Since prehistoric times, humans have used the plant life around them to help cure ailments. In more recent times, researchers and scientists have started to reexamine these early folk remedies in hopes of creating more available forms of treatment. Today, more and more people are attracted to pure forms of these folk medicines, while others hope to gain knowledge from them so that new drugs may be synthesised.

Potent Natural Medicines presents the modern history of folk remedies — both its successes and its failures. Central topics include the adventures of the plant hunters and medical consequences, but attention is also given to practices of the U.S. government that are intended to regulate the sale and use of natural products. Product monitoring, the government’s efforts to protect consumers, and the scientific underpinnings of drug discovery are also covered in this comprehensive volume.