Botanical medicine involves the use of plants/herb in their various forms as medicine to help the body heal. The use of plants as medicine dates back to the beginning of civilization before the advent of drugs. Many of the drugs today are still derived from plants. Botanicals, when used under the care and direction of a trained professional are gentle, safe and effective ways of treating many physical and emotional imbalances. They can be taken internally in the form of pills, tinctures, teas and food. They can also be applied to the body externally in the form of salves, ointments and poultices among others.