Use of medicinal and aromatic plants

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been used to relieve pain and treat various diseases by indigenous communities in different parts of the world, since the origin of humanity. According to records of WHO, in 1970s there were 21, 000 identified medicinal plants. Moreover, it is estimated that this number is above 70, 000 today. "Aromatic plants" is a special class of plants used for their aroma and flavor. In various medicines and aromatherapy, many of the aromatic plants are used for their medicinal and aromatic features. Furthermore, they are also used as nutrition, cosmetic, spice and herbal tea. The parts of plants, such as leaf, flower, fruit, fruit peel, seed, root, tuber, bulb, branch or stem bark, branch tips, stalk and wood are used to provide medicinal and aromatic benefits. In this chapter, the concept of medicinal and aromatic plants and the development of these plants throughout history are examined. In addition, along with the commercial use of medicinal and aromatic plants, botanical gardens, medicinal and aromatic plant gardens, and therapeutic gardens are being created to conserve, exhibit, recognize, register, and also to create good environments for people are mentioned. Also, some examples of these kinds of gardens from different parts of the world are provided.