Utilization of Medicinal Plants: Recent Developments from the Chinese Experience

China is one of the leading nations in the use of medicinal plants, and medicinal plants play an outstanding role within the framework of the official health services in China. Modern research on Chinese medicinal plants included as a necessary prerequisite, the comprehensive understanding of their origin, distribution, resources, and therapeutic usage. In order to increase and promote the utilization of medicinal plants in various regions, it is necessary to train professionals. Medicinal plants and their preparations are controlled by the Chinese Pharmacopoiea and the Local Standard. Thus, Chinese medicinal plants have already made and will continue to make a great contribution to the health care of the Chinese people. The traditional Chinese drug has been commonly used as an astringent, but it was found clinically to exhibit therapeutic effects for certain forms of hepatitis, particularly in lowering the elevated serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase level.