Herbalism

Herbalism

Herbalism, also referred to as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbology, herblore, and phytotherapy, is a traditional medicinal practice rooted in the use of plants and plant extracts. The scope of herbal medicine often encompasses fungal and bee products, minerals, shells, and specific animal parts. Pharmacognosy, on the other hand, delves into the study of medicines derived from natural sources.

The traditional use of medicinal plants serves as a crucial avenue for exploring potential future medicines. In 2001, researchers identified 122 compounds found in mainstream medicine that originated from ethnomedical plant sources; remarkably, 80% of these compounds were utilized in a manner similar to traditional ethnomedical practices.

Plants have developed the ability to synthesize chemical compounds to defend against various predators like insects, fungi, and herbivorous mammals. Some of these compounds, though toxic to plant predators, exhibit beneficial effects when used to treat human ailments. These secondary metabolites are diverse in structure, often aromatic substances, primarily phenols or their oxygen-substituted derivatives. Despite over 12,000 compounds being isolated to date, it's believed to be less than 10% of the total.

Chemical compounds within plants exert their effects on the human body by binding to receptor molecules present in the body, akin to conventional drugs. Consequently, herbal medicines operate similarly to conventional medicines, potentially offering comparable effectiveness but also posing similar risks of harmful side effects. Many herbs and spices used for culinary purposes contain medicinal compounds.

Like prescription drugs, certain herbs are associated with potential adverse effects. Moreover, adulteration, inappropriate formulation, or insufficient understanding of plant-drug interactions can lead to adverse reactions, occasionally with severe or fatal consequences.