10 Herbs For Medical Use

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Before there was modern-day medicine and its pharmacopeia of synthetic drugs, there were plants, and ancient civilizations knew how to use them strategically to treat common ailments and even life-threatening diseases. For example, the ancient Egyptian Ebers Papyrus, a scroll from 1550 BC that's over 100 pages long, details 700 medicinal herbs and how to use them.

Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 80 percent of the world's population still uses traditional remedies, including plants, as their primary health care tools. Furthermore, the majority of new drugs introduced in the US are derived from natural products, primarily plants.

Many of us don't realize that many of our medical ailments can be fixed by natural remedies right in our backyard. Here are some important medical uses for herbs.

Parsley

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Parsley’s medicinal effects rest in its volatile oils and flavonoids, which also contribute to its distinct flavor. Parsley is thought to offer therapeutic uses in the treatment of the urinary tract. Germany's Commission E, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approves parsley for the treatment of urinary tract infections, and kidney and bladder stones. Furthermore, it was one traditionally used for gastrointestinal distress. This includes conditions such as indigestion, stomach cramps, bloating, and nausea, while helping strengthen the immune system. There is also speculation that the powerful herb has anticancer potential and can help manage diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.