Ayurveda approaches herbs through the science of energitcs. The properties of herbs are related systematically according to their taste, elements, heating or cooling effects, effect after digestion and other special potiencies they may possess. This system of herbal energetics is the main factor in Ayurvedic understanding of herbs. The practice of herbal medicine dates back to the very earliest periods of known human history. There is evidence of herbs having been used in the treatment of diseases and for revitalising body systems in almost all ancient civilizations-the Indian, the Egyptian, the Chinese and even the Greek and Roman civilizations.

Herbs play a significant role, specially in modern times, when the damaging effects of food processing and over-medication have assumed alarming proportions. They are now being increasingly used in cosmetics, foods and teas, as well as alternative medicines. The growing interest in herbs is a part of the movement towards change in life-styles. This movement is based on the belief that the plants have a vast potential for their use as a curative medicine.

Herbs are used in many different ways. However, the ultimate objective of their use is that they should interact directly with our body chemistry. They may be used in various forms like food, medicine, cosmetics, or fragrance, but in all cases, their active constituents must be absorbed into the body for deriving the required benefits. Once they are absorbed in the bloodstream, they circulate to influence our whole system. The skill of the herbalist is to use this effect to balance and strengthen the body's own healing mechanism instead of suppressing or disturbing it, as many modern drugs tend to do.

The active constituents of the herb can enter the body in several ways. These include consuming the herb orally so as to be absorbed by the digestive system, application on skin through medicinal poultices as a well as cosmetics for being absorbed in the body through the pores; application on eyes through lotions and compresses; smelling the aroma through nose to enable the essential oil being absorbed in the bloodstream.