Botanical medicine sometimes referred to as Herbal Medicine or Herbalism is the use of herbs (a plant or plant part) for medicinal purposes. Herbs contain a variety of chemical constituents that act upon the body in various ways in order to move the body back towards health. Using herbs as medicine is the oldest form of healthcare and has been used by all cultures throughout history. The use of plants as medicine is core to the practice of Naturopathic Medicine. The use of plants as medicines is scientifically formulated and researched. There is a growing body of research demonstrating the effectiveness of herbs over synthetic drugs in clinical situations. Dr. Nate Champion  provides botanical medicine at Partners in Healing of Minneapolis.

Although conventional medicine has often considered herbal treatments “experimental”, many pharmaceuticals (drugs) are derived from plants. In more modern times, science has isolated the medicinal properties from a large number of plants. Many plant constituents are now synthesized in large laboratories for use in pharmaceutical preparations. A few examples include digitalis (cardiac drug), aspirin (salicylic acid derived from the bark of the willow tree), and vincristine (anti-cancer/tumor drug that comes from periwinkle).

How are herbal medicines prepared?
Naturopathic Physicians utilize various components of plants for their healing properties. These can include the flowers, leaves, roots, stems, berries, fruit, seeds, bark, rhizome, etc. There are many forms in which herbs can be applied or delivered to the patient. These include capsules, tinctures, teas, glycerites, decoctions, etc. Various topical preparations include salves, creams, compresses, poultices, and liniments. Most of the herbs prescribed by Dr. Champion are in the form of capsules, tinctures, and glycerites.

Are botanical medicines safe?
When used properly, herbs are very safe and effective. But, it is important to seek a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) or trained Herbalist before beginning treatment with botanicals. Naturopathic Doctors have extensive training in botanical medicine, where they are required to learn the toxicology, medicinal constituents utilized, drug-herb interactions, which herbs are unsafe to prescribe, and how to safely prescribe hundreds of other herbs. At the completion of medical school, Naturopathic Doctors are required to sit for a professional licensing board exam (NABNE) which includes competency in botanical medicine.

Drug and herb interactions can present a problem if one is not knowledgeable about both the drugs and herbs in question. This risk of any harmful interaction can be significantly minimized when a Naturopathic Doctor is carefully managing your treatment. Commonly, many herbs are safe to take with certain medications, but it is imperative to consult with your Naturopathic Doctor before beginning any botanical medicine protocol.