- The historical use of medicinal plants dates back over 5000 years to ancient Sumerian clay tablets listing over 250 plants used for drug preparation. Many plants used in ancient Chinese, Indian, Egyptian and Greek medicine from 2500 BC to 50 AD are still used today. - In the Middle Ages, monasteries grew and prepared medicinal plants. In the 19th century, isolation of active alkaloids like morphine, quinine and pomegranate marked the rise of scientific pharmacy. - Today most pharmacopoeias worldwide still include medicinal plants like garlic, aloe vera, opium poppy, fennel and clove that were traditionally used as folk medicines for their healing