"There are many plants which are part of day-to-day diets, that have long been known to have healing properties."
Since the beginning of time, humans have used plants to treat ailments. Some of the earliest medicines, which are currently used in modern medicine as well, were derived from plants. Examples include aspirin, derived from the bark of the willow tree and the antimalarial medicine quinine, derived from the bark of the cinchona tree. Even today, close to 40% of medications are either derived from plants or inspired by related chemicals. Most of these plants however, have not been part of daily human diet, but have been valued for their medicinal properties. We now know plants contain many bio-active compounds and therefore it is not at all far-fetched that most of the foods nature provides not only maintain our health, but can actually heal us.
There are many plants which are part of our day-to-day diets, that have long been known to have healing properties, some which have even been scientifically studied. One of these is mint, used in cooking, teas and chutneys. Its active ingredient, menthol is used in lozenges and has the ability to reduce itching, open sinuses, and relieve soreness of the upper respiratory tract.
Similarly, turmeric is derived from the underground rhizomes of Curcuma longa, a member of the ginger family. It is widely used in India as a culinary spice and curcumin, one its active ingredients, has been studied for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and anti-oxidant properties. It is also believed to make connective tissue supple (the reason Indian yogis can contort into impossible asanas?).
These are just two of many plants used in food that have been studied scientifically, but there are many more that have not undergone similar research, although that is changing. Ancient claims about the medicinal value of plants are slowly, but surely, being backed by research. Until that evidence comes through, there is good reason to trust that foods that the ancients have eaten over the centuries, are good for us and we should not be messing with them unless there is a dire need to do so.
On the other hand, going on a fad diet with large amounts of the few foods proven to have health benefits would be as dangerous and unhealthy as not consuming them at all. The key to using food as medicine is eating a balanced diet and including foods with known benefits. Remember different areas of the world have different native foods, and many foods may have similar benefits. Old is truly gold in this instance - ancient dietary practices are time-proven to be good for us.
There are many plants which are part of our day-to-day diets, that have long been known to have healing properties, some which have even been scientifically studied. One of these is mint, used in cooking, teas and chutneys. Its active ingredient, menthol is used in lozenges and has the ability to reduce itching, open sinuses, and relieve soreness of the upper respiratory tract.
Similarly, turmeric is derived from the underground rhizomes of Curcuma longa, a member of the ginger family. It is widely used in India as a culinary spice and curcumin, one its active ingredients, has been studied for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and anti-oxidant properties. It is also believed to make connective tissue supple (the reason Indian yogis can contort into impossible asanas?).
These are just two of many plants used in food that have been studied scientifically, but there are many more that have not undergone similar research, although that is changing. Ancient claims about the medicinal value of plants are slowly, but surely, being backed by research. Until that evidence comes through, there is good reason to trust that foods that the ancients have eaten over the centuries, are good for us and we should not be messing with them unless there is a dire need to do so.
On the other hand, going on a fad diet with large amounts of the few foods proven to have health benefits would be as dangerous and unhealthy as not consuming them at all. The key to using food as medicine is eating a balanced diet and including foods with known benefits. Remember different areas of the world have different native foods, and many foods may have similar benefits. Old is truly gold in this instance - ancient dietary practices are time-proven to be good for us.
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