Herbal medicine is the art of prescribing plant parts and other natural substances for therapeutic purposes. It is one of the world’s oldest healing arts. In China herbal medicine dates back thousands of years where herbs were used for their medicinal value to remedy a wide range of diseases and disorders. Over eighty percent of the world’s population still relies on herbs as their primary modality for the treatment of disease. Approximately twenty-five percent of all currently used pharmaceuticals, including aspirin, have their origins in plants.

Herbal therapy can be a valuable, natural alternative to the use of drugs, which are chemically altered or synthetically produced and which often have very harmful side-effects. Herbs do not simply treat symptoms like western drugs often do, but rather are used to harmonize the energy system and thereby correct the underlying imbalances that allowed disease to take root in the first place. Herbs can also be used as complementary therapy for patients who need to continue drug therapies. It is beneficial for children of all ages and adults. While Chinese herbal medicine was traditionally dispensed as herbal teas, with specific doses drunk daily, more modern formulations include herbs in pill or granulated form, tinctures and syrups. Herbal liniments, ointments and creams for topical application are also very valuable.

Wholistic Healng Arts also utilizes many Western herbal remedies that were developed by the Eclectic School of Medicine. Popular in the 19th century, the eclectics utilized extensive Indian herbal knowledge and laid the foundation for wholistic medicine in America which thrived in various cities throughout the country until conventional allopathic medicine successfully eliminated its opposition and dominated the medical field.

This traditional form of healing has a long and revered history of treating both internal and external complaints, including but not limited to the common cold, flu, bronchitis, asthma, cardiac disease, nausea, vomiting, ulcers, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, kidney and gall stones, urinary tract infections, skin diseases, anxiety, depression, headaches, arthritis, cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes. It is also used in pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology.