Botanical (Herbal) Medicine

Herbal medicine, sometimes referred to as Botanical medicine, is the use of herbs, in a wide variety of forms, for their therapeutic value. An herb is a plant, or plant part, valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities. Herb plants produce and contain a variety of chemical substances that act upon the body.

Herbal remedies have been used by all cultures since the beginning of time. Many modern pharmaceutical drugs are derived from plants, but the plants are altered, refined, and synthetically produced. Naturopathic doctors believe the unaltered, natural form of the plant provides the most desirable medicinal response with fewer to no side effects.

Herbal Medicine is probably the oldest and most widespread healing method in the world. The famous “Ice Man” of the Alps, a 5000 year old man found frozen in a glacier, had several kinds of medicinal plants and fungi among his possessions; even Chimpanzees have been observed chewing leaves they don’t normally eat with medicinal properties when they are ill.

Every culture in the world has a long tradition of herbal medicine, but it is only recently that these medicines are being rediscovered and growing popular in the western world. A huge variety of herbs, from every corner of the globe, are now available in herb shops, health food stores and on drugstore shelves. An herbal remedy can be found to treat practically any medical, psychological or emotional problem.

Questions?
If you have any questions about Herbal therapy or would like more information on our programs or services, you can contact IMI at 403.233.0917 or by email at info@i-medi.org