The article provides a comprehensive historical review of the use of medicinal plants, tracing their evolution from ancient times to the present. It highlights the early instinctive use of plants for healing, which gradually evolved into a more systematic approach based on empirical knowledge and later, scientific understanding. Key historical sources, such as the Sumerian clay slab, the Chinese book "Pen T'Sao," and the Indian Vedas, are cited to illustrate the long-standing use of medicinal plants. The article also discusses the contributions of notable figures like Theophrastus, Dioscorides, and Galen, who made significant advancements in the classification and description of medicinal plants. The text further explores the impact of the discovery of America and the introduction of new plants from Asia and Africa on the development of pharmacotherapy. It concludes by emphasizing the ongoing relevance of medicinal plants in modern pharmacotherapy, despite the rise of synthetic drugs, and the importance of continued research into their potential benefits.The article provides a comprehensive historical review of the use of medicinal plants, tracing their evolution from ancient times to the present. It highlights the early instinctive use of plants for healing, which gradually evolved into a more systematic approach based on empirical knowledge and later, scientific understanding. Key historical sources, such as the Sumerian clay slab, the Chinese book "Pen T'Sao," and the Indian Vedas, are cited to illustrate the long-standing use of medicinal plants. The article also discusses the contributions of notable figures like Theophrastus, Dioscorides, and Galen, who made significant advancements in the classification and description of medicinal plants. The text further explores the impact of the discovery of America and the introduction of new plants from Asia and Africa on the development of pharmacotherapy. It concludes by emphasizing the ongoing relevance of medicinal plants in modern pharmacotherapy, despite the rise of synthetic drugs, and the importance of continued research into their potential benefits.