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Herbal Medicine
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/herbalmedicine.html

Herbal Medicine

Also called: Botanicals, Phytotherapy
On this page

Basics

  • Summary
  • Start Here

Learn More

  • Related Issues
  • Specifics

See, Play and Learn

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Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Journal Articles

Resources

  • Find an Expert

For You

  • Women
  • Patient Handouts

Summary

An herb is a plant or plant part used for its scent, flavor, or therapeutic properties. Herbal medicines are one type of dietary supplement. They are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts, and fresh or dried plants. People use herbal medicines to try to maintain or improve their health.

Many people believe that products labeled "natural" are always safe and good for them. This is not necessarily true. Herbal medicines do not have to go through the testing that drugs do. Some herbs, such as comfrey and ephedra, can cause serious harm. Some herbs can interact with prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

If you are thinking about using an herbal medicine, first get information on it from reliable sources. Make sure to tell your health care provider about any herbal medicines you are taking.

NIH: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Start Here

  • About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center)
  • Botanical Dietary Supplements: Background Information From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements)
  • Dietary and Herbal Supplements From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Herbal Health Products and Supplements (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
  • Herbal Medicine (Johns Hopkins Medicine)
  • Herbs at a Glance From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • MedlinePlus: Herbs and Supplements (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

Related Issues

  • Alerts and Advisories From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Herbal Supplements and Heart Medicines May Not Mix (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
  • Natural Doesn't Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • St. John's Wort and Depression From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

Specifics

  • Acai From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Aloe Vera From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Asian Ginseng From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Astragalus From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Bilberry From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Bitter Orange From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Black Cohosh From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Butterbur From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Cat's Claw From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Chamomile From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Chasteberry From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Cinnamon From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Cranberry From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Dandelion From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Echinacea From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Echinacea: What Should I Know about It? (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
  • Elderberry From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Ephedra From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • European Mistletoe From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Evening Primrose Oil From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Fenugreek From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Feverfew From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Garlic From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Ginger From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Ginkgo From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Goldenseal From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Grape Seed Extract From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Green Tea From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Hawthorn From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Hoodia From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Horse Chestnut From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Kava From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Lavender From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Licorice Root From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Milk Thistle From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Mugwort From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Noni From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Passionflower From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Peppermint Oil From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Red Clover From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Red Yeast Rice From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Sage From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Saw Palmetto From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Soy From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • St. John's Wort From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Tea Tree Oil From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Thunder God Vine From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Turmeric From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • Valerian From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
  • What Are Chia Seeds? (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)
  • Yohimbe From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

Clinical Trials

  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Herbal Medicine From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

  • Article: Rehmannia glutinosa for perimenopausal syndrome in patients with breast cancer: A...
  • Article: Public self-reported adverse experience and knowledge about use of herbal and...
  • Article: Depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, and the use of medicinal plants by...
  • Herbal Medicine -- see more articles

Find an Expert

  • National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health From the National Institutes of Health

Women

  • Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth From the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

Patient Handouts

  • A guide to herbal remedies (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Topic Image

Herbal Medicine

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

  • A guide to herbal remedies

Related Health Topics

  • Cancer Alternative Therapies
  • Complementary and Integrative Medicine
  • Dietary Supplements

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Herbal Medicine is the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Disclaimers

MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. See our disclaimer about external links and our quality guidelines.

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

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