Ethnopharmacology

Ethnopharmacology (pronounced: eth-no-phar-ma-col-o-gy) is a branch of pharmacology that studies the traditional use of plants and plant extracts in different cultures, and how they can be used for medicinal purposes. The term is derived from the Greek words "ethnos" (people) and "pharmakon" (drug).

Etymology

The term "ethnopharmacology" was first used in the early 20th century and is derived from the Greek words "ethnos", meaning people or culture, and "pharmakon", meaning drug or medicine. This field of study combines elements of anthropology, botany, and medicine to explore the cultural and historical uses of plants in medicine.

Related Terms

Pharmacology: The branch of medicine concerned with the uses, effects, and modes of action of drugs.
Ethnobotany: The scientific study of the traditional knowledge and customs of a people concerning plants and their medical, religious, and other uses.
Phytotherapy: The study of the use of extracts from natural origin as medicines or health-promoting agents.
Traditional Medicine: Systems of medicine developed before the era of modern medicine, based on cultural beliefs and practices handed down from generation to generation.

History

Ethnopharmacology has its roots in the study of ethnobotany, which began in the 19th century with the work of early explorers and naturalists who documented the use of plants by indigenous cultures. In the 20th century, the field expanded to include the study of the chemical compounds found in these plants and their potential medicinal uses.

Modern Applications

Today, ethnopharmacology is a multidisciplinary field that involves the study of medicinal plants, their uses in traditional medicine, and their potential for development into pharmaceutical drugs. It also involves the study of the cultural and social aspects of traditional medicine, including the knowledge and practices of indigenous cultures.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Ethnopharmacology
Wikipedia's article - Ethnopharmacology

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Ethnopharmacology