Herbalism

Herbalism refers to folk and traditional medicinal practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as phytotherapy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The use of herbs to treat disease is almost universal among native people. A number of traditions have come to dominate the practise of herbal medicine in the west at the end of the twentieth century:-

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• The Western, based on Greek and Roman sources,
• The Ayurvedic from India, and
• Chinese herbal medicine.

Many of the pharmaceuticals currently available to Western physicians have a long history of use as herbal remedies, including opium, aspirin, digitalis, and quinine.

Related Topics:
Opium - Aspirin - Digitalis - Quinine

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 
Herbalism: Biological background ►