Small lexicon of medicinal herbs

1. Mankind has been concerned with its personal well-being since ancient times. The knowledge that nature has beneficial powers is almost as old. In a preventive and curative sense, medicinal herbs contribute to a healthy balance between man and his environment. This little lexicon is an introduction to folk medicine. In chronology, the most important medicinal herbs known in the low countries are reviewed.

Overview of active ingredients of medicinal herbs and plants

1. Alkaloids: are nitrogenous compounds that act on the central nervous system. In folk medicine, alkaloid-containing plants are used to a very limited extent, such as henbane (a very poisonous plant), which has an analgesic effect when used externally. Other plants containing strong alkaloid are the deadly nightshade and the aconite. Antibiotics: Penicillin is the most famous representative of the plant kingdom as an antibiotic. In addition to the fungal penicillin, substances are also known from plants with a similar effect, such as the burdock, which has a strong anti-infective effect. Bitter substances: have the same medicinal effect, because when ingested by mouth they cause an increased secretion of digestive juices in the mouth, stomach and intestines. Bitter substances are therefore appetite-stimulating. Well-known herbs that contain a lot of bitter substances are: absinthe, gentian, centaury, water three leaf and others. Essential oils: are the main active ingredients used in folk medicine. They cause the smell of our plants. In general, essential oils have a calming and stimulating effect on the central nervous system. They stimulate the secretion of saliva, gastric juice, intestinal juice and bile. and therefore appetite stimulant. They provide an increased blood supply, especially white blood cells. In short, they have a disinfecting effect. Glycosides: are substances that break down into a non-sugary part and into one or more sugars when boiled for longer. Its medicinal effect is due to the non-sugary part, which can belong to very different chemical compounds. One group consists of the anthraquinone glycosides, which are mainly found in sporewood, buckthorn and in types of sorrel, such as rhubarb and in the senna leaves. A group of glycosides provides salicylic compounds. These are found in the willow, meadowsweet and violets. Their effect is fever and inflammation, disinfecting and pain relieving. Resins: Often secreted in plant glands along with essential oils. They have a stimulating effect on the skin. Tannins: have the property of being able to precipitate proteins. They are mainly found in oak bark, walnut leaf, willow, knotweed, roses, lady's mantle, tormentil and blueberries etc. The effect of tannins is that external stimuli do not penetrate into diseased, deeper mucous membranes and healing can proceed faster. Furthermore, tannins have a bactericidal effect. Tannins contract small blood vessels on which their styptic effect is based. Minerals: Mineral salts, where potassium and calcium salts are important, are important building materials for the body. Potassium salts have a diuretic effect; calcium salts are important for bone building and for proper functioning of the nervous system and for resistance to infectious diseases. Silica is also found in almost all plants. The effect of silica is that it strengthens the connective tissue and especially that of the lungs. Organic acids: Almost all plants contain malic acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid etc. They are present in large quantities in fruits and have a mild laxative effect. Saponins: are also glycosides. The most striking property is, with water, the formation of foaming solutions. (sapo = soap) In the body they have a laxative, diuretic effect and promote the loosening of coughs. Very saponin-rich are brokenwort, soapwort, primrose, mullein and others. As with the glycosides, the saponins are split during cooking and are thereby ineffective. Slime: The slime occurring in plants has the property of swelling strongly with water and forming slimy solutions. Plant mucilages have a laxative effect, because the water is retained in the intestine and an excessive thickening of the intestinal contents is made impossible. Mucilages protect the mucous membranes and wound surfaces, so that irritants cannot reach the inflamed or diseased areas. Real slime herbs include linseed and lime blossom.

2. Alkaloids: are nitrogenous compounds that act on the central nervous system. In folk medicine, alkaloid-containing plants are used to a very limited extent, such as henbane (a very poisonous plant), which has an analgesic effect when used externally. Other plants containing strong alkaloid are the deadly nightshade and the aconite. Antibiotics: Penicillin is the most famous representative of the plant kingdom as an antibiotic. In addition to the fungal penicillin, there are also substances known from plants with a similar effect, such as the burdock, which has a strong infection-fighting effect. Bitter substances: have the same medicinal effect, because when ingested by mouth they cause an increased secretion of digestive juices in the mouth, stomach and intestines. Bitter substances are therefore appetizing. Well-known herbs that contain a lot of bitter substances are: absinthe, gentian, centaury, water three-leaf and others. Essential oils: are the main active substances used in folk medicine. They cause the smell of our plants. In general, essential oils have a calming and stimulating effect on the central nervous system. They stimulate the secretion of saliva, gastric juice, intestinal juice and bile. and therefore appetite stimulant. They provide an increased blood supply, especially white blood cells. In short, they have a disinfecting effect. Glycosides: are substances that break down into a non-sugary part and into one or more sugars when boiled for longer. The medicinal effect is caused by the non-sugary part, which can belong to very different chemical compounds. One group are the anthraquinone glycosides, which are mainly found in sporewood, buckthorn and in types of sorrel such as rhubarb and in the senna leaves. A group of glycosides provides salicylic compounds. These are found in the willow, meadowsweet and violets. Their effect is fever and inflammation, disinfecting and pain relieving. Resins: Often secreted in plant glands along with essential oils. They have a stimulating effect on the skin. Tannins: have the property of being able to precipitate proteins. They are mainly found in oak bark, walnut leaf, willow, knotweed, roses, lady's mantle, tormentil and blueberries, etc.The effect of tannins is, among other things, that external stimuli do not penetrate into diseased, deeper mucous membranes and healing can proceed faster. Furthermore, tannins have a bacteria-repellent effect. Tannins contract small blood vessels, on which their styptic effect is based. Minerals: Mineral salts, where potassium and calcium salts are important, are important building materials for the body. Potassium salts have a diuretic effect; calcium salts are important for bone building and for the proper functioning of the nervous system and for resistance to infectious diseases. Silica is also found in almost all plants. The effect of silica is that it strengthens the connective tissue and especially that of the lungs. Organic acids: Almost all plants contain malic acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid etc. They are present in large quantities in fruits and have a mild laxative effect. Saponins: are also glycosides. The most striking property is, with water, the formation of foaming solutions. (sapo = soap) In the body they have a laxative, diuretic effect and promote the loosening of coughs. Very saponin-rich are brokenwort, soapwort, primrose, mullein and others. As with the glycosides, the saponins are split during cooking and are thereby ineffective. Slime: The slime occurring in plants has the property of swelling strongly with water and forming slimy solutions. Plant mucilages have a laxative effect, because the water is retained in the intestine and an excessive thickening of the intestinal contents is made impossible. Mucilages protect the mucous membranes and wound surfaces, so that irritants cannot reach the inflamed or diseased areas. Real slime herbs include linseed and lime blossom.

Chronological overview of medicinal herbs

1. Strawberry The strawberry cools, calms a fever and cleanses blood. It also removes blockages in the lower body, floats stones, cures anemia, rheumatism and gout. The seeds of the strawberries are radioactive; they draw poisons from malignant growths. The strawberry strengthens liver and spleen and heals hemorrhoids, drives water away