Plants in Healthcare: Past, Present and Future

Abstract

Plants have been used as medicines or sources of medicines from a very ancient stage of human civilization. In the ancient days, the collected plant parts were used directly or in dried and preserved conditions. Afterward, the dried parts of the medicinal plants were used as medicine as single or poly-herbal mixtures with or without vehicle as used in present-day Ayurveda and alike medical systems. In homeopathy, the ethanol extracts of dried plant parts are used. Identification of active principles from the extracts of the dried plant parts has made the basis of laboratory synthesis of many drugs of modern medicine. Some novel types of healthcare techniques are proposed for further validation. Following a diet containing selected herbal foods (DIP diet) in an unprocessed state along with a change in lifestyle can control many diseases. Fruit pulp, fruit juice and other related food products can be prepared by using only herbal plant parts and also can be supplied without the addition of any synthetic chemicals. Similarly, medicines prepared from the succulent parts of the medicinal plants can effectively be used to prevent and cure many diseases. All these can be performed following some novel procedures of collection, chemical-free processing, packaging, storage, and transportation to the patients and consumers.