Herbal remedies involve the use of plants as medicines to restore and maintain health. The origins of western herbal remedies are found in the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Middle East. After the arrival of Columbus, many New World plants became available to Europeans, and by the time of Henry VIII in England (1491-1547), a European medical system that blended plant use and astrology had developed.

For centuries, medicine in the West meant herbal remedies. During the late 20th century, modern medicine with its synthetic drugs and high technology became so dominant that herbal cures were almost totally eclipsed. However, at the turn of the millennium, herbal remedies were beginning to be accepted as being at least complementary to conventional medicine. Much of this renewed popularity is attributable not only to a belief in the effectiveness of herbals, but also because...