The Healing
Power of Plants
June 6, 2008 - September 19, 2008
Have you ever wondered where the active ingredients in many prescription and over-the-counter drugs originate? The High Desert Museum presents The Healing Power of Plants, an interactive exhibit that sheds some light on the medicinal properties of a variety of plants and ancient traditions centered on them.
When we reach into the medicine chest to relieve a headache, cold, or some other ailment, it usually does not occur to us that we may be reaching for a plant. Throughout history plants have played a significant role in treating disease. Even today, one quarter of all prescription drugs are likely to contain ingredients derived from plants.Despite advances in modern medicine, rich traditions of herbal medicine have continued in many parts of the world. Over eighty percent of the world's population still depends on local remedies made almost exclusively from plants. In the past few decades a resurgence of interest in botanical medicine has occurred in the United States.
But, as civilizations encroach on natural habitats, many valuable medicinal plants along with the cultures that understand them are disappearing. Practitioner stories and Western medicine's use of plants and plant derivatives to treat common ailments provide illuminating perspectives, accompanied by a discussion on dissipating the impact of accelerating encroachment upon the habitats of these often small flora populations.
Through photographs of a wide variety of plants and accompanying informative panels, and live and dried examples of featured plants, The Healing Power of Plants covers areas of interest such as herbs for common ailments, drugs derived from plants, knowledge of local medicinal plants, healing traditions, and conservation. Examples of plant based medicines and healing products will also be included.
Local High Desert mecinal plants: Western Juniper, Wild Rose, Oregon Grape and Willow are also highlighted.
Don't miss the Pioneer's garden at the Homestead Ranch. Click here to see the list of healing and herbal plants you could find in the 1880's, and learn about old-fashioned remedies.
Sponsored by Nature's
