Medicinal Plants and Their Properties

Medicinal plants and their properties
The vegetable world comprises three main groups of plants: Superior,

Intermediary and Inferior. These encompass bacteria, microscopic algae,
mushrooms, ferns, brushes and trees, among others. Their identification is a
task of specialists and the limit between the vegetal and animal world is not
clear. To simplify matters, we consider plants those recognized as such by
ordinary people. Books about medicinal properties of vegetables normally
seem to treat differently herbs and medicinal plants. However, herbs are seed
producing annual, biennial or perennial plants that do not develop a persistent
woody tissue. Perhaps because herbs have such an important historical and
tradition in healing, sometimes they are treated as a special category of plants
i.e., those particularly valued for their medicinal, savory or aromatic qualities.
In the following list, herbs are considered as medicinal plants and taken only
for their medicinal or aromatic properties.
Since the traditional or popular name of medicinal plants varies so

much according to regional and cultural aspects, the have been
grouped alphabetically according to their most common English
name. The scientific designation follows in each case.
Properties and uses

1) ALOE VERA
Aloe vera syn. A. barbadensis (Liliaceae)
HISTORY and USES
Native to Africa, aloe vera is commonly cultivated elsewhere.
The clear gel found inside the plant's leaf and the crystalline part
found alongside the leaf blade, which contains aloin, are both
used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The clear gel is a
remarkably effective healer of wounds and burns, speeding up

the rate of healing and reducing the risk of infection. The
brownish part containing aloin is a strong laxative, useful for
short-term constipation. Aloe is present in many cosmetic's
formulae because its emollient and scar preventing properties.
MAIN PROPERTIES: Heals
wounds, emollient, laxative.
2) ANGELICA
Angelica arcangelica (Umbelliferae)
HISTORY and USES
Angelica has a long-standing record as a prized medicinal herb
and has been mentioned by European herbalist since the 15th
Century. Angelica has been used to reduce muscular spasms in
asthma and bronchitis. It has also been shown to ease rheumatic
inflammation, to regulate menstrual flow and as an appetite
stimulant. The stems are candied for culinary use.
MAIN PROPERTIES: Antispasmodic,
promotes menstrual flow.
3) ANISE
Pimpinella anisum (Umbelliferae)
HISTORY and USES
Anise has been cultivated in Egypt and known to the Greeks,
Romans and Arabs, who named the plant anysun. Since
Antiquity it has been used as a flavoring spice in recipes and as
a diuretic, to treat digestive problems and to relieve toothache.
Anise seeds are known for their ability to reduce flatulence and
colic, and to settle the digestion. They are commonly given to
infants and children to relieve colic, and to people of all ages to
ease nausea and indigestion. It also has an expectorant and
antispasmodics action that is helpful in countering period pain,
asthma, whooping cough and bronchitis. The mild hormonal
action of anise seeds may explain its ability to increase breastmilk production and its reputation for easing childbirth and
treating impotence and frigidity. Anise essential oil is used
externally to treat lice and scabies.
MAIN PROPERTIES: Reduces
colic and flatulence,

promotes digestion, antispasmodic
4) ARNICA
Arnica montana (Compositae)

HISTORY and USES
Arnica has been used extensively in European folk medicine. The
German philosopher and poet Goethe (1749-1832), claimed arnica
for ease his angina in old age. Herbalism and homeopathy use
arnica extracts, ointments and compresses to reduce inflammation
and pain from bruises, sprains, tendons, dislocations and swollen
areas. Arnica improves the local blood supply and accelerates
healing. It is anti-inflammatory and increases the rate of reabsorption of internal bleeding. The internal use of arnica is
restricted to homeopathic dosages as it is potentially toxic.
MAIN PROPERTIES: Anti-inflammatory, germicide,
muscular soreness, pain re leaving.

