Food medicine is the oldest type of medicine. Years ago, humans ate things and noticed that some foods made them feel better, some foods made them worse; some foods caused diarrhea, others helped it, etc. Everything has energetic properties; cooling, warming, moistening, drying, tonifying, sedating, etc. When properly prescribed, herbs can bring the body back into balance. Many western drugs are synthesized from natural sources. Herbs can be more natural and have fewer side effects than drugs, but they should not be taken without proper knowledge.