Herbology

Summary

Herbology studies plants used to prevent and treat health conditions and diseases. Herbs have been used throughout history for medicinal purposes. Herbology is an essential part of traditional Chinese medicine and has been incorporated into Western naturopathy. Growing interest in natural remedies in North America has increased the popularity of training programs in herbology. Although some cultures have used herbal treatments for thousands of years, their efficacy and quality have been questioned, and some people have called for stricter regulation of herbal products.

Definition and Basic Principles

Herbology, also known as phytotherapy, is the study of plants and plant extracts for medicinal use. Herbology is an integral part of Chinese traditional medicine, folk medicine, and naturopathic medicine. It is often used by practitioners who also favor alternative medical treatments such as acupuncture. An herbalist is a person who specializes in the use of plants and plant extracts for the prevention and treatment of diseases and conditions. Some herbalists also use naturally occurring nonplant products such as minerals and animal products.

Herbology is based on the knowledge that phytochemicals (chemical substances within plants) have pharmaceutical properties. Many herbal remedies are based on traditional practices, and many scientific studies have been done to verify the properties of herbal products. In 1978, the German Commission E, a governmental regulatory agency, was formed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of herbs available for general use. The commission produced 380 monographs. Although the commission is no longer in existence, the monographs are available in The Complete German Commission E Monographs, published by the American Botanical Council in 1998. These monographs are one of the most thorough collections of scientific data on herbology. Since the commission was disbanded, numerous scientific studies have been published by other groups regarding the effectiveness of various herbs in the treatment and prevention of disease.

In 2024, herbalists were not required to be licensed in the United States and Canada. Training programs in herbology are available through a number of organizations. The American Herbalists Guild was founded in 1989 to serve as an educational organization for herbalists in the United States. The American Botanical Council is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1988 to provide information to herbalists and consumers.

Herbal remedies are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not investigated by the FDA unless there are reports of adverse reactions. A similar situation exists in Canada. As more and more herbal products have become available, reports of adverse reactions due to product misuse or product contaminants have been increasing. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), a branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), takes a scientific approach. It provides research-based information on the safety and efficacy of herbs and offers training in herbology.

A wide variety of medical practitioners use herbology. In addition to traditional herbalists, medical herbalists, natural healers, holistic medical doctors, naturopaths, and practitioners of alternative medicine (such as traditional Chinese medicine) use herbs. In a practice called complementary medicine, some conventional doctors and other medical professionals treat patients using herbology and other alternative therapies in addition to traditional Western medicine. According to the NIH, in 2022, more than 37 percent of adults in the United States reported using some form of complementary or alternative medicine, including herbs.

Background and History

Plants and plant extracts have been used for many centuries to prevent and treat medical conditions. Ancient Egyptians used opium, garlic, and other plants, and the Old Testament includes references to the use of herbs. Herbology has been an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine for more than a thousand years.

Many pharmaceutical products are derived from plants. A well-known example is digitalis, which is derived from the foxglove plant and is used in the treatment of heart conditions. Another example is morphine, which was originally extracted from poppies. Aspirin is derived from salicin, which is present in the bark and leaves of the willow tree. As herbal remedies have become more popular, the manufacture and sale of herbal products, including combinations of herbs in tablet or extract form, has increased. Many products are readily available at health-food stores and pharmacies.

Although herbology relies on traditional knowledge, efforts have been made to verify the efficacy and safety of herbal remedies. The most well-known source for scientific information about herbs is the monographs produced by the German Commission E. The NCCIH also provides information on and training in herbology.

How It Works

Herbalists use herbal remedies made from plants. These remedies are based on the knowledge that phytochemicals have pharmacologic properties. These phytochemicals can be brought out by preparing the plant material in various ways, depending on the remedy.

Herbal medicines are often prepared as tea, which is properly called an infusion or decoction. A decoction is typically made by placing the stems, roots, or bark of a specific plant in water, and boiling the water until the volume is reduced. Infusions are made by steeping plant parts in hot or cold water and are usually made from the softer parts of plants, such as flowers or leaves. Decoctions and infusions extract water-soluble phytochemicals.

Herbal remedies may also be prepared as a tincture or extract. Tinctures are made by macerating the plant material in water and alcohol. The ratios of plant material, water, and alcohol will vary depending on the herbal remedy and dosages. Extracts will usually be more concentrated. For some extracts, glycerin is used as a solvent.

Tablets, lozenges, and dried herbs are also available. Some herbal products can also be found in creams or ointments.

Commercially available products are not regulated by the FDA, and the contents of some products have differed from the product label. Others have been contaminated with other herbs, metals, or pesticides. To ensure safety, NCCAM suggests that patients become informed about the herbal product, discuss it with their primary care physician, read the label carefully, and remember that natural does not always mean safe.

Consumers and practitioners should be aware that herbal products can cause adverse reactions or result in negative outcomes for several reasons. First, consumers or herbalists may not recognize the seriousness of a medical condition, which might require more aggressive medical treatment than herbs can provide. Second, problems can arise from allergic reactions, misidentification of herbal products, intentional or unintentional contamination of herbal products with heavy metals or other harmful substances, or mistakes in the dosage. Third, herbs and conventional medications may interact and exacerbate an existing condition. Finally, unsubstantiated herbal remedies may be ineffective and allow a condition to remain untreated.