5) ARROWROOT
Maranta arundinacea (Marantaceae)
HISTORY and USES
Arrowroot is native to South America and the Caribbean. The
local indigenous people use its root as a poultice for smallpox
sores, and as an infusion for urinary infections. Arrowroot is
used in herbal medicine in much the same manner as slippery
elm (Ulmus Rubra), as a soothing demulcent and a nutrient of
benefit in convalescence and for easing digestion. It helps to
relieve acidity, indigestion and colic, and is mildly laxative. It
may be applied as an ointment or poultice mixed with some
other antiseptic herbs such as comfrey.
MAIN PROPERTIES: Anti-inflammatory, digestive,
antiseptic.
6) ARTEMISIA, WORMWOOD
Artemisia absinthium (Compositae)
HISTORY and USES
The name of this plant derives from its bitterness, from absinthia,
the Roman word for "bitter". This property is used for providing
bitter taste to some well known beverages and liquors.
Wormwood has a marked tonic effect on the stomach, the
gallbladder and in adjusting weak digestive problems. It is used to
expel roundworms and threadworms. By improving the functions of
the digestive system it helps in many conditions, including
anaemia. It is also a muscle relaxer occasionally used to treat

rheumatism. The leaves of wormwood have antiseptic properties
which may derive from the azulenes that the plant contains.
MAIN PROPERTIES: Bitter,
carminative, muscle relaxer, antiseptic.
7) BASIL, HOLY BASIL

Ocimum sanctum (Labiatae)
HISTORY and USES
Holy basil, like sweet (culinary) basil, comes from India where it is
revered as a sacred herb. The Egyptians burned a mixture of basil
and myrrh to appease their gods. Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
was introduced in Europe as a seasoning for food. The herb has
very important medicinal properties - notably its ability to reduce
blood sugar levels. It also prevents peptic ulcers and other stress
related conditions like hypertension, colitis and asthma. Basil is
also used to treat cold and reduce fever, congestion and joint pain.
Due to its anti-bacterial and fungicide action, basil leaves are used
on itching skin, insect biting and skin affections.
MAIN PROPERTIES: Lowers
blood sugar levels,

antispasmodic, analgesic, lowers blood pressure,
reduces fever, fungicidal, anti-inflammatory.
8) BELLADONA, DEADLY NITIGHTSHADE
Atropa belladonna (Solanaceae)
HISTORY and USES
Deadly nightshade is native to Europe, western Asia and northern
Africa. Herba bella dona, or "herb of the beautiful lady" is known
for its poisonous effects (belladonna increases heartbeat and can
lead to death), like many other plants it is an important and
beneficial remedy when used correctly. Belladonna contains
atropine used in conventional medicine to dilate the pupils for eye
examinations and as an anesthetic. In herbal medicine, deadly
nightshade is mainly prescribed to relieve intestinal colic, to treat
peptic ulcers and to relax distended organs, especially the stomach
and intestine. Deadly nightshade is also used as an anaesthetic in
conventional medicine.
MAIN PROPERTIES: Smooth
muscle, antispasmodic,
narcotic, reduces sweating, sedative.
9) BENZOIN GUM
Styrax benzoin (Styraceae)
HISTORY and USES
Benzoin is a tree native to South-East Asia. Its trunk exudes a
gum well known for its strong astringent and antiseptic action.
For this reason it is used externally to fight tissue inflammation
and disinfection of wounds. When taken internally, benzoin gum
acts to settle griping pain, to stimulate coughing, and to
disinfect the urinary tract. Benzoin gum is widely used in
cosmetics as an antioxidant in oils, as a fixative in perfumes and
as an additive to soaps. When steam inhaled, it helps healing
sore throats, head and chest colds, asthma and bronchitis.
MAIN PROPERTIES: Antiseptic,
astringent, anti-inflammatory.
10) BERGAMOT
Citrus bergamia syn. C. aurantium var. bergamia (Rutaceae)
HISTORY and USES

Bergamot oil, expressed from the peel, assists in avoiding
infectious diseases. In cosmetics it is used in preventing oily
skin, acne, psoriasis and acne. The oil (or constituents of it) are
sometimes added to sun-tanning oils. Bergamot oil is also used
to relieve tension, relax muscle spasms and improve digestion.
MAIN PROPERTIES: Disinfectant,
muscle relaxant.
11) BITTER ORANGE

