Common Mallow and American Ginseng - Essay Example

In our daily lives we often overlook the existence of certain important medicinal plants which may be growing right in front of our eyes. Two such plants were recognized and identified in my neighborhood- Common mallow and American Ginseng. Common Mallow The binomial name for the common mallow is Malva neglecta.The word “Malva” has been derived from the root Greek word “maxalos” whch means slimy or to make softer. It is a short commonly found plant which attains a height of about 2 feet. The leaves of the plant are alternate and the blades are heart shaped. The flowers are pinkish white in color. The calyx are about 6 mm long. It belongs to the order Malvales and family Malvaceae. This particular plant species is considered a weed today in the United States and has rapidly earned itself name as an invasive species owing to its high adaptability. In fact this adaptability is the reason it can be found in almost every corner of the world. The natural range of the plant extends from Africa, Arabian Peninsula, to Central Asia, China, Mongolia and Europe. In the United States it is also known by some other names such as buttonweed or dwarf mallow. The plant is edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. In fact a decoction of the roots can actually be sued as an substitute for eggs when cooking meringue. In folk medicine, the mucilaginous nature of the plant was used for both internal and external cases of swelling and sores. It was also used to treat various kinds of inflammation and some skin infections including rashes. The plant is edible and its leaves and young stems are used in cooking and is used especially in salads owing to the mild taste and high nutritive value. The plant however, also has several medicinal properties. It is believed that the Cherokee Indians used the plants for treating sores. They would mix the flowers in oil and apply on the sores. The common mallow is most popularly known to help in treating respiratory disorders. The plant has mucous chemicals which help to form a layer on the mucosa of the respiratory tract. It may also be used for cough or hoarseness. Today, industries used the dried flowers of the plant to make over the counter medication for cough relief. For household purposes, one can boil the roots and the flowers in milk before consumption to treat chest problems and common cough. All parts of the plant as medicinal properties such as that of astringent and laxative. It acts as a very powerful laxative especially in children. The mucous like characteristics helps to loosen the stool and enhances bowel movement. It has both demulcent and emollient properties which can be used t treat inflammation in the alimentary canal when extracts f the plant is consumed. American Ginseng The American ginseng is a commonly found herbaceous plant. It is a perennial plant and belongs to the ivy family of plants. Scientifically the American ginseng is known as Panaz quinquefolius. The leave of the plant grows in a circle around the stem and bears greenish, umbrella shaped flowers. The plant bears red colored berries. Today, the plant is considered to be endangered in the wild but is often grown in gardens and in some houses. Primarily it is native to the Northern parts of America but is also grown in distant regions of China and India and therefore it is not surprising that the plant is often found to be used in both Chinese traditional medicine and in Indian Ayurveda. The Native Americans used the forked roots and the leaves for their health medicine and it is believed that the Chinese travelers paid a very high price for the plant since they were aware of the many health benefits that the plant had on human health. The medicinal properties of the plant are because of the presence of the chemical ginsenosides and laboratory studies have shown that this active ingredient can not only boost the immune system of the human body but also has several other therapeutic properties as well. In people who suffer from the Diabetes type II, regular intake of the plant in form of tea or as supplement can help to reduce the blood sugar level in the body. In fact some studies have established that the berry of the plant is more efficient in keeping blood sugar under control than the leaves. The plant also prevents onset of other diabetes related complications by reducing stress and blood pressure. Studies have also been conducted to investigate the effect of the extract on cancer and it was seen that the plant did possess some tumor inhibiting properties. The molecular mechanism of the ginseng on cancer has been studied on various signaling pathways that regulate the cell cycle. The plant helps by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting angiogeneiss etc. From the ancient times it has been believed that American ginseng promotes the immune system and it is in fact vindicated by research studies. These studies have shown that the cells of the immune system work more efficiently and are activated when treated with ginseng extracts. American ginseng is also known to have positive effects on the male reproductive system and enhances copulatory functioning thereby enhancing male sexual behavior.. This property also exists in Chinese medicine as well. Regular intake of the plant extracts is known to increase sperm quality, motility and count. Extensive neurological research have established that ginseng has beneficial effects on the aging central nervous system and lends protection against neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. Besides, the American ginseng has positive effects on both mood and on the cognitive performance as well.American ginseng is also considered a good herbal supplement for those suffering from cardiovascular heart conditions. The plant has anti-ishchemic , anti-arrhythmic and anti-hypertensive effects on the heart and hence helps to keep the heart healthy.Besides this, the plant also shows antioxidant properties. The extract is known to be more powerful than the root. Compared to the wide variety of uses in the past, the natural forms of these plants are barely used today for treatment purposes. Research needs to focus on making medicine derived from such plants for treatment. Read More