Phytotherapy, which we can translate as "Herbal Treatment" in our language, is a science as old as human history. Because its existence is directly linked to the existence of humans. Likewise, diseases emerged along with man's adventure on earth, and people first ran to nature to find a cure for these diseases. Treatment with plants is a science that does not lose its fashion today, on the contrary, it is becoming more and more popular. The fact that natural prescriptions of the distant past are still a cure for many diseases, and the emergence of some side effects of synthetic drugs prepared by experts, is one of the main reasons why the interest in this science continues to increase. Herbal Treatment or Plant Science is not a science that everyone can easily learn and write prescriptions. Just as today, in order to become a Pharmacist, one must pass a discipline by studying Pharmacognosy for years and doing an internship for a certain period of time, so it is necessary to pass a similar discipline in this science. Because it is a science that requires great responsibility in terms of its results. Even a very well-known sage grows in nature in 80 different varieties. Beneficial and or poisonous species of hundreds of different plants that we know very well and use all the time, such as sage, also grow in nature. Unfortunately, even experts sometimes cannot distinguish whether the plant is toxic or not when they look at it with the naked eye, and they identify it in a laboratory environment. Nowadays, Pharmacognosy (Plant Science) and Phytotherapy (Herbal Treatment) are also taught as courses in Pharmacy schools, and the discipline that those who want to deal with this science will pass is adequately provided in these schools.
Basic Information About Medicinal Plants
strong>Various parts of a plant contain various active ingredients that are not similar to each other. In the field of treatment with medicinal plants, these sections are defined as herbal drugs. The most used part is the leaves, which contain glycosides and alkaloids. Stems, which can also be defined as a transport route between the roots and leaves, are generally not used, but this rule may change in some plants. Example: Cherry Fruit stalk. That is, the stalks of some plants may also contain active ingredients. Likewise, the bark of some trees is also rich in active ingredients. sample word The bark of the oak tree. The shoots underground, which serve as storage, are defined as rhizome, tuber, root or bulb, depending on their shape. The roots send the water and mineral salts they absorb from the soil to the leaves. They usually store sugar, sometimes vitamins and alkaloids. Flowers and fruits undertake the task of ensuring the continuation of the plant's lineage. They generally have an important place in the field of treatment with medicinal plants, due to the active substances they contain. Flowers that are not picked produce fruit. Plant seed is a reservoir containing the essence of the active substances required during the development phase of the plant. Flowerless dwarf plants, on the other hand, produce yellowish powders similar to pollen.
Active Ingredients Contained by Plants
Plants use the ores they absorb from the soil in their own metabolism, including humans. They transform it into compounds that the body can assimilate: For example, basic nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Other valuable compounds formed in plant metabolism are active substances used for therapeutic purposes: For example, essential oils (essences), alkaloids, tannins and bitter substances. These have positive effects on certain tissues, organs and functions in our organism by increasing the defense power, supporting the functions of organs or accelerating healing. Some of these substances also play important roles in ensuring the survival of the plant in which they are composed. Plants also contain many balancing and directing secondary substances that have properties that accelerate or slow down the assimilation of the main active substances they contain by the human body. The extent to which such secondary active substances can affect the healing properties of a plant can only be understood when the main active substance of the plant is isolated. In other words, significant differences can be seen in the way the main active ingredient used, separated from the guiding and balancing ingredients, interacts. Sometimes it becomes ineffective or its effect increases and unknown side effects may occur in the plant. There are many main active substances and secondary substances in plants, which balance, strengthen and direct each other and can reduce the power of some harmful substances in them. That's why the specific effect of a plant depends on all the ingredients it contains. It is a general effect created by the combination of . The effectiveness of preparations obtained by isolating only 1-2 main active ingredients of the plant may not be sufficient as the healing effects of herbal teas. In addition, the active ingredients that have a healing effect are not found equally in all organs of the plant. The concentration can sometimes be found in the root and bark, and sometimes in the entire plant or in its leaves, flowers, seeds or fruits. Additionally, the active ingredient contents of plants may vary depending on the region where that plant is located and the qualities of the soil that nourishes it. Other factors are seasons, weather conditions and sun condition. The effects of these factors vary depending on the type and organs of the plant.
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