Botanical Medicine
Many traditional cultures use plants as their primary medicine. Most pharmaceutical drugs are actually derived from plants, and are isolates of what is found to be pharmacologically active in the plant. However, there are many beneficial aspects to the plants other than the pharmacologically active components which are extracted for synthesis of drugs. There is a synergistic effect of taking a plant or herb in its entirety, generating benefits beyond just the chemical effect. In essence, the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Botanical medicine is an art and science, working gently with the body to engender beneficial health effects. Botanicals are used with some patients, in various forms, including supplements, herbal tinctures, and teas, and are prescribed as customized formulas as applicable.