This review by Daniel S. Fabricant and Norman R. Farnsworth discusses the value of plants used in traditional medicine for drug discovery. The authors emphasize the importance of ethnomedicine, the use of plants by humans as medicines, and its utility in identifying bioactive compounds. They identify 122 compounds derived from 94 plant species that are globally used as drugs, with 80% having ethnomedic uses identical or related to their current uses. The review outlines various approaches to selecting plants for drug development, including random selection followed by chemical or biological screening, and the use of ethnomedical information. Ethnomedicine is defined as the use of plants by humans as medicines, while traditional medicine encompasses non-Western medical practices. Ethnopharmacology involves the observation, description, and experimental investigation of indigenous drugs and their biological activities. The authors highlight the advantages and disadvantages of using plants as starting points for drug development, noting that plants have a long history of human use, which may reduce toxicity and provide chemical diversity. They also discuss the challenges and pitfalls, such as variability in plant chemistry and the need for careful planning and coordination. The review concludes by emphasizing the importance of ethnomedical knowledge in drug discovery and the need for sustainable practices to protect biodiversity.This review by Daniel S. Fabricant and Norman R. Farnsworth discusses the value of plants used in traditional medicine for drug discovery. The authors emphasize the importance of ethnomedicine, the use of plants by humans as medicines, and its utility in identifying bioactive compounds. They identify 122 compounds derived from 94 plant species that are globally used as drugs, with 80% having ethnomedic uses identical or related to their current uses. The review outlines various approaches to selecting plants for drug development, including random selection followed by chemical or biological screening, and the use of ethnomedical information. Ethnomedicine is defined as the use of plants by humans as medicines, while traditional medicine encompasses non-Western medical practices. Ethnopharmacology involves the observation, description, and experimental investigation of indigenous drugs and their biological activities. The authors highlight the advantages and disadvantages of using plants as starting points for drug development, noting that plants have a long history of human use, which may reduce toxicity and provide chemical diversity. They also discuss the challenges and pitfalls, such as variability in plant chemistry and the need for careful planning and coordination. The review concludes by emphasizing the importance of ethnomedical knowledge in drug discovery and the need for sustainable practices to protect biodiversity.