ABSTRACT
Throughout history, plants have provided a rich source for the development of human medicines. Through empirical discovery, humans have continually identified plants yielding beneficial health effects. This practice appears universal, for no human cultures have been found that lack the use of plants in their health practices [1]. Indeed, plant-based medicines remain the most widely used pharmaceutical materials in most third world countries, where they are considered to be as efficacious for many ailments and more affordable than those of “Western medicine” [2]. Up through the early 20th century, plant medicinal products represented a significant component in conventional medicine, but their use declined with the development of modern pharmaceuticals containing pure chemical compounds. Many of these modern pharmaceuticals may have been based upon active chemicals isolated from plants, and the development of synthetic or semisynthetic derivatives led to drugs with even higher levels of potency. Unlike the earlier traditional plant remedies, these modern pharmaceuticals could also be patented, which represented a clear advantage to the pharmaceutical industry. However, the enhanced potency of one or a few active chemicals in these modern pharmaceuticals frequently resulted in problematic side effects. Moreover, these drugs were often expensive [3].
