Phytotherapy / Herbal Medicine
Phytotherapy uses whole plants or parts of plants to treat and prevent diseases.
Herbal medicine is as old as humanity itself, probably even older, since animals are also known to use herbs for the treatment of diseases.
In contrast to the purely rational phytotherapy, the herbal medicine of naturopathy or CAM, is not only based on the scientifically proven effects of the plants and their constituents. A significant emphasis is also placed on traditions and experience. The use of isolated single substances, even when originally plant based, is not part of phytotherapy. This means that the action of herbal medicine is always based on a substance mix, either from the roots, leaves, blossoms or the whole plant. Administration can be through teas, tinctures, liniments, compresses or pills.
Indications for herbal medicine are conditions of the:
Respiratory tract
Cardiovascular system
Digestive tract
Musculoskeletal system
Nervous system
Endocrine system, as well as
Pain relief
Immune system support
Metabolic disbalance
Detox etc.