The recorded history of medicinal remedies spans 5500 years. Chemically synthesized medicines, today termed "conventional", only became prevalent in the 1960s. Medicines of natural origin, known to be effective for thousands of years, are incorrectly considered merely "complementary" or "alternative".

Consumers worldwide are however re-educating themselves about the benefits of natural remedies and are concerned about the long term effects and toxicity of chemically synthesized medicines.