Medicinal Plants

History of medicinal plants. Archaeological evidence indicates that the use of medicinal plants dates back to the Paleolithic age, approximately 60,000 years ago. Written evidence of herbal remedies dates back over 5,000 years to the Sumerians, who compiled lists of plants.

Biological cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants, also known as herbal farming or herb cultivation, involves sustainable and organic farming of plants that are used for medicinal, culinary, or aromatic purposes. This type of cultivation is important for producing high-quality herbs and botanicals that can be used in traditional medicine, herbal remedies, essential oils, perfumes, culinary herbs, and more.

Plants have been used for medicinal purposes long before recorded history. Ancient Chinese and Egyptian papyrus writings describe medicinal uses for plants as early as 3,000 BC

Hippocrates, 460-380 BC, known as the “Father of Medicine,” classified herbs into their essential qualities of hot and cold, moist and dry, and developed a system of diagnosis and prognosis using herbs. The number of effective medicinal plants he discussed was between 300 and 400 species.

Researchers have found evidence of yarrow, chamomile, and poplar on the tooth plaque of Neanderthals dating back to 60,000 BCE (Before the Common Era, formerly BC).

The most significant contribution to the medicinal plant descriptions was made by Dioscorides. While serving as a Roman army physician, he wrote De Materia Medica in about AD 60. This five-volume work is a compilation concerning approximately 500 plants and describes the preparation of about 1000 simple drugs. According to their longevity or life cycle, medicinal plants or herbs are classified as annuals, biennials, and perennials.

Medicinal Plants I- Level I

Medicinal Plants II- Level II

Medicinal Plants III- Level II