Forsch Komplementmed. 2012;19(2):93-8. doi: 10.1159/000338601. Epub 2012 Apr 19.
[Article in German]
Abstract
In
phytopharmacy, the term 'traditional use' is widely found in colloquial
language but has also great significance for registration procedures of
medicinal products. It is therefore justified to explore its actual
meaning from the perspective of social and pharmaceutical history. It is
shown that a tradition is founded by transmission of knowledge and
techniques over at least three generations, while the life span of a
generation may vary widely. Changes and adaptations to technical
advancements do not at all avoid but even constitute the development of
traditions. Historical research provides valuable knowledge about
effectiveness and risk of phytopharmaceuticals. Criteria of traditional
use may complement but not substitute modern evidence based methods;
however they always need to be applied historically sound.
Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.
- PMID:
- 22585106
- [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
