FROM EMPIRICAL TO MODERN PHYTOTHERAPY
Leon Sorin Muntean
Head of the "Hop and Medicinal Plants Crop Research Center" - USAMV Cluj-Napoca
Key words: Medicinal and aromatical plants, history
Abstract: The interest in therapies based on phytotherapeutical products has been growing ever
since the second half of the last century, mostly due to the fact that natural medicines, made of
plants, are more compatible with the human body, metabolically being more alike and more easily
tolerated than the synthetic medicines. The general trend in modern medicine is more and more
related to the use of phytotherapy (the treatment based on pharmaceutical products made of plants),
trying to limit the use of synthetic medicines as much as possible. Phytotherapy is a real choice in
modern therapies, together with chemotherapy, physiotherapy and balneology, electrotherapy, food
hygiene etc.
In present prophylactic and curative medicine, together with chemotherapy
biotherapy is more and more appreciated - the complex natural therapy to which
belong medicinal plants, vegetables, fruits (seeds), homeopathic and apitherapeutic
remedies, physiotherapy, balneology, avoidance of polluted environment and
sedentary life.
Since ancient times, man used for his existence natural resources coming
from the vegetal and animal world. During numerous generations that succeeded
each other, he managed to identify besides eatable plants those which had healthy
effects, which healed wounds and ameliorated diseases as well as the toxic ones
(used in poisoning weapons whit which they hunted animals for food). It is
considered that the whole progress of human development is linked to the art of
healing diseases, of using plants in treating different disorders (L.S. Muntean, 1990
and 2008, E. Grigorescu et alii., 2001, M. Tămaş et alii, 2005 a.s.o.).
Until a century ago, around three quarters of pharmaceutical products were
made of vegetal products, then synthesis medicines reached to wound a bigger
gravity and medicinal plants were considered therapeutic “fossils”
The interest for the therapy with the pharmaceutical products obtained from
plants is rising, in the second half of the last century, due to the fact that these
products are more compatible with the human body, being much closer from the
metabolic side and a lot easier to tolerate than the synthesis drugs. The current
guidelines in medicine are more and more focused on using the Phytotherapy (the
treatment using the pharmaceutical products obtained from plants), limiting the
explosive using of synthesis drugs for any affection. The phytotherapy is a real
possibility in modern therapeutic, next with chemotherapy, physiotherapy and
balneology, electrotherapy, food hygiene etc.
In our days, round the glob, is estimated that two-thirds from the population is
appealing for phytotherapy (for different diseases) and that about half from the
pharmaceutical products are based on medicinal plants, or have in their active
composition principal extracts from plants(alkaloids, glycosides, volatile oils, etc.),
38
being used in the treatment of some serious heart disease, stomach, nervous system
etc.(E. Păun et alii. 1986, 1988, L.S. Muntean et alii. 2007 etc.).
The history of medicine has its origin from ancient times, starting with the
first use of plant by man. The human civilization which has succeeded brought their
contribution to the knowledge and usage of a larger number of medicinal plants. The
many scholars from the antiquity to modern times, wrote in their records the medical
purpose and usage of many plants. Parallel with the development of chemistry, there
was feasible and the knowledge of the active compound (active principles) from
plants. The identification of plants with therapeutics has gone a hard way, with
many victims, because many of the plants were poisonous. In all areas, there are
species of toxic plants that taken internally in different amount produce severe
intoxications, delirium, or even death. Healing diseases using plants became an
occupation, being one of the pylons of medicine and pharmacy, with a very
important social function. This occupation of healing human suffering has then
founded a material support and a scientific base. From early beginnings of healing
diseases up to today’s science medicine, the occupation of healing the human
suffering could not be separated from medicinal plants. (E. Coiciu and G. Racz,
1962, S. Izsak, 1970 etc.). The knowledge about plants were transmitted from
generation to generation, verbal initially, than in writing, the first documents dating
from the Sumerian period (IV-III millennium b.Ch), Acadian period ( III millennium
B.Ch) and the Babylonian period (II millennium b.Ch)(V. Istudor, 1998). „The
Sumerian medicine and the pharmacy had left us to little material remedies, but....
had gave the world the symbols that had ensured for alchemy the hermetic
presentation of over 2000 years, actually contributing to the presentation system
with the conventional formula of today’s chemistry”(U. Stănescu and E. Grigorescu,
1994).
