Pharmacology In Ethnomedicine

Pharmacology in ethnomedicine encompasses the use of traditional medicines from a variety of different cultures and regions around the world. From African, Central and South American, Asian, and Australian Indigenous Peoples, traditional medicine represents a complex array of medical practices. Depending on the region, traditional medicine often looks to herbs and plants as the primary form of treatment and healing. In modern ethnomedicine, pharmacology seeks to understand how different plant and animal parts interact with the body to improve health and well-being. The modern medical system works off of a biochemical approach, utilizing active ingredients like steroids and antibiotics to treat diseases caused by biological agents. However, ethnomedicine seeks to understand illnesses beyond pharmaceutical agents and look more holistically towards a person’s symptomology. Different cultures have different approaches to medicine, meaning the active herbs and plant parts vary tremendously. The idea of pharmacology in ethnomedicine is to find common chemical elements among different traditional medicines and identify them to create a viable healing agent. The process often involves extensive plant and herb research to identify compounds and classify them. The compounds are then tested in laboratory experiments to determine safety and efficacy. Pharmaceutical companies in conjunction with medical researchers and indigenous cultures are the driving force behind many ethnomedicinal breakthroughs. Through the research of ethnomedicinal pharmacology, scientists are able to learn more about the biology and chemistry of each plant or herb and determine how its compounds interact with the body. This research helps to develop new treatments and provides a better understanding of plant-based medicines and their potential medicinal uses. Ethnomedicine provides an alternative approach to the traditional western medical system. While offering great potential, it is also important to note that traditional medicines should not be seen as a sole form of treatment but should be viewed as a compliment to the modern system. Many of these traditional medicines must go through scientific processes to identify efficacy and safety before being recommended to the public.