Herbalism is the practice of using the therapeutic properties of plants to aid our body’s natural healing processes

People have used plants as a primary source of medicine for thousands of years. Herbal medicine is a system of using the natural healing properties of plants to treat imbalances within the body. There are more than 10,000 medicinal plants that contain vital plant chemical constituents. These constituents work synergistically to promote health by regulating the internal organs (hence treating the root underlying cause of dysfuntion), boosting the immune system and, enhancing the body’s innate potential to heal itself. Additionally, the fact that herbs work at all three levels: mind, body and spirit, enables it to treat the person as a whole. Herbal medicine provides a safe and effective solution to a wide range of physical and emotional ailments.

Unlike pharmaceutical medicine that takes on a generic prescription to treat everyone, herbal medicine prescriptions comprise of a number of herbs to produce a balanced and more powerful effect that are tailored to treat the indiviual. Therefore, no two prescriptions will be the same. The prescription is based on the unique needs of the individual focusing on treating the underlying causes, as well as, the symptoms. Herbs can be taken in the form of tinctures, fluid extracts, teas (infusions or decoctions), syrups, juices, capsules or tablets. They may also be applied externally in creams, ointments and poultices.

Herbs can be used on their own or alongside pharmaceutical medicine and can be taken by everyone, from babies to the elderly.