A method of treatment founded simply on experience rather than on scientific evidence from clinical trials. Because a given remedy has been successful in the treatment of a certain group of symptoms, those who uphold this principle assume that it will be successful in the treatment of other cases presenting similar groups of symptoms, without any inquiry as to the cause of the symptoms or reason underlying the action of the remedy. It is the contrary of ‘evidence-based’ or ‘scientific’ treatment. Sometimes empirical treatment is a reasonable course of action where there is no known proven effective treatment for a condition.