How to transfer traditional knowledge about medicinal herbs? or TCM plants: a black box for modern oncologists

Objective How could we transfer knowledge about healing plants from other cultures? We analyzed the results of literature search in two exemplary fields-oral mucositis and polyneuropathy. Materials and methods In both systematic searches of existing literature, we found 57 studies investigating 68 plants from different traditional cultures (16 Western Medicine, 14 Persian Medicine, 9 Japanese, 10 Chinese, and 8 other sources). We analyzed studies regarding their ingredient plants and reproducibility in relation to the system of origin. Results Western and Persian Medicine trials investigate single plants, whereas Japanese and Chinese trials focus on mixtures and decoctions. European folk medicine knows of only 50% of plants used in both Asian cultures. The used ingredients and dosages were reproducible in all analyzed trials except TCM studies. Conclusions Herbal knowledge has been transferred from all folk medicines worldwide. However, Western oncologists should be aware that Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs are still a black box of knowledge for us until today.