Plant Medicine: What it Is, Origins, and Benefits

~ Gerard Powell

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Introduction

Humans have used plant based medicine to support their health and ease ailments for millennia. Indeed, even now a good number of modern medicines are plant based. One example is aspirin, a pain killer and anti-inflammatory whose active ingredient is salicylic acid, which is derived from willow bark. Practitioners consider plant based medicine to be gentler on the body and to work well with the body’s natural systems. In this exclusive blog, we explore plant medicine, what it is, its origins, lasting benefits, and how I continue to utilize its powers within my life today.

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What is Plant Medicine?

Plant medicine, or phytomedicine , is a type of medicine made from plants. These medicines can be used externally or internally. One famous use of external plant medicine is a cabbage leaf placed on a strained muscle to soothe it. Another use is placing cooled teabags over tired eyes. People also eat healthy plants as part of their diet. Blueberries, for example, are full of antioxidants such as vitamin C . If the plant is used as a medicine to ease an ailment, it’s called an herbal supplement. Herbal supplements can come in many forms.

Powders

Plants used for medicines are often dried then ground into powders to use in teas and capsules. Plant medicine experts tend to prefer teas because the hot water allows the plant to release healing volatile oils. They’re also easier to take than the more potent capsules. Teas can be infusions or decoctions. Infusions are made from flowers, leaves, stems or powders. A decoction is made from plant bark and roots.

Extracts

Extracts are more potent than capsules or teas. They’re made by steeping the plant in alcohol or apple cider vinegar for two to three weeks, straining it and storing the liquid in a dark glass bottle with an eyedropper.

Syrups and Wine Infusions

Syrups are made with medicinal plants boiled in brown sugar water, while wine effusions are made from plants steeped in fortified wines such as sherry or brandy.

External Plant Medicines

Plants are also used medicinally in baths, suppositories, ointments, compresses, poultices, liniments and plasters. Oils, made by simply infusing the plant in oil, are used in massage therapy and to heal wounds and skin conditions.

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How I Incorporated Plant Medicine Into My Daily Life

It’s beautiful where I live. I am surrounded by nature, which includes trees and flowers, fresh air and water, birds, bees and mammals. However, when those trees and flowers start spreading the pollen, my allergies can make me miserable. To combat this, I use plants that help to cleanse mucous and just overall help my body overcome my allergies. These include:

• Blueberries
• Rose hips
• Burdock root
• Comfrey
• Alfalfa sprouts
• Gingko biloba
• Garlic
• Sage
• Thyme
• Kelp

I either add these plant medicines as part of my overall diet, or I can dry them, powder them then use them as teas or capsules. If I’m using the plant as a medicine, I use it for one week on and a few days off to let the medicine and my body do their work. I’ll sip tea throughout the day or start with five herbal capsules on the first day and taper off throughout the week. By the end of the week, I’ll be down to one capsule a day.

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Why Plant Medicine Retreats?

There are other plants that are considered medicinal, but they might not be as widely available or frankly as legal to purchase as the ones mentioned above. Because of this, people who want to heal their body and soul with the help of plants such as ayahuasca and psilocybin mushrooms might go to a retreat where they feel safe and supported.

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Conclusion

Humans have been using plant based medicine ever since the first cave person learned that a certain plant helped bring down a fever, ease a toothache, or help a wound heal faster. While people are more sophisticated, plants remain the basis of many healing protocols – as well as my own.

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