The types of professionals who administer herbal medicine are numerous. Herbalists (phytotherapists), homeopaths, aromatherapists, biologists, botanists, ethno-botanists pharmacologists and microbiologists all administer herbal medicine.
Herbalists
Herbalism is a traditional or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts; it is also known as botanical medicine. An herbalist is a person who works with medicinal plants. Herbs function in a holistic way, providing your body with many nutrients such as minerals, vitamins and proteins that are easily absorbed. This helps the body to heal from the inside out, providing immune system support.
These herbs work without accumulating in the body, as most conventional drugs do. Herbs may not always be a replacement of pharmaceutical drugs, but they can offer a good alternative therapy.
Homeopaths
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine that claims that illnesses can be treated with specially prepared dilutions of a substance, and plants are often used in the preparation of these dilutions. The dilutions produce symptoms similar to the illness. Homeopaths have in mind the patient’s physical and psychological state when recommending remedies.
A remedy is selected based on the patient’s symptoms and overall health. Homeopaths often recommend lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, limitation in alcohol and coffee drinking, or stress reduction. A lot of specialists consider the clinical effects of homeopathy a placebo effect. However, the care provided by homeopaths as part of the consultation can lead to a psychological healing, which can influence the physical state as well.
Aromatherapy Specialists
Aromatherapy is the treatment or prevention of illnesses by use of essential oils extracted from plants. The aroma influences the brain and it can help stress and relieve pain, giving energy. Aromatherapy has limited scientific support. However, some clinical studies show that aromatherapy in combination with other techniques have a positive effect.
Aromatherapy specialists may cooperate with holistic medicine practitioners, massage therapists and general physicians, who share the belief that remedies for illnesses can be found in nature.
Other Types of Professionals Who Administer Herbal Medicine
Other types of professionals who administer herbal medicine include:
- Biologists, who practice the science of life and living things (plants, animals, fungi and bacteria)
- Botanists, who also deal with the study of plants. In fact, medicine and botany have always been closely connected. Many drugs, medicinal or recreational, are derived from plants.
- Pharmacologists, who study the interaction between a living organism and chemicals that affect biochemical function.
- Microbiologists, who practice another branch of biology known as microbiology and is a broad field, which includes the study of viruses and microorganisms found in plants, animals, fungi and bacteria. Through their research work, microbiologists help the prevention of diseases.
While biologists, microbiologists, botanists and pharmacologists use methods and techniques from the conventional Western medicine (CWM), herbalists (phytotherapists) homeopaths and aromatherapists practice the complementary and alternative medicine, also known as CAM. However, in some cases, the use of both alternative and conventional medicine can give successful results.
