For centuries, societies worldwide have relied on medicinal plants to heal disease — from soothing teas to herbal remedies passed down through generations. Despite the advances of modern medicine, much of this folk knowledge has yet to be tapped.
This article explores how ethnopharmacology — a study of the many ways cultures use plants as medicine — can be combined with modern scientific methods to discover new, effective therapies.
The idea is to preserve the traditional knowledge while scientifically proving it. Instead of dismissing herbal medicines as untested or outdated, scientists are suggesting a union of ancient wisdom and modern approaches like molecular biology (which looks at how medicines interact with our cells at a microscopic level) and digital health technologies (which track and optimize patient care using apps, sensors, and data analysis).
By combining these approaches, researchers can:
- Discover promising plant-based medicines sooner and more accurately.
- Understand how they work in the body — so they’re effective and safe.
- Preserve traditional healing practices, respecting their cultural value while adapting them for modern healthcare systems.
The article also indicates that the education of upcoming scientists is also critical. This includes creating a new cadre of scientists who respect traditional medicine and know how to apply cutting-edge scientific techniques. They’ll bridge the gap between the past and present — matching herbal wisdom with modern drug discovery to create safer, more effective medications for disease.
In short: The future of medicine may lie in the past — it simply requires contemporary science to unlock its complete potential.
Full text: Ee Wern Tan, Ley Hian Low, Atanas G Atanasov, Bey Hing Goh, Bridging Traditions and Technology: The Role of Ethnopharmacology in Shaping Next‐Generation Multidisciplinary Researchers, 2025, Pharmacology Research & Perspectives, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/prp2.70074.