Use of Botanical Medicines

In the United States today, a wide variety of botanical medicines are used for medicinal purposes, including those from the European, Traditional Chinese, Ayurvedic, Mexican, and indigenous traditions.

Patients diagnosed or self-diagnosed with a medical condition may choose a botanical therapy to treat their symptoms. They may also use botanical medicines to prevent disease and/or maintain health and wellness.

In other words, patients use botanicals in much the same way they use prescription pharmaceuticals recommended by their physician, or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines available at the local pharmacy.

This Section: ~20 min.