Ancient human civilizations have made their contribution to the knowledge of
each and use an increasing number of medicinal herbs (S. Izsak, 1970, E. Păun et alii.,
1986, 1988 etc.). From the Ancient Orient, from the Assyria-Babylonians and
Egyptians, the Greeks and Romans, the peoples who lived before our era, we were
left archaeological traces and writings showing age use plants to cure diseases. It is
estimated that the plants used as medicine by ancient peoples have reached about
12,000 species. (E. Coiciu, 1967).Using a large number of plants in healing the most
various diseases since the dawn of human civilization has become a job that has greatly
contributed to the development of pharmacy and medicine.(S. Izsak 1970, R. R. Paris
1978, F. Angelini, 1965, F. Crăciun et alii. 1976-1977, O. Bojor, M. Alexan 1981 and
1984 etc.).
In India. References to medicinal plants are the famous "Vedas (holy books), produced
between 4500-1600 BC and where are cited pepper, strychnine tree etc. (A. Radu,
1974). Subsequent writings, detailing native remedies and forms the basis of ancient
Indian medicine. One of the oldest confessions of the existence of a miniature farm
herbs and their use in treatment of diseases has been found in Indian writings.
39
In China. The founder of Traditional medicine is considered the Emperor Shen Nong
Chinese (2784 BC). He has sent missions to collect samples throughout for plant and
mineral, which were checked by himself for therapeutic qualities. So, it was composed
"the first treaty of Chinese pharmacology, the 365 drugs that were mostly of vegetable
origin"(G. Brătescu, 1970). Chinese used herbal anesthesia (inhalation of henbane,
hemp leaves and other drugs), for temporary relief of pain or before the operation.
Assyrians and Babylonians about 5000 years BC made a dictionary of
medicinal plants and have established in the city of Nineveh a garden of medicinal
herbs. The relics in the British Museum in London, show that the Assyrians cultivated
poppy since 2700 BC and used mint since 1200 BC (O. Cosocariu, 1986).
In ancient Egypt. Medical literature is included in five comprehensive
papyruses and two of less significance. One of the most comprehensive medical
records from antiquity (the famous Ebers Papyrus) includes over 200 medicinal plants
(I. Banu, 1970). Ebers Papyrus (document dates from 1550 BC), was found in the
tomb of a mummy, and now is in storage at the University of Leipzig (V. Istudor,
1998). Discovering the Ebers Papyrus of ancient Egypt, yet reveals that 1550 years BC
were over 200 known species of plants used in healing diseases (E. Păun, 1995). The
Ancient Egypt papyruses recorded numerous recipies with herbs (coriander, castor,
etc.).
In ancient Greece. The greatest physician of antiquity, Hippocrates in Kos
(460-375 BC), considered the "father of medicine", described 236 medicinal plants (V.
Velican, 1965). He laid the foundation for rational medicine, supported the role of
nature in healing diseases, doctor awarded to the task of helping nature. Hippocrates
observed that "man needs to learn the art of curing diseases" and that above all not to
harm (primum non Nocera). Aristotle (384-322 BC), the great thinker of antiquity,
whose work is the foundation of many branches of science; Theophrast (372-287 BC),
disciple of Aristotle, naturalist and philosopher, called the "father of botany"
(described over 500 species and species groups), Dioscorides (1st centuryAD), author
of a comprehensive medical botanical and other ancient authors, and have made
significant contributions in this branch of science (K. Sfikas, 1979, etc.) . Dioscorides
in his "De materia medica" (About medical material), describes numerous "drug of
plant origin (roots, herbs, seeds, etc..), Is considered one of the most important works
of antiquity" used in the source pharmacology " (C. Vaczy, 1968).
In ancient Rome. Are notable, in reference works Cato (234-149 BC), author
of a treatise on agriculture, Varro (116-27 BC), author of numerous books, including
those of agriculture (" Res rusticae - Rural Economy), Columella (first century AD),
author of the treaty "On Agriculture" Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD) and other authors.
