History &
Use of Traditional
Herbal
Medicines

By definition, ‘traditional’ use of herbal medicines implies substantial historical use, and this is certainly true for many products that are available as ‘traditional herbal medicines’.

In many developing countries, a large proportion of the population relies on traditional practitioners and their armamentarium of medicinal plants in order to meet health care needs.

Although modern medicine may exist side-by-side with such traditional practice, herbal medicines have often maintained their popularity for historical and cultural reasons. Such products have

become more widely available commercially, especially in developed countries.

In this modern setting, ingredients are sometimes marketed for uses that were never contemplated in the traditional healing systems from

which they emerged.

Indian traditional Herbal medicine is a

medical system primarily practised in India

that has been known for nearly 5000 years.

It includes diet and herbal remedies, while emphasising the body, mind and spirit in

disease prevention and treatment.