Overview of the traditional systems of medicine in different continents during postwar recovery

Abstract

Abstract The traditional system of medicine has been identified as a very vast and effective system that spread all over the world according to the World Health Organization. From a survey obtained from different continents, it could be concluded that more than 80% of plants have been cultivated on different continents used for medical purposes. These plants and parts plants such as the roots, bark, leaves, flowers, and rhizomes contain important chemical constituents such as vitamins, essential oils, terpenes, alkaloids, and many more. Each component has a specific use against different diseases and in maintaining human health. In current chapter, we discuss the use of different plants that belong to different families and effectively maintain the primary health-related problem. It has been known for a long time that plants have medicinal properties that can be used to treat various infections that affect human beings. It is known that these qualities might be linked to the presence of their secondary metabolites. Recently, it has been found that phytochemicals act as antimicrobial agents against many pathogens that infect humans. Numerous bacteria have been documented to develop a higher level of resistance to antibiotics. Therefore, there is a need to search for alternative natural, biocompatible, and ecofriendly natural products derived from plants for the effective management of these resistant bacteria. Over the previous decade, various plants have been studied for their antibiotic potential. This antibiotic potential could be attributed to the presence of specific plant secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, tannins, anthraquinones, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, etc. The current chapter intends to provide detailed information on the numerous types of an overview of the traditional systems of medicine on different continents. Moreover, special emphasis is given to a general overview of the traditional systems of medicine on different continents during postwar recovery where there was no availability of relevant medical facilities, most especially in developing countries.