Ethnopharmacology (Ethnomedicine)

Ethnopharmacology, also called ethnomedicine, refers to the study of the relationships between the human race and biologically active agents. For example, one of the major areas of study in this field is the relationship between man and plants. Specifically, the field takes a look at how plants have been used by man over the millennia. The goal of this field is to better understand how the human race has used animals, fungi, plants, and other naturally occurring compounds, applying them in a variety of ways. Many of the compounds that man used during ancient times have formed the foundation of prescription medications that we use today. This field seeks to map out that journey to see how we got here.