Herbalism, also known as botanical medicine, is one of medicine's earliest known systems. It is the tradition of plant-based herbal remedies for medical conditions (Shield, 2018). The use of plants for medicinal purposes dates back recorded history and is the source of many modern medicines. Most modern drugs come from plant sources: most of the few effective drugs were based on plants a century ago, for instance, aspirin (willow bark), digoxin (foxglove), quinine (cinchona bark), and morphine (opium poppy). Drug companies are engaged in large-scale pharmacological screening of herbs, and the development of drugs from plants continues (Vickers & Zollman, 2001). 

     As part of their normal metabolic processes, all plants produce chemical compounds. These can be classified into two groups-primary metabolites present in all plants, such as sugars and fats; and secondary metabolites found in a smaller range of plants, some of which are contained only in a particular genus or organisms. The autologous roles of secondary metabolites are varied; as toxins to prevent predation, for example, or to attract pollination insects. Such secondary metabolites are the ones that can have beneficial effects in humans and can be optimized for drug production. Several examples are dahlia root inulin, cinchona quinine, poppy morphine and codeine, and foxglove digoxin (Mental Help, 2015). 

     The impact of herbs on individual body systems are highlighted by modern Western herbalism. Understanding it with example herbs can be used for their presumed anti-inflammatory, hanta tic, expectorant, antispasmodic, or stimulation effects. Consumer spending on herbal products in the U.S. is projected to surpass $5 billion per year, mainly from over - the-counter drug self-prescription. Usually, this form of herbal drug use is based on a simple matching of a particular herb to particular diseases or symptoms — such as sleep disturbance (Vickers & Zollman, 2001).

     Herbal medicine varies in its use of whole plants from conventional medicine, usually as an unverified extract; herbal mixture; and diagnostic criteria focused on the treatment of the underlying causes Herbal medicine practitioners tend to focus on chronic conditions and improve well-being because many plants are toxic, herbal medicinal products are probably more likely to cause adverse effects than other complementary therapies. There is potential for herbal products to interfere with traditional drugs, and certain interactions have been well defined (University of California, 2019).

Details of some herbal medicines widely used:

• In preliminary studies, artichoke and several other plants were associated with lower levels of total serum cholesterol.

• Black cohosh and other plants containing phytoestrogens (plant molecules with activation of estrogen) have been found to have some advantages in the treatment of menopausal symptoms.

• In some clinical trials, echinacea extracts have been shown to reduce the duration of colds, although some studies have found that it has no effect.

• Garlic has been found to lower total cholesterol rates, to lower blood pressure, to minimize platelet aggregation, and to have antibacterial properties.

• In some clinical trials, studies were found to be more effective than placebo for treating mild to moderate depression (Irvine, 2018).

     A common misconception in herbalism and the general use of ' natural ' products is that ' natural ' is healthy. Nevertheless, nature is not innocuous, and many plants have mechanisms of chemical defense against predators that can adversely affect humans. Examples are the hemlock and night shade that can be fatal to humans. On the other side the common names of herbs with different effects can be shared with others. For example, in a TCM treatment for weight loss in one case in Belgium, one herb was switched to another that caused damage to the kidneys. Another herb variety induces elevated blood pressure and heart rate, compared to another variety for the weight-loss treatment; the varieties are distinguished by the suffix in the Latin names (Mental Help, 2015).

     An herbal ingredient's legal status can vary from country to country. Ayurvedic herbal products, for example, often contain heavy metal levels that would be considered unsafe in the United States. In Ayurvedic medicine, however, heavy metals are believed to have therapeutic benefits.


