Role of Traditional Medicine in Human Society

The traditional medicines have been playing a significant role in the human society for centuries. Traditional medical practice illustrates the medical knowledge practices, which developed centuries ago within a variety of societies before the era of modern allopathic or homeopathic medication begins. Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, Unani, herbal, African Yoruba Ifa, Muti as well as many other ancient medical practices from all over the world included in these medicines.

Historically, at the end of the twentieth century, a number of traditions came to dominate the practice of traditional medicine. Among all, the herbal medicine system of ancient Greek and ancient Roman sources, the Ayurvedic medicine system from India, traditional Chinese medicine, Unani-Tibb medicine and Shamanic Herbalism were the most dominant at the end of the twentieth century.

Key Contributions to Modern Medicines

The fundamental concepts of Modern allopathic medicine have developed from traditional (Unani and Ayurvedic) medicines.
About fifty-five percent of present Allopathic or Homeopathic medications, which are using in the world, derived from plant or herb sources.
Roughly 40% of plants provide active ingredients for modern drugs or medicines, and because of their use in traditional medicines, they came to the interest of researchers.
More than 120 active ingredients presently isolated from the medicinal herbs.
More than 8,000 active ingredients in the present pharmacopoeias extracted from plant sources.

Who Uses Traditional Medicine?

Among non-industrialized societies, the use of herbs to heal disease is almost universal. Peoples from countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa are still using herbal products to fulfill their regular health related necessities. As an example, nearly 75-80 percent of the population in Africa uses traditional medicine to fulfill their basic health related necessities. Another attention-grabbing thing is that presently, in United States, up to 158 million peoples use complementary medicines in their primary health related necessities.

Which Discipline Studies Traditional Medicines?

Ethnobotany, ethnomedicine, and medical anthropology have included as the basic disciplines, which study these medicines.

Present Status of Traditional Medicines

In recent years, the use of drugs or medications as well as search for new drugs and dietary supplements derived from traditionally used plant sources have accelerated much. As a result, many researchers are studying and investigating on herbal remedies to find out the proper remedial uses along with pharmacological effects.

Safety Issues

Moreover, according to WHO (World Health Organization),Over hundreds of countries have regulatory systems for herbal medicinal products. However, WHO also warns that the scientific data from experiments done to analyze the safety and efficiency of traditional or herbal medicinal products and practices is insufficient. As a result, WHO recommends consulting with physicians before taking these medicines.