These plants have proven to be effective in treating certain medical conditions.
Recently we talked about herbs that are sold in pharmacies: they can be brewed, made into poultices or bought as syrups. And in most cases they do no good, and some even do harm.
This time we are looking into which herbs have actually become medicines. We are not talking about plants, but about the preparations that are made from them.
We remind you that we are talking about medications, and not recommending them for the treatment of any diseases. All medications must be prescribed by a doctor.
1. Willow
Willow (Salix) – sourcesalicin aspirin, a substance that became the basis for the creation. Willow bark has traditionally been used to reduce fever and relieve pain, but it wasn’t until the 19th century that scientists isolated salicin. Over time, a synthetic analogue was developed based on it — acetylsalicylic acid, the active ingredientаспирина.
Salicin in the bodyturns intointo salicylic acid, which has anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic properties. It blocks the enzyme cyclooxygenase, thereby reducing the production of prostaglandins – substances that cause inflammation and pain. Due to this, aspirin is effective in treating headaches, back pain, arthritis,менструальных спазмовand colds.
Clinical studiesconfirmedthat willow bark extract may be useful for lower back pain, dysmenorrhea, and mild arthritis pain, although it is less effective than aspirin. However, natural willow bark preparations are gentler and less likely to cause stomach irritation.
In addition to its pain-relieving effect, aspirin is widelyappliesto prevent cardiovascular disease. It thins the blood and reduces the risk of blood clots, which helps prevent heart attacks and strokes. Clinical trials have shown that aspirin can reduce the likelihood of heart attacks in patients at high risk of cardiovascular complications.
Despite its effectiveness, aspirin has contraindications . It is not recommended for children and adolescents due toriskdevelopment of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but dangerous condition that affects the brain and liver. Long-term use can also lead to stomach problems, including ulcers and bleeding.
2. Cinchona tree
Cinchona tree (Cinchona calisya) is a plant known for its main active ingredient, quinine .
Quinine is used primarily as a treatment for malaria . It inhibits the reproduction of plasmodia, the causative agents of the disease, preventing their development in red blood cells. However, the mechanism by which it works is not fully understood. Over time, strains of Plasmodium falciparum resistant to quinine emerged, so it began to be combined with other antimalarial drugs such as artemisinin, clindamycin, doxycycline, and mefloquine.
In addition to treating malaria, quinine is used to treat babesiosis, a disease caused by parasites transmitted by tick bites . It also has the ability to inhibit tumor necrosis factor activity, but this effect is still being studied and is not used in clinical practice.
Quinine affects the sodium channels of muscle cells, which is why it was previously used to treat nocturnal leg cramps and myotonia. Clinical studies have shown the substance to be effective against nocturnal leg cramps, but due to a high rate of adverse reactions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned its use for this purpose.
Quinine also has a mild antipyretic effect and was previously used in common cold medications. However, its effect is less pronounced compared to modern drugs.
In oncology, quinine is being studied as a means of combating multidrug resistance in patients with acute leukemia . In studies, combination therapy with quinine and chemotherapy drugs demonstrated higher survival rates compared to conventional chemotherapy.
3. Foxglove
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a source of digoxin , a cardiac glycoside. Digoxin is extracted from its leaves. This substance helps the heart beat stronger and more regularly, making it an important treatment for heart failure and atrial fibrillation .
The mechanism of action is explained by the fact that digoxin blocks an important enzyme in heart cells that regulates the balance of sodium and potassium. This causes a build-up of sodium and an increase in potassium, which helps the heart contract more strongly and work better.
The effectiveness of digoxin was tested back in the 18th century by the English doctor William Withering. Although digoxin was used to treat various diseases at that time, today it is used primarily in cardiology. To make tablets, the substance is synthesized in laboratories, although it was originally obtained from foxglove leaves.
Despite its benefits, digoxin is toxic at high doses, causing nausea, vomiting, visual impairment, and even death. It is believed to contribute to visual aberrations, a condition in which colors and light are perceived in a distorted way. A similar effect can be seen in the paintings of Van Gogh , who may have taken foxglove for epilepsy.
4. Belladonna
Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) is a poisonous plant of the nightshade family. Its roots, leaves and fruits contain several active substances: hyoscyamine, scopolamine and the main component atropine .
Atropine blocks the transmission of nerve signals to muscles and glands, helping to restore the heartbeat during cardiac arrest, treat poisoning by insecticides and poisonous mushrooms, and reduce the secretion of saliva and mucus during surgery.
Medicines containing this substance are widely used in modern medicine:
- Atropine solutions are used in ophthalmology to dilate pupils during eye examinations.
- Atropine is used in injection form for bradycardia – a slow heartbeat – and before surgery to reduce secretions.
- The plant extract is included in antidotes for certain types of poisoning and in remedies for gastrointestinal spasms.
However, belladonna-based medications should be used with caution: an overdose can cause hallucinations, convulsions , and even death. A doctor should prescribe the drug and select its dosage, taking into account all the features of your health.
5. Licorice
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a plant that contains glycyrrhizic acid. This active substance has anti-inflammatory, antiviral and even anti-cancer properties . Licorice root is also rich in flavonoids, which give it a bright yellow color.
