Rainforest Plants Used for Medicine

Tropical rainforests balance the global ecosystem and human existence. They are unparalleled in terms of their biological diversity, they not only play a role in regulating global weather, but sustain within themselves nearly half of the world's plants and animals species. Rainforest have supported centuries of traditional preparation of medicines because of their rich medicinal plant life. Through this article, I would like to inform you about a few rainforest plants used for medicine.

Medicinal Rainforest Plants

For thousands of years, rainforest medicinal plants have been used to improvise health conditions. The ancient medicinal branches of Ayurveda, Chinese traditional medicine, etc. have used over a thousand plant species between them to cure many diseases, and promote longevity. Today, on an average, over 7,000 medical compounds prescribed by doctors world over are derived from plants that grow in the rainforest. Some of the rainforest plants used for medicines have been listed below.

Cinchona Tree: This tree is found in the Latin American and African rainforest and prominently figures in the list of rainforest plants used for medicine. An alkaloid, Quinine is extracted from the bark of the tree and is used to cure malaria.

Curare Lianas: This large poisonous vine is full of alkaloids used for treating bruises, fever, edema and kidney stones. As it also helps to relax muscles, and thus, is used as an anesthetic agent.

Saw Palmetto: Extracts from Saw Palmetto's berries is used to treat certain urinary problems. This was first used by people in Florida. The fruit contains 5-alpha reductase that inhibits the production of prostaglandins (related to prostatic treatment).

Wild Yams: Extract of the tubers of Dioscorea wild yam, diosgenin is an active ingredient used in birth control pills. It is also used in many steroidal products like pregnenolone, progesterone, etc.

Trumpet Tree: A popular medicinal tree used extensively in traditional medicine in Central and South America. All parts of the tree; leaves, fruits, flowers, bark and roots are used to treat respiratory illnesses and rheumatism.

Pacific Bleeding Heart: This delicate plant comes from the forests of the Pacific Northwest. Tincture is extracted from its roots and used to provide relief from external bruises and sprains, and when taken internally, it is known to sooth frayed nerves.

Cocoa Tree: The cocoa tree is one of the few trees that is extremely high in medicinal value, thus, making it one of the most important rainforest plants used for medicine. This one tree alone produces over 150 chemicals that can be extracted from its leaves, seeds, fruit and bark. The extracts are used to treat anxiety, fatigue, fever, coughs, kidney stones, and external cuts and bruises.

Clavillia: This perennial herb contains vital active compounds like proteins, triterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, etc. used to treat infections caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.

Mammosa: Member of the eggplant family, mammosa is used to treat sinus infections, and lesions caused by various skin cancers.

Periwinkle: Extracts of the periwinkle plant have two of the most active tumor fighting agents. It is used widely and very successfully in treating leukemia and Hodgkin's Disease.

Sorosi: Sorosi is a vine whose extract is used to treat ticks or lice when used externally, and is used as an internal remedy for treating delayed or painful menstruation, and dysentery.

Lemongrass: Lemongrass has antibacterial and antifungal properties which aid is treating fevers, colds, and coughs. Lemon grass tea is a very popular herbal tea.

Annatto Tree: Oil extract of the Annatto tree contains carotenoids bixin, used for protection against UV rays. It also helps to lower blood pressure and serves as a powerful insect repellent

Despite the role they play in ensuring a healthy life for us, humans have shown a complete disregard to rainforests around the world. Today, less than 5% of the earth's surface is covered with these forests. With the number of ever increasing diseases and infections that are now prevalent among us, rainforest plants used for medicines are more needed than ever. Hence, it is up to us, to save the rainforests from turning into barren land.