What is herbal medicine?

Humans have used plants for medicinal purposes for millennia. Even conventional drugs have their origins in plant compounds, although many are now synthetically produced. Medical herbalism uses plant material, whether leaves, roots, flowers or seeds, to produce medicines. These may be used internally, such as tinctures, teas or capsules, or externally, in the form of creams and ointments. Although based on traditional experience, herbalism is increasingly supported by new understandings of scientific research into the active ingredients of plants and their healing properties.

 

Medical herbalists study anatomy and physiology, pathology, and conventional treatments, alongside, of course, a vast number of medicinal plants, each with their own amazing array of chemical constituents and restorative abilities. We are also required to complete 500 clinical hours before we sit our final exams and are trained in the same diagnostic skills as GPs.​