Kirby Brennan-Riddle English 3 Pam Baker 28 Nov 2012 Research Essay Every culture has a savior.

When they are in need, each person has 10someone or something that they turn to. Sometimes they turn to religious figures or icons of faith. But when the issue is one of sickness or physical injury, they turn to a healer. And every healer, in turn, has their tools of trade. In modern times, 10they are known as vaccines and pills, but it wasnt always that way. In fact, some places even to this 10day prefer alternative and more traditional forms of healing methods. In the beginning, before basic scientific theory and chemistry knowledge was common place, most societies turned to the natural solutions available to them for their ailments. And as technology and research progressed over time, 10people have used these methods as the building blocks for our modern-day cures. 2, 10The majority of what we have learned about medicine has been taught to us by the natural methods of ancient cultures before us. Herbalism has been found in every single corner of the world. Since the first pain or illness, man has been trying to find a way to heal them. The earliest found 10trace of herbalism was most likely the Ayurveda philosophy and originated 5,000 years ago in India 9(Bryant 1). This is based on each persons unique constitution, body type, personal habits, emotions, and behaviors. They believed each person was made up of the five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether (Bryant 1). Although modern-day research no longer shows any truth behind these beliefs, this philosophy did bring about the theory on the importance of internal balance, which is the basis of most medicine today. They also started the long-standing tradition of using organic, naturally found materials to battle against illness and infection. Ancient Indian warriors would wipe their weapons with lemongrass before battle to clean and sanitize them 9(The Military 1).

They also used lemongrass for general aches and pains. India was not the only ancient civilization to use herbal remedies throughout history 10though. Another country that is famous for its history in herbal medicine is China and their methods titled simply Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine or TCHM (Herbal Medicine 1). Chinese herbalism began in 22 BC to 256 BC during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties, where it is recorded that they used medicines made from soups and alcohol. Many ancient Chinese cultures wrote several books devoted to the subject. The most famous of these books were Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, the earliest book that contained 365 types of medicine and established eastern medicine 3, 10; or Nei Jing, proposing new revolutionary theories still used today, Tang Ben Cao, the worlds earliest book on pharmacopeia that included 850 medicinal herbs and pictures. 3, 4, 10Another book was Ben Cao Gang Mu that recorded little under 1900 types of herbal medicines, being the most types of herbal medicines found in one collection and making it the greatest book in Chinese history (9History 1-2). One of the plants 10used for medicinal purposes in this time was ma-huang, now better known by its modern-day title ephedrine, a commonplace decongestant used in most allergy medications. They also used tonic herbs like astragalus, ginseng, and foti just for ailment prevention (Bryant 1).After the founding of New China in 1949, plenty of 10scientific studies had been done in various fields such as botany, identification science, chemistry, pharmacology and clinical medicine. 10This research provide scientific basis to identify the source and authenticity of herbal medicines as well as their function scheme. In 1977 10the book 9Herbal Medicine Dictionary was published, which brought the number of recorded herbal medicine to a grand total of 5,767. (9History 1-2). TCHM is the most commonly used modern method of herbal medicine in pop culture. It was also

the only alternative medicine that the World Health Organization chose to meet modern health care needs. One local ancient culture that is also famous for working with nature to fuel not only their medicine, but also their everyday lives, was the Native Americans. The Native Americans began their work with medicinal 10plants from their spiritual belief of universal interconnection. Thus, they also believed that all beings were meant to work together to help each other and the planet (Catron 4). The Native Americans used thousands and thousands of herbs, and used them for everything from chills (Snake Root) to diabetes (Wild Carrot) to broken bones (Boneset). The Cherokee Indian culture also had in-depth processes to each step of pregnancy and childbirth, all completely done with plants and other naturally provided supplies (Takatoka 1). Many of the original American settlers including Constantine Rafinesque and Dr. Samuel Thompson worked with the Native American healers to increase their knowledge of their ethnobotany professions. Thompsonian herbalism became very popular in the 1840s and it is estimated that a full one fifth of the population of America used Thompsonian Herbalism to treat their diseases. His success was so great that many doctors and herbalists began calling themselves Thompsonians
9

(Blake 1). And according to other herbalism enthusiast and experts, Today, Thompson's

democratic approach to healing is finding resurgence in America and across the world (Blake 1). Modern American medicine has effectively been impacted by our countrys original inhabitants, but we are not the only country. Although these were the three cultures known best for the use of natural remedies, herbal medicine can be found in virtually any culture in the world. One statement made by the University of California Irvines Honors Program states, The basis of modern medicine in the West dates back to Greek herbal medicine and its famous doctors like Hippocrates and Galen...

