What is Herbal Medicine? Herbal medicine, also known as herbalism, is the use of herbs for their therapeutic and medicinal properties. Throughout history medical practitioners have used herbs to provide them with remedies for disease. Although western science has brought into question, and even denied the effectiveness of, many herbal remedies, plants continue to play a key role in medicine. It has been estimated that one quarter of all medical prescriptions are based on plant derivatives or plant-derived synthetic derivatives and approximately 80 percent of the world’s population (primarily those in developing countries) continue to rely on medicines derived from herbs. Thus, despite the dramatic advances of conventional medicine, it is clear that herbal medicine continues to have much to offer. A Brief History of Herbal Medicine: Records of the use of herbal medicine can be traced as far back as the ancient worlds of Mesopotamia and Egypt. In Mesopotamia, the Sumerian civilization in particular was extraordinarily advanced in many ways and possessed remarkable knowledge of growing and using plants. Assyria could also boast an impressive knowledge of medicinal herbs and the Egyptians were also advanced in their agricultural abilities. When the Greek civilization was built it also gave rise to a number of important schools of medicine and healers, including Hippocrates who is often referred to as the ‘Father of Medicine.’ In the 2nd and 3rd centuries, as trade between Europe, the Middle East, India, and Asia flourished, so did interest in herbal medicines and spices. It was during this time period that writers began an attempt to systematically catalog plants according to their medical properties. In China and India, elaborate medical systems involving herbal medicine were developed which continue to endure today. Although these systems varied significantly, they both focused on the idea of illnesses being the result of bodily imbalances which healers would attempt to restore using herbal remedies. Throughout the middle ages, locally grown herbs were often the only form of medicine readily available and well-equipped households would not have been without an herb garden. While many of the healers during this time period would likely have been ignorant of the conventions of scholarly medicine, through word-of-mouth, apprenticeship and practice in making use of herbs as part of a natural pharmacy, they were able to develop a high level of practical knowledge of herbal medicine. With herbal knowledge being passed down verbally and through family recipe books, women also had access to knowledge of herbal medicine and for the poor they were often the only skilled help available. Women who possessed knowledge of herbal medicine and practiced healing arts were known as wise women or midwives, although they also were at risk of being labeled witches in some parts of Europe and America. Charges of witchcraft reached their height in the 17th century and people, acting on fear fed by ignorance, accused wise women of satanic involvement. At around the same time in China, during the Ming dynasty, knowledge of herbal medicine was far beyond European medical understanding. Although China made fewer strides when under the reign of Manchu, the impressive herbal and medical traditions of China survived and continue to gain popularity around the world even today. Chinese medicine continues to be an extremely complex and sophisticated healing system that focuses on principles of holism and harmony as a means of preventing disease. Although herbal medicine was becoming increasingly advanced in Europe, conventional medicine was also developing and seeking to establish a monopoly in the health care field. For example, in 1858 the British Parliament was asked to pass legislation banning the herbal medicine or any type of practice not being trained in conventional schools. While the proposal was rejected in Europe, other parts of the world were not as fortunate and there was a time when it was illegal in a number of countries (including the United States and France) to practice herbal medicine without conventional training. While the development of medicines, either synthesized or made from the extractions of plants, was taking place during the 19th century, it was not until the second half of the 20th century that laboratory-produced medicines began replacing herbal medicines as the norm in our society. Antibiotics and other highly effective drugs such as steroid anti-inflammatories came into use in the decades following World War II and herbal medicines began to be regarded by many as outdated and ineffective. Herbal medicine was increasingly abandoned in favor of new treatments available that resulted in almost instant short-term improvement of symptoms. Unfortunately it took some of the devastating consequences of conventional medicines, including the 1000s of deformed babies who were born in the early 1960s to mothers prescribed thalidomide, a drug for morning sickness, to begin to reawaken an appreciation for herbal medicines. Furthermore, the poor state of health experienced by many in society today may also be responsible for renewed interest in more natural, herbal medicines. Despite vast amounts of money being spent on health care, significant percentages of populations remain unhealthy and herbal medicines stand to offer a more natural, holistic way of achieving and maintaining better health. Modern Herbal Medicine: The past few decades have seen a rise in the interest of modern herbal medicine. With all cultures having experimented with herbs and developed their own understanding of their medical properties and consumers demanding more natural, herbal remedies, exciting research and clinical studies are being carried out on the medicinal herbs of China, South America, Mexico, North America, Africa, and Australia. Given existing knowledge about the healing properties of many herbs, major pharmaceutical companies are also conducting extensive research on new plant species, including those found in rain forests, in the hopes of discovering additional ways of using herbs in medicine. One potential area of concern is the misconception of some that all herbal remedies are safe because the herbs used are natural. This is certainly not the case, as toxic herbs do exist, as well as herbs that can cause a number of unpleasant side effects. Fortunately, the standards of herbal medicine training and herbal products, including their ingredient labeling, is becoming more strict to ensure safety and quality. For a more thorough history of western herbal medicine, visit this page on the history of herbal medicine. .