This book is all about some plants that are commonly used as medicinal plants, how they are used and the health conditions they are used in managing

1. Common Medicinal Plants
&
Their Uses
Alexander U.O

2. Many plants have curative powers. Some of the best modern medicines are made from wild
herbs. Nevertheless, not all curative herbs people use have medical value and those that have are
sometimes used the wrong way. Try to learn about the herbs in your area and find out which
ones are worthwhile.
Some medicinal herbs are very poisonous if taken in more than the recommended dose. For this
reason it is often safer to use modern medicine, since the dosage is easier to control.
Here are a few examples of plants that can be useful if used correctly:
Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina): The leaves of this common leaf vegetable are used by local
health workers that circumcise children to speed up blood clotting and reduce bleeding. A few
leaves are rubbed between the palms, until fresh juice can be squeezed straight on the wound.
Another leaf is then placed on the wound. Leaves of nightshade (Solanum nigrum or S. pensile)
can also be used.
Corn Silk (the tassels or silk from an ear of maize): Sometimes a tea made from corn silk can
help reduce swelling of the feet, especially in pregnant women. Boil a large handful of corn silk
in water and drink 1 or 2 glasses. It is not dangerous.
Papaya (pawpaw): Ripe papayas are rich in vitamins and also aid digestion. Eating them is
especially helpful for weak or old people who complain of upset stomach when they eat meat,
chicken, or eggs. Papaya makes these foods easier to digest. Papaya can also help get rid
of intestinal worms, although modern medicines often work better.
For intestinal worms herbal treatment with papaya, collect 3 or 4 teaspoons (15 – 20 ml) of the
milk that comes out when the green fruit or trunk of the tree is cut. Mix this with an equal
amount of honey and stir it into a cup of hot water. If possible, drink along with a laxative.
Alternatively, dry and crush to a powder the papaya seeds. Take 3 teaspoons mixed with 1 glass
of water, or some honey, 3 times a day for 7 days.
Papaya can also be used for treating bed sores. The fruit contains chemicals that help to soften
and make dead flesh easier to remove. First clean and wash out a bed sore that has dead flesh in
it. Then soak a clean cloth or sterile gauze with milk from the trunk or green fruit of a papaya
plant and pack this into the sore. Repeat cleaning and repacking 3 times daily.
Vegetable oil and Lemon:Gallstones can be made to pass safely with large dosage of olive oil
(or other vegetable oil) and lemon. Give 4 tablespoons of oil and the juice of one lemon every 15
minutes until 1 pint (half) of oil has been given. This will cause diarrhea. The feces should be
examined carefully before disposal, to see if, and how many, stones have been passed.
Garlic: A drink made from garlic can often get rid of pinworms and relieve diarrhea. Chop
finely, or crush, 4 cloves of garlic and mix with 1 glass of liquid (water, juice or milk). For
pinworms, drink 1 glass daily for 3 weeks; for diarrhea, drink 1 glass every 2 hours until diarrhea
stops. Garlic plays a greater role in fighting infections and building immune defense system. It is
also a natural antibiotics
Vaginal infections may also be treated with garlic.

3. Onions: It is among the acidic spices and is widely known for the seasoning of our food. It also
play the role of medication. A mixture of a blend of onion and garlic is a good home remedy for
cough.
Cucumber: It is very rich in vitamin. A mixture of cucumber with groundnut and constant
intake of carrot, cereals, custard, pap helps in boosting sperm count.
Pineapple: Is among the vitamin enriched fruit when ripe. It can be used as appetizer when the
juice are extracted and refrigerated. The unripe can be used in treating typhoid fever.
Guava: Very rich in vitamin C and calcium and for bright eyes but it is not advisable to swallow
the seed without chewing very well less it cause problem in the digestive system.
Plantain: Is also among the tropical fruit, it is used in many way for food and medicine. As it is
full of carbohydrate and iron it is the best food for the diabetics. It also cures stomach ulcer.
Avocado peer: It is rich in fat and oil as the major ingredient for margarine production. The
seeds are more important. It is used in curing of high blood pressure and chest pain.