One of Chemistry’s most important contributions has been to medicine. Medicines are made using chemicals. To develop new drugs, chemical analysis and the synthesis of novel compounds are employed. This subject is so broad that it has given rise to a new area of chemistry known as ‘Medicinal Chemistry.’
Medicinal chemistry is a discipline of chemistry dealing with the creation, design, and synthesis of pharmaceutical drugs. Medicine or meds are chemical substances that aid in the treatment of illnesses or the relief of suffering in living organisms.
Knowledge in synthetic organic chemistry, pharmacology, and biological sciences is required for this job. Medicines include a vast number of different components.
Uses of Plant as Medicines
Plants create a large number of compounds that are physiologically active, not just in plants but also in other creatures. Some of these compounds help them survive. Willows, for example, generate salicylic acid, which acts as a herbicide to restrict the development of competitive plants. Other plants generate chemicals that prevent insects and herbivores from browsing.
Listed below are a few examples of active plant compounds that have medical plant applications for humans.
Vitamins: Many plants are high in useful vitamins. Many popular fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene. Vitamin B, C, and E levels are high in lesser-known vitamin-containing plants such as watercress, rose hips, and sea buckthorn.
Cardiac Glycosides: These chemicals, present in a variety of therapeutic plants (including foxglove and lily of the valley), have a powerful direct effect on the heart. Cardiac glycosides such as digitoxin, digoxin, and convallatoxin help to maintain heart strength and contraction rates when the heart is failing.
Minerals: Many plants have high mineral levels because they can collect minerals from the earth and transform them into a form that the human body can utilize. Mineral content is frequently the determining factor in a plant’s medicinal efficacy.
Medicinal Properties of Tulsi
Tulsi holds immense significance in Indian mythology, since it is seen as a sacred herb. Perhaps such importance stems from the herb’s genuine health uses. It is advised for usage as a first aid therapy for respiratory, digestive, and skin problems. Aside from these common disorders, Ayurveda acknowledges its usage for conditions ranging from cancer to tumorous growths. According to preliminary research, it is a very promising immunomodulator, cytoprotective, and anticancer drug.
Tulsi’s properties are as follows.
- Anti-aging – Vitamin C and A, which are phytonutrients in Holy Tulsi, are powerful antioxidants that protect the skin from practically all free radical damage.
- Kidney Stones are treated – Tulsi is a moderate diuretic and detoxifying agent that aids in the reduction of uric acid levels in the body. Acetic acid, which is found in holy basil, aids in the decomposition of stones.
- Headaches are relieved – Tulsi is a natural headache reliever that may also be used to treat migraines.
- Acne Treatment – Holy basil aids in the elimination of microorganisms and illnesses. The principal active ingredient in holy basil oil is eugenol, which aids in the treatment of skin diseases. Both internally and topically, Ocimum Sanctum aids in the treatment of skin infections.
- Fever is relieved – Tulsi has long been used to cure fevers. It is a key element in the creation of several ayurvedic medications and home treatments.
Medicinal Properties of Neem
The beneficial benefits of Neem have been acknowledged in Indian culture for thousands of years. Every portion of the neem tree has therapeutic properties. Biswas et al. (2002) recently evaluated the biological activities of several neem compounds, pharmacological properties of neem extracts, clinical studies, and potential therapeutic uses of neem, as well as their safety assessment.
- indica A. Juss and M. azedarac are two closely related species of neem. The former is often known as Indian neem (margosa tree) or Indian lilac, and the latter as Persian lilac. Neem is widely utilised in Ayurvedic, Unani, and Homoeopathic treatment.
Various Medicines are made from the bark, leaves, and seeds of the neem. The root, flower, and fruit are utilised less commonly.
- Neem leaf is used for the treatment of various diseases such as skin ulcers, fever, diabetes and it also used for inducing abortions and for birth control.
- Neem bark is used for curing the stomach and intestinal ulcers, Malaria and fever etc.
- The flower is used to cure intestinal worms, reduce bile, and regulate phlegm.
- Neem fruits has ability to treat the harmful diseases such as bloody nose, Hemorrhoids and Diabetes
- Cough, asthma, intestinal worms, poor sperm counts, urinary diseases, and diabetes are all treated with neem twigs.
Conclusion
Medicinal chemistry is a discipline of chemistry dealing with the creation, design, and synthesis of pharmaceutical drugs. Medicine or meds are chemical substances that aid in the treatment of illnesses or the relief of suffering in living organisms. Uses of plants as Medicinal Plants create a large number of compounds that are physiologically active, not just in plants but also in other creatures. Tulsi is a moderate diuretic and detoxifying agent that aids in the reduction of uric acid levels in the body. Neem have been acknowledged in Indian culture for thousands of years. Various Medicines are made from the bark, leaves, and seeds of the neem.