Phytotherapy or professional medical herbalism is synthesis of age old wisdom of traditional use medicinal plants from around the world as well as modern medical biosciences and phytochemistry. Phytotherapists use whole plants and their extracts for the prevention and treatment of disease as well as the promotion of optimum well-being. Every prescription is tailor made to fit the particular patient. Lifestyle and dietary counselling are also critical to meeting therapeutic goals. Materia Medica – deals with the practical understanding of medicinal plants that has been gained over time through traditional use and clinical practice. The student becomes familiar with the various categorisation of medicinal plants according to taste, energetics and systemic affinity.