History of Herbs

In the written record, the study of herbs dates back over 5,000 years to the Sumerians, who described well-established medicinal uses for such plants as laurel, caraway, and thyme. Ancient Egyptian medicine of 1000 B.C. are known to have used garlic, opium, castor oil, coriander, mint, indigo, and other herbs for medicine and the Old Testament also mentions herb use and cultivation, including mandrake, vetch, caraway, wheat, barley, and rye.

Indian Ayurveda medicine has been using herbs such as turmeric and curcumin possibly as early as 1900 B.C.[3] Many other herbs and minerals used in Ayurveda were later described by ancient Indian herbalists such as Charaka and Sushruta during the 1st millenium BC. The Sushruta Samhita attributed to Sushruta in the 6th century BC describes 700 medicinal plants, 64 preparations from mineral sources, and 57 preparations based on animal sources.[4]

The first Chinese herbal book, the Shennong Bencao Jing, compiled during the Han Dynasty but dating back to a much earlier date, possibly 2700 B.C., lists 365 medicinal plants and their uses - including ma-Huang, the shrub that introduced the drug ephedrine to modern medicine. Succeeding generations augmented on the Shennong Bencao Jing, as in the Yaoxing Lun (Treatise on the Nature of Medicinal Herbs), a 7th century Tang Dynasty treatise on herbal medicine.

The ancient Greeks and Romans made medicinal use of plants. Greek and Roman medicinal practices, as preserved in the writings of Hippocrates and - especially - Galen, provided the patterns for later western medicine. Hippocrates advocated the use of a few simple herbal drugs - along with fresh air, rest, and proper diet. Galen, on the other had, recommended large doses of drug mixtures - including plant, animal, and mineral ingredients. The Greek physician compiled the first European treatise on the properties and uses of medicinal plants, De Materia Medica. In the first century AD, Dioscorides wrote a compendium of more than 500 plants that remained an authoritative reference into the 17th century. Similarly important for herbalists and botanists of later centuries was the Greek book that founded the science of botany, Theophrastus’ Historia Plantarum, written in the fourth century B.C.

Use yarrow to cure cramps =)

This natural remedy is easy. For those who suffer from frequent muscular cramps or spasms, take a tablespoon of yarrow juice everyday. This should take care of your problem.( note- remedy may not be suitable for everyone)

Cure for Shortsightedness( Myopia) using Honey? Huh? is that possible?

Does honey help cure usual short-sightedness? Yes it definitely does! Myopia is a common problem in eye-sight that comes from regular exposure to dusty atmosphere, air pollution and even straining of the eyes. This results in our vision being blurred. In such a case you can drop one drop of fresh and pure Honey into both your eyes. Then, lie down and relax while waiting for the honey to take effect. Make sure your eyes are closed and move your eye balls in circles to cleanse the eyes fully. The honey will soon be diluted by the water secreted in the eyes and will slowly trickle down your cheeks. Wash your eyes thoroughly afterwards. In the first week, it is usual that you will feel a stinging and burning sensation. Using honey, it will help you cleanse the eyes completely and your vision will improve substantially. This will also enlarge the eyes and your vision will clearer and brighter.

BURNS!! Cure them herbally.

Henna is popularly known as mehandhi. Henna has a very cooling effect on the whole anatomy. It is a very safe and useful antidote for small burns which may occur in minor accidents in the kitchen or even in the lab. After cooling the burned part with cold water or ice for a long time, apply henna and it will provide some relief from the pain you are experiencing.