ETHICAL LANDSCAPE OF HERBAL MEDICINES

Remarkable numbers of people have a false belief in naturally obtained herbal medicines as they are safe to use, omitting the fact that herbal medicines have pharmacological action like allopathic medicines. Many plants are poisonous and there is less safety data available for herbal medicines. Adverse drug reactions associated with herbal medicines are overdose and toxicity, herb interactions and hypersensitivity reactions. The potential side effects, the quantity of intake, risk of herbal medicines should be adequately developed. Herbal medicines, which are well studied, are not tested in the groups of the population like pediatrics, pregnant or breastfeeding women, geriatrics, or people with multiple co-morbidities. Many herbal medicines are under-examined, and their harmful effects sun known. The patients cannot be intimated properly about the risks and benefits unless the physician fails to show evidence about potency or side-effects of herbal medicines. The high demand for standard herbal medicines puts pressure on high-demand species and plants, leading to the extinction of selected species and plants. It is essential to take measures of the above-mentioned ethical challenges to hold respect for individual preferences and needs-preventing harm to patients, local communities, and the environment. It can be concluded that the ethical scaffolds can facilitate a consistent and structural approach. Production of herbal medicines is a global phenomenon, so the application of ethical scaffolds has worldwide importance which is based upon the values of care, respect, honesty, and fairness.