The Bible and Medicinal Plants: The Healing Power of Natural Medicines

Religious books, especially the Bible, include many plants and herbs which have been used as traditional medicines for thousands of years. Aloe vera (John 19::39-40), Anise (Matthew 23::23), Balm (Ezeiel 27::17, Genesis 37::25, Genesis 43::11, Genesis 37::25, Jeremiah 8::22, Jeremiah 46::11, Jeremiah 51::8), Bitter herbs such as Coriander seed, Cilantro root, Wild lettuce, Wild endives (Exodus 2::8, Exodus 12::8), Cassia (Exodus 30::24, Ezekiel 27::19, Psalms 45::8), Cinnamon (Exodus 30::23), Cumin (Isaiah 28::25), Fig (Judges 9::10-11, Numbers 13::21-23, Numbers 20::5, Deuteronomy 8::7-9, 1 Samuel 30::11-12, Nehemiah 13::15, 1 Samuel 25::18, 2 Samuel 16::1, 1 Chronicles 12::40, 2 Kings 20::107, Genesis 3::6-7, Isaiah 38::21, and etc.), Flax (Leviticus 6::10), Frankincense (Matthew 2::10-11, Exodus 30::24), Garlic (Numbers 11::5-6), Hyssop (1 King 4::33, Psalm 51::7), Mandrake (Genesis 30::14, Song of Songs 7::13), Milk thistle (Genesis 3::18), Mint (Luke 11::41, Matthew 23::23), Mustard seed (Luke 17::6), Myrrh (Esther 2::12, Genesis 43::11, Proverbs 7::17), Nard (Song 1::12, Song 4::13, Song 4::14, Mark 14::3, John 12::3), Pistachio nuts and Almond (Genesis 43::11), Saffron (Song of Solomon 4::14), and Turmeric (Song of Solomon 4::14-15) are important medicinal plants which have been mentioned in the Bible. In recent years, the use of herbal medicines and their natural products has increased rapidly across the world. The aim of this manuscript is to review the notable health benefits and pharmaceutical advantages of medicinal plants and herbs which have been mentioned in the Bible.