Herbalism

Herbs are very well suited to expert personalised health care, and were the basis of all systems of medicine until modern times. Explore a variety of herbalism topics, including Western Herbal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ayurveda, the history of herbalism, herbalism recipes and many more.

“Herbalism is based on the relationship between plant and human, plant and planet, human and planet. Using plants in the healing cycle means taking part in the ecological cycle.” – Wendell Berry

Ayurvedic herbal medicine

The longest continually practiced health system in the world, Ayurveda, is full of insights for a long and healthy life.

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Immunity as vitality: The Ayurvedic approach to cultivating resilience

Building strength and vitality are integral to the Ayurvedic approach to immunity.

5 herbs to enhance your mood in winter

These five herbs bring the comforting qualities of nature inside us helping lift our spirits in the dark winter months.

Chinese herbal medicine

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCM) has evolved over thousands of years. It encompasses a person-specific approach coupled with mastery of magisterial prescriptions. Find out more in our Insights articles about Chinese Herbal Medicines.

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The significance of pulse diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine

Pulse diagnosis and reading form an integral part of the TCM consultation process, facilitating diagnosis and informing herbal formulations.

An introduction to herbal energetics

Herbal energetics are the descriptions Herbalists have given to plants based on the direct experience of how they taste, feel and work in the body.

Global herbalism

Each place around the world has its own herbal history and practice. From region to region, not only does herbalism vary owing to the diversity of plants growing native to those lands, but by the practices uniquely evolved from the cultures and traditions of local communities. How people connect to the land, plants and medicine is studied by the field of ethnobotany.

In this section, find articles that share insights on herbalism from around the world. By learning the provenance of plants and wisdom, the people who first came to understand plants for their medicinal virtues may be honoured, and the lands where they grow protected.

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Global herbal research: Trends and techniques

Herbal research worldwide is advancing evidence-based phytochemical therapeutics for global health challenges.

Ethnobotany and herbalism: The relationship between people and plants

Ethnobotany investigates how human societies interact with plants, integrating ecological, cultural, and pharmacological knowledge.

Herbal projects

Discover our articles about the latest herbal medicine research, science and herbal projects.

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Setting up a community clinic: A collaborative path towards making herbal medicine accessible

How can community clinics effectively collaborate with local healthcare providers? Community clinic, Grass Roots Remedies, shares how they provide support.

Community gardens: How growing herbs together fosters connection and belonging

Community gardens provide a vital space for connection that transcends age, culture and background.

History

We explore the history of herbal medicine, historical herbalism and the history of medicinal herbs, including individual plants and their traditional uses.

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Italian herbal influence: The Roman roots of British herbalism

Tracing the journey of herbs and wisdom brought by the Romans to the UK, Christina Stapley unveils the Italian herbal influence on British herbalism.

A milestone for the Herbal History Research Network

The Herbal History Research Network connects herbalists, researchers and anyone interested in the history of herbalism.

Home herbalism

Plants and fungi serve much more than just medicinal effect - they connect us with nature and bring us healing mentally, physically and emotionally.

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Kitchen aromatic rose water distillation

This is an aromatic rose water distillation recipe that can be done from home to produce small batch botanical hydrosols.

How to make fire cider

Fire cider is a fantastic addition to any home apothecary. We explain what it is and how to make fire cider.

Integrative health

We explore integrative medicine, examining how herbal medicine works within our healthcare systems and identifying where herbs hold their greatest potential.

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Unique ways that plant medicine can fill modern therapeutic gaps

Simon Mills explores how plant medicine adapts to meet modern health challenges.

Chemical complexity in medicines: Herbal constituents vs pharmaceutical compounds

Herbs contain an abundance of constituents that interact to produce an effect. Drugs are singular compounds targeted to specific receptors. How do they differ?

Interviews with herbal experts

Read interviews from a diverse array of herbal experts. From clinical herbalist's to scientists, nutritionists and academics here we share industry insights with you.

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Interview with clinical researcher and Ayurvedic practitioner Kritika Pandey

Kritika Pandey tells us of her experience as a researcher and practitioner and shares her views on how herbalism is perceived and what it needs...

An interview with medicinal plant scientist Dr Howes on plants for neurodegeneration

Dr Howes from Kew Gardens shares insights on her research around plants that protect the mind.

Latest news in herbalism and healthcare

For the latest news in herbalism and healthcare, we bring together timely articles that examine current developments in herbal medicine, public health, and integrative care.

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Ashwagandha safety literature: A 2026 update

Whilst regulatory scrutiny persists, clinical trials, toxicity reviews and AI modelling studies strengthen ashwagandha’s safety profile.

The Jade Screen Project

The Jade Screen Project (JSP) offers immune-enhancing and anti-viral herbal formulae for front line workers in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Quality

Learn of quality issues in the herbal industry and assurance methods used to mitigate them.

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Herbal supplements: Good, bad or useless?

Herbal supplements are popular and accessible herbal medicines but we explore their quality issues and how to discern which are best to buy.

Contaminants in herbal supply chains: Challenges and solutions

Barry Moore shares how contamination can arise in herbs and herbal medicine, and how it can be avoided.

Research

Discover our articles about the latest herbal medicine research, science and herbal projects.

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Ivy: Acute cough symptoms

This randomised, placebo-controlled trial showed that ivy taken three times a day for seven days reduced the severity of acute cough symptoms.

Spirulina: Cardiovascular health

This systematic meta-analysis of RCTs found spirulina supplementation to improve biomarkers that are risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

Safety

Do you know your herbs, their traditional actions and benefits? Do you know how safe they are and how to use them? Our expert insights articles take a look at safety issues facing herbalism.

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Herbal product regulation: A global comparison of legal status

Herbal products fall under different regulations. Roy Upton compares legal regulation frameworks for herbal products around the world.

Medicinal mushroom regulations: An update on restrictions and herbal safety

Recent changes to medicinal mushroom regulations have impacted access to turkey tail and cordyceps. We discuss safety legislations of medicinal fungi.

Sustainability and social welfare

The herbs we buy, eat, drink or take as medication are all intrinsically connected to the processes that produce them. This applies to all herbs in different degrees, particularly those herbs we use to support our mental and physical wellbeing.

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White sage: Conservation challenges and ecological importance

Susan Leopold gives an overview of the challenges and traditions surrounding white sage, a threatened herb with great cultural significance.

The herbal research library at United Plant Savers

At United Plant Savers, a growing herbal library preserves endangered plant knowledge, nurturing research, teaching, and ecological stewardship.

Western herbal medicine

Discover a range of articles on plants, herbs and medical herbalism, including herbal medicine projects, controversial topics, like herbal sustainability, and informative pieces

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