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Background: Over the last two decades, medical healthcare has increased at an exponential rate. The discovery of new infectious diseases and the development of conventional new drugs have increased the health sector's reliance on alternative remedies such as holistic healing, Chinese traditional medicines, African traditional medicines, and Ayurvedic medicines. These traditional remedies have been around since time immemorial. Aim: This study reviewed literature and discussed the historical role of phytomedicine in the development of synthetic treatments, the current state of phytomedicine research, and the future implication of such research. Setting: This review provides a world overview of the use of phytomedicine. Method: This paper summarises previous research on the use of phytomedicine as a source of healthcare over decades using scientific internet databases. Results: Medicinal plants are heavily exploited for the therapeutic properties. Over the years, plants displayed a phenomenal benefit to human health problems worldwide. Advancement in plant research to combat multiple human ailments has drastically increased from the past to the present. Currently, researchers are using a computational platform to evaluate the potential of plant bioactive compounds towards novel, effective, and affordable drug development candidates to gain a better understanding of drug interactions with the body's biochemical pathways. Conclusion: Medicinal plants are still important in global healthcare systems. Literature reveals that there is a resurgence of interest in plant-based medicines for the prevention and treatment of a variety of human ailments. Contribution: This study contributes to the existing knowledge on the remarkable use of phytomedicine in modern times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medicinal plants (MPs) are widely accepted and used in most rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond to treat and control village chicken (VC) diseases and parasites. They are readily available, accessible and cheap. Moreover, they are nature friendly and have adapted to the local environment, making them easy to produce. Over and above, their use has health benefits for consumers. Little is known about the opportunities and challenges faced when commercialising these MPs. Aim: It imperative to unpack the opportunities and challenges that are encountered while commercialising MPs used for treating VC diseases and controlling parasites. Despite these multiple benefits, the commercialisation of these plants seems to be under researched. In South Africa, different rural communities use various MPs in their locality. For instance, most rural families in South Africa are using Aloe ferox, Helichrysum petiolare, Tagetes minuta, Lippia javanica, Agave sisalana, Gunnera perpensa and Millettia grandis. Conspicuously, not much is known about the efforts made to commercialise these products. Method: Through a systematic review of the literature, this paper unpacks the trends, opportunities and challenges faced in commercialising MPs used to treat VC disease and control parasites. Results: Results have revealed that globally MPs for VC management are not widely recognised, despite their wide usage by local communities. If properly harnessed, they have the potential to strengthen local economic development through income generation. However, currently, little is derived from the sale of these products because of the presence of middlemen. Their commercialisation efforts are hampered by the lack of organised support systems and networks, lack of regularisation strategies and clear criteria for supporting quality, protection and presumed efficiency. Conclusion: By commercialising MPs, local farmers can exploit MPs beyond the village chickens to broiler and layer chickens, thus offering alternative chicken health and affordable medicinal options for the farmers. Contribution: The study contributes to understanding the available opportunities and challenges in commercialising MPs used for village chicken health management. It further demonstrates that MPs for village health can be used to transform the livelihoods of the custodians of these plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]