Herbal Medicine
The most ancient of all complementary medicines going back thousands of years. Herbal medicine remains the primary form of medicine for 80% of the world population.
Many conventional drugs are derived from plants: Valium (originally from Valeriane), Digoxin (from the foxglove plant), Aspirin from the willow bark etc.
A number of other complementary disciplines use plants as remedies: Homeopathy, Aromatherapy, Ayurveda. Registered herbalists are well versed in the biochemistry of herbs and their potential interaction with current drugs.
Herbalists prescribe herbs in powder form, tea, tinctures, tablets, capsules, creams and ointments. Plenty are available in healthfood stores. However, a consultation with a trained practitioner is highly recommended for treating chronic conditions.