Having a little tea to soothe a sore throat, cramps, or stomach ache has always been an excellent remedy, and it’s nothing new—in fact, as they say, it’s been around since grandma’s time. And truly, they know everything, even if perhaps without knowing about the existence of phytotherapy.

Healing Plants

There are countless plants and herbs recommended for treating a variety of ailments, many of which are considered natural antibiotics and can even cure various diseases. As there aren’t many clinical studies that prove the medicinal efficacy of these plants, phytotherapy is considered an alternative medicine.

An excellent alternative, by the way. After all, it’s based on the use of natural elements that minimize side effects and can even be grown at home. Wonderful, isn’t it?

What is Phytotherapy

The word phytotherapy comes from the ancient Greek term “phyton,” meaning plant, and “therapeia,” meaning treatment, which defines its meaning: Treatment with plants. It refers to the medicinal use of plants to treat various illnesses and health conditions.

Although it is considered a traditional medicine by the World Health Organization (WHO), phytotherapy is still more commonly practiced in developing countries. It is defined as an alternative treatment, since there are no clinical reports that effectively certify its efficacy.

Since 2006, Brazil’s Ministry of Health recognizes phytotherapy as a medicinal therapy and defines it, according to ordinance 971, as “a therapy characterized by the use of medicinal plants in their various pharmaceutical forms, without the use of isolated active substances, even if of plant origin.”

Phytotherapy can be separated into two types. One is based on the use of plants and herbs for medicinal purposes, which is already traditional and ancient, and the other relies on scientific experiments that explore and research the active extracts of plants, which may act together with other chemical substances or alone in a therapeutic treatment. Once standardized, they become the active ingredient of medicines regulated by the health authorities, known as phytotherapeutic medicines.

Even when regulated, the production and distribution of these finished medicines undergo rigorous evaluation by regulatory agencies, who may or may not authorize their distribution, but only through pharmaceutical networks.

Herb Cultivation in Brazil

Our country has a great advantage in producing many of these plants, being a tropical country with a rich, diverse, and robust flora. This means we have at our disposal, provided by Mother Nature, a huge range of natural medicines that can help us treat many diseases.

But it is important to know a bit about which plants these are and what they are indicated for. As effective as they are, many can also cause unwanted effects. So there’s no point in just going out picking plants and herbs thinking we know it all. It’s worth checking very carefully all their benefits and risks.

Risks and Benefits

There is a huge variety of plants around the world that can be used in therapeutic treatments. Whether used fresh, in a more homemade way, such as teas, or even with their industrialized extracts, attention must be paid to all their properties—because aside from the known active ingredient, all plants contain other elements that can be toxic.

One of these chemical elements might cause you an allergic reaction, for example, or even could lead to contamination by heavy metals or pesticides, which unfortunately are used in excess in today’s plantations. Furthermore, some common plant properties can be toxic and cause reactions ranging from mild to severe.

Amount Consumed

Another important point is to assess the quantity of a given plant you will ingest. The therapeutic range of each plant is variable and can be narrow; although it is beneficial, depending on the consumed amount it can become harmful to your health.

When preparing a tea, it’s wise to be cautious, since it is quite difficult to calculate the amount of active ingredient in a given dose. The same goes for industrialized extracts. But when a medicine becomes phytotherapeutic, these risks decrease since it has gone through a refinement process, where toxic agents are eliminated and only therapeutic doses are preserved.

Contrary to what many think, plants, even though they are natural elements, can indeed pose risks if consumed incorrectly or in inappropriate amounts. They are a great alternative for treating many diseases, but don’t take chances—know exactly how to benefit from each medicinal plant without putting yourself at risk.

Main Medicinal Plants

If we look at all plant species in the world, it’s estimated that there are more than 35,000 types of medicinal plants. Each has a specific purpose in the treatment of diseases.

Get to know some of the most commonly used medicinal plants in Brazil and find out what they are indicated for. But remember that the amount consumed and the way they are stored greatly influence their efficacy and risks!

  • Aloe Vera – Indicated for treating burns and psoriasis.
  • Mint – Used to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
  • Guaco – For treating bronchitis and cough in general.
  • Willow or White Willow – Indicated for the treatment of lower back pain.
  • Artichoke – For the treatment of functional dyspepsia and hypercholesterolemia.
  • Espinheira-santa – For the treatment of gastritis and duodenal ulcers.
  • Aroeira – Indicated for gynecological use. Cascara sagrada – For intestinal constipation.
  • Devil’s Claw – For the treatment of acute lower back pain and osteoarthritis.
  • Soy Isoflavone or Soy – Indicated for treating symptoms of menopause.
  • Cat’s Claw – For arthritis and osteoarthritis treatment.
  • Plantago or Psyllium – Indicated for the treatment of intestinal constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.

See Also: Does Herbal Tonic for Getting Pregnant Work or Not?

Photos: Pixabay, Raúl Hernández González, ulleo