Herbalism, also known as herbal medicine, is the practice of using plants and their extracts for medicinal purposes. However, there are several synonyms for this word. "Phytotherapy" also refers to the use of plants in medicine. "Apothecary" is a term for a practitioner of herbalism, or a place where herbs are sold. "Botanical medicine" is another way to describe the use of plants in healing. "Herbology" is a term often used in traditional Chinese medicine, and "medicinal plant use" is a more general term encompassing the use of all plants for medicinal purposes. Regardless of the term used, herbalism remains an important part of many alternative and traditional medicine practices.