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The phytotherapy , étymologiquement the treatment by the Plant S, is a therapeutic method which uses the action of the medicinal plants.

One can distinguish two types of phytotherapy:

a traditional practice, sometimes very old based on the use of plants according to the empirically discovered virtues. According to WHO, this phytotherapy is regarded as a traditional Médecine and still massively employed in certain countries of which country in the process of development. It is a parallel medicine because of absence of clinical study.

a practice based on the scientific projections which seeks active extracts of the plants. The identified active extracts are standardized. This practice leads to the phytomédicaments and according to the regulations in force in the country, the circulation of the phytomédicaments is subjected to the marketing authorization (AMM). One speaks then about Pharmacognosie or pharmaceutical Biology.

History

The first text known on medicine by the plants is engraved on a shelf of Argile, written by the Sumérien S in characters Cunéiforme S 3000 years front J. - C.; They used plants the such Myrte, the Chanvre, the Thym, the Saule in filtered decoctions.

The Papyrus Ebers, of the east the first known collection devoted to the medicinal plants. By far bulkiest known of the old Egypt with “110 pages”, it refers to older documents quoting of tens of plants accompanied by a mode by use.

The Greeks and the Romans also used many plants. One finds references of them, inter alia, in the work of Dioscoride (Greek doctor of) (cf illustration).

In Europe, the plants represent the essence of the pharmacopeia until the end of the 19th century. Still largely used after the Second world war, they were then supplanted by the Médicament S of synthesis easier to use.

In France, the diploma for the occupation of herbalist was removed in September 1941 by the Vichy government. Of 4 500 herbalists in 1941, they are from now on ten while in Germany or Italy, one counts several thousands of herbalists.

Years 1990, the use of plants instead of preparations of synthesis finds a renewal of popularity under the term “phytotherapy”. -->

Methods: use and manufacture

In traditional phytotherapy the plants can be used fresh, which is not always possible, or dried, using then possibly various preparations in order to preserve the active ingredients of the plants and to avoid any decomposition. One manages them in the form of alcoholic dyeings, Macérat S, Tisane S, compresses, balsams… (note: herb tea makes it possible to extract only the active ingredients from the plant water soluble).

A more recent process makes it possible to obtain the whole of the active ingredients by crushing (Cryobroyage for example) fine of the plant after drying. The powder is macerated in a water mixture/alcohol. After purification of the inert elements like cellulose, the solution will be dried until obtaining a powder. This powder can be then presented in the form of tablets, gélules, sachets, etc

In Europe, certain plants are recognized like plants medicinal, and subjected like the drugs to a Marketing authorization. So the products extracted from certain plants are sold only in pharmacies and sometimes on ordinance.

Precautions for use of phytotherapy

Certain plants contain active ingredients which can be extremely powerful, others are toxic with low dose. The fact that one does not use that plants does not mean that is without Danger, the free culture of certain plants is prohibited in certain countries, the case more the current being the Pavot whose culture is regulated in France and is intended for the only drug company.

The Pharmacologie recognizes the beneficial action of certain plants and thus sticks to extract the Active ingredient from these plants. The “gross” consumption of the plant induces the consumption of other products contained in the plant that the active ingredient, thus not making it possible to know the exact amount of introduced active ingredient involving a risk of under-proportioning or overdose. For certain doctors phytothérapeutes, the other principles will mitigate the side effects while entering in interaction. An example: the Distillation of the Lavande makes it possible to count more than 200 Molécule S different, of which Cétone S and Coumarine S, whose toxicity is less than if they were used only.

The composition of a plant can vary from one specimen to another, depend on the ground, conditions of growth, moisture, temperature, sunning, which will determine what one calls in Aromathérapie the Chémotype.

In the same way, one should not use plants of doubtful origin, since the factors of pollution, the gathering and the methods of conservation, storage… can deteriorate the properties of the plants.

Error of manufacture

As illustration, a preparation for slimming herb tea, sold in pharmacy, thus made devastations at the beginning of the Années 1991: an error of manufacture included a plant of the family of the Aristoloche S, very dangerous, which involved major impaired renal functions and Cancer S at 110 people in Belgium.

Interaction

The simultaneous catch of medicinal plants and Médicament S can involve the interaction of the two remedies and the appearance of side effects, sometimes serious. For example, the Millepertuis can inhibit the effect of drugs like the Digoxine, the Théophylline, the Anticoagulant S containing Anti-vitamin K, of the Contraceptif S oral examinations and certain antidepressants, or others less used like the Ciclosporine, of the treatments against the infection with HIV (AIDS) like the Amprénavir or the Indinavir, or unquestionable anti-cancer

Naturel does not mean beneficial

Let us note finally that some present phytotherapy like “natural” method. This argument of naturalness is often of the advertizing type or effect of playing mode on an ambiguity: naturalness would equalize “beneficial” and “inoffensive” (whereas nature is neither good, nor bad, the Mort, the Maladie, the Venin S or the Toxine S being natural…). One estimates that 5% of the intoxications are due to the plants, sometimes by phytherapic preparations like the Aconit.

Symbolic system

Whereas since Antiquity the specialists in the plants were clearly identified, of the doctor to the herbalist, and that this separation is still in force in other companies all over the world: certain plants are crowned, prepared only by the person who fulfills the function of healer.

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