Herbalism or herbal medicine
Is the use of plants for medicinal purposes, and the study of such use. Plants have been the basis for medical treatments throughout much of human history, and such traditional medicine is still widely practised today. Modern medicine recognizes herbalism as a form of alternative medicine, as the practice of herbalism is not strictly based on evidence gathered using the scientific method. Modern medicine, does, however, make use of many plant-derived compounds as the basis for evidence-tested pharmaceutical drugs, and phytotherapy works to apply modern standards of effectiveness testing to herbs and medicines that are derived from natural sources. The scope of herbal medicine is sometimes extended to include fungal and bee products, as well as minerals, shells, and certain animal parts.
Herbal medicine
is the use of plants (herbs) to treat disease and enhance well-being. Herbal medicine is used to treat a range of disorders including anxiety, arthritis, depression, high blood pressure, insomnia, hormonal imbalances, migraines, skin problems such as eczema, and other disorders. Herbs can act on the body as powerfully as pharmaceutical drugs and need to be treated with care. Herbs are administered by a herbalist or herbal therapist.
Why use herbal medicine?
Herbs are natural medicine. Some herbs have potent ingredients and should be treated with the same care and respect as pharmaceutical drugs. Many pharmaceutical drugs are based on the synthesized versions of naturally occurring compounds found in plants. For instance, the heart drug digitalis was derived from the herb foxglove. In recent years, interest in herbal medicine has skyrocketed, leading to a greater scientific interest in the medicinal use of plants. Many international studies have shown that plants are capable of treating disease and improving health, often without any significant side effects.
Herbal medicine history
Herbal medicine has its origins in ancient cultures including those of the Egyptians, American Indians, and Chinese. It involves the medicinal use of plants to treat disease and enhance general health and well-being.