Improvements in analytic techniques and modern pharmacology have given researchers the tools and understanding necessary to evaluate herbal medicines properly. Improvements in plant cultivation techniques and the quality of herbal extracts (quality control and standardization) have also led to the development of some effective plant medicines. These advances have created a renaissance in the appreciation and use of herbal medicine. It seems that science and medicine have finally advanced to a level where nature can be appreciated rather than discounted. The scientific investigation of plant medicines is replacing some of the mystery and romance of herbalism with a greater understanding of the ways in which herbs work. Thirty years ago it was impossible to determine exactly how herbs promoted their healing effects because analytic science had not advanced to a sufficient level of sophistication. This point is well illustrated by the fact that the main mechanism of action responsible for aspirin's anti-inflammatory effect was not understood until the early 1970s, and its mechanism of action for pain relief has yet to be fully understood.

In general, herbal preparations are thought to have three major advantages: lower cost, fewer side effects, and medicinal effects that tend to normalize physiological function. When used most effectively, the mechanism of action of an herb often corrects the underlying cause of a disorder. In contrast, a synthetic drug is often designed to alleviate the symptom or effect without addressing the underlying cause. Interestingly, research has often shown for many plants that the whole plant or crude extract is much more effective than isolated constituents. In many instances, multiple components produce multiple pharmacologic actions.

Herbal medicine will certainly play a major role in future medicine. As modern medicine gains more knowledge and understanding about health and disease, it is adopting therapies that are more natural and less toxic. Lifestyle modification, stress reduction, exercise, meditation, dietary changes, and many other traditional naturopathic therapies are becoming much more popular in standard medical circles. This illustrates the paradigm shift that is occurring in medicine.

With the continuing advancement in science and technology, there has been a great improvement in the quality of herbal medicines available and in the understanding of their optimal clinical use. Improvements in cultivation techniques coupled with improvements in quality control and standardization of potency will continue to increase the effectiveness of herbal medicines.