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All through literature as far back as the bible and actually even before, herbs have been used to cure everything from indigestion, wounds, aches, fever, colds, depression and insomnia just to mention a few ailments. Down through history claims have been made about miraculous herbs and their extraordinary healing powers that have since been proven incorrect but more often than not they have been scientifically proved to be of some benefit. With that in mind, let us take a look at the various traditional uses for some herbs throughout history and for fun, what the current scientific establishment says about them.
Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) had been used in Asia for centuries before anyone in the western world knew of its existence. Perhaps that was a good thing for the Chinese who valued it so highly they preferred it to gold. Gold never cured anything after all. They called Ginseng the ultimate tonic good for improving the ravishes of aging like memory loss, impotence, menopause troubles, senility, arthritis, sexual disinterest and lethargy. They claimed it gave people wisdom and insight and when taken daily, increased longevity.
There are skeptics to all these claims but in various studies Ginseng has been shown to improve the body’s resistence to illness, memory, productivity, physical stamina and learning. It has also been proved to significantly help in cases of heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, liver problems and in the treatment of cancer.
Valerian had been touted as the wonder herb since before the Roman Empire. It got the name from the Latin word for strong Valere but some like the noted herbalists of the time Pliny, Dioscorides and Galen, merely called it “Fu” because it was a stinky smelling root. They loved it though along with many others who came after, such as the English herbalist Nicolas Culpeper, the Scottish herbalist John Gerard and the American “Eclectic” physician Samuel Thomson. They all recommended the use of Valerian for relieving pain, as a decongestant, a tranquilizer, an antispasmodic and even to relieve insomnia, stress, headache, anxiety and convulsions associated with epilepsy. No wonder many called it “All Heal”, a panacea for the masses.
Today most of those claims are still valid, especially in treating insomnia, anxiety and as an antispasmodic for intestinal and uterine cramps.
Cocoa (chocolate) was used by the Central Americans back several centuries before the Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortez came to Mexico and asked Montezuma what that dark, bitter drink was in his goblet. After that it was a well kept secret in the Spanish court for over a hundred years. Once the English and Dutch got their hands on it, however, it was sweetened and milk was added and then its popularity really took off. But I hear you saying “Chocolate isn’t an herb!” Well, there are plenty who beg to differ especially those who love the stuff.
Aztecs were the first to discover its uses for fever, coughs, complaints of pregnancy and childbirth and they used the cocoa butter for burns, on balding heads, chapped lips and on nursing mother’s tender nipples. American “Eclectic” physicians in nineteenth century instructed invalids and those recovering from severe illness to drink chocolate instead of coffee or tea and prescribed it for asthma sufferers. Incidentally, it wasn’t until nineteenth century that the liquid chocolate was first made into the candy that we have today.
Now we can say that science has proven chocolate is good for us. It can serve as a slight stimulant due to the tiny amount of caffeine within it (13 milligrams per cup of chocolate verses 65 per cup of coffee), as a digestive aid (Grab that chocolate cake after dinner for medicinal purposes only) and to relieve asthma (I know you never breath quite well enough without some).
Catnip was never intended for kitty cats. For at least two thousand years Catnip was used all through Europe and Asia as a sedative, digestive aid, to bring on menstruation, as a tranquilizer and to relieve abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, flatulence and infant colic. Though these claims have yet to be refuted there is one no one is too certain about. When the colonists introduced Catnip into America there were some who insisted eating the root of catnip would make you down right ornery. Believing this, they used to give it to hangmen before an execution to “get them in the right mood for the job”. If this is even remotely true it is best to stick to the leaves as we have enough road-rage as it is.
Ancient Indians used Ginger in cooking, to keep food from spoiling and for digestion troubles. They also ate large quantities of it to cleanse their bodies and spirits before religious ceremonies. They seemed to think their deities would like them better if they smelled good. But way before that around 3000 B.C. the noted Chinese herbalist Shen Nung prescribed Ginger for colds, fever, chills, tetanus and leprosy. He also claimed it put a person “in touch with the spiritual realm” and eliminated body odor. Then it was said to be good for preventing seasickness and they started using it to treat arthritis and kidney problems. Menstrual cramps, morning sickness and gynecological troubles were also relieved with Ginger.
It was the ancient Greeks who started wrapping bits of Ginger in bread to prevent indigestion and this practice eventually became the wonderful ginger bread grandma used to make. In the American colonies Ginger was made into “Ginger Beer” for soothing diarrhea, upset tummies dysentery, flatulence and vomiting.
Nowadays there isn’t a mom out there that doesn’t know ginger-ale, the modern equivalent of Ginger Beer, is the best home remedy for upset bellies. Ginger has been proven to ease vertigo, motion and morning sickness. Studies also show Ginger kills the flu virus, helps arthritis, heart disease, stroke and high cholesterol.
There are hundreds other herbs with fascinating histories and these were only a handful. Just grab the bible and you’ll see plenty of items you probably have in your spice rack, in your garden or, in the case of Chocolate, hiding inside your purse or desk drawer. Don’t you just love history in the making?
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Author Bio Box: Glory Lennon
 If you are curious for more tantalizing garden facts and amusing stories visit http://www.helium.com/user/32782 or http://www.myspace.com/glorygarden
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