Hippocrates advocated the use of a few simple herbal drugs (along with fresh air, rest, and proper diet)... 9(Bryant 1). The Greek compendium for medicinal plants called De Materia Medica lists more than 500 plants used for herbal healing (Bryant 1). Meanwhile in ancient Egypt, According to the Papyrus Ebers, an ancient text written in 1500 BC, there are plant medicine references to more than 700 herbal remedies and 800 compounds, and is thought to be a copy of the even more ancient Book of Thoth (3000 BC ). Some of these plants include opium, Cannabis, myrrh, frankincense, fennel, thyme, henna, juniper, aloe, linseed, castor, Spearmint Leaves, Basil, Hibiscus, Parsley, Cumin, Licorice Root, Chamomile, & 9Dill (Marie 1). Herbalism was even used throughout Europe by monasteries during the Middle Ages (Klein 1). These and countless more are the outstanding evidence of ancient herbalism lingering throughout our daily lives. Human beings are a miraculous species. Out of every species of living animals still surviving today, humans are the only animals that can consciously see the specific problems they and their fellow people face and find a solution to it. Many species are able to adapt for obstacles and evolve their way through the decades, but we are capable of something a little more. We do not just evolve our way up or fix or act; we learn. With every solution to every problem, each human society learns a little more. And whenever they learn, they make sure to record it so that it will be remembered. Not just by themselves, but for generations and generations so that their predecessors can learn from their mistakes and their obstacles without having to face them
10

their selves. We have all been benefited by the experience and the teachings of our ancestors

and ancient civilizations, whether we are aware of it or not. No remedy appears from thin air. Each medicine used or medical theory proven or ailment healed has started from a tiny seed of an idea buried within the folds of time. So the next time you open your medicine cabinet and see

a bottle of pills, remember that each tiny capsule, every multivitamin and every cold and flu syrup, began with a simple leaf.

Works Cited Blake, Paul. "Native American Thompsonian Herbalism." Holistic Junction (n.d.): 1. Native American Thompsonian Herbalism. 17 Apr. 2007. Web. 5 Dec. 2012. <http://www.holisticjunction.com>. Bryant, Peter J. "Herbs: A Glimpse into Its Long History." Herbs: A Glimpse into Its Long History (n.d.): n. pag. Herbs: A Prescription For Trouble. UC Irvine Campus wide Honors Program. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://darwin.bio.uci.edu>. Catron, Rebecca. Traditional Healing and Western Medicine: Integration or Segregation? Rep. no. 211. N.p.: Milligan University, n.d. Milligan University, 18 Nov. 2010. Web. 4 Dec. 2012. <http://www.milligan.edu>. "Herbal Medicine." NYU Langone Medical Center (2012): 1-2. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://www.med.nyu.edu>. "History of Chinese Herbal Medicine." History of Chinese Herbal Medicine. Cultural China, n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012. <http://kaleidoscope.culturalchina.com/en/7Kaleidoscope4073.html>. Klein, Joan E. "A Brief History of Herbalism." Claude Moore Health Sciences Library. University of Virginia Health Services, n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012. <http://www.hsl.virginia.edu>. Marie, Cher. "Ancient Egyptian Herbalism." Online Collaborative Newsgroup. Hub Pages. Hub Pages, 21 Feb. 2009. Web. 5 Dec. 2012. <http://chermarie.hubpages.com>.

Takatoka. "Indian Herbal Medicine." Indian Herbal Medicine. Manataka American Indian Counsel, n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012. <http://www.manataka.org/>. "The Military of Ancient India." Ancient India Military (n.d.): 1. Ancient India Military. Ancient Military. Web. 05 Dec. 2012. <http://www.ancientmilitary.com>.