Botanical or Herbal medicine is one of the main therapies used by Naturopathic Doctors, but the use of plants as a medicine is as old as medicine itself. Herbal medicine is a system of healing that uses medicinal plants and natural protocols to prevent or treat  disease.

 

Naturopathic doctors are extensively trained in both the art and science of botanical medicine and are currently the only health care providers in Canada to be regulated for the use of botanical medicine.

 

Botanical medicine is a broad term referring to plant medicines in a number of forms, ranging from teas to concentrated extracts. Botanical are effective medicine, but like all medicines, they have limitations, and sometimes adverse effects, so they need to be prescribed by someone who is trained in their use. Botanical medicine can be prescribed in different forms including:

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• Whole Plant

• Tea

• Decoction

• Dried Plant

• Tincture

• Solid and Standardized Extract

• Intravenous Infusion​

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Botanical medicine therapeutic functions are: strengthen and tonify weakened systems of the body, provide nutritive value, offer antioxidant support, relieve symptoms, balance a body system, and increase endurance, resistance, and immunity. They can use for different systems of the body like:​

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• Cardiac System​

• Endocrine System

• Gastrointestinal System

• Gynecologic System

• Hematologic System

• Hepatic System

• Immune System

• Neurological System

• Pulmonary System

• Rheumatologic System

• Urinary System