Medicinal plants and health

Medicinal plants, also called medicinal herbs, have been found and used in traditional medicine since prehistoric times. Plants synthesize thousands of chemical compounds for functions like defense against insects, fungi, pathogens, and herbivorous mammals. Numerous phytochemicals have been associated with potential or proven biological activity. However, since a single plant includes a wide variety of phytochemicals, the results of the medicinal use of an entire plant are unknown. In addition, extensive empirical study to establish efficacy and protection remains unassessed by the phytochemical content and pharmacological behavior of any of the many plants with medicinal potential.