CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

Many cultures throughout the world still rely on traditional medicinal plants for their primary health care. Almost all the modern medicines are derived from plant with medicinal values. It is a fact that traditional medicine has become an important means of healing various ailments [Farnsworth N, 1985]. Although modern means may be available in many developed countries, people are still turning to alternative or complimentary therapist by using medicinal herbs yet few plant species that have been scientifically analysed for the possible medical applications. Documentaries are available for some of these medicinal plants. Tropical and sub tropical Africa contains between 40-45000 species of plant with a lot potential for the development of modern medicine but out of which only about 5000 species have just been harnessed [Rukangira E, 2004].

1.1       HISTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS.

Plants had been used for medicinal purposes long before they were  recorded in  history .Ancient Chinese and Egyptian papyrus writings describe medicinal uses for plant as early 3000BC [Farnsworth N, 1985]. Indigenous culture [such as Africa and native American] used plants in their healing rituals, while other developed traditional medicinal system [such as Ayurcela and traditional Chinese medicine] in which herbal therapies were used, [Farnsworth N,1985] .

In the early 19th century, when chemical  analysis first become available scientist began to extract and modify the active ingredients from plants. Later, chemists began making their own version of plant compounds and overtime the use of herbal medicine declined in favour of drugs. Almost one forth a pharmaceutical drugs are derived from plants [Abbiw D, 1990].

Recently, the world health organisation estimated that 80% of people worldwide rely on herbal medicine   for some part of their primary health care [Abbiw D, 1990]. In Germany about 600-700 plant based medicines are available and are prescribed by some 70% of Germany physicians. In the past 20years in the United States public dissatisfaction with the cause of prescription medications, combined with an interest in returning to natural or organic remedies as lead to an increase in herbal medicine use, [Abbiw D, 1990].

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