     While superficially similar, there are significant differences in herbal and traditional pharmacotherapy. Herbal medicine practitioners generally use unverified plant extracts that contain multiple components. These also tend to be less harmful when whole herbs are used rather than isolated active ingredients. Although two samples of a particular herbal drug may contain different proportions of constituent compounds, practitioners argue that this generally does not cause clinical problems. Many herbs are often used together. Practitioners suggest that synergy and buffering principles apply to plant combinations and assert that combining herbs enhances effectiveness and decreases adverse effects. Herbal practitioners use medical criteria that vary from traditional practitioners ' standards. For example, in treating arthritis, herbal practitioners may observe "under functioning elimination systems of a patient" and decide that arthritis is the result of "accumulation of metabolic waste products." In addition to herbs with anti-inflammatory properties, a diuretic, choler etic, or laxative combination of herbs may be prescribed (Vickers & Zollman, 2001).

References:

W.C Shield. (2018). Medical Definition of Herbalism. Retrieved from
https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=11465  as on January 03, 2020. 

University of California- (2019). Molecular mechanism of botanical folk medicines used to treat
hypertension: Lavender, fennel and chamomile among herbs discovered to act upon a
shared therapeutic target in blood vessels. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 6, 2020 from
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190930161856.html.

Irvine. (2018). Molecular mechanisms of ancient herbal remedies: Components of leaf extract
provehighly effective at preventing life-threatening seizures. ScienceDaily. Retrieved
January 6, 2020 www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181010132352.html.

A,Vickers & C, Zollman. (2001). Herbal Medicine. Western Journal of Medicine. US.

Mental Help. (2015). Herbalism. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhelp.net/alternative

medicine/herbalism/ as on 05 January, 2020.

     You may have heard of power animals, which represent the building up of a person's essence. Plants of Power act outwardly, where their representation is conveyed through the Ancestral knowledge and wisdom of Shamanism.

     These plants can carry the healing properties to physical and spiritual forms. For this, this group was divided by the shamanic orders into 3 types:

1- Medicinal Plants;

2 - Power plants;

3 - Master Plants or Teacher Plants.

     When one speaks of power, one thinks about some concept that attributes healing to the someone's body - spiritually or physically - all information of studies and millennial concepts are expressed in the essence of the plants and only who obtains that knowledge (the shamans) are able to use it for the benefit of all, for these vibrations must be aligned with a ritual in order to aggregate what is really necessary.

     And it is through this action that the differentiations of the use of the plants are defined.

Medicinal plants

     These are Grandma's tea. They are known more for their analgesic powers and actions to the physical body. Providing well-being in a natural way, and serving most often as a complement in a treatment.

Power plants

     From here we come to understand a deeper path, where the action of the energy of the plant brings not only the physical but also the spiritual good. These herbs of power function as channels responsible for the connection between the person and the Divine - and also the spiritual plane - enabling healing and maintenance of health in a more complete way.

Master plants

     They are the key to full wisdom, where, in addition to access to the Spiritual Plane, they bring knowledge, realization, and the attainment of that which is most delicate and invisible in other states of man's consciousness. Therefore they provide a path that can even connect to the past and thus recognize the problems rooted in the person's spirit. These plants are more than plants that heal, as they in addition to this benefit leads to a road of real discoveries.

Examples are: Jurema (Mimosa tenuiflora), Chacrona ( Psychotria viridis), Wachoma (Echinopsis pachanoi), Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) and Salvia.

A Question of Vibration

     In order to get and feel the true meaning of the power of these plants, it is necessary to participate in a shamanic ritual, because the whole process must be guided by an experienced person, the shaman, because in addition to some plants posing a danger to health, if not used right, the person will not live the same experience if not properly guided.

     Both power plants and master plants provide the breadth of vision that has an effect on the man who can send him to another spiritual universe where he will find and confront the truths of his life.

     However, there is a need for understanding and faith in what is experienced because only those who go through this experience are able to describe the truth of the facts and how this passage will bring benefits and a superior healing and control of their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

     It can be said that this moment is a transformation and a unique learning, capable of providing a great self-knowledge to who is willing to face the truths about who he really is and his real value and way in the Universe.

     Power plants are essential ingredients for those seeking an experience of deep knowledge and seeking to understand the meaning of life and everything it provides.