Phytotherapeutic medicines are derived and extracted from medicinal plants and typically include the full spectrum of active compounds as found in the original plant, rather than using them in isolation. This is because medicinal plants produce their effects through a synergistic action of hundreds of active compounds. Scientific studies have also determined which part of the plants contain the most active ingredients thus certain medicines are specifically derived from certain parts of the plant. 

Common examples of phytotherapeutic medicines include well-known medicines such as Echinacea (root and aerial parts), St John’s Wort(flowers), Calendula(flowers), Hawthorn(berry), Milk thistle(seed), Saw Palmetto(fruit)etc. The majority of Western Herbal medicines have undergone extensive pre-clinical and clinical trials to determine their efficacy and safety.