herbal medicine

noun

1

: the art or practice of using herbs and herbal preparations to maintain health and to prevent, alleviate, or cure disease

2

: a plant or plant part or an extract or mixture of these used in herbal medicine

Examples of herbal medicine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many also draw on hanbang—traditional Korean herbal medicine—by incorporating ingredients such as ginseng, which has long been used to support circulation. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 Feb. 2026

The spa preserves the monastic tradition of herbal medicine, reflecting the balanced relationship between ora et labora ('pray and work' in Latin), or between being active and resting. —Jenn Rice, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026

Some of the more unique options include the Tok Sen massage, which blends Thai massage with vibration therapy, and the Golden Lotus Balancing Ritual that infuses herbal medicine and includes a wrap of healing herbs followed by a full-body massage using herbal cream. —Lizbeth Scordo, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026

Traditionally used in herbal medicine, berberine is now commonly stocked as a supplement at stores in the United States. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for herbal medicine

• biomedicine
• telemedicine

Kids Definition

herbal medicine

noun

1

: the practice of using plants or preparations containing plant products to maintain health and to prevent or treat illness or disease

2

: a preparation consisting of or made from plants that is used medicinally

Medical Definition

herbal medicine

noun

1

: the art or practice of using herbs and herbal remedies to maintain health and to prevent, alleviate, or cure disease

called also herbalism

2

: herbal remedy