CAIRO – While many ailments might seem difficult or impossible to treat, Egyptians can treat them using natural remedies. Nowadays, there is an increasing trend towards the use of herbal medicines in Egypt, reflecting an increasing confidence in such remedies. Herbal medicine means the use of herbs and plants for their medicinal value to treat diseases and boost health. “Most Egyptians are very familiar with many medicinal herbs and are aware of their usefulness in treating various diseases,” says Dr Ibrahim Yehia, an expert at the National Research Centre. He adds that most doctors and researchers do their best to learn everything they can about these herbs to ensure their patients aren't adversely affected by these herbs. “Using herbs means returning to nature; they contain many complex substances for healing stubborn complaints. Medicinal plants and medicinal herbs are modern medicines. “The substances derived from many plants are used today for the treatment of heart disease, high blood pressure, pain, asthma and other problems,” he explains, adding that herbs can also be used to treat external conditions such as skin diseases, acne and blackheads. “Plant medicines are the most widely used medicines in the world today. Over 40 per cent of medicines now contain chemicals derived from plants,” says Mohamed Reda, a professor of botany at the Faculty of Science, Helwan University. He added that all parts of the plant are used: leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, pods, peels, stems, essences and roots. “Herbs are available in most stores and in several forms such as teas, oils, ointments, liquid extracts, tinctures and dry extracts [pills or capsules]. “Plants contain minerals, vitamins, volatile oils, and other substances that are very useful in healing diseases,” he adds. About 80 per cent of the world's population use herbs and plants as modern medicines, according to recent statistics. “There are many kinds of medicinal herbs such as ginseng, used to help boost energy and reduce stress, and garlic, to strengthen the body,” Prof. Reda concludes. Dr Ahmed el-Darwi, a professor of skin diseases at Al-Azhar University, says: “Not all herbs are safe, so you should not take any herbal remedies without consulting your doctor or pharmacist first. “Also be careful when taking more than one herb or a combination of two. Herbal medicines can have side-effects,” he warns. “More and more organic herb farms should be established, with careful management. They can provide good quality herbs for the consumer.” Dr el-Darwi adds that some plants may be exposed to chemicals and pesticides, so “herbalists should take all this into consideration”. Nora Mohamed, a student in the Faculty of Pharmacology, Cairo University, says: “Herbal medicine is being taught more and more in medical schools and pharmacological schools.” “There are now two companies in Egypt that specialise in producing herbal drugs and herbal drug-based medicaments.” She added that faculties of medicine should teach students about the benefits and the dangers of these natural medicines. “Medicinal plants are very useful for treating various diseases, because they are 100 per cent natural,” says Mohamed Nagi of the Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University. “They are used commercially; without them, most medicines we take wouldn't exist. “Herbs and plants are gifts of nature to heal sickness and improve health. We should look into the world of alternative herbal medicines and learn all we can about them. “Many scientific studies are underway on plants gathered from forests and other places for their potential medicinal value.”
