Mac. Vet. Rew. Vol 33, No. 1, 3 - 7, 2010

Review article UDK: 615.322(091) 633.88(091)

THE USE OF MEDICAL PLANTS FROM PAST TILL NOW

Bauer Petrovska Biljana1, Velev Romel2

1 University Ss. Cyril and Methodius – Skopje, Faculty of Pharmacy, 2 University Ss. Cyril and Methodius – Skopje, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; e-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Healing with medical plants is old not more than the mankind. Connection between the man and his tracing for drugs in the nature dates from the past, for what various sources in frame of i.e. written information’s, preserved monuments even though and original plant medicines, give evidence. Consciousness for the use of medical plants are result from the many years struggles with illnesses from which man was informed to discover the drugs in the barks, seeds, fruits and other parts of the plants. For many drugs with plant origin, which are familiar with the ancient civilizations and were used through the millenniums, contemporary science acknowledged their ac- tive acting and placed them in the modern pharmacotherapy. Introduction with the ideas connected with the use of medical plants, and evolution of the consciousness increased the ability of the pharmacists and physicians to respond to the challenges which appeared with the spreading of the professional services in the facilitating of the man’s life.

Key words: medical plants, history, plant drugs, usage,

INTRODUCTION frequent adverse effects of their use, are the reason for actuating the use of drugs with natural origin. Since ancient times people seeking relief from disease, drugs searched in nature. The beginning of use of medical plants have been instinctive, just like IMPORTANT HISTORICAL SOURCES ON animals. In that time there was not enough knowl- THE USE STUDY OF MEDICAL PLANTS edge about the causes of diseases or which plant and how it could be used for treatment all that was based The oldest written evidence of the use of medical on experience. Gradually were discovered specifi c plants for the manufacture of drugs is found on Sum- ways of application of medical plants in certain erian clay slab of Nippur, about 5,000 years old. It diseases, so that the application of medical plants contained 12 recipes for making drugs in which are gradually went from empirical framework and mentioned over 250 different plants, including some based on the explantional facts. Until the emergence such as alkaline. poppy, henbane, and mandrake. of iatrochemistry 16th century plants were the basis Chinese book on roots and herbs Pen Ts’ao written for treatment and prophylaxis. Today, the smaller ef- by Emperor Shen Nung around 2500 years BC ap- fi ciency of the produced synthetic drugs and more plies for 365 drugs (dried parts of medicinal plants), 3 Mac. Vet. Rew. Vol 33, No. 1, 3 - 7, 2010 many of which today are used as: Rhei rhisoma, thet “father of botany” because his services in settling camphor, Theae folium, Podophyllum, Raven, ging- and describing the medicinal plants are large (3). seng, thorn apple, bark of cinnamon and ephedra. In Famous enciclopedist and medical writer Aulus Indian holy books “Rig Veda” healing with plants is Cornelius Celsus (25 yr. BC to 50 years. BC) in his mentioned, which is rich in this country. Very spicy book “De re medica Libri octo” writes about 250 plants that are still used, originating from India: medicinal plants including aloe, henbane, fl ax, pop- nutmeg, pepper, cloves and others. Eber`s papyrus py, pepper, cinnamon, great yellow gentian, carda- written around 1550 years BC, a collection of 800 mom, white hellebore etc. (4). prescription in which are mentioned 700 plant types The most important writer of the old century and drugs used for therapy, including the pomegran- plant drugs “father of Pharmacognosy is Dioscorid ate, castor oil, aloe, senna, garlic, onion, fi g, willow, who, as a military physician and pharmacognost, coriander, centaury etc. (1). According to data from has studied medicinal plants wherever he go with the Bible and Jewish holy book the Talmud, during the Roman army. 77 year wrote the book “De Ma- the various rituals that were used pratele treatment teria Medica”. This classic work of the old centu- plants and fragrant myrtle and incense. From Hom- ry, which is many times translated, gives a lot of er’s epics the Iliad and Odyssey, which occurred data on medicinal plants that constitute the basic about 800 years BC, we learn for 63 plant species medical material until the late Middle Ages and from the Minoan, Mycenaean and Egyptian-Assyria Renaissance. Of the 944 drugs described, 657 are pharmacotherapy. Some names have received un- of plant origin with descriptions of the external der the mythological characters of these