Phytotherapy traditional

Traditional phytotherapy was the basis for all pharmacopoeias in Europe until well into the 19th century. Traditional phytotherapy is an empirical therapy that is primarily based on traditional and personal experience (folk medicine). With the scientifically oriented pharmacy in the industrialized countries, this "empirical medicine" fell into the background.

Since with the development of scientific methods of analysis in the meantime the reliable knowledge about herbal medicines is constantly increasing, a scientifically founded phytotherapy is established instead, and to an increasing extent, which is called rational phytotherapy, follows the classical rules of orthodox medicine and thus becomes comparable.

Thus, pharmacological and toxicological studies are just as much a part of modern "rational" phytotherapy as proof of efficacy in randomized, controlled double-blind studies according to the guidelines of Good Clinical Practice.

Traditional herbal medicinal products are also subject to an authorisation procedure, but this is known as registration. These finished medicinal products are identified by their registration number (Reg. No.). As a rule, they are not available in pharmacies. They are also available in health food stores, drugstores and supermarkets in the presence of a person with a certificate of competence.