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If you have the confusion that herbal medicine means organic medicine, this article will bring some clarity. According to an estimate by the World Health Organization, about 4 billion people around the world use herbal medicines for their primary healthcare needs. So does this mean that all these 4 billion people use organic medicine? Not at all.
If you look at the definitions of the two, the difference will be clear. Herbal medicines refer to the medicines that are prepared from plants for their medicinal value. These plants can be grown naturally, using chemicals or organically.
Organic medicines, on the other hand, mean medicines that are prepared and handled using organic means. So organic medicine is not necessarily herbal medicine and the opposite also holds true.
Sometimes, you will also hear about natural medicines. Natural medicines refer to medicines that are natural in nature and do not contain synthetic ingredients (and if they contain, they are in small quantities).
Herbal medicines as well as organic medicines are not regulated in many countries, including the United States. Most of these medicines are sold as dietary supplements and can be consumed without a prescription. Hence they are not always safe. The manufacturers of these medicines have no obligation to provide the side effects of these drugs.
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