The complexity on working with medicinal plants: a required reflection

Abstract

With the rapid scientific and technological progresses evolved in the recent mankind history, misleading, paradoxes, and contradictions have emerged, as result of the evolution itself, and new discoveries, as well as the continuing context changes. This fact has led to the need for constant reevaluations, considering that novel theories regarding the method of analysis have emerged, such as that of the complex thinking, proposing a broad and integrated view of all related factors of a certain context. Nothing exists in an isolated manner; everything is integrated, either affecting, or being affected. In that sense, as in all areas, the medicinal plant world has passed through changes, requiring an urgent whole reevaluation. Taking the State of Parana, Brazil, as a model and the medicinal plant state of the art, including its undergone crisis, several related aspects to this theme are analyzed, such as legislation, concepts and the roles of government institutions, industry and academy, among others. It is expected that, upon clarifying certain misconceptions and contradictions, it be possible to perceive the implications of the job exclusively technical and excessively fragmented. It is also expected the possibility of certain actions and paradigms reformulation towards a more consistent and integrated development.