Early man believed that the Creator had put a sign indicating the use of plants-some for food, others for their curative value. A red resin for example meant that the plant was good for the blood. A heart shaped leaf signalled its cardiac properties, a liver shaped leaf was a sign of efficacy against Jaundice.
Man probably put most plants into his mouth. Many were harmless; a few nourished him and a number relieved him from discomfort or sickness. The modem concept of healing plants began in Europe with the appearance of herbals in the Sixteenth Century. Healing plants act in a variety of ways. Many (e.g. Carminatives) exert a soothing action. A large number act on the nervous system. Others have muscular activity. In herbal plants there are variable benefits.
Plants like cannabis have been valued from the earliest times for their powerful psychoactive and physical effects. Cannabis contains many healing properties. It is a very important plant used specially in many kinds of Guli (Pills) in indigenous medicine. It was used as a sacred plant for ceremonial use. It was known in India and China as early as 1500 B.C. or even before. At present it is classified as a narcotic.
The curative value of most beneficial plants and their healing art has been handed down from generation to generation. These herbs still have a useful place in coping with many ailments. As home remedies, this is particularly true in the case of minor ailments such as indigestion, coughs and pains. Nature has many remedies for our ailments and they have been tested over the years.
Herbs still claim our attention as natural remedies. The efficaciousness of herbs in fevers is something very important.
