Many holisitic disciplines of medicine, such as naturopathy, include the use of herbal medicines in their treatments, as part of a natural approach to good health. They are sometimes known as natural remedies or alternative medecine.

Naturopathy aims to cure ailments, both acute and chronic, and to use natural health to improve our overall well-being. As well as using diet, homeopathy, massage and acupunture, a naturopath may include herbal remedies in your treatment. In particular, flower essences are considered beneficial to the emotional aspect of healing. Herbal remedies are considered to be safer and less expensive than pharmaceutical preparations, but must be used under the guidance of a qualified naturopath. The Victorian Government’s Better Health Channel lists the more common herbal medicines as: Echinacea – boosts the immune system and is used to treat boils, fever and herpes, and is being studied as a treatment for cancer and AIDS; Dong quai (dang gui) – used for gynaecological complaints, premenstrual tension, menopause symptoms and period pain, and it may lower blood pressure; Garlic – reduces the risk of heart disease by lowering blood fats and cholesterol levels, and its antibiotic and antiviral properties fight colds, sinusitis and other respiratory infections; Ginger – considered useful in treating nausea, motion sickness and morning sickness; Ginkgo biloba – often used to treat poor blood circulation and tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and is being studied for effectiveness in treating neurological disorders, such as memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease; Ginseng – helps in recovery from illness, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, but overuse has been linked to raised blood pressure. Some studies show that ginseng can also boost immunity, improve mental functioning and speed the body’s healing processes of the body; Hypericum – commonly known as St John’s Wort, it is as effective as some synthetic antidepressants and used for anxiety and insomnia. Research is currently focusing on hypericum’s antiviral properties and its effect on AIDS. Recent information suggests that hypericum can interact with a number of prescription drugs, including the oral contraceptive pill.

Herbal remedies have been around as long as humans have been hurting themselves. There is evidence in 2800 BC of Chinese using ginkgo biloba, prepared from the ginkgo tree, and its fruits and seeds to sharpen mental focus. They have also used ginseng (which means "essence of man") for thousands of years to boost the immune system and as an emergency medicine to rescue dying patients. Australian aborigines have used herbs and natural flora as medicines, such as melaleuca (paperbark) tree leaves as a sterilising bandage for wounds and to wrap newborn babies. Native Americans used saw palmetto (dwarf palm tree) for treating genitourinary condition, and echinacea (daisy flower) as a blood purifier. St John’s wort has been used for centuries and is widely sold today as "herbal prozac". The heart drug digitalis is derived from the herb foxglove.

The Victorian Better Health Channel points out that some herbs have potent ingredients and should be treated with the same care and respect as pharmaceutical drugs. Many pharmaceutical drugs are based on the synthesised versions of compounds that naturally occur in plants. Some herbal remedies can interfere with cancer treatment. Caution must be shown when herbal remedies – or vitamin supplements and over-the-counter medicines – are used at the same time as prescription medication. If this is the case, always tell your naturopath, nurse, general practitioner (GP), or pharmacist what you are taking.