Abstract

Herbal Medicines and Herbal Medicinal Products- Quality and Safety

Author(s): Mohammad Kamil

The challenges are innumerable and enormous, making the global herbal market unsafe. This study seeks to enlighten physicians, pharmacists, consumers and stakeholders in herbal medicine on the need to establish quality parameters for collection, handling, processing and production of herbal medicine as well; as employ such parameters in ensuring the safety of the global herbal market. The processes of good quality assurance and standardization of herbal medicines and products is being discussed. The use of herbs/herbal medicines for treating various ailments dates back several centuries. Usually, herbal medicine has relied on those traditions that may or may not be supported by empirical data. The belief that natural medicines are much safer than synthetic drugs has gained popularity in recent years led to maximum usage of herbal medicines.