Plants are all around us and are purposeful aspects of life; we cannot do without plants to every extent.
The culturally significant plants are termed so because of their essential roles in aspects of health and life. They are used as medicines either for curing or preventing ailments and diseases or used as food, which is also healthy, nutritious and adds colour. These plants are symbolic and are also used as artefacts in some places or even for religious purposes, myths, and beliefs and also used for trade across borders.
Follow through this article to see a number of these plants that play culturally significant roles in and from around the world.
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1. Rice
Everybody eats rice; it is a well-known and accepted food worldwide — as a daily meal, ceremonious food, etc. and prepared in diverse ways. It is a plant food known worldwide and grown in most places in the world. The planting of rice began over 5000 BC in the Asian parts of the world. This plant is not only used as food but also its components and other aspects of it have various significant purposes; as a treatment for hair, mats, facial scrub, etc., the place of rice plants is a massive one and cannot be misplaced. Its scientific name is known as Oryza Sativa.
2. Tea
They are known as Camellia Sinensis is another significant and purposeful plant that has been a part of human life for a more substantial portion of their lives. It was also cultivated in Asian countries, specifically China, before reaching other countries. Specific kinds of Tea plants are recommended for health reasons like curing, treating, controlling, and preventing some ailments; some are used for healthy weight loss and other ceremonious and food purposes.
3. Bamboo
This is one plant that has numerous uses and purposes and cannot be over or underlooked. Its importance runs from valuable personal items to purposeful industrial items. Bamboo is used for construction purposes — roads, bridges, houses, schools, malls, hotels, etc.; used for medicines and other health-related things, used for making all types of furniture. Bamboo is also used in making fabrics, clothes, and even accessories. It is used in making different types of musical instruments. Bamboo is also used in manufacturing home items like utensils, toys, diapers, rugs, beer, etc. It is also referred to as Dracaena.
4. Henna
This is popular and used for decorative body art and paintings, primarily for ceremonies, weddings, naming ceremonies, and other special occasions, but many don’t know that it also has medicinal uses. It is used in preventing and curing external medical body issues like aches, injuries, whitlows, etc. in these cases, it’s not to be taken in but applied externally. Henna is dangerous to people with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, which is more in males than females. Henna grows in warm regions around the world. It is also called Lawsonia Intermis.
5. Ginger
Its botanical name is known as Zingiber Officinale. It is one culturally significant plant with a couple of health-related purposes. It can be used as a spice in foods, used in treating common cold and flu, aids and improves digestion reduces abdomen bloat and gas, helps with heart problems, reduces the possibility of mortal issues, reduces and reliefs of menstrual cramps and other abdominal issues.
6. Oak
The oak is also known as Genus Quercus. It is mainly found on European continents and other countries. It represents bravery, strength, endurance, and courage, identified as a national symbol by some states. The oak tree is an excellent furniture material; it is also helpful in constructing ledge or linkups for ships; wine barrels are also made from the oak. The bark of some types of oak trees treats insect bites and abdominal pains.
7. The Maple Tree
The botanical name goes Acer Saccharum. The maple tree is used in furniture making; cutting boards for kitchens, wooden floors, and musical instruments are all made with the maple tree. The leaves of some types of maple trees are made into skincare products that improve the skin and eliminate wrinkles. It is also used to make sugar or maple syrup. The maple tree is a national representation of Canada, as seen on its flag.
8. Pawpaw
Pawpaw is healthy and a good source of nutrients for the body. It is found in many states and countries of the world. It is also a source of flavours for drinks, snacks, and food. Pawpaw leaves are used as medicines for curing various ailments, boosting the free and proper flow of blood. Asimina Triloba is a temperate fruit tree native to eastern North America, Vasconcellea pubescens, a fruit tree native to South America, while Carica Papaya is a native to Tropical fruit tree native to Africa
9. Roses
Roses are connected to and symbolise several things like love, beauty, passion, and other connected feelings and emotions. They are used to accentuate the beauty of a place. There is a variety of species of roses with various uses. Roses are used to adding fragrance to perfumes, a home, etc. It helps lose weight through its petals; rose tea helps handle stress, lack of sleep, and menstrual cramps. Rose oil also helps deal with body aches and treats skin problems like acne. The scientific name is called Genus Rosa.
10. Onions
The onion is known as Allium Cepa. The onion plant was first grown in the Asian continents but is now a significant plant grown worldwide. Onions are perfect for health and healthy living. Onions have a variety of nutrients essential for health. It is also ideal for the heart – reduces heart problems, reduces fats in the blood, reduces high blood pressure, and normalises blood pressure. Intake of onion helps to reduce and protect against cancer, diabetes, and other health-related issues. Onions also help to boost the immune and the bones. It helps in digestion and the digestive system.
The benefits of Culturally significant plants found in different places around the world cannot be overrated or overemphasised. They play essential roles and, as such, should be valued and put to good use, should not be wasted or underused.
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