Pliny the Elder's work entitled "Naturalis Historia" (released in around 77 AD)
comprises 37 volumes, some of which are devoted to medical botany and include the
presentation of numerous herbs. Galen (130-210), Greek physician and pharmacist, has
lived and worked in Rome at the age of 30 years, dealt specifically with phytotherapy
is considered the "father of pharmacy, in his herbal medicines being given 473 (S.
Izsak, 1970 etc.).
40
During the Renaissance. Among the renowned scholars who have dealt in
Renaissance and herbs include Theophrastus Paracelsus (1493-1541), professor at the
University of Basel, which brought the application of chemistry in phytotherapy and
showed that the whole plant, but which contains the active substance is one that heals,
called it "Arcanum" or "Quinta essence" as prefiguring the concept of "active
principle" that would be used in modern times (A. Radu, 1974, etc.).
Basics phytochemistry true scientific research and the active principles of
plants were made by Swedish pharmacist and chemist CW Scheele (1742-1786),
which crystallized substances extracted from plants (malic acids, citric, oxalic, etc.)..
The development of interest in phytotherapy and medicinal plants, a remarkable
moment was the isolation of morphine (1806) and its use for pain killers, the
alkaloids of rye ergot also for those from Vinca etc.
In phytotherapy, an important contribution was made by Linnaeus, facilitating
the development of pharmacognosy (that time it was called "materia medica"),
indirectly - through the work of scientific nomenclature - and through professional
work: "Plantae officinalis"“, Amoenitatea academicae "in eight volumes (considered as
a basis for scientific Pharmacognosy)," materia medica "(comprising 563 plant species
used today). He found new herbal pharmacopoeia and removed from his time cures
many mystical (M. Alexandriu-Peiulescu, M. H. Popescu, 1978 etc.).
In modern times, phytotherapy and research in this regard, knew a new
development (E. Păun and A. Mihalea, 1981, I. Ciulei et alii., 1993, V. Istudor, 19982005, U. Stănescu et alii, 2002 etc.). Progress on improving methods for extracting,
identifying and determining the chemical structure of organic compounds produced by
the plant cell, led to the discovery of new natural substances important bio-medical (I.
Ciulei et alii., 1993). Currently about half of pharmaceuticals chemical-pharmaceutical
industry is based on medicinal plants, plus numerous products used in the preparation
of tea in various industries (food, cosmetics, etc.). (P. Ionescu Stoian and E. Savopol,
1977, O. Bojor and O. Popescu, 2000).
In our days, as shows E. Grigorescu, 1994, "80-85% of world population is
still dealing with empirical remedies, traditional, most of which, approximately 90%
are derived from plants. Moreover, most recent statistics show that 45% of
medicines currently in use are derived from plants, is derived semi-synthesis of pure
substances isolated from plant material or biological methods are summarized by
industry.
In recent years, worldwide, have empirical and classical phytotherapy uses
about 20 000 species of medicinal and aromatic plants (E. Păun and A. Mihalea, 1981),
in which the broader use are about 230 plants (P. Ionescu-Stoian, 1981). E. Grigorescu
et al., 2001, shows that of the approximately 400,000 plant species existing on earth
(according to some authors), more than 20,000 species have been tried (searched) the
man in phytotherapy, which leads to the conclusion that in the years coming, yet
mankind vegetable will provide solutions within the product. After further assessment,
of the approximately 20,000 species used in traditional phytotherapy, only about 1,100
species have been studied, and species that are isolated pure substances used in the
41
preparation then the modern drugs, does not exceed 250 species (U. Stănescu şi colab.
2002).
Phytotherapy practice today must have a scientific basis to rely on sound
knowledge of modern phytochemical and treatment systems. Unfortunately,
phytotherapy (established method based on secular traditions), was "often excluded
discredited because of the exaggerations of observers naive, superficial and without
scientific training" (A. Radu and E. Andronescu, 1984). There are still many
"works" (booklet) of "popular phytotherapy (phytotherapy vulgarized), written by
people who have too little contact with phytochemical and phytotherapy” plus the
existence of "unlettered phytotherapists” "which represent true social threats for
sick-persons’ health and life, especially for those desperate "(V. Istudor, 1998). Be
known that vegetable products are not completely safe. There are many highly toxic
active principles (digitalics, akonitine, alkaloids of rye ergot, etc.), which in doses of
several mg to one gram can cause death (M. Alexandrescu et al., 1988, etc). These
principles are active only when specific drug dosage form pharmaceuticals.
