What Is an Herbal Remedy

In definition, herbal remedies used as medicines may be traditionally or serendipitously derived, varying in formulation, preparation, and standardization, sometimes unreliable as to plant identification or to chemical composition, and depending on their cultural source, infrequently validated, in conventional ways, as to efficacy or safety. They may be prescribed by a healer of experience and training or of questionable skill, or they may be used in self-medication. As exemplified in American and African indigenous populations, prayers, mantras, or other forms of healing ceremonies may be used as an adjunct to phytotherapy. The applications of energy medicine to potentiate the curative process are still poorly understood (Elvin-Lewis, 2003, 2004). 

It should be emphasized that pharmacopeias are not static entities but are constantly evolving. Those of current Neo-Western origin may incorporate 

In addition, unwanted side reactions are likely to be more prevalent among those that tend to prefer the plethora of new untested and unregulated products available. Unfortunately, these individuals, who frequently self-medicate, are unlikely to report any undesirable incident because it would impugn their judgment and beliefs that herbal products are safe, that the contents and packaging claims regarding use and value are accurate, and that the benefits they hope to obtain are otherwise unavailable. 

Practices of indigenous medicines occur in circumscribed parts of the world where traditional knowledge is still honored (Amazonia, sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania, etc.). Phytotherapy is very much a part of these customary practices, and it usually follows that when a remedy is widespread in acceptance, its efficacy and safety has a sound therapeutic basis. As evidence of this worth spreads, it is not unusual for it to be incorporated into other established forms of herbalism or phytotherapy. Neo-Western herbalism is particularly prone to adopting these remedies. 

Unlike their European counterparts, North American herbalists are more likely to be self-taught or to be trained in an array of apprenticeship 

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