Phytotherapy: what it is and what it is used for

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Although for many it may seem almost surreal, herbs and plants are real medicinal cures and the discipline that studies and uses them is phytotherapy. Let’s see below what phytotherapy is and what it is used for.

Phytotherapy: what is it?

Phytotherapy, from the Greek “phyton” which means “plant” and “therapeia” which means “cure”, is an ancient discipline that studies and involves the use of plants and herbs or extracts of these for the treatment of various diseases and for the preservation / maintenance of psychophysical well-being. In other words, this science uses plants and medicinal herbs for therapeutic purposes or uses these to extract the useful and necessary molecules to be used to produce phytotherapetics, herbal products and drugs.

Among medicinal plants and herbs, we can include all plant species which, if used on humans, both internally and externally, produce apharmacological action.

But not only: phytotherapy, in addition to studying and observing the use and properties of medicinal plants, investigate how they should be worked and used, according to what dosages should be taken and what the possible side effects could be.

Over the centuries, this ancient discipline has assumed more and more credibility and value, coming to be recognized today in the same way as the other healing sciences.

In fact, more and more people choose it and resort to phytotherapeutic or herbal solutions to solve health problems, prevent various diseases and keep fit.

What is it for?

From the premises listed above, it is possible to prevent and treat various pathologies and disorders of low or medium entity and prevent them by preserving a state of psychophysical well-being, for example by strengthening the immune system. Obviously phytotherapeutic treatments can be associated with more traditional treatments and drugs. Specifically, phytotherapy intervenes in the following cases: