Phytotherapy and CAM Quiz

Phytotherapy and Herbalism

• Phytotherapy refers to the science-based approach to the use of medicinal plant treatment and prevention of diseases.
• The study of the use of extracts from natural origin as medicines or health-promoting agents is called phytotherapy.
• Plants are commonly used in phytotherapy because they have evolved to produce chemical compounds that defend against pathogens, pests, and environmental stressors, which can be beneficial to humans.
• The main difference between phytotherapy and herbalism is that phytotherapy is a science-based approach, whereas herbalism is a traditional practice that often relies on folklore and anecdotal evidence.
• Plant secondary metabolites have biological activity in animals because they can interact with biological molecules, such as enzymes, receptors, and proteins, to produce a specific effect.