Herb–Human Interactions

Over the past 20 years, around 70% of people globally have turned to alternative therapies involving medicinal plants. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a cornerstone of healthcare in Asia, has utilized complex herbal formulations for centuries, yet scientific validation of its benefits remains limited. Herbal products are used in various forms, including single herbs, herb combinations, or herb–drug mixtures. The efficacy of herbal-resourced compounds (HRC) depends on their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME), influenced by factors like herb pretreatment, interactions, age, gender, and pathological conditions. Understanding these pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes is crucial for optimizing therapeutic potential and minimizing side effects. This chapter explores how herbal bioactive compounds are absorbed, metabolized, and excreted, alongside the role of genetic factors in individual responses, aiming to provide insights for integrating herbal medicine into modern healthcare and evaluating herb–drug interactions (HDIs) effectively.