Herbal therapies use medically active substances harvested from plants — most commonly leaves, bark, roots, seeds or flowers. They are part of complementary and alternative medicine and are regulated to ensure they are not dangerous, but are not tested like prescription drugs.
They come as tablets, capsules, teas, powders, extracts and fresh or dried plants, and are used for allergies, asthma, eczema, PMS, arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines, menopause, chronic fatigue, IBS and more.
Popular herbs
- Ginkgo biloba — circulation and memory
- Goldenseal — healing and germ-fighting qualities
- Green tea — fatigue, cholesterol and weight
- St. John’s wort — mild to moderate low mood
Important: herbs can interact with medications and cause side effects. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any herbal therapy.
