era. The property of healing the wounds and diseases without any side-effects in addition to easy cultivation practices enables the medicinal plants to be grown in the home gardens. Also, consumption of these plants provides some amount of nutrition to the human body. Some of the major benefits of growing medicinal plants by the gardeners at their home gardens can be summarized in the below points.
No Side Effects
Health practitioners say there are no side effects in the body if these medicinal plants are consumed even in larger amounts as compared to allopathic medicines as these contain chemicals that are synthesized by plants naturally. The medicines manufactured non-naturally can alter the body functions after sometime however plants that already have natural compounds and healing properties can be taken whole life. There are some plants parts of which are consumed as fruits, vegetable and spices; also have medicinal properties. However overdoses can also alter the functioning of the body hence it is strictly advised to consume the medicinal plants after knowing the quantity that can be taken in the form of medicine.
Cheap and Best Source
Medicinal plants if grown in home or kitchen gardens are the cheapest sources to cure one from health disorders. As these are the natural sources of medicines and contain no side effects, medicinal plants can be regarded as the best sources of medicines available in the world for human benefits. An appreciable number of plants have medicinal properties however benefits of many are still unknown.
Easily Cultivable
Proper crop management practices are to be followed if medicinal plants are cultivated on commercial basis otherwise these can be easily grown in the home or kitchen gardens as one grows other vegetables or fruits.
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