There are certain qualities that make herbs attractive and desirable as alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs. According to Hershoff and Rotelli (2001), the following are some reasons why herbal medicines are gaining favor among people.

Herbs have proven themselves effective in treating every conceivable type of health problem in tens of millions of patients. In fact, herbs are still the main system of health for over 80% of the world's population. While the current standard of double-blind scientific studies is useful, it takes second place to the centuries of consistent action and clinical results observed by healing practitioners in every culture and time period.

Herbs do not thwart or block our natural immune and neurological responses. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, the long-term use of herbs do not weaken or damage the body's defense mechanisms, causing deeper problems later on. Instead, herbs work with the human body to provide progressive, long-term benefits.

Plants have a track record that often goes back thousands of years. While science continues to deepen our understanding of herbal action, we can currently rely on their long-established record of safety and effectiveness.

There are food plants, medicinal plants, and poisonous plants. Herbs have an extremely high benefits-to-risk ratio. This is evidenced by the fact that fatalities from medicinal herbs are almost unheard of.

In spite of its overuse and the hype, the word "natural" has a genuine meaning. Having evolved over millions of years with plants as our main food, our human physiology and biochemistry have a natural affinity for and compatibility with medicinal herbs. Far from being primitive or basic, herbs used in their whole, natural state are far more complex and advanced than the synthetic, laboratory created drugs.

Herbs are a truly environmentally friendly form of medicine. Using organically grown, naturally processed herbs, ensures that land, air, and sea are not further despoiled. It is imperative to use herbs that avoid the use of solvents or toxic chemicals, which allows them to remain true to their heritage.

No one part of a person can be sick without the involvement of the whole body. Even catching a simple cold implies a temporary weakness in the spleen, thymus, respiratory tract, etc. Conversely, any sick organ will affect the entire person. That is, intestinal dysbiosis causes toxic build-up in the liver and kidney, weakening immunity. These relationships are the basis of combination herbal formulas, designed to influence total health.

Because of their complex nature, herbs affect multiple organ systems and functions. For example, a plant may be an all-in-one anti-oxidant, immune-stimulant, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, and pain reliever. This kind of remarkable synergism is exemplified in "meadowsweet". Its active ingredient, aspirin, is the single leading cause of stomach hemorrhage and ulceration, yet the whole herb is a soothing antacid and digestive tonic.

Herbs are a relatively gentle alternative, making them ideal for children, the aged, and those who require long-term treatment. They are valuable any time. There is very real concern about toxicity and side effects of short and long-term drug use. Also, a great many plants are perfectly suited for self-care and treating one's family and friends.

Herbal medicines are not always cheap, but are far less expensive than other medicines. Their greatest savings, however, come in their ability to prevent chronic disease, whose cost in medical expenses, lost work, and emotional strain, is beyond estimate.