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Medicinal Properties of Herbs
In ancient times, even up to the Middle Ages, the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Chinese and the Hindus attributed therapeutic qualities to plants and included them in their daily diet. Plants were consumed raw or cooked and combined with fish and meat dishes. The Cretan diet includes a wide range of plants (wild greens, vegetables, fruit and seeds) known as kitchen herbs. This term is used with the implication that these herbs, if consumed daily, promote health and long life.
Extracts from ancient Greek writings prove that most greens, vegetables, fruit and herbs were attributed effective therapeutic qualities. Hesiod, for example, was urging the Athenians to eat plenty of nettles to protect themselves from common illnesses for a whole year. Charlemagne, king of the Franks (742-814 AD) made a list of the most valued aromatic herbs and named the list 'Friend of the physician and the pride of the cook'. He then ordered that the herbs on that list be grown in his gardens.
Modern epidemiologists, physicians, and nutrition experts believe that herbs, wild greens and fresh fruits native to the Mediterranean are loaded with solar energy. The sun over the Mediterranean seems to exert a most beneficial influence on all edible plants with subsequent effects on human health.
Check that you understand what these words mean in this document
To attribute: to think that someone or something has a particular quality or feature.
To consume: to use especially in large amounts.
Implication: a result or effect that seems likely in the future .
Extract: a substance or part taken from somewhere to be used somewhere else.
Effective: giving results.
To urge: to encourage.
Beneficial: helpful or having a good effect.
Edible: suitable for eating.
Subsequent: happening after something else. | |
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