Introduction and Importance of Medicinal Plants and Herbs

Curative plants are also called „Medicinal Herbs‟ have been discovered and used in traditional medicine practices since prehistoric times. Plants synthesis hundreds of chemical compounds for functions including defense against insects, fungi, diseases and herbivorous mammals. Numerous phytochemicals with potential biological activity have been identified. However, since a single plant contains widely diverse phytochemicals, the effects of using a whole plant as medicine are uncertain. Further, the phytochemical content and pharmacological actions, if any, of many plants having medicinal potential remain unassessed by rigorous scientific research to define efficacy and safety. Medicinal plants are widely used in non-industrialized societies mainly because they are readily available and cheaper than modern medicines.