Phytotherapy (term introduced in the mid 20th century) “is now well defined
and considered, rightly one branch of which has its own pharmacological treatment
specialists trained in this area, tourist publications, scientific events themselves
standing" (G. Rácz, 1994). The same author shows that phytotherapy "may be
included in natural medicine (Bio) character makes use of medication, but compared
to other parts of the natural medicine (herbal), phytotherapy" does not appeal to
other diagnostic methods than those used medicine of all time, including the
contemporary. "
Phytotherapy medicine today "no longer represents him or infusion or
decoction or tincture, but increasingly dry extract standardized extract particular or
sometimes even just a separate part of this extract, all made in production units
strictly specialized (U. Stanescu et al., 2002). Extracts thus obtained, is the "true raw
material" used in the pharmaceutical industry to obtain drugs, that to meet the
current follows the rigors of "processing, conditioning, analysis and control" as well
as synthetic drugs, because depending on how of product processing plant (with a
certain chemical composition) can get "material" with different chemical
compositions, which may result in "drugs and different qualities. As mentioned U.
Stănescu et al., 2002 "only a modern phytotherapy can claim to capture the
importance and place in the therapeutic arsenal that has lost the last century in
competition with chemotherapy, returning part (and not an alternative or
complementary ) current medicine, which can not survive outside a scientific
substantiation. It should be noted that in many cases the active principles of plants
(those with strong action, including heterosides, cardio-tonics, alkaloids, etc.) Are
considered basic and adjuvant treatment in modern therapy (O. Bojor and O. Smith,
2000) being practical solutions in the treatment of many human suffering. This does
not preclude chemotherapy, which has brought and brings an important contribution
to maintaining human health. Disease, the number one enemy of life, must be
combated with all means at our disposal cure and prevention: both chemotherapy
42
and biotherapy (VT Geiculescu, 1986). Biological products including those derived
from medicinal plants "meet three important functions: prevention, first aid and
treatment" (M. Alexandrescu et al., 1988), while synthetic medicines are only means
of treatment (first aid situations and emergency). Herbal and natural medicine in
general, "provides a good long since taken into account the lifestyle of a person and
an address as a whole-body, mind and spirit-, not treating only pathological
symptoms" (J. Alexander and et al., 2004).
Scientific phytotherapy is and will remain a basic branch of medical science,
which is backed by the development of other sciences, including organic chemistry
and biochemistry, pharmako-dynamics and cellular pharmacology, microbiology
and virology, etc.
Bibliography
1. Alexan M., Bojan O., Crăciun F., 1988 şi 1991, Flora medicinală a României,
vol. I (1988) şi vol. II (1991), Ed. Ceres, Bucureşti.
2. Alexandriu-Peiulescu M., Popescu H., 1978, Plante medicinale în terapeutica
modernă, Ed. Ceres, Bucureşti.
3. Alexander J. şi colab., 2004, Sănătatea cu tratemente naturiste (trad) Reader`s
Digest, Bucureşti.
4. Angelini F., 1965, Cultivazioni erbacea, Sc. Gra. Ro. Roma.
5. Banu I., 1970, Medicina egipteană antică în Istoria medicinei universale, Ed.
medicală, Bucureşti, 59-80.
6. Bojor O., Alexan M., 1981, Plantele medicinale izvor de sănătate, Ed. Ceres,
Bucureşti.
7. Bojor O., Alexan M., 1984, Plante medicinale şi aromatice de la A – Z, Ediţia II
a Ed. Recoop Bucureşti.
8. Bojor O., Popescu O., 2000, Fitoterapie tradiţională şi modernă., Ed. II-a. Fiat
lux Bucureşti.
9. Brătescu G., 1970, Medicina chineză, în Istoria medicinei universale,
Ed. Medicală Bucureşti, 89-108.
10. Ciulei I., Grigorescu E., Stănescu U., 1993, Plante medicinale, fitochimie,
fitoterapie..., Ed. Medical Bucureşti
11. Coiciu E. şi Racz G., 1962, Plante medicinale şi aromatice, Ed. Academiei
Române Bucureşti.
