Herbal Medicine, also known as Botanical Medicine, is one of the oldest healing modalities known to mankind. Traditional Chinese/Oriental Medicine relies on the use of herbal medicine for both treatment of illnesses and as preventive therapies. Used for medical applications in many cultures, a plant’s leaves, flowers, stems, seeds, fruits, roots, barks or any other part can be prepared in many forms including the whole plant itself (fresh or dried), teas, capsules, tablets, powders, extracts, tinctures, essential oils, salves and creams. Plant parts contain a large number of naturally occurring chemicals that have biological and healing properties. Some can interact with prescription or over-the-counter medication. Besides, Herbalists, Naturopaths, Chiropractors, and practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine, more conventional physicians and pharmacists are now recognizing the benefits and are being trained in herbal medicine.
