The role of phytomedicine: Bridging the gap between the past, present, and future

Abstract

Background: Over the last two decades, medical healthcare has increased at an exponential rate. The discovery of new infectious diseases and the development of conventional new drugs have increased the health sector’s reliance on alternative remedies such as holistic healing, Chinese traditional medicines, African traditional medicines, and Ayurvedic medicines. These traditional remedies have been around since time immemorial.

Aim: This study reviewed literature and discussed the historical role of phytomedicine in the development of synthetic treatments, the current state of phytomedicine research, and the future implication of such research.

Setting: This review provides a world overview of the use of phytomedicine.

Method: This paper summarises previous research on the use of phytomedicine as a source of healthcare over decades using scientific internet databases.

Results: Medicinal plants are heavily exploited for the therapeutic properties. Over the years, plants displayed a phenomenal benefit to human health problems worldwide. Advancement in plant research to combat multiple human ailments has drastically increased from the past to the present. Currently, researchers are using a computational platform to evaluate the potential of plant bioactive compounds towards novel, effective, and affordable drug development candidates to gain a better understanding of drug interactions with the body’s biochemical pathways.

Conclusion: Medicinal plants are still important in global healthcare systems. Literature reveals that there is a resurgence of interest in plant-based medicines for the prevention and treatment of a variety of human ailments.

Contribution: This study contributes to the existing knowledge on the remarkable use of phytomedicine in modern times.