Plant-Based Medicine: Herbs for the Service of Man Part 1
Psalms 104:14 states that our Heavenly Father “causeth the grass to grow for the cattle and herb for the service of man that he may bring forth food out of the earth.” Beyond nutrition, the Creator has also given humanity a natural medicine chest in nature in many of the herbs of the field.
Take for instance Marigold, aka Calendula (Calendula Officinalis). Calendula is one of those plants that testifies of God’s benevolence and foresight towards humankind. Calendula has healing properties for wounds and disinfection and is unique for both its angiogenic and fibroblastic qualities.i In short, this means that Calendula applied topically to the skin can cause new growth of blood vessels from existing ones. Also, it encourages the body in its natural process to heal wounds by forming new tissue. These capabilities are helpful in healing burns, and repairing tissues in leg, mouth, and nose ulcers as well as healing regular bruising.ii Calendula reduces plaque and gum inflammation.iii It has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antitumor, anticancer, antioxidant and anti-fever properties.iv And it is only one of the Creator’s wonderful medicines.
Yarrow, or Achillea Millefolium, is another plant that has been used to treat wounds. One of its wonderful benefits is its diaphoretic nature. This means it assists the body to break a sweat, or more beneficially, to break a fever. Diaphoretic teas can also help get rid of toxic buildup in the body. Yarrow is antimicrobialv, analgesic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant in nature. It is also a styptic or hemostatic agent, meaning it stops bleeding. Simply grind or mash up the plant and put it on an open wound and watch it slow and stop bleeding within minutes.vi
As we study the properties of the quiet and powerful lives of these plants, let us bow our hearts and minds in admiration of the Creator Jesus Christ who thought of us.
-------------------------------------------
i Parente LM, Lino Júnior Rde S, Tresvenzol LM, Vinaud MC, de Paula JR, Paulo NM. Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Animal Models of Calendula officinalis L. Growing in Brazil. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:375671. doi: 10.1155/2012/375671. Epub 2012 Jan 24. PMID: 22315631; PMCID: PMC3270572.
ii Ibid.
iii Khairnar MS, Pawar B, Marawar PP, Mani A. Evaluation of Calendula officinalis as an anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis agent. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2013 Nov;17(6):741-7. doi: 10.4103/0972-124X.124491. PMID: 24554883; PMCID: PMC3917203.
ivArora D, Rani A, Sharma A. A review on phytochemistry and ethnopharmacological aspects of genus Calendula. Pharmacogn Rev. 2013 Jul;7(14):179-87. doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.120520. PMID: 24347926; PMCID: PMC3841996.
v Toplan GG, Taşkın T, İşcan G, Göger F, Kürkçüoğlu M, Civaş A, Ecevit-Genç G, Mat A, Başer KHC. Comparative Studies on Essential Oil and Phenolic Content with In Vitro Antioxidant, Anticholinesterase, Antimicrobial Activities of Achillea biebersteinii Afan. and A. millefolium subsp. millefolium Afan. L. Growing in Eastern Turkey. Molecules. 2022 Mar 17;27(6):1956. doi: 10.3390/molecules27061956. PMID: 35335326; PMCID: PMC8955464.
vi https://fliphtml5.com/xqwhp/zwxf/basic/201-225 Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herb A Beginner’s Guide 33 Herbs To know Grow and Use.

