What is Herbal Medicine?
Herbal medicine is also known as Medical Herbalism, Botanical Medicine, Herbalism, Herbology and Phytotherapy.
Herbal medicine is the most ancient form of medicine. It uses the plant’s seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes. Each plant contains multiple groups of valuable constituents, nutrients and crucial mineral material in its natural context that have medicinal uses.
Plants have been used throughout history for healing and nourishment, making major contributions to human health. They are used for their curative and rehabilitative properties, as well as their benefits for preventing certain illnesses. They are often used for revitalizing and balancing general well-being. The long traditions of many herbal remedies and experiences have been passed on from generation to generation.
The practice of modern Western Herbal Medicine combines ancient knowledge with comprehensive up-to-date scientific research into plant efficacy to treat illnesses and medicine. Medical Herbalists undergo extensive training in Western medicine and combine this with an in-depth knowledge of the medicinal use of herbs.
Medical herbalists primarily tend to use plants that are found locally and traditionally used but they also use plants from other traditions. Other traditions can include those found in Chinese medicine, Ayurveda medicine, African Traditional medicine, Aboriginal medicine, and Traditional Native American medicine.