India, a land of rich cultural heritages utilizes the traditional medthod of Herbalism
based on plants and plant extracts. Being a birthplace of numerous herbs, India
is currently focusing on the development of effectual herbal and aurvedic therapies.
Herbs need no second introduction as they have been popular for centuries and
now are becoming the basics of modern medicines. The usage of herbs as a part
of healing patients is increasing the worldwide.
HISTORY SAYS ABOUT HERBS...
In ancient times, ancient Greeks and Romans made efficient utilization of herbs.
Celery was used by the Abyssinians for stuffing pillows. Ancient Greeks and Romans
crowned their heroes with dill and laurel. Dill also was used by the Romans to
purify the air in their banquet halls. Not only in India, herbs were quite popular
in other countries in Europe and America. For instance, mint, another popular
herb today, also had its beginnings early in history. Greek athletes used bruised
mint leaves as an after-bath lotion. In the middle ages, mint was used as a cleansing
agent and purifying the drinking water.
HERBAL PLANTATION AIMS AT...
Herbal plantation age-old culture is all about the herbs which are used for healing
several diseases and sickness. Aurvedic wisdom of neem, amla, tulsi, jeera and
adrak is well-known in the entire globe.
Herbal plantation aspires at preserving and promoting the medicinal values of
the diverse plants that are cultivated wildly in our surroundings. It helps in
maintaining the perfect balance between man and organic, inorganic, physiological
and climatic activities with flora.
HERBS TYPES...
Herbs are generally classified as annuals, biennials, and perennials. Annuals
bloom once a year and then die. Biennials survive for two seasons, which blooms
the second season only, Perennials bloom throughout the year. According to the
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Handbook on Herbs there are 73 different varieties of
herbs. Some herbs fit into one or more classifications i.e. according to their
usage: culinary, aromatic, ornamental and medicinal.
CULINARY HERBS:
These are generally used in small quantities for adding flavor to food items such
as parsley, chives, thyme, savory, marjoram, mint, and basil.
AROMATIC HERBS:
These herbs are widely popular for their smelling flowers or foliage. Oils from
such herbs are used for the production of perfumes and various scents. Some common
aromatic herbs are mint, marjoram, lovage, rosemary and basil.
ORNAMENTAL HERBS:
Bright colored flowers and foliage are the identity of ornamental herbs. Generally,
such herbs have whitish or light colored flowers. Valerian has crimson blossoms
while borage and chicory are blue-flowered herbs. Such herbs as variegated thyme,
mint, lavender, and chives produce variegated foliage.
MEDICINAL HERBS:
Medical herbs posses the healing properties as well as curative powers. It is
necessary to have full-fledged knowledge before the consumption of medicinal herbs
as some herbs are harmless while others can be dangerous.
HERBS AVAILABLE...
If you are a true herb connoisseur, then you can easily select from a wide variety
of common and not-so-common herbs. For instance, the endless list of herbs includes
ashvgandha, tulsi, musk dana, gurmar lemongrass, kanuch and anato. Check out some
herbs that are beneficial as well as therapeutic:
ASHVGANDHA
It is a substance that helps our body to adapt physiological and psychological
stress thus increasing resistance to stressors.
TULSI OR HOLY BASIL
It is a significant and prime herb in aurvedic medicine and has been used for
thousands of years. It helps in plummeting the blood sugar and can be taken as
an herbal tea, dried powder, fresh leaf or mixed with ghee.