Herbgenomics: Decipher molecular genetics of medicinal plants

Medicinal plants synthesize a huge repertoire of specialized compounds as protective metabolites when they are confronted with complex abiotic and biotic conditions. Humans have used medicinal plants to treat ailments and maintain health throughout civilization. Paleontological studies have shown that the application of medicinal plants, such as Ephedra altissima and Centaurea solstitialis, could be dated back to 60,000 years ago, since their fossils were found in the tomb of prehistoric Neanderthals.