Hippocrates was a Greek physician from 460-377 BC and an herbalist.  He is credited with writing, “Let your food be your medicine”.    The Greeks and Romans developed much of their knowledge of herbs from the Sumerians, Chinese and Indians. 

During the Middle Ages, monks in Europe studied and grew medicinal plants and translated the Arabic works on herbalism.   When the Europeans came to American, they discovered the Native Americans had extensive knowledge of herbs that grew native to America.  The Native Americans had shamans (or priests) who practiced a combination of the spirit world and healing with herbs to cure the sick.  In Central and South America the natives had extensive knowledge on the plants indigenous to their area.  Cat’s Claw, an herb from the Peruvian Rain Forest, is very popular today in the U.S. to support the immune system.

In other corners of the earth, we have the native African herb, Pygeum used today for prostate gland health.  From the South Pacific we have Noni, to stimulate the immune system and Kava Kava to promote relaxation without dulling the senses.  In almost every culture they can trace plant history and usage.

Today plants from all over the world, especially from the Amazon rain forest are being studied for their benefits to health.  With the invention and development of the internet, people can read and research herbs and their uses.  We are no longer limited to the plants indigenous to our living region, but have the world at our fingertips.  As people understand the benefits of herbs, we will see an increase in the use of herbal supplements.

In the book of Genesis, God declares "I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."