European traditional medicine European traditional medicine
has its roots mostly in ancient Mediterranean civilizations and in plants from abroad. By the nineteenth century some of the medicinal plants had become part of the pharmacopeias of allopathy, naturopathy, and
homeopathy. Usually when compounds are isolated and sometimes synthesized
their pharmaceutical uses are more carefully regulated [9].
Neo-Western Herbalism
In its totality European traditional medicine has matured along with American
herbal medicine into Neo-Western herbalism. In this system single plant prepara-
tions that have been either selected from formulations found in ancient pharmaco-
peias or derived from medicinal plants valued in other countries, including those
of indigenous origin, are sold alone or as mixtures in an assortment of combina-
tions
Modern Phytomedicine
In Europe, most notably in German-speaking countries, one special feature has
been the emergence of phytotherapy as a separate therapeutic system based on the
traditional usage of plants in medicine and the extraction of active substances from
plants. Phytotherapy may be further differentiated as rational phytotherapy (herbal
medicinal products) and traditional phytotherapy. In rational phytotherapy appro-
priate pharmacological investigations and clinical studies in patients have docu-
mented the efficacy of the products employed. In traditional phytotherapy, on the
other hand, the efficacy of phytopharmaceuticals or herbal teas has not yet been es-
tablished in that way.
The European Medicine Licensing Agency (EMLA) established the term Herbal
Medicinal Products (HMPs) in guidelines related to quality and specifications of
products used in rational therapy. HMPs also include products referred to as bo-
3.1 Introduction 61
tanicals or botanical drugs in the US or as phytopharmaceuticals in scientific liter-
ature [13]. In the USA various forms of herbal medicinal products and herbal sup-
plements are available (Table 3.1) [3].
has its roots mostly in ancient Mediterranean civilizations and in plants from abroad. By the nineteenth century some of the medicinal plants had become part of the pharmacopeias of allopathy, naturopathy, and
homeopathy. Usually when compounds are isolated and sometimes synthesized
their pharmaceutical uses are more carefully regulated [9].
Neo-Western Herbalism
In its totality European traditional medicine has matured along with American
herbal medicine into Neo-Western herbalism. In this system single plant prepara-
tions that have been either selected from formulations found in ancient pharmaco-
peias or derived from medicinal plants valued in other countries, including those
of indigenous origin, are sold alone or as mixtures in an assortment of combina-
tions
Modern Phytomedicine
In Europe, most notably in German-speaking countries, one special feature has
been the emergence of phytotherapy as a separate therapeutic system based on the
traditional usage of plants in medicine and the extraction of active substances from
plants. Phytotherapy may be further differentiated as rational phytotherapy (herbal
medicinal products) and traditional phytotherapy. In rational phytotherapy appro-
priate pharmacological investigations and clinical studies in patients have docu-
mented the efficacy of the products employed. In traditional phytotherapy, on the
other hand, the efficacy of phytopharmaceuticals or herbal teas has not yet been es-
tablished in that way.
The European Medicine Licensing Agency (EMLA) established the term Herbal
Medicinal Products (HMPs) in guidelines related to quality and specifications of
products used in rational therapy. HMPs also include products referred to as bo-
3.1 Introduction 61
tanicals or botanical drugs in the US or as phytopharmaceuticals in scientific liter-
ature [13]. In the USA various forms of herbal medicinal products and herbal sup-
plements are available (Table 3.1) [3].
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