Phytotherapy is the scientific discipline that studies the use of plant-based medicines for treatment. Throughout history, herbal remedies have been the primary source of support for doctors in treating illnesses. While the development of the chemical pharmaceutical industry has led to the relegation of herbal products to the background, the role of plants in disease treatment is undeniable.

Phytotherapy is more widely used in developed countries than in our country. There are various reasons for this.

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that herbal remedies are not a cure for every disease. The primary goal of using herbal remedies should be to prevent diseases before they occur by using the right plants correctly and to take preventive measures. It’s best to use herbal remedies under the guidance of a physician trained in phytotherapy.

Not every plant has therapeutic properties. In fact, some plants, and even overdoses, can negatively impact your health. Side effects of herbs and their interactions with medications taken by the patient should be considered.

According to various studies, the use of herbal products is quite common in developed countries. In the US, 60% of the population over the age of 18 uses herbal therapies at least once a year. In Germany, doctors prescribe herbal products to their patients in 66% of treatments. In Japan, this rate reaches 70%.

Unfortunately, the situation in our country is not as encouraging. Compared to developed countries, the rate of herbal product use in treatments is quite low, and due to uncontrolled advertising and sales, it is difficult to determine the extent of herbal product use on a public level.

The fundamental problem in Turkey is the lack of phytotherapy training for prospective physicians in medical schools. Unfortunately, postgraduate training in phytotherapy is similarly lacking in postgraduate programs.

The lack of phytotherapy training among physicians in our country, and the outright rejection of phytotherapy practices by many, leads to the misuse of herbal products by non-doctors, those with no other motivation than profit and no sense of responsibility for human life. This, in turn, diminishes trust in herbal products.