Botanicals are plants or parts of plants with medicinal value or health benefits. They are used to create botanical preparations, botanical drugs, and essential oils. Botanical preparations are products made from plants of medicinal value, such as decoctions, extracts, infusions, pills, powders, teas, and tinctures, and are marketed as dietary supplements. Botanical drugs, on the other hand, are intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in humans and consist of vegetable materials, which may include plant materials, algae, macroscopic fungi, or combinations thereof. Essential oils are concentrated liquids containing volatile aroma compounds from plants and are used in aromatherapy.

Botanicals can be harvested in the wild or grown in gardens and farms. Some plants and their ingredients have been known and used for centuries, while others have only recently come into use. Regardless, they provide curative effects that alleviate some ailments and enhance health in several different ways. Used with knowledge and appropriate levels of caution, botanicals have the potential to heal the body and mind and improve wellbeing.

It is important to note that while botanicals can be very safe, many interact with drugs, particularly if the plant is targeting the same condition as the drug. Therefore, it is always recommended to check with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement. Additionally, because botanicals are not regulated by the FDA, they vary widely in quality, and it is important to look for third-party certification when buying them.