Prospects of herbal medicine to assist drug development in the 21st century

Abstract

The use of herbal medicine is an integral part of many cultures all over the world. In recent years it has gained importance to be integrated along with modern medicine in many health systems. Herbal preparations are being sold in markets and becoming good sources of income to boost economies of producers. The issue of quality and safety is still a concern for consumers and health providers alike. Regulatory framework for ensuring safety and quality of production is critical for the benefit of all stakeholders but more for herbal users. There are good examples of some countries where they put in place regulatory measures to make sure that the herbal products are properly prescribed to end users and also the practitioners take responsibility. There are different perceptions and attitudes regarding the use of herbal medicine. There is limited knowledge regarding the possible side effects of herbal products. Many modern drugs have been synthesized from medicinal plants. Therefore, popularizing herbal products that still could serve as potential sources for drug development is very useful. On the other hand, wise use of the natural plant diversity should also be taken into consideration.