Phytotherapy is the oldest and most natural alternative therapy that uses plant materials to cure and prevent illness as well as improve health. Phytotherapy was also reported in China during the Shang Dynasty in the 16th century BCE. Plants have been used for healing since at least 5,000 years ago in India. The plants used in phytotherapy are from all over the world.

Simply put, the link between plants and the body is what constitutes “phytotherapy”. Plants may provide the body with the numerous nutritionally basic materials it needs, facilitating bodily function and helping the body as a whole to regain health via its cells, tissues, organs, and systems.

Nowadays, naturopathic courses also include phytotherapy, but they have different ideas. For example, a naturopath could advise you to take natural substances like vitamin B complex when you’re anxious and sad, while a phytotherapist would only advise you to take plants like ginkgo biloba, rosemary, or other plants high in vitamin B complex. People can produce their own plants, but they are unable to grow natural chemicals themselves.

Phytotherapy frequently uses numerous natural approaches to assist in restoring health. Aromatherapy is a kind of phytotherapy that is often used as an adjuvant therapy to ease emotions or cure nervous system diseases. Phytobalneotherapy, also known as “hay baths,” usually refers to a special type of spa therapy that combines the effects of a spa bath with the balancing properties of fermented herbs. Thus, phytobalneotherapy actually has three elements: fermented plants (phytotherapy), hot baths (balneotherapy), and climatic effects on health due to high altitude (climatotherapy). In Italy, Alpine hay, which is made from many different herbs harvested in the mountains, is traditionally used for this treatment.

In conclusion, the main focus of phytotherapy, which uses plant herbs as a support, is on enhancing dietary and lifestyle choices.

Antonelli, M., & Donelli, D. (2018). Phytobalneotherapy: When traditional herbal medicine meets spa therapy. Journal of Medicinal Herbs and Ethnomedicine, 4, 21-22. [Link]
Ameh, S. J., Obodozie, O. O., Inyang, U. S., Abubakar, M. S., & Garba, M. (2010). Current phytotherapy-A perspective on the science and regulation of herbal medicine. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 4(2), 072-081. [Link]

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