Herbal medicine is the use of plants to treat disease. As well as looking at the environment externally and internally of the patient.
Medicines made from plants come in many forms such as teas, tinctures, creams, poultices, bath herbs, hair tonics, flower remedies, essential and herbal infused oils.
The Western herbal practitioner is trained in the same clinical diagnostic skills as an orthodox doctor. However the overall approach to the illness involves looking at all aspects of the patient's life.
Herbal medicine works to bring the whole being back to a place of harmony and balance. Investigations and treatment into the root causes of the disease, not only clears the body of the disease but overall strengthens and enhances vitality. Rather than sole treatment or suppression of the symptoms which weaken the overall ability to heal.
The history of herbal medicine spans the breadth of Humankind. The first documented herbal practices have been found due to archaeologists researching Stone Age sites.
Ancient traditional Indian, Chinese, African, Native American herbal medicines all continue to have an influence on today's medicine. Including sharing wisdom such as diagnostic skills to the modern western herbalist.
Much herbal research done today not only gives better knowledge of healing constituents within a plant but also proves what has already been known for thousands of years.
Today herbal medicine is practiced throughout the world, with over 80% reliant on herbal health care.