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Gardening Area => The Eco-Garden => Topic started by: PermieGing on October 14, 2013, 06:50:07 PM

Title: What are Medicinal Plants?
Post by: PermieGing on October 14, 2013, 06:50:07 PM

http://permaculturenews.org/2013/10/09/medicinal-plants/ (http://permaculturenews.org/2013/10/09/medicinal-plants/)

"In contrast though, medicinal plants, in many incidences and within various cultures, are described by their adherents as working on a higher physiological level. Astringents make muscle solids firm; diaphoretics promote perspiration by the skin, which makes them more versatile. A plant that increases the secretion of urine can also be used to treat kidney and bladder ailments or to eliminate body poisons. For example, tannins are compounds that bind with proteins in the skin and mucous membranes and convert them into insoluble, resistant tissues. So plants that are high in tannins may be used for a number of ailments such as; diarrhea, wounds, inflamed gums and hemorrhoids.

Medicinal plants commonly have several constituents working together catalytically to produce a combined effect which surpasses their individual activity. Modes of preparation and ingestion are also very important."

Title: Re: What are Medicinal Plants?
Post by: isaak on October 14, 2013, 07:32:43 PM

Thanks for posting PermieGing. The first two paragraphs are particularly relevant to the research project I'm currently working on.

Title: Re: What are Medicinal Plants?
Post by: Seed Collector on October 15, 2013, 05:24:55 AM

"tannins are compounds that bind with proteins in the skin and mucous membranes and convert them into insoluble, resistant tissues. So plants that are high in tannins may be used for a number of ailments such as; diarrhea, wounds, inflamed gums and hemorrhoids."

This reminds me of Persimmon trees (high tannin content).

I once had an Ecology instructor tell the class that Persimmon foliage was used by Native Americans, and they "tanned" hides with that foliage inside barrels of water.

Title: Re: What are Medicinal Plants?
Post by: PermieGing on October 15, 2013, 02:13:29 PM

I have persimmon trees alllll around me.
I are about 20 sweetish ones off the ground, and had like a chemical burn on my toungue for a week!
But they were good! Hehe

I tried getting lots of seed, but their seed is odd, some is like flat?