Herbal medicine - also known as botanical medicine, phytotherapy or phytomedicine - involves using a plant or part of a plant for healing purposes. The herbal part of a remedy may come from the leaf, flower, stem, seed, root, fruit or bark of the plant and it may be used to treat wounds and a range of other conditions.

 

Herbal remedies come in a variety of forms and may be applied internally or externally.

 

Herbal remedies that are taken internally include:

• liquid herb extracts;

• teas;

• powders; and

• capsules and tablets.

Herbal remedies that are applied externally include:

• baths

• compresses;

• douches;

• poultices and plasters;

• oils;

• ointments;

• salves; and

• wraps.