Despite the many wonders of science and industry, modern life is fraught with stress. Mobile devices and the web have vastly increased the pace of life so that many people feel that they are now drowning in an ever-expanding ocean of data, while industrial agriculture has burdened us with increasing exposure to unhealthy processed and packaged food and a plethora of pesticides, food packaging materials and other toxic industrial chemicals. Urban dwellers are also faced with increasing wealth inequality, social isolation, excessive noise, air, water and soil pollution and disconnection from nature. Thus, while industrialization has led to longer lifespans and vast increases in human populations, it is now recognized that the greatest causes of death and disease on the planet are preventable lifestyle-related chronic diseases [1].

DIVINE TULSI

In Hinduism, tulsi is worshipped as a goddess and every part of the tulsi plant is revered and considered sacred, including the leaves, stem, flower, root, seeds and oil. Even the surrounding soil, which has recently been found to harbor beneficial endophytic fungi [2] is considered an aspect of the divine. As such, Hindi households are considered incomplete without a tulsi plant, typically in an ornate earthen pot situated in a courtyard where tulsi serves both practical and ceremonial purposes. For example, tulsi's distinct clove-like aroma arising from its high eugenol content serves to link the householder to the divine while also repelling mosquitoes, flies and other harmful insects. Tulsi is further integrated into daily life through evening and morning rituals and other spiritual and purification practices that can involve ingesting its leaves or consuming tulsi tea.

In addition to sanctifying the home, tulsi is used ceremonially in Hinduism and some Greek Orthodox Churches to create “holy water.” Tulsi wood or seeds are also used to make tulsi malas, which are strings of beads used to help the mind focus during meditation, chanting and devotional practices and therefore ceremonially connect mind, body and spirit. Tulsi has also been used in cities to combat air pollution and hundreds of thousands of tulsi plants have been planted around the Taj Mahal in Agra to help protect the iconic marble building from environmental pollution damage [3].

AIMS

A Worship plant Basil as an herbal remedy in daily life.

OBJECTIVES

• To assess the importance of herbs in daily life.
• To assess the herbs as remedies in daily life.

METHODS & MATERIAL

This paper was based on secondary data sources, gathering information from research articles, newspaper reports and online talks. The research methodology employed is descriptive, intending to offer an overview of herbal remedies. A comprehensive ethnobotanical literature search was conducted on the food plants used as herbal medicine in the Mediterranean region using existing online scientific databases, such as Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct, as well as Google Scholar. The following keywords and connectors were used: “country” AND “ethnobotanical” OR “ethnobotany”, OR “ethnopharmacological” OR “ethnopharmacology”. Publications were filtered by document type (peer-reviewed articles only), duplicates, and full-text availability; our search strategy was not bound by chronological limits. The abstracts of the articles selected in the previous step were thoroughly screened to determine the actual relevance of the review articles and exclude inapplicable studies. Only articles that contained specific references to the use of horticultural food plants as herbal remedies were considered. The selected articles were read and evaluated in their entirety. Finally, through an extensive evaluation of the documents cited in the “References” of the selected articles, we were able to collect additional articles on the ethnobotany of horticultural plants.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Nervous System: The medicinal properties of these plants, which have a calming effect and relieve headaches, are also used to treat disorders of the nervous system. A decoction of the leaves of Ocimum basilicum is often used as a sedative, while slices of the tubers of Solanum tuberosum are placed on the forehead to relieve headaches. Other uses include fighting fevers, treating alcoholism, and treating sensory system problems such as eye and ear conditions. Garden plants also have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, contribute to dental health, and serve as a remedy for various ailments that do not fall into other categories [5].

Musculoskeletal System: The use of HFPs in folk phytotherapy for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders is mainly due to the therapeutic potential of these plants, which often have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and muscle-relaxing properties. The species most frequently mentioned in this context is Brassica oleracea, whose leaves, roasted or boiled, are used externally to treat rheumatism, bruises, joint pain, and tendonitis. Tinctures or macerates made from the fruits of Capsicum annuum, the leaves of Petroselinum spp., or the bulbs of Allium sativum are used externally to treat rheumatisms [5].

Gastrointestinal System: The large number of reports on the use of gastrointestinal remedies suggests that horticultural plants play an important role in traditional folk medicine in the treatment of digestive problems and the maintenance of intestinal health, with anthelmintic and liver diseases also accounting for a significant proportion. The diversity of herbal remedies for gastrointestinal complaints indicates a rich knowledge base within the community for the treatment of such problems. Thirteen plant species are commonly used for their digestive properties and are administered in different ways. For example, the seeds of Cucumis melo, Cucurbita pepo, and Daucus carota can be eaten raw or used to prepare decoctions. The leaves of Beta vulgaris, the roots of Raphanus sativus, and the fruits of Capsicum annuum can be eaten either raw or after cooking due to their digestive effect. Digestive decoctions can also be made from the pistils of Crocus sativus, the leaves of Lactuca sativa, and the bracts of Cynara cardunculus subsp. cardunculus. Stomach pains and hyperacidity are usually treated with a decoction of the leaves of Ocimum basilicum, the fruits of Petroselinum spp., or a decoction of the bulbs of Allium cepa and A. sativum. Carrots, radishes, and broad beans are eaten to treat diarrhea. Both cholagogue and choleretic plants are used in traditional and alternative medicine to support the health of the digestive system and treat ailments related to the production and flow of bile. The most commonly reported plants for this purpose are Cynara cardunculus (bracts and leaves for infusions), Petroselinum spp. (aerial parts for raw consumption), and Solanum melongena (fruits for decoctions). The most commonly reported anthelmintic is garlic (Allium sativum), which is taken orally, raw, or as a decoction and, sometimes, even inhaled. The seeds of some species of the cucurbit family (Cucurbitaceae) are also consumed as anthelmintic (Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita maxima, C. moschata, and C. pepo). For some species (e.g., Cicer arietinum, Petroselinum spp., and Allium schoenoprasum), regional use as an anthelmintic has been identified [5].

