Phytotherapies Used by Indigenous Populations

Plants have historically and still remain an important source of medication for many Indigenous populations around the world. Culturally, there appears to be a link between people and plants, regardless of origin, with different methods of medicine preparation having been empirically designed and adopted depending on the intended use. This chapter examines the use of plants in Indigenous medicine systems, in particular the medicinal use of plants by the Australian Aboriginal peoples. It explores phytotherapies used by Australian Indigenous peoples. Key aspects of traditional Australian Aboriginal medicine philosophy, medicine preparation, genera of plants that are particularly prized in Australian Indigenous medicine, efficacy, and safety are highlighted. In Australia, suggested changes to the regulatory framework, in which oral history relating to plant use is more clearly defined and recognized, may facilitate novel medicinal products appearing on the market that are based on Australian Aboriginal traditional medicines.