Phytotherapy and Classical Medicine

Abstract

The place of phytotherapy in medical science is discussed, particularly in relation to European legislation. Due to numerous clinical and/or experimental studies on the efficacy of herbal drugs, phytotherapy has increased in scientific significance. In Germany, phytotherapy will in the near future be re-evaluated at the university level as a result of the 7th decree on the amendment of the rules of approbation of physicians. Beginning in 1993, phytotherapy is included in the 2nd part of the German medical examination. The attitude of German physicians in prescribing phytopharmaceuticals differs to a large extent from colleagues in other countries of the European community. In Germany, physicians with a background in naturopathy and about 70 percent of the general practitioners prefer to prescribe phytopharmaceuticals. An important reason for the acceptance of phytotherapy by many physicians in Germany has been the compilation of scientifically supported Drug Monographs of the Interdisciplinary Expert Comm...