ABSTRACT
Ethnopharmacology is a field of research meandering between medicine and food science, and displays a medical–food science crossover. The history of medicine shows an European–American ethnopharmacology crossbreeding. More attention should be directed toward the cultural aspects of ethnopharmacology, which or, more generally, the information that forms the basis of research and development activities, is not well recognized as an important element of the industrial development pipeline, which contradicts the common perception that ethnopharmacology is seen as an important source for medicines, which reflects the classical separation of the natural sciences into defined disciplines, with ethnopharmacology being more strongly linked to pharmacology. Within 50 years, ethnopharmacology gains a profile and while conventionally linked usually to traditional knowledge, drug discovery, and some areas 26of pharmacology, the analysis highlights its emerging importance in the context of disease prevention, but also the development of research driven by the needs and interests of the fast developing economies, most notably of Asia. Research strategies of lead compounds are presented. Idea impact factor makes the fallacy to consider the best who presents the greatest diffusion. The pharmaceutical industry prefers investing in medicines that people should take the rest of their lives than in the cure of diseases. The great hope against hunger is precision agriculture, based on genetically modified organisms and without the problems of traditional cultivation.