Glycyrrhizic acid is used in medicine to treat inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, as well as viral infections, including hepatitis and even herpes. Licorice-based preparations are used for diseases of the stomach, liver and respiratory tract.
Scientists are also trying to find out whether licorice can protect cells from damage, suppress viruses and cancer, and treat complex neurological diseases. Animal studies are currently underway that show its possible effectiveness in chronic viral hepatitis , stomach and intestinal ulcers, liver problems, and Parkinson’s disease.
Although licorice has many health benefits, excessive consumption can cause side effects, including increased blood pressure and decreased potassium levels. Despite this, licorice-based medications continue to be used in modern medicine due to their proven effectiveness.
6. Poppy
The opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is the source of morphine , one of the best-known analgesics. Morphine and its derivatives, such as codeine , papaverine , oxycodone , and hydrocodone, are used to relieve severe pain, treat coughs, and treat spasms.
Morphine binds to opioid receptors in the brain, blocking pain signal transmission . Codeine is used as a painkiller and cough suppressant, and papaverine is used to relax smooth muscles.
Poppy-based medicines include analgesics, cough suppressants, and antispasmodics. They are prescribed for postoperative pain, severe injuries, chronic diseases, coughs, and diarrhea.
Opioids are taken orally, by injection, skin patches or under the tongue. Iodized poppy oil is used to deliver chemotherapy for liver cancer and to diagnose fistulas. Morphine and its analogues are widely used in oncology , anesthesiology and palliative care. Their effectiveness has been confirmed by many years of research and practice, but the high probability of addiction requires strict medical supervision.
7. Periwinkle
Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is a plant from which the alkaloids vincristine and vinblastine are obtained , which are widely used in chemotherapy. These substances help treat leukemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other types of cancer by stopping the growth and reproduction of cancer cells.
The mechanism of action is based on disruption of the microtubules of cells, which leads to a stop in the division of cancer cells and does not affect healthy ones. Animal studies have shown the effectiveness of periwinkle alkaloids against tumors.
In addition to its anti-tumor properties, periwinkle extracts are being studied as potential antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. Periwinkle is also being studied for its potential use in the treatment of diabetes, as some alkaloids have shown hypoglycemic activity—that is, they help lower blood sugar levels. Animal studies have shown that these alkaloids improved insulin secretion and increased glucose uptake by cells, making them potentially useful.
Vincristine and vinblastine are already used in medicine , but the use of the whole plant without control, for example in the form of decoctions or infusions, is dangerous due to its toxicity.
8. Saffron
Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a plant from which the dried stigmas of flowers are used for medicine . The main active ingredient is crocin, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antidepressant properties. Saffron also contains picrocrocin, which is responsible for the taste , and safranal, which provides the characteristic aroma; they are studied for their potential in medicine.
Saffron helps with asthma, cough, insomnia, depression, Alzheimer’s, PMS and even male infertility. Crocin and other components improve blood circulation, protect cells from damage and reduce inflammation. Animal studies have shown anti-inflammatory effects and antioxidant activity.
Clinical trials have shown saffron to be effective against depression, showing results comparable to antidepressants such as fluoxetine . Saffron has also been shown to improve memory and cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have found that taking 100 mg of dried stigmas daily reduced inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes and improved their overall condition.
Saffron extracts have been studied in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, showing a reduction in blood pressure and cholesterol levels in animals. In clinical trials, patients with coronary heart disease who took saffron demonstrated improved antioxidant status and a reduced risk of complications. Saffron preparations are used in capsules, infusions, and extracts, but its high cost limits its distribution. Despite this, research continues, and saffron remains a promising herbal remedy.
9. Wormwood
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a herb. The plant contains essential oils, absinthin, anabsinthin and thujone derivatives. These substances have antihelminthic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Wormwood-based preparations are used for Crohn’s disease, peptic ulcer disease and amoebiasis. The mechanism of action is associated with the suppression of inflammatory processes, the neutralization of free radicals and the inhibition of the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. Animal and human studies have confirmed the antimicrobial and antifungal activity of wormwood essential oils.
Clinical trials have shown that taking wormwood supplements improves the condition of patients with Crohn’s disease by reducing inflammation and the need for steroids.
Wormwood has antioxidant properties and is being studied as a liver and kidney protector. However, due to its thujone content, which can cause seizures and other side effects, preparations based on it require caution in use, despite their availability on the market and the possibility of prescription by a doctor.
What is the difference between pharmaceutical herbs and medicines based on them
Herbs are dried plant parts that are used in infusions, decoctions or powders. Their composition may vary depending on growing conditions, time of collection and drying method, so the concentration of active substances is not constant.
Herbal medicines are preparations in which the active substances are isolated, purified and standardized. This means that each dose contains a precisely calculated amount of the active substance. Such preparations undergo clinical trials confirming their effectiveness and safety.
Clinical studies of herbal medicines prove their effectiveness and identify possible side effects. Pharmaceutical herbs, although used for centuries, rarely have scientifically proven data on their effectiveness and safety.
What happens if you use herbs instead of herbal medicines
Using herbs instead of drugs can lead to unpredictable results. The concentration of active substances in plants is unstable, so it is difficult to control the dosage. This can make the treatment ineffective or cause side effects.
