Phytotherapy
Introduction
Phytotherapy, also known as herbal medicine, is the study of the use of extracts from natural origin as health-promoting agents. It is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Phytotherapy is considered a form of alternative therapy and is the basis for many modern pharmaceuticals.
History
The use of plants for healing purposes predates recorded history and forms the origin of much of modern medicine. Many conventional drugs originate from plant sources: a century ago, most of the few effective drugs were plant-based. Examples include aspirin (from willow bark), digoxin (from foxglove), quinine (from cinchona bark), and morphine (from the opium poppy). The development of drugs from plants continues, with drug companies engaged in large-scale pharmacologic screening of herbs.
Principles of Phytotherapy
Phytotherapy is distinct from homeopathy and anthroposophic medicine, and avoids mixing plant and synthetic bioactive substances. Traditional phytotherapy is a synonym for herbalism and regarded as alternative medicine by much of Western medicine. Although the medicinal and biological effects of many plant constituents such as alkaloids (morphine, atropine etc.) have been proven through clinical studies, there is debate about the efficacy and the place of phytotherapy in medical therapies.
Methods of Preparation
In some systems of traditional medicine, plants and their extracts are used for their chemical constituents. In others, they are used for their overall effect on the body, or for their energy properties. The methods of preparation are varied, including the use of individual herbs, complex herbal formulas, tinctures and extracts, and the use of various parts of plants, such as leaves, roots, stems, bark, and fruits.
Uses and Research
Phytotherapy is used for a wide range of conditions, including problems with the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, nervous, and reproductive systems, skin conditions, and cancer. It is generally regarded as a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and is used by CAM practitioners, naturopaths, and herbalists for the treatment and prevention of various health conditions.
Safety and Regulation
Like conventional pharmaceutical drugs, herbal medicines may have significant side effects. Also, since the content of phytochemicals will vary depending on the environmental conditions during growth and the time of harvest, they are often standardized to a specific amount of a certain phytochemical. The use of herbal remedies is more prevalent in patients with chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, asthma and end-stage kidney disease.