Integumentary System: As far as the integumentary system is concerned, horticultural species are mainly used to treat skin diseases but also contribute to the treatment of hair diseases. This emphasizes the importance of these plants in the treatment of dermatological problems, wound care, and the improvement of skin and hair health in traditional medical practice. Many of the species mentioned are used to locally soothe and heal burns, including the raw leaves of Apium graveolens, the cooked leaves of Beta vulgaris, the raw fruits of Cucumis sativus and Cucurbita pepo, and the raw roots of Daucus carota. For minor skin inflammations such as pimples or larger inflammations with pus, boiled leaves of Brassica oleracea are applied to the affected area, while, for mastitis and rhagades, roasted leaves of the same species are applied topically. Raw bulbs of Allium sativum, raw leaves of Petroselinum spp., or, as a decoction, raw fruits of Solanum lycopersicum or slices of raw tubers of Solanum tuberosum are used to relieve the itching of insect bites. A poultice made from the raw roots of Raphanus sativus subsp. sativus is not used to improve the condition of facial skin but to remove spots on the face, fade freckles, and reduce the effects of oily skin. The most commonly cited species is Allium cepa, which is also used for digestive complaints. Raw onion bulbs without the outer bracts are used for burns, wound healing, insect bites, and also hair loss. Alternatively, the scales of the onion fried in oil are applied to blisters, pimples, etc., to speed up healing and heal purulent skin abscesses caused by thorns [5].

Cardiovascular System: The presence of horticultural herbal remedies for cardiovascular health is noteworthy, as it reflects the potential of these plants to play a role in traditional medicine in supporting heart health and treating related problems. Horticultural species used to treat hypertension include various plants and herbs that have potential medicinal properties. Decoctions or macerates from the bulbs of Allium sativum and A. cepa are widely known as a means of lowering blood pressure. In addition, the fruits of Capsicum annuum and the juice from the leaves of Lactuca sativa are used to treat high blood pressure. Allium and Petroselinum species are also eaten raw to lower cholesterol levels [5].

Respiratory System: The use of garden plants for the respiratory system is another interesting finding. From the use reports, it appears that certain plants are considered effective for treating respiratory ailments, which could be helpful in traditional herbal medicine for treating ailments such as coughs, colds, and other respiratory ailments. Among these plants, the species Allium cepa and A. sativum are often mentioned for the treatment of respiratory diseases. The bulbs are used raw or to make decoctions or tinctures. A decoction made from the leaves of Lactuca sativa appears to be effective in treating some respiratory symptoms [5].

Urinary System: Plants used for problems with the urinary tract are mainly used as diuretics or to treat and prevent kidney stones. The most commonly cited remedies for the treatment of urinary tract disorders include the raw consumption of Apium graveolens stems and the decoction of Asparagus officinalis roots and Petroselinum spp. outer parts [5].

Endocrine System: Reports on the use of HFPs for hormonal and metabolic imbalances in traditional folk medicine indicate their use for the endocrine system. In this regard, lactation and diabetes are the main categories for which these plants are used. The bulbs of Allium cepa, whether raw or cooked, are the main parts of the plant used as a galactagogue. The leaves and fruits of Ocimum basilicum, Anethum graveolens, Beta vulgaris, and Petroselinum spp. is also used for the same purpose. The fruits of Lupinus albus are used as a remedy for type 2 diabetes. Raw bulbs of Allium cepa and a decoction of the bracts and leaves of Cynara cardunculus subsp. cardunculus are used for the same metabolic disorder [5].

CONCLUSION

In summary, these results demonstrate the diverse use of garden plants in folk phytotherapy and illustrate their role in the treatment of a wide range of health problems in different body systems in Mediterranean countries. The role of ethnobotanical studies is to avoid the loss of traditional knowledge about the use of food plants and, at the same time, provide the basis for the discovery of new medicines through phytochemical and biochemical research. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches, there is significant potential to discover novel therapies and enhance the understanding of the therapeutic uses of garden plants, thereby contributing to both cultural preservation and medical advancements. In this respect, new field studies in the Mediterranean region targeting specific knowledge of horticultural food plants are desirable.