Plants are a major source for compounds used in drugs to treat illness. Ingredients from plants are found in one out of every four prescription drugs. Many of these compounds were first used in folk medicine and were tested in laboratories and found to be effective. Plant compounds have been used in heart drugs, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medicines and many more.

Cinchona Tree - the bark is the source of quinine, a drug used to treat Malaria.

Ephedra - Source of ephedrine which is used to treat asthma.

Echinacea - still being tested in lab and clinical studies but shows promise for stimulating the immune system.