12. Coiciu E., 1967, Plante medicinale şi aromatice de perspectivă, C.D.A.,
Bucureşti.
13. Cosocariu O., 1986, în Tratat de plante medicinale şi aromatice cultivate, vol. I,
Ed. Acad. RSR, Bucureşti, cap. I-III.
43
14. Crăciun F., Bojor O., Alexan M., 1976-1977, Farmacia naturii, vol.I şi II, Ed.
Ceres, Bucureşti.
15. Geiculescu, V.T., 1986, Bioterapie. Reţete medicale fără medicamente
chmioterapice, Ed. Stratifia şi Enciclopedică, Bucureşti.
16. Grigorescu E., 1994, Acta Phytotherapica Romanica, nr. 1, iulie-decembrie,
p. 3.
17. Grigorescu E., Lazar M.I., Stănescu U., Ciulei I., 2001, Index filoterapeutic.
Ed. Cautes Iaşi.
18. Ionescu-Stoian P., 1981, Al VII-lea Congres Naţional de Farmacie,
25-27.10.1979, Bucureşti, Valorificarea plantelor medicinale, Practica
farmaceutică, 5-9.
19. Ionescu-Stoian P., Savopol E., 1977, Extracte farmaceutice vegetale, Ed.
Medicală, Bucureşti.
20. Istudor V., 1998, 2001, 2005, Farmacognozie, Fitochimie şi Fitoterapie. vol. I
(1998) vol. II.(2001), vol. III (2005) Ed. Medicală Bucureşti.
21. Izsak S., 1970, Farmacia, în Istoria medicinii universale, Ed. Medicală
Bucureşti, 615, 643.
22. Muntean L.S., 1990, Plante medicinale şi aromatice cultivate în România, Ed.
Dacia, Cluj-Napoca.
23. Muntean L.S., Tămaş M., Muntean S., Muntean L., Duda M., Vârban D.,
Florian S., 2007, Tratat de plante medicinale cultivate şi spontane, Ed.
Risoprint, Cluj-Napoca
24. Muntean L.S., 2008, Plante medicinale şi aromatice, în Fitotehnie, Ed.
Academic Pres, Cluj-Napoca
25. Paris R.R., 1978, Plantes medicinales et phytotherapie, XII, 3, 240-243.
26. Păun E., Mihalea A., 1981, Al VII-lea Congres Naţional de Farmacie, 25-27
X 1979, Bucureşti, Valorificarea plantelor medicinale, Practica farmaceutică,
43-53.
27. Păun E., Mihalea A., Dumitrescu A., Verzea M., Coşocariu O., 1986 şi 1988,
Tratat de plante medicinale şi aromatice cultivate. vol. I (1986) şi vol. II
(1988), Ed. Acad. Române, Bucureşti.
28. Păun E., 1995, Sănătatea Carpaţilor, Ed. F & D Still Commerce, Bucureşti.
29. Radu A., 1974, Botanica farmaceutică, EDP, Bucureşti.
30. Radu A., Andronescu E, 1984, Vademecum fitoterapeutic, Ed. Medicală,
Bucureşti.
31. Rácz G., 1994, Acta Phytotherapica Romanica, nr. 1, p. 10-11.
32. Sfikas K., 1979, Medicinal plants of Greece, Efstathiddes Group Athens.
33. Stănescu U., Grigorescu E., 1994, Acta Phytotherapica Romanica, nr. 0, p. 916.
34. Stănescu U., Miron A., Hâncianu M., Aprotosoaie C., 2002, Bazele
farmaceutice, farmacologice şi clinice ale fitoterapiei,, vol. I. Ed. „Gr.T.
Popa” UMF Iaşi.
44
35. Tămaş M., Oniga I., Benedec D., Florian S., 2005, Ghid pentru recunoaşterea
şi colectarea plantelor medicinale vol. I, Flora spontană, Ed. Dacia,
Cluj-Napoca.
36. Vaczy C., 1968, Acta Mvuzei Napocensis, V, 59-74.
37. Velican V., 1965, Plante medicinale, în Fitotehnie, vol.II, Ediţia II, Ed.
Agrosilvică.
45