Eclectic medicine, founded by Dr. Wooster Beach in the early 19th century, was a reaction to the harsh and often harmful practices of conventional medicine at the time (bloodletting, heavy use of toxic chemicals).

The term “Eclectic” was first used by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque to describe physicians who used whatever was beneficial to their patients. Early Eclectic medicine was influenced by Samual Thomson and others who sought to reform medicine by emphasizing natural methods and botanical remedies over the prevalent harmful treatments of the time.

Eclectic Practitioners selected and used the most effective treatments from various sources, including botanical medicine, traditional medicine, and emerging scientific discoveries. They emphasized natural remedies prioritizing the use of plant-based medicines, often derived from indigenous North American plants.

Some of it’s biggest proponents were Professor John Uri Lloyd, Professor John Scudder, Professor John King, Dr. Ellingwood,and Dr. Harvey Felter.

Faced with increasing competition from mainstream medicine, which was advancing rapidly with scientific discoveries like germ theory, many Eclectic practitioners eventually transitioned to conventional medicine. The last Eclectic medical school closed in 1939.

Eclectic medicine contributed significantly to the development of herbalism and botanical medicine in the United States. The World Herb Library has over 90 books and journals on Eclectic medicine available to read along with over 25 books on the teachings of Dr. Samual Thomson.