J Ethnopharmacol. 1991 Apr; 32(1-3): 187-93.

What are the possibilities and limits of therapy with European native drugs in modern clinical medicine?

Reuter HD.

Klinik I f�r Innere Medizin der Universit�t zu KÃ¶ln, Germany.

Concerning therapy with European native drugs in modern clinical medicine, a clear distinction has to be made between its possibilities and limits on a scientific basis and its possibilities and limits according to the present position of phytotherapy in the different countries of the European Community. On a scientific basis phytopharmaceuticals are used for therapy in a variety of diseases in the clinic as well as in medical practice. The clinical use of phytopharmaceuticals is limited by the kind of acute and severe diseases predominantly treated in the hospital. These diseases require immediate measures with strong acting pharmaceuticals. In the practice of the general practitioner indications for phytopharmaceuticals in principle are the same as in the hospital. The relatively more frequent use of phytopharmaceuticals by the practitioner is related to the fact that he is mainly concerned with mild health disturbances and diseases and chronic sufferings which are destined for treatment with herbal medicines.