If we are to become knowledgeable about herbs we should have a little history about them. Herbs have always contributed to human health. Their use goes far back into antiquity. One of the first well-known and important books written about herbs is titled De Materis Medica, attributed to a Greek physician, Dioscorides, and written about a.d. 60.

The manuscript was used as a refer­ence source by many herbalists. It was circulated for hundreds of years throughout the Middle East and the West. It contained the properties of over six hundred plants.

Occasionally, superstition became associated with the use of herbs, but basically the information was founded on sound plant lore and use. Ancient herbalists became familiar with the uses of the herbs through experience. The knowledge was kept and handed down through the ages by people like you and me.

Documents found in the ancient pyramids were passed on to the Greeks, then to the Romans. Many different sources com­ment on the uses of herbs. Herbs are mentioned in the Bible as well as many of the sacred books of our major religions. The Druids were among the first people to use plants in religious rites.

In Great Britain, monasteries served as early herbal laboratories. The monks grew, collected, and used the herbs. They kept records of their uses. They opened hospitals and were among the first to use the plants in a scientific way. Their herbal knowledge soon became commonplace. Today, we have reached the point where we can again, with increased appreciation, learn to use these natu­ral products.

Many people still think that learning to use herbs is too com­plex, too involved, so they don’t even try to become knowledge­able about how to use them. If they only knew how big a part herbs play in their lives right now. Every tree, shrub, flower, and plant is an herb, and I believe that they are all useful. We just don’t know what all the uses are right now.

Modern scientists are studying the uses of herbs; we are get­ting new products and medicines every day. Herbalists have long known what can be used because that information was passed down to them. Now we will be able to prove or disprove some of the folklore surrounding herbs. Most of the old herbal reme­dies are proving to be valid and are used today in modern medi­cines. Digitalin, found in foxglove, is still in use today to treat heart disorders. At least 75 percent of all prescribed medications come from herbs. Even the spices we use daily have their part to play in modern medicinal uses.

Throughout history, people have been healed by using herbal extracts that were not in common use by the medical profession of their time. Some of these spices are still used today by pharma­cologists in preparing prescribed medications. Scientists are find­ing that many of the old herbal remedies have fewer side effects than prescribed drugs and are effective in helping to balance the body’s system. Researchers have found, for example, that milk thistle (Cardnus marianus) contains properties that carry bile from the liver. It was used for centuries for this purpose before modern scientists tested the plant. They found that it does stimulate regenerative growth of liver cells, promoting self-repair in a dam­aged liver. It is used in treatment of hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver.

Mint is an example of an old favorite that is used in new ways. It is used extensively for many of our products. We use it in gums, candies, teas, toothpaste, mouthwashes, and as a flavoring or in prescribed medications. It is now a cash crop that yields fifty pounds of oil per acre.

Interesting Stuff

• A Brief History of Herbs – Part II (0)