Western herbalism, like the much older system of traditional Chinese Medicine, is a form of the healing arts that draw from the herbal traditions of Europe, the Americas and parts of Asia. Both Western and Eastern forms of herbalism emphasize the study and use of naturally occurring compounds in plants in the treatment and prevention of illness.

Western herbalism is based upon "pharmocognosy", the study of natural products. Pharmocognosy includes the identification, extraction methods, and applications of specific plant constituents responsible for specific therapeutic actions, such as the use of digoxin from digitalis leaf for heart failure. These constituents are extracted, purified and
studied in clinical research. They may be concentrated to deliver standardized, set doses. Sometimes, the natural
constituent can be synthesized in the laboratory, or changed and patented. Practitioners may choose to use fresh medicinal plants, simple extracts, or standardized extracts.

Origins
Over 2,500 years ago Hippocrates wrote, "In medicine one must pay attention not to plausible theorizing but to
experience and reason together." This Greek physician and herbalist from the fourth century B.C. is considered
the father of Western medicine.(Hence the "Hippocratic Oath" came into being.) Hippocrates stressed the importance of proper diet, water quality, climate, and the social environment in the development of disease. He believed in treating the whole person rather than merely isolating and treating symptoms. He recognized the innate capacity of the body to heal itself, and emphasized the importance of keen observation in the medical practice. He recommended simple herbal remedies to assist the body in restoring health.