epics, such appearance, location, method of collection, prepa- as Oman (Inula helenium L. Asteraceae) named in ration of herbal medicines and their therapeutic honor of Helena around which fought in the Trojan action. Beside the description of the plant are of- War. The plant of the genus Artemisia, which are ten given the names of other languages and places believed to return to power and protect health, the where they grow or are cultivated. The prevailing name is derived from the Greek word meaning Ar- plants with slight agitation, but using those con- temis healthy. Herodotus (500 yr. BC) mentions cas- taining alcaloid and other substances with strong tor oil, and garlic hellebore, Orpheus and Pythagoras action (hellebore, white hellebore, poppy, Ranun- sea onion (Scilla maritima), mustard and cabbage. culus, thorn apple, henbane, deadly nightshade). In Hipocryte works (459-370 years. BC) listed over The domestic plants are most appreciated Dioscorid 300 medicinal plants distributed by the physiologi- willow, chamomile, garlic, onions, white marsh- cal effects including: fever have been used against mallow, ivy, wort, nettle, sage, centaury, coriander, bitterness and centaury (Centaurium umbellatum parsley, garlic and sea white hellebore. Chamomile Gilib) against intestinal parasites garlic, were used (Matricaria recucita L.) Chamaemelon known, used as precursors opium, henbane, and mandrake, dead- as antifl ogistic treatments for wounds, stings, burns ly nightshade; as a mean to cause vomiting and hel- and ulcers, clystering and then rinse the eyes, ears lebore, European wild ginger; as a diuretic coastal nose and mouth. For the benefi t carminative action onion, celery, parsley, asparagus, garlic, and as ad- is particularly suitable for use on children. Dioscorid stringent oak, pomegranate (2). Theophrast (371- thought abortive act, which wrote: “The fl ower root 287 years. BC), student of Plato and Aristotle, in his and whole plant accelerate menstruation, accelerat- book “De causis plantarium (Aetiology of plants) ed the release of the embryo and excretion of urine and” De historia plantarium “(History of Plants) and scale, if used in the form of infusion. This false describes guidelines for collecting, preparation and belief was later accepted by the Romans and Ar- application of medicinal plants. He made a classi- abs, hence the Latin name Matricaria, derived from fi cation of over 500 species previously known me- two word mater meaning mother, or matrix, which dicinal plants. Among other he mentions cinnamon, means uterus. More Dioscorid distinguish more spe- the iris rhizome, white hellebore, mint, pomegran- cies of the genus Mentha, which were grown and ate, cardamom, hellebore, Aconitum napellus and used against headaches and stomach. The coastal others. While describing poisonous effect of plant garlic bulbs and parsley are used as diuretics, while Theophrast underlines the important attribute of man the bark of oak used for gynecological purposes, to get use them with the gradually increasing doses. and white willow as antipiretic. Scilae bulbus un- Discoveries in these topics gained him with the epi- der Dioscorid used as expectorant, and cardiacum 4 Mac. Vet. Rew. Vol 33, No. 1, 3 - 7, 2010 antihidrotic (5). It is important that Dioscorid sug- And “Lieber magnae collectionis simplicum alimen- gested the possibility of counterfeiting of drugs such torum et medicamentorum from Ibn Bajtar (1197- as domestic counterfeiting of opium juice with milk 1248 yr.) described in over 1000 medicinal plants. yellow poppy (Glaucium fl avum) and Poppy, Ori- The Macedonian region is particularly important ac- ental and more expensive drugs, which are worn by tivity of St. Kliment Ohridski, who was using phar- Arab traders from the Far East, such as iris, com- macologically Nicene code of 850, he expanded his mon sweet fl ag, caradamom, incense and more. knowledge of medicinal plants t to his students and Pliny the Elder (23-79 yr. AD), a contemporary of through them the masses (3). Travels of Marco Polo Dioscorid who traveled in Germany and Spain, in (1254-1324 yr.) In tropical Asia, China and Persia, his work “Historia naturalis” mentioned about the the discovery of America (1492 yr.) and Vasco da approximately 1,000 medicinal plants. The writ- Gama travel in India (1498), bringing Europe nu- ings of Pliny and Dioscorid collected all previously merous medicinal plants. Boot botanical gardens known knowledge of medical plants. The most fa- tare over Europe which attempts to breed domestic mous Roman physician (also a pharmacist) Galen and medicinal herbs brought from the old and the (131-200 yr.) Compilated the fi rst list of drugs with new world. With the discovery of America, materia are similar or with same action (parallel drugs) that