Botanical Medicine is the use of herbs as remedies. It has a centuries long history and has been used all over the world. Through the years herbs have been carefully catalogued according to their use, effects, side effects, most effective dose, etc. Certain herbs are known to benefit specific areas, systems, or functions of the body, such as: cardiovascular system, digestive system, hormonal system, musculoskeletal system, and/or respiratory system.

They may be used alongside conventional prescriptions, to augment them, or even in place of them. Recent studies indicate that 60% of Americans currently use or have used some form of herbal remedy or supplement.
 

Some herbs do have side effects which are well known, but they tend to be rare and mild compared with those of conventional pharmaceutical medicine.One study has estimated that 400,000 persons die every year in the United States from the predictable side effects of drugs. Thousands more die from unpredictable interactions of drugs with one another. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has stated that medication errors are the eighth leading cause of death in Americans. Because of this, herb/drug; and herb/herb interactions must be carefully considered. Naturopathic Doctors are experts in drug/herb; drug/drug; and drug/nutrient interactions.