This article is about some of the medicinal plants or vegetables we use in our everyday life. Some people though are unaware of the medicinal properties of these plants. This blog will discuss history of traditional medicine and focus mainly on ginger and honey. 

Before the establishment of science-based medicine or western medicine as it is known today, traditional medicine was the dominant medical system for millions of people in Africa.

Herbal medicines include herbs, herbal materials, herbal preparations, and finished herbal products that contain parts of plants or other plant materials as active ingredients.

HISTORY OF HERBAL MEDICINE 

The study of herbs dates back 5,000 years to the ancient Sumerians, who described well-established medicinal uses for plants. In Ancient Egyptian medicine. The practice did spread to other parts of Africa and is still used till date 

Wikipedia describes the traditional African medicine as a discipline involving indigenous diviners, midwives, and herbalists. Practitioners of traditional African medicine claim to be able to cure various and diverse conditions such as cancers, psychiatric disorders, high blood pressure,  venereal diseases, epilepsy, asthma, eczema, fever, anxiety, depression, urinary tract infections, gout, and healing of wounds and burns and even Ebola see here  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_African_medicine

here are the list of the most common medicinal vegetables

• Garlic. (Cloves, root) …
• Ginger. (Root) …
• Gingko. (Leaf) …
• Ginseng. (Root)
• honey 

Some plants used by traditional healers are fennel, serpentine, cinchona, quinine, digitalis, and vinca rose. find out more information here 

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF GINGER AND HONEY. 

The ginger spice comes from the roots of the plant. Ginger is native to warmer parts of Asia, such as China, Japan, and India, but now is grown in parts of South American and Africa. It is also now grown in the Middle East to use as medicine and with food. 

Ginger is commonly used for various types of “stomach problems,” including motion sickness morning sickness, colic, upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, nausea, nausea in cases of cancer treatment or nausea caused by HIV/AIDS treatment or after surgery, loss of appetite. more details about the uses here https://ckk.ai/PpYo

Human use of honey is traced to some 8000 years ago, Honey has been reported to have an inhibitory (stop the growth or spread) effect on around 60 species of bacteria, some species of fungi and viruses. Antioxidant capacity of honey is important in many disease condition more information here https://ckk.ai/0zZVU

The practice of traditional medicine is still on in Africa. Many herbal doctors claim to be able to treat various diseases and in some cases this may have been confirmed by locals. 

In conclusion I will say that there is a need for the examination and exploration of the medicinal plants and contents utilized by these doctors to treat their patients, This might aid the invention of new drugs to fight the most resistant viruses and bacteria of our present age. 

DO YOU HAVE TO SEE A DOCTOR EACH TIME YOU’VE GOT FLU?

The debate whether to see a doctor whenever you have a flu is still contended today. Some will say yes while others would suggest bed rest and a lot of fluids. My answer would be that it depends on what kind of flu you have, how severe it is and whether it is of viral or bacterial origin. 

viral flu do not necessarily require you to see a doctor. Patients recover from viral flu 3–5 days after (under normal circumstances). Bed rest, drinking warm fluids are advised in this case. Seeing a doctor in the case of viral flu may not be necessary. 

Bacteria originated flu does require you to see a doctor as complications may result if left untreated. This then raises the question how do you know if your flu is of viral or bacteria origin? This might be a difficult question to answer if you have no medical experience. Find out more about how to tell the difference in this article here https://ckk.ai/nLZ0l

Finally, you may need some kind of knowledge to be able to differentiate what type of cold you have, Hence it is most advisable to see a physician if your flu is severe and accompanied with cough. Find out more about when to see a doctor here https://ckk.ai/lF4sm

Thank you for reading...