medica is enriched with a substantial number of new can be replaced with each other, “De succedanus. medicinal plants: Cinchona, Ipecacuanha, sprat, Ra- From today’s vantage point, some of the proposed tanhia, Lobelia, Jalapa, Podophdilum, Senega, Va- substitutes do not respond to pharmacological sense nilla, mate, tobacco, pepper and others. In the 17th and are completely unacceptable. Galen introduces century in European medicine is introduce peruvian in therapy and use some new herbal drugs which bark obtained from Cinchona tree, known under the Dioscorid not describes as Uvae ursi folium, which name “Contessa powder” because it fi rst use as a today are use as uroantiseptic and mild diuretic. In drug by contessa Cinhon. Peruvian bark quickly the Middle Ages the skill of healing, the therapy is conquered England, France and Germany, although based on 16 medical plants which physician monks there were opponents by the side of many reputable necessarily grown as follows: sage, fennel, mint, doctors members of various academies. Paracelsus Greek seeds, savory, tanacetum, etc. (1493-1541) was one of the proponents of chemi- Charlemagne (742-814 yr.), The founder of the cal medicines prepared from raw plant and mineral famous medical school in Salerno, in his “Kapitu- substances, and still fi rmly believed that the col- lari” ordered medicinal plants to be grown on state lection of these substances should be astrologicaly property. Listed were about 100 different plants that obtained. He often highlighted his faith in observa- today are used as: sage, coastal garlic, iris, mint, tion and at the same time he advocated “signature- centaury, poppy, marshmallow and others. Great doctrinae doctrine of signature. It is the belief that rulers especially appreciated sage (Salvia offi cinalis God placed his sign of healing substances that dem- L.). Latin name comes from the old Latins who call onstrates their use in certain diseases eg. European saving herb (salvare = rescue, recovery). Sage today wild ginger like the liver, therefore, must be good for is obligatory plant in all Catholic monasteries (5, 6). diseases of the liver St John’s wort would be good In the Middle Ages the Arabs introduced many new for treating wounds and stings, because the leaves of medicinal plants in pharmacotherapy, mostly from this plant look like stained. While the older people India, which traded most with real healing value, have used medicinal plants mainly in the form of which until this day are held in all the pharmacopoe- simple pharmaceutical forms: inphuzes, decoctes ia in the world. Arabs used aloe, deadly nightshade, macerates and in the Middle Ages, and especially to henbane, coffee, ginger, strihnos, saffron, turmeric, 16th - 18th century demanded more complex drugs pepper, cinnamon, rheumatism, Senna and others. that beside medical plants and includes drugs of ani- Some drugs with strong action replaced with less mal and vegetable origin. action. So, for example. Sennae folium was used as In many drug – terriac was made from several laxans weaker than the previously used purgative medicinal plants, rare animals and minerals are more Heleborus odorus and Euphorbium. Throughout the appreciated and with more expensive value for sale. Middle Ages, European physicians are served with In 18th century Linnaeus (1707-1788 yr.) In his work Arab works “De re medica” by Ioannis Mesuae (850 Species Plantarium (1753) gives a brief description yr.) “Canon Medicine” by Avicenna (980-1037 yr.) and classifi cation of previously described species. 5 Mac. Vet. Rew. Vol 33, No. 1, 3 - 7, 2010 Species have been described and named without which will be considered as a historical curiosity, taking account of whether some of them were pre- as possible sources of modern pharmacotherapy. viously described. The appointment was used poli- Today, almost all Pharmacopoeia: Ph Eur 6 (12), nominal system where the fi rst word denotes a genus UPS XXXI (13), BP 2007 (14) in the world pre- other polinominalna phrase explains other features scribe herbal medicinal drugs from the real value. of the plant (eg Willow Klusijus call Salidzh antera Some countries (UK, Russia, Germany (15)) have angustifolia pumila). Linnaeus changed the system special herbal pharmacopoeia. However in practice, of appointment in binominal. The name of each spe- always use a large number of unoffi cial drugs. Their cies consists of the name of the genus which begins application is based on the experience of folk medi- with a capital letter and the name of the type that cine (traditional or folk medicine) or new scientifi c starts with a small letter (7). The beginning of the research and experimental results (conventional 19th century is a milestone in knowledge and use medicine). Many medicinal plants