Phytomedicines
Phytomedicines are plant-based botanical or herbal medicines used to help treat or prevent various ailments. The formulations are derived from flowers, roots, leaves, and bark believed to have healing and therapeutic properties.
Relying on plants as medicine is an age-old practice reported throughout our known history. The first book detailing traditional botanical medicines and folk knowledge dates back to around 3000 BC in China. Widely used across regions and cultures, its popularity continues. The World Health Organization (WHO) cites herbal medicines as among the most in-demand primary healthcare options, used by up to 4 billion people globally1.
Why Plants?
Plants have survived on Earth for more than 400 million years. Constantly challenged by their environment, their defense mechanisms have evolved in numerous ways to withstand microbes and predation.
These defenses include various secondary metabolites that protect plants by signaling and attracting pollinators, repelling predators, and protecting against UV rays and oxidation. These biological compounds supply naturally propagated bioactives that may help prevent and address a wide range of human health disorders, conditions, and infections, including infertility and cancer.
Today, these plant extracts and their production comprise modern herbal medicine and phytopharmaceutical preparations derived wholly and exclusively from plants and plant parts.
Contemporary Phytomedicines
Industrialization, advances and innovations in medical technology, techniques, and medicines have meant that historically, organic compounds are often replaced with synthetic compounds. At the same time, many preparations remain plant-based, with phytomedicines continuing to play a significant healthcare role.
Oral and topical plant formulations are used to treat everyday ailments such as digestive issues, colds, and coughs. They also provide an alternative or complementary approach to managing conditions such as anxiety and arthritis.
The WHO reports that between 70% and 95% of developing nation populations still rely primarily on traditional phytomedicines1. In developed countries, too, interest in medicinal plants has increased over the past ten years. No longer limited to the domain of health food and alternative therapy outlets, phytomedicine has extended into mainstream consideration sets and retail markets.
This renewed confidence in plant-based therapies has increased since the recent pandemic and is boosted by growing media coverage and its acceptance and inclusion by various significant pharmaceutical companies.
The Expanding Scope of Phytomedicine
The herbal medicine market has increased from $196.8 billion in 2023 to $216.8 billion in 2024—a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%1. Why is this?
Beyond appealing to a renewed consumer emphasis on, and demand for, more natural, less processed products, phytomedicine appeals to those who prefer to avoid or who are sensitive to synthetic options. Plant-based remedies also offer a more holistic approach than conventional medicine, often helping to address the root cause of an ailment rather than just treating symptoms and thereby masking symptoms.
Worldwide reports suggest that around 35,000 plant species feature in herbal formulations, at least 30,000 of these sourced in the Amazon Rainforest2. With just a tiny percentage of the planet’s 420,000 plant species’ medicinal potential discovered so far1 and only a fifth analyzed and chemically screened1, the potential of plant-derived medicines is enormous. It promises extensive new, naturally therapeutic offerings.
Phytomedicinal products come in various formats, including tablets, capsules, powders, extracts, and syrups. With odor and taste intricately linked to product appeal and protocol compliance, ensure the health of your consumers by producing appealing and palatable plant-based formulations.
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Advanced Biotech’s pure, EU-certified range of plant-based extracts, including organic options, is as natural as your botanical medicine’s bioactive ingredients. They can enhance palatability or flavor and odor layers in plant-based functional food and beverage products. Contact us today to place your order, request samples, or for more information.
1 https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/phytomedicine
2 https://www.rainforestcruises.com/guides/top-10-medicinal-plants-of-the-amazon