| Medicinal compounds found within a plant are the specific
ingredients that make it useful even to modern day medicine. These compounds
have been proven to have no significant role in the metabolism of the plant
itself. These compounds have also been termed secondary plant products
that possibly assume the task of isolating waste matter within the plant
that has accumulated from metabolic processes, but does not go along with
the design of the plants for their growth and efficiency.
Glycosides are among these compounds found in plants some
of which are digitoxins found in foxglove as used in heart medication and
salicin from willows which is present in aspirin as mentioned above.
Another natural medicinal compound found in plants are, alkaloids such
as quinine, codeine, morphine, nicotine and caffeine; when used in small
doses only these are beneficial, but using too much could be harmful, even
deadly. Tannins from the plant are also used in tanning and dyeing
woods or leathers and have been found to be an astringent aiding in the
shrinking of blood vessels. Nearly all of our essential vitamins
needed are present in plants, along with the mineral elements we as humans
and animals require to survive and maintain a healthy life. Also,
some of the oils from the plant contain antimicrobial properties that help
to kill germs, cure infections and break fevers. Oils are also used
for purposes including aromatherapy which involves using plants and herbs
to deal with one’s sense of smell. In essence, there are innumerous benefits
that can be gained from plants and herbs as used for medicine and health
purposes, that seem to be present for our uses. |
