ABSTRACT
The use of flora as a source of therapeutic material is as ancient as therapy itself. Most, if not all, botanical species appear to have a rudimentary immune system (Sarti 1995) that favored the development of means of chemical defense against the attack of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, insects, birds and other animals. The substances that constitute this barrier-the natural products, frequently evidence hormonal toxic activity against parasites, insects that transmit disease and other live organisms that afflict humans and could therefore constitute useful therapeutic and/or prophylactic agents.
