Herbal remedies consist of portions of plants or plant extracts containing several constituents which are often generally believed to work together synergistically. The recent resurgence of public interest in herbal remedies has been attributed to several factors including various claims on the efficacy or effectiveness of plant medicines, preference of consumers for natural therapies and a greater interest in alternative medicines, and the belief that herbal therapy will promote healthier living. Herbal medicines are often viewed as a balanced and moderate approach to healing.

Less side effects than the contemporary medicine, see also

Kessler et al., 2001. Long-Term Trends in the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medical Therapies in the United States

Ernst, 2000. Prevalence of use of contemporary/ alternative medicine : a systematic review.

I would like to differ from the above answers as to the fact of lesser or no side effects. Herbal medicines can have serious side effects if used for the wrong purpose or at large doses.

The real reason would be the prevalence of Ayurveda from ancient times and the early books like ashtangahridaya that have actually served as the base. Though the actual mechanism of action is still being elucidated, several herbal medicines can in fact be better than allopathy medicines provided its correct usage. Some references given below...

Mosihuzzaman, M., 2012. Herbal medicine in healthcare--an overview. Natural product communications, 7(6), pp.807-812.

World Health Organization, 1998. Guidelines for the appropriate use of herbal medicines.

Muecke, M.A., 1983. In search of healers—Southeast Asian refugees in the American health care system. Western Journal of Medicine, 139(6), p.835.

Mbura, J.S., Mgaya, H.N. and Heggenhougen, H.K., 1985. The use of oral herbal medicine by women attending antenatal clinics in urban and rural Tanga District in Tanzania. East African medical journal, 62(8), pp.540-50.

Thank you Satishkumar, Dipesh and Jenny for your kind responses.

Dear Gandhiv Kafle

The main reasons behind use of herbal medicines for healthcare includes reduced risk of side effects, effective in chronic diseases and more affordable than conventional medicines.

Good luck!

Thank you Arvind sir for your response.

Herbal remedies consist of portions of plants or plant extracts containing several constituents which are often generally believed to work together synergistically. The recent resurgence of public interest in herbal remedies has been attributed to several factors including various claims on the efficacy or effectiveness of plant medicines, preference of consumers for natural therapies and a greater interest in alternative medicines, and the belief that herbal therapy will promote healthier living. Herbal medicines are often viewed as a balanced and moderate approach to healing.

Because it is safe to use.

regards

Herbal medicines also have side effects. In my country, as I think in all others, plants are part of traditional medicine. It is also budget medicine without complicate proclaim medicine procedures.

Article Prevalence of self-medication practice with herbal products ...

I Think that The use of herbal medicine, as one element of complementary and alternative medicine, is increasing worldwide. Little is known about the reasons for and factors associated with its use. This study derives insights for the use of herbal medicine in Iraq and Germany regarding the usage aims, role played by the type of illness, reasons for preferred usage and sources of information.

Regards

Ali

Herbal medicine has its roots in every culture around the world. The philosophy and practices of various Traditional Medicines Systems using herbs for treatment are influenced by social conditions, environment and geographic location, but these systems all agree on a holistic approach to life. These systems believe in the idea that there should be an emphasis on health rather than on disease. By using healing herbs, people can thrive and focus on their overall conditions, rather than on a particular ailment that typically arises from a lack of equilibrium of the mind, body and environment.

Natural and secured

natural and save to use

Herbal medicines has less side effects,contain lot of effective phytochemicals useful to treat the diseases , easy availability,low cost in India

Most of the plants used in preparation of herbal medicines are placed under GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) Category; so are considered free from side effects.

We cannot escape from nature because we are part of nature. 80% of the people globally currently uses herbal medicine for primary health care (Source: WHO report).

Dear Gandhiv Kafle,

Key roles Herbal medicines play in global healthcare are:

- Natural origin

- Comparatively safer

- Cost effective, affordable

- Effective in chronic illness

- Lesser side effects than synthetic drugs

- Eco-friendly and locally available

- Provide first-line and basic health service, both to people living in remote areas where it is the only available health service

- Vast scope of herbal medicine research to fight 'Superbugs'/ resistance developed for currently used drugs in infectious diseases

- Phytomedicine are rich resources of ingredients which can be used in drug development either pharmacopoeial, non- pharmacopoeial or synthetic drugs.

- Dozens of well-established drugs have been developed by the scientists after analyzing the chemical constituents of plants traditionally used by tribals and villagers.

- Moreover, some plants are considered as important source of nutrition and as a result of that they are recommended for their therapeutic values.