herbalism

Herbalism, also called herbal medicine or phytotherapy, is the practice of using plants or plant-derived substances to maintain health or treat disease. It spans a range of traditions and techniques and can be part of formal healthcare or traditional or complementary medicine. Herbal preparations may include whole plants, plant parts, or isolated constituents and can be made as teas, infusions, tinctures, extracts, syrups, oils, salves, or capsules.

Historically, herbal knowledge reaches ancient civilizations. Texts from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and Greco-Arabic pharmacopoeias describe extensive plant medicines. In medieval and early modern Europe, herbals documented uses and preparations. In the 19th and 20th centuries, pharmacology identified active compounds and industry began standardization. Today, herbalism exists within traditional systems and modern complementary medicine, often overlapping with pharmacognosy and phytotherapy.

Practitioners select herbs for specific effects, sometimes combining several into formulas. Plants may be used fresh or dried; common preparations include infusions, decoctions, tinctures, standardized extracts, essential oils, and topical products. Safety concerns include possible side effects, toxicities, drug interactions, allergies, and contraindications during pregnancy or illness. Quality and sourcing affect potency; regulation varies by country, with some products sold as dietary supplements and others as medicines.

Evidence for efficacy is variable across herbs and conditions; some have substantial data for particular indications, others lack rigorous trials. Regulatory and professional recognition differ, and standards such as labeling, standardization, and good manufacturing practices are increasingly emphasized.

Sustainability and conservation are important, as overharvesting can threaten wild plant populations. Ethical practice emphasizes sustainable cultivation, accurate identification, and respect for traditional knowledge.