Citrus aurantium (Rutaceae)
HISTORY and USES
The bitter orange, native to tropical Asia, has provided food and
medicine for thousands of years. Its oil contains flavonoids which
are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal. Bitter orange
juice is rich in vitamin C which helps the immune system. As an
infusion, it helps to relieve fever, soothe headaches and lower
fever. It yields neroli oil from its flowers, and the oil known as
petitgrain from its leaves and young shoots. Both distillates are
used extensively in perfumery. Orange flower water is a by-product
of distillation and is used in perfumery and to flavor sweets and
biscuits, as well as being used medicinally to reduce
heart rate and palpitations, to encourage sleep and

calm the digestive tract.
MAIN PROPERTIES: Anti-inflammatory, antifungal,
antibacterial, digestive.
12) BOLDO
Peumus boldus (Umbelliferae)
HISTORY and USES
Boldo is a tree original from the Chilean Andes. It activates the
secretion of saliva and gastric juices. Boldine, one of its
constituents, induces the flow of bile as well as the total amount of
solids that it excretes. Its protective action over the hepatic cells
has been demonstrated "in vitro" and "in vivo". Boldo stimulates
liver activity and bile flow and is chiefly valued as a remedy for
gallstones and liver or gallbladder pain. It is normally taken for a
few weeks at a time, either as a tincture or infusion. Boldo also has
antiseptic properties which help in combating cystitis.
MAIN PROPERTIES: Bile
and liver activity stimulant, digestive.
13) CALENDULA, MARIGOLD

Calendula officinallis (Compositae)
HISTORY and USES
Marigold is one of the best herbs for treating local skin
problems. Infusions or decoctions of Calendula petals decrease
the inflammation of sprains, stings, varicose,veins and other
swellings and also soothes burns, sunburns, rashes and skin
irritations. These remedies are excellent for inflamed and
bruised skin, their antiseptic and healing properties helping to
prevent the spread of infection and accelerate the healing.
Marigold is also a cleansing and detoxifying herb, and the
infusion and tincture are used to treat chronic infections. Taken
internally, it has been used traditionally to promote the draining
of swollen lymph glands such as tonsillitis.
MAIN PROPERTIES: Anti-inflammatory, astringent,
heals
wounds, antiseptic, detoxifying.

14) CAMPHOR
Cinnamomum camphora syn. Laurus camphora (Lauraceae)
HISTORY and USES

Camphor trees are native to China and Japan and are cultivated for its wood for the
extraction of camphor oil. Marco Polo was the first to note that the Chinese used
camphor oil as a medicine, scent and embalming fluid. Camphor crystals have
strong antiseptic, stimulant and antispasmodic properties and are applied
externally as unguents or balms as a counter-irritant and analgesic liniment to
relieve arthritic and rheumatic pains, neuralgia and back pain. It may also be
applied to skin problems, such as cold sores and chilblains, and used as a chest
rub for bronchitis and other chest infections.
MAIN PROPERTIES: Antiseptic,
antispasmodic, analgesic, expectorant.

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Medicinal plants and their properties

The vegetable world comprises three main groups of plants: Superior,

Since the traditional or popular name of medicinal plants varies so

Properties and uses

remarkably effective healer of wounds and burns, speeding up

wounds, emollient, laxative.

promotes menstrual flow.

colic and flatulence,

Arnica montana (Compositae)

muscular soreness, pain re leaving.

anaemia. It is also a muscle relaxer occasionally used to treat

carminative, muscle relaxer, antiseptic.

7) BASIL, HOLY BASIL

blood sugar levels,

HISTORY and USES

11) BITTER ORANGE

heart rate and palpitations, to encourage sleep and

and liver activity stimulant, digestive.

13) CALENDULA, MARIGOLD

wounds, antiseptic, detoxifying.

HISTORY and USES

antispasmodic, analgesic, expectorant.

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