Nowadays, the trend towards natural and herbal treatments is increasing rapidly, especially in developed countries. Public concerns about the side effects of chemical drugs and the desire to use natural and low-risk treatment methods have increased the demand for herbal medicines globally. This change in global attitude towards herbal medicines is an opportunity that Iran can play an important role in providing the global pharmaceutical needs by using its capacities. From an economic point of view, the medicinal plant industry can become a driving engine for each country's economic growth. Due to the rich plant resources and scientific advances in the field of pharmacognosy, Iran can produce high quality herbal medicines and export them to world markets.
In the world view, Iran is known as an advanced country in the production of herbal medicines. Many European and North American countries, traditionally known as the leaders in the pharmaceutical industry, currently use Iranian medicinal plants, especially for the production of special drugs and food supplements. This shows the global attention to Iran's pharmaceutical potential. Iran is one of the richest countries in the world in this aspect with 2,800 native medicinal plants. The plant diversity, which is now equal to all medicinal plants in Europe, has provided huge economic opportunities in the field of production and export of herbal medicines for Iran and importing countries. While the global consumption of herbal medicines is also increasing in European countries. Iran, the paradise of medicinal plants, with its special climatic and geographical conditions, has one of the richest plant reserves in the world. More than 2,800 species of plants grow in Iran, many of which have significant medicinal properties. These plants have been used in traditional Iranian medicine for centuries and are still an important part of non-chemical treatments.
What plants are called medicinal plants?
Medicinal plants are plants that one or some of their organs contain a medicinal substance or, in other words, an effective substance. This substance constitutes less than 1% of the dry weight of the plant and can be effective in the treatment of human and animal diseases.
What is the difference between medicinal plants and herbal medicines?
Medicinal plants include parts of the plant that are sold after drying or fresh without making any changes in apothecaries and shops. These plants are mostly harmless or less harmful and some of their therapeutic properties have been proven.
But herbal medicines are medicines that are produced by turning some plants into medicine through a special and sterile process. This is done in pharmaceutical factories.
What are the methods of using medicinal plants?
These plants can be used in the form of tea, boiled, soaked, syrup, powdered, incense, poultice or compress, bandage, special washing medicine and medicine for bath.
Medicinal plants, due to their high diversity and specific climatic conditions, have wide therapeutic properties, which are effective in improving health and treating many diseases. These plants usually have biologically active compounds such as antioxidants, flavonoids, alkaloids, and various essential oils, each of which plays an important role in improving body function and strengthening the immune system. One of the distinctive features of medicinal plants in Iran is that due to their growth in natural conditions and without the use of chemical fertilizers and poisons, they usually have a higher quality than medicinal plants grown in artificial conditions. This makes the products obtained from these plants have more medicinal and therapeutic properties.
The therapeutic properties of medicinal plants are very diverse and include anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, sedative, immune system enhancing and digestive system improving effects. For example, Shirazi thyme is known as an effective medicine in the treatment of respiratory infections due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Also, French lavender is very useful for reducing stress and anxiety due to its calming properties.
Medicinal plant compounds
Medicinal plants are also rich in useful mineral elements. Most medicinal plants contain useful elements such as calcium, sodium, zinc, copper, iodine, manganese, potassium, iron, etc., and sometimes contain harmful compounds such as arsenic, mercury, and lead in a much lower than dangerous amount. Traditional medicine treats diseases by identifying useful elements and benefiting from the knowledge of the properties of medicinal plants. Other chemical compounds in medicines that can be used in traditional medicine and modern medicine are as follows:
Names of medicinal plants
Due to the large number and unknown species, it is not possible to mention the names of all medicinal plants. Therefore, the list of common medicinal plants is given in the table below, and then some of them are presented in detail.
| Thyme | Saffron | Moldavic calamint | Fenugreek |
| Mint | Oregano | Garden sage | Parsley |
| Borage | Rosemary | Ginger | Chamomile |
| Flixweed | Safflower | Mustard | Passion flower |
| Rose bud | Turmeric | Tarragon | Valerian |
| Hibiscus | Ginseng | Lavender | Chicory |
| Coriander | Marshmallow | Aloe Vera | Yarrow |
| Stevia | Basil | Bayberry | Ecalyptus |
Precautions in the use of medicinal plants
As mentioned, many medicinal plants, in addition to therapeutic uses, are also used in other cases such as cooking. The difference is that the use of such herbs as medicine should be prescribed according to a certain schedule and with the appropriate dosage.
Safety tips about medicinal plants
The most important things that you should pay attention to in terms of safety are:
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