What is the use of plants for therapeutic purposes known as?

The use of plants for therapeutic purposes is known as phytotherapy. This practice involves the use of plant extracts and natural substances to prevent and treat various conditions and promote overall health. Phytotherapy relies on the chemical compounds found in plants, which can have beneficial effects on the body, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties.

While other terms such as herbal medicine and aromatherapy also involve the use of plant materials, they have specific connotations. Herbal medicine typically is a broader term that incorporates the use of whole plants or extracts for medicinal purposes but does not emphasize the scientific and evidence-based approach that phytotherapy does. Aromatherapy primarily focuses on the use of essential oils from plants for therapeutic benefits related to mood and stress relief, often lacking the medicinal context that phytotherapy includes. Phototherapy, on the other hand, refers specifically to the use of light to treat conditions, which does not relate to the use of plants at all. Thus, the most accurate term for the therapeutic use of plants is phytotherapy.