Background

The use of plants for healing purposes predates human history and forms the origin of much modern medicine. Many conventional drugs originate from plant sources: a century ago, most of the few effective drugs were plant based. Examples include aspirin (from willow bark), digoxin (from foxglove), quinine (from cinchona bark), and morphine (from the opium poppy). The development of drugs from plants continues, with drug companies engaged in large scale pharmacological screening of herbs.

Until a century ago most effective medicines were plant based

Chinese herbalism is the most prevalent of the ancient herbal traditions currently practised in Britain. It is based on concepts of yin and yang and of Qi energy. Chinese herbs are ascribed qualities such as “cooling” (yin) or “stimulating” (yang) and used, often in combination, according to the deficiencies or excesses of these qualities in the patient.

Chinese herbalism is the most prevalent of the traditional herbal practices in Britain

Modern Western herbalism emphasises the effects of herbs on individual body systems. For example, herbs may be used for their supposed anti-inflammatory, haemostatic, expectorant, antispasmodic, or immunostimulatory properties.

Spending on herbal products in the United Kingdom is over £40m a year, mainly from self prescription of over the counter products. This type of herbal drug use is typically based on a simple matching of a particular herb to particular diseases or symptoms—such as valerian (Valeriana officinalis) for sleep disturbance. Originally confined to health food shops, herbal remedies are now marketed in many conventional pharmacies.