Instance use of herbs

The use of herbal medicines for health prevention and ailments is an increasing trend worldwide. A recent report on international herbal sales suggests that by 2015sales are expected to reach $93 billion dollars, up from$33 billion in 2010 [Dennis J. 2012 international herb & botanical trends. Nutraceutical World.2012].

By definition, ‘traditional’ use of herbal medicines implies substantial historical use, and this is certainly true for many products that are available as ‘traditional herbal medicines’. In many developing countries, a large proportion of the population relies on traditional practitioners and their armamentarium of medicinal plants in order to meet healthcare needs.

The use of herbal remedies has also been widely embraced in many developed countries with complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) now becoming mainstream in the UK and the rest of Europe, as well as in North America and Australia.

Example of plants for herbal medicine:
Valeriana officinalis 
Traditionally used to reduce nervousness in adults and children, notably in case of sleeping disorders

Matricaria chamomilla 
Traditionally used topically as a soothing application and to calm the itching of skin ailments and in cases of cracks, grazes, chapped skin and insect bites

Teucrium polium
Constipation, kidney stones, diabetes, abdominal pain, urinary tract inflammations, flatulence, indigestion, hypertension, obesity

Pimpinella anisum 
Constipation, arthritis, male hypersexuality, common cold, abdominal pain, indigestion, nervosity, hyperactivity, flatulence, urinary tract infections, general weakness
Instance use of herbs