are used only as of medical plants. The discovery, proof and isolat- medication as recommendation of the physicians ing the alcaloids from the opium poppy (1806 yr.) and pharmacist. Used alone or in combination with ipecacuana (1817 yr.) strychnos (1817 yr.) peruvian synthetic drugs (complementary medicine). bark (1820 yr.) pomegranate (1878.) of other plants, For treatment to be adequate and successfully ap- and then isolating the glycoside,all that marks the plied, it is necessary to know the exact diagnosis of the beginning of scientifi c pharmacy. With the develop- disease, knowledge of medicinal plants or pharma- ment of chemical methods were discovered other cological activity of their ingredients. As therapeu- active ingredients from medicinal plants, tannins, tic tools are used herbal drugs and phytopreparates, saponozides, ether oils, vitamins, hormones, etc. (8). usually defi ned active ingredients, certifi ed opera- At the end of 19th and beginning of the 20th century tion and sometimes therapeutic effi cacy. In Europe’s there was a great danger-medicinal plants complete- largest producer and consumer of herbal preparations ly to be removed from the therapy. Many authors Germany, is carried phytotherapy rational based on have written that drugs derived from them have the use of agents whose effi ciency depends on the many short comings, due to devastating effect on application dose, identifi ed effective compounds, the enzymes that cause profound changes during the and their effi ciency is confi rmed eksperimental and drying of medicinal plants. Currents depend of the clinical tests. These products are made from stan- way of drying. Isolating the glycoside and alcaloids dardized extracts of plant drugs and subject to all in pure state began in the 19th century terapy more requirements for quality of pharmaceutical drugs. to suppress the drugs that are separated. However, The new law on drugs and medical devices from quickly concluding that the effect of pure alcaloids September 2007 (16), in the Republic of Macedo- although is faster, the effect of alcaloid drugs in nia, dried or fresh parts of medicinal plants (herbal many cases are complete and lasting. In the early substances) may be prepared: herbal medicines, 20th centuries were proposed methods of stabiliza- herbal preparations and traditional herbal medicines. tion of fresh medicinal plants, especially those with Herbal substances can be used for the production of unstable medical ingredients. Apart from that, great homeopathic medicines, which are also provided efforts were invested in studying the conditions of by this law. In the Republic of Macedonia herbal production and cultivation of medical plants (9, 10). preparations are dispensed without a prescription as With the chemical, physiological and clinical tri- (“over The counter “OTC) preparations. als in pharmaceuticals many forgotten plants and medicines derived were returned in use, from them: aconitum, pomegranate, hyoscyamus, thorn CONCLUSION apple, Secale cornutum, male fern rhizome, opium, Colchicum, castor oil, etc.. The active ingredients People since ancient times trying to fi nd a medi- of medicinal plants are the product of natural mod- cation to relieve pain and cure various diseases. In ern laboratory. The drug received from them the each period, with each subsequent century of de- human organism is best tolerated, because man velopment of mankind and advanced civilizations, is an integral part of nature (11). Such examples were establishing medicinal properties of certain are many, perhaps they will encourage serious re- medicinal plants, and interviewers were transmitted search on old manuscripts of medicinal plants, to future generations. The benefi ts of a society are 6 Mac. Vet. Rew. Vol 33, No. 1, 3 - 7, 2010 taught to another, which upgrade old, revealed new health culture in Macedonia, Macedonian phar- medicinal properties, until today. Continuous and maceutical company, Skopje, 17-27. uninterrupted interest of people for medical plants, 4. Tucakov, J.. 1948th Pharmacognosy, Fantasy led to today’s modern and sophisticated way of their Books, Belgrade, 8-21. processing and use. 5. Tucakov, J.. 1990th Treatment biljem, RAD, Belgrade, 576-78. LITERATURE 6. Tucakov, J.. 1990th Treatment biljem, Rad, Beograd, 24-37. 1. Tucakov, J.. 1964th Pharmacognosy, Institute for issuing udzhbenika Wed Srbije, Beograd, 11- 7. Janchikj, R. 2002nd Botany farmaceutika, Pub- 30. lic preduzeche Fig. Page FRY, Belgrade, 83-86. 2. Gorunovikj, M., Lukic, P. 2,001th Pharmacog- 8. Dervendzhi, ext. 1992nd Contemporary treat- nosy, Gorunovikj, M., Beograd, 1-5. ment with medicinal plants, Tabernakul, Skopje, 3. Nikolovski, B. 1995th Essays on the history of 5-43.

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