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

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

New malaria drug could be a life-saver as the standard drug shows signs of weakness At the turn of the millennium, a new class of drugs derived from ancient Chinese herbal medicine revolutionized malaria care. —NPR, 12 Nov. 2025

Experts said the find proves people of Celtic origin who arrived in the region, possibly on a trade route, had someone with them who specialized in medical procedures, likely a druid who practiced herbal medicine. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025

Inspired by hanbang, Korea’s traditional herbal medicine, this Beauty of Joseon’s Hanbang Serum set blends ancient ingredients with modern science for skin that feels calm, balanced, and naturally glowy. —Sarah Han, Allure, 9 Oct. 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