Herbology is practiced in different ways according to the philosophy of treatment. Some dosage recommendations are derived from herbal traditions such as traditional Ayurvedic or Chinese medicine. Many books are available on herbal remedies, and some commercially available products will have recommended dosages on the label.

Although there are no standards for training in herbology, training programs are available through NCCIH and other organizations.

Applications and Products

Traditional Chinese Medicine. Herbology involves the use of plants and plant extracts in the treatment and prevention of disease. The application of herbal remedies may depend on the medical tradition followed by the herbalist. For example, a herbalist following traditional Chinese herbal medicine may recommend herbs to restore a person's body to a balanced state based on an examination of aspects such as yin and yang, as well as qi (chi) and blood. Yin and yang are opposite aspects, defined as light and dark, hot and cold, and moist and dry, respectively. Qi is often described as energy or a dynamic essence. Blood, transformed from the essence of food, is important as well. Chinese medicine also determines treatment according to the five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—corresponding to specific organs, senses, and bodily functions. Chinese herbal products range from specific foods such as wheat or grapes to combinations of herbs in a tablet or a tea.

Western Herbology. Some Western herbalists subdivide herbal remedies according to the organs or systems affected or the action of the herb. Herbal actions fall into several categories. Adaptogens are herbs used to treat emotional and physical stress. Tonics provide energy. Vulnerary herbs promote healing, and nervines work on the nervous system. Astringents contract tissues. Diaphoretics promote perspiration, and febrifuge is used to treat a fever. Alterative herbs restore normal function and may be further divided into hepatic, digestive, or antimicrobial. The gallbladder can be treated with a cholagogue or choleritic to promote the secretion of bile. Bitters and carminative herbs are used to support digestion. Purgative and cathartic herbs are used for a laxative effect, and stomachic is an agent to promote appetite. Demulcents are mucilaginous agents that soothe mucous membranes. Menstrual flow is enhanced by emmenagogues. Phytoestrogens enhance the estrogen system. Galactagogues promote lactation.

Applications. Herbology is used in several settings. Herbalists may be solo practitioners or may work in a health food store. Nutritionists or conventional physicians may incorporate herbology in their practices. Herbal remedies are readily available in pharmacies, and many pharmacists will have some knowledge about the benefits and dosing of herbal remedies. Herbal remedies are often used along with other forms of alternative medicine such as yoga, acupuncture, and meditation.

Careers and Course Work

For those wishing to become a practicing herbalist, programs are readily available in the United States and Canada. Herbology training usually involves studying botany, herbal medicine, as well as the history and philosophy of herbal medicine and receiving specialized training in the use of herbs in pregnancy and childhood.

The Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges consists of seven North American schools that provide naturopathic training. These schools offer a variety of programs leading to a degree or certificate, including a Bachelor of Science in herbal sciences, a certificate in Chinese herbal medicine, and a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree. The requirements for entry and completion of these programs vary depending on the chosen degree. These naturopathic programs are built around the six fundamental principles of healing: (1) the body has an inherent ability to create, maintain, and restore health (the healing power of nature); (2) the physician should not interfere with this healing power (first do no harm); (3) the cause of an illness must be identified for its treatment; (4) the physician should heal the whole person; (5) the physician should educate and encourage the patient; and (6) the physician should help the patient achieve health through preventive medicine. There are also a variety of online programs available for training in herbology. Certificate programs in Chinese herbology are offered at some Chinese universities; these are generally intended to be a supplement to the study of acupuncture.

For careers in the business side of herbology, business training or industry experience may be helpful. Researchers in herbology often have advanced degrees in related fields such as biochemistry, botany, chemistry, or physiology. Grants are available through the NCCAM for additional training in herbology.

Social Context and Future Prospects

In the twenty-first century, using plants and plant extracts for therapeutic treatment and disease prevention continued to be practiced worldwide. Advances in science and medicine continued in tandem with advances in herbology. With the development of government organizations, degree programs, and medical school courses in alternative medicine, mainstream medicine was likely to continue to incorporate the study of herbology. 

Consumer interest in herbal products continued to increase, spurring growth in the herbal industry. Widespread attention to herbology on the Internet and social media, especially by influencers, increased public awareness. As the number of herbal products expanded and more people used them, governments worked to monitor them to ensure consumer safety and prevent fraudulent practices. During the COVID-19 pandemic of the early 2020s, many people worldwide looked to herbal remedies to alleviate symptoms of the virus. Experts warned consumers that although herbology had been used to treat viruses and their symptoms in the past, more data was needed for their study on COVID-19. The FDA may introduce licensing or other measures to control the production and use of herbal products.

Continued research into herbal remedies was likely to lead to an improved understanding of herbs' benefits, possible side effects, and interactions. The phytochemicals responsible for the herbal effects also had the potential to lead to the development of conventional pharmaceuticals. Herbology is a field that continued to evolve with advances in medicine, technology, and science.

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