Which part of a plant is referred to as 'Herba Tota'?

'Herba Tota' refers to the whole plant, including all its parts above and below the ground. In the context of herbal medicine and botany, the term is used to signify the complete plant as it pertains to medicinal use or the collection of its active constituents. This encompasses leaves, flowers, stems, and roots, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the plant's therapeutic properties.

The other options focus on specific parts of the plant rather than the entire organism. For example, dried roots would only represent the underground structure, which can be significant in herbal preparations but does not encompass the entirety of the plant. Aerial parts would focus solely on what is above the soil, ignoring the roots. Similarly, referring to just the stem would exclude leaves and other essential components of the plant. Therefore, selecting the whole plant as 'Herba Tota' reflects a complete perspective on the plant's utility in various botanical contexts.