Herbalism

One of the most ancient forms of healing ...

herbal medicine dates back at least to the early Egyptians who compiled lists of herbs and their properties as early as 3000 BC. But since the use of herbs for health appears to be universal, no one country of culture can claim them. Almost every major culture has at one time or another used herbs as its primary, or only, source of medicine, according to The Complete Family Guide to Alternative Medicine. Herbal medicine continues to be an important branch of Chinese Medicine.

In the 19th century here in the United States, a form of herbalism emerged that was related to a movement called "physiomedicalism" which embraced the study of healing through the use of natural substances. This movement, which drew on both native American plant knowledge combined with rural folklore remedies, established the basis for therapeutic herbalism as it is currently practiced in the US.

Today, herbs and their derivatives are used as the basis of many modern medicines. This, despite the fact that the large pharmaceutical companies have gone to great length to discourage the practice of herbalism.

Emerging from virtual extinction a few decades ago, herbalism is making a resurgence in the wake of growing concerns about the side effects of drugs coupled with a growing interest in natural and alternative health care.

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Founded in 1983 with a mission of herb research and public education, the Herbal Research Foundation seeks to provide the public with truthful information about the health benefits of herbs. They offer media outreach and education programs each month on the safe and appropriate use of herbs. Other services include botanical literature research, publications, an online herbal encyclopedia, herb safety reviews, and herb information packets.

Alternative Nature Online features an herbal medicinal plant photo gallery with wild flower photos and   71 descriptions of uses in alternative medicine.

Botanicals.com is the home page of A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve, originally published 1931. The site offers a hyper-text version of the time honored guide and features over 800 varieties of medicinal, culinary, and cosmetic herbs, including economic properties, cultivation and folklore. You can do a word search of all 860 pages.

HerbMed® is an interactive, electronic herbal database that provides hyperlinked access to the scientific data underlying the use of herbs for health.  It is an evidence-based information resource  for professionals, researchers, and the general public.  HerbMed® is a project of the Alternative Medicine Foundation, Inc., and is provided as a freely available, public resource.

LAS/Yahoo Herbal Medicine Directory