Reliance on pharmaceutical medicine leading to a reduction in the use of medicinal plants

Abstract

Traditional medicine has transcended throughout history as a fundamental element in human health and well-being, serving as the foundational pillar of pharmaceutical medicine. However, the constant development of pharmaceuticals, environmental pollution, migration, and limited scientific evidence have caused a decline in the use of medicinal plants. The objective of this research is to analyze the primary characteristics of medicinal plants and their impact on disease treatment, examine how pharmaceutical medicine has displaced traditional medicine, and propose ways to encourage their use to preserve ancestral knowledge. The applied methodology follows a mixed-methods approach; the qualitative component allows for the observation of various author perspectives on the subject, while the quantitative approach enabled the observation of how medicinal plants are used and the perceptions held by high school seniors and their legal representatives. The results demonstrate that the use of medicinal plants persists for the treatment of certain diseases, generally for mild symptoms; likewise, the complementary use of medicinal plants alongside pharmaceuticals to treat the same symptomatology is evident. In conclusion, pharmaceutical medicine has considerably influenced traditional medicine; therefore, it is essential to promote and provide information regarding the use of medicinal plants as a complementary alternative and to preserve ancestral knowledge.