Latest archeological discoveries in Northern Iraq point to how herbal medicine came into rise 60,000 years ago. That’s about 55,000 years older than the earliest records ever unearthed – the clay tablets from 3 to 5 millennia ago!
Either way, all these show us how far back us humans have relied on herbs for their medicinal properties. How these ancient remedies help kept our predecessors healthy.
Of course, there are the most bizarre ancient medicinal practices you wish would never come back. Like the tapeworm diets and mouse paste (we’re serious!).
But did you know that modern medicine still uses many of these ancient herbal remedies? That’s right! Even with today’s flashy health technology, many people still depend on these old practices.
So, read on to learn about these old-school cures that still prove useful today!
Willow
Since pre-historic times, people have used the willow tree’s timber for furniture making. But it’s bark also saw use as a treatment for pain relief.
From the ancient Sumerians and Egyptians to Hippocrates, all them swore by the willow bark’s power to treat ailments. It was also used as a treatment for fever and swelling.
Today, willow still will-ows (sorry) away pains and aches. It’s where your go-to pain-reliever – aspirin – came (and still comes) from after all.
But that’s not the end of its use. In fact, about 700 to 1,000 studies on aspirin occur every year. The more recent ones aim to discover its potential in preventing cancer and strokes.
In any case, this is one ancient remedy you should give a try the next time you’re in pain.
Lavender
Another Egyptian favorite, lavender’s medicinal use traces back to 2,500 years ago. It’s one of the tried and tested ancient natural remedies for sleep problems.
Nowadays, you’ll find this fragrant herb not only adding a touch of pretty purple in gardens but also in kitchens and medicine cabinets. Why?
For starters, the plant’s medicinal powers can help you get those much needed ZZZs. Research has shown that smelling it alone can already slow heart rate and bring down blood pressure. All of these can help you fall asleep faster and longer.
To top it all off, you can bring lavender inside your bedroom. Put a pot of the plant beside your bed, give it a whiff when it’s bedtime, and you may just enjoy its proven sedative effects.
Aloe Vera
Its nickname, “The Plant of Immortality,” should already tell you that the use of Aloe Vera withstood the test of time. The 6,000-year-old carvings of the plant discovered in Egypt prove that. There’s also the fact that it has the power to treat more than 50 ailments.
So, if you think Aloe is only a home remedy for sunburn, think again. It has also shown effectiveness in treating second-degree burns. It can even help reduce dental plaque, treat canker sores, and help with constipation!
Cannabis
The Cannabis plant may have only made headlines in recent times. But its use as an official treatment dates back to 2737 B.C.
According to the Chinese, Emperor Shen Neng prescribed it as a treatment for many ailments, including gout and rheumatism. The emperor even recommended it for improving poor memory!
Today, the use of the herb (both for recreation and medicine) has made it a $9.2-billion industry. We all have research to thank for proving weed’s power as a sleep aid and minimizing chronic pain. There’s also research showing its potential in delaying the progress of Alzheimer’s disease.
We can go on and on about the befits of weed, but you get the gist. It’s no doubt one of the ancient medicinal plants you want to read more about.
Witch Hazel
Its name may conjure (haha) thoughts of witches and magic, but witch hazel’s medicinal properties are no sorcery. From soothing to tasty, the aromatic leaves and bark of the plant can help ease hemorrhoids symptoms and reducing swelling.
The Native Americans were the first ones to use the plant’s leaves and bark. Nowadays, many people still use it in the form of poultice, to help treat scalds and burns. It may even help with conjunctivitis, sores, and yes, those ugly-looking varicose veins.
Leech Therapy
Sounds terrifying, no? But even up to now, medical professionals still use this ancient therapy tracing back to 800 B.C. These creatures played a huge role in bloodletting (another medieval practice), which doctors back then thought could help cure ailments like fevers and headaches.
In modern medicine, surgeons use leeches after skin graft procedures and reconstructive surgeries. They do so to stimulate blood circulation to hasten patients’ recovery after undergoing the knife.
Chicken Soup
That’s right. Your grandmom’s chicken soup recipe she passed on to your mom who then gave it to you whenever you had colds may date back to the 12th century.
Science has taken a closer look at it, and it turns out, this delicious broth could have actual health benefits. Granted, the recipe may need to have more than chicken (like turnips, parsnips, and celery). But at the end of the day, the soup itself may have anti-inflammatory properties, which then help fight colds.
Cranberry Juice
You may have seen your grandparents and your folks drink cranberry juice after complaining about painful urination. But can that red juice help with urinary tract infection?
Well, the Native Americans as well as German physicians back in the 1880s believed so. More recent studies show the fruit’s ability to reduce bacterial activity in the bladder.
Either way, it won’t hurt you if you load up more on cranberry beverages. Plus, it’s refreshing and tasty, so no reason not to drink it.
Try These Ancient Remedies for Yourself
There are plenty of other ancient remedies that prove useful up to now, but you can start with these ones. Well, with the exception of leech therapy, which requires doctor supervision.
The rest are safe for home application. So, you don’t have anything to lose if you sniff lavender the next time you want to go to sleep (except for the dark circles around your eyes).
Want more useful health-related tips like this? Then head over to our blogsite’s health and wellness section. We have loads of other nuggets of wisdom to share with you!
