Document NumberSIPM-0001

Edition1

DateFebruary 17, 2026

StatusPublished

Terminology for Phytomedicine

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Scope
Normative references
3. Terms and definitions
4. Additional vocabulary
Bibliography

Foreword

The Society for Integrative Phytomedicine (SIPM) is an international organization dedicated to the development of standards for phytomedicine, medicinal fungi, and related natural health products. The work of preparing SIPM Standards is carried out through technical committees composed of experts from academia, industry, regulatory bodies, and healthcare practice.

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described in the SIPM Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of SIPM documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the SIPM Directives, Part 2.

SIPM draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of intellectual property. SIPM takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed intellectual property rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, SIPM had not received notice of any patents which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent the latest information.

Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not constitute an endorsement.

For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of SIPM specific terms and expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about SIPM’s adherence to the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see https://sipm.org/about.

This document was prepared by Technical Committee TC 1, Terminology and Nomenclature.

This is the first edition of SIPM 0001.

A list of all parts in the SIPM 0001 series can be found on the SIPM website.

Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the SIPM Secretariat at standards@sipm.org.

1. Introduction

The field of phytomedicine encompasses the study and therapeutic use of plant- derived substances for the prevention and treatment of disease. As interest in natural health products has grown globally, the need for standardized terminology has become increasingly important to ensure clear communication among researchers, healthcare practitioners, regulators, manufacturers, and consumers.

This document establishes a comprehensive vocabulary for phytomedicine that provides a foundation for consistent use of terms across scientific literature, regulatory documents, product labels, and clinical communications. The terminology presented here has been developed through consensus among international experts in pharmacognosy, botany, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical medicine.

The terminology in this document is organized into two main sections:

Clause 3 defines core concepts that are essential for understanding phytomedicine and its related fields
Clause 4 provides additional vocabulary for specific domains within phytomedicine

This document is intended to serve as a reference for authors of scientific papers, developers of regulatory guidelines, manufacturers of phytomedicine products, and healthcare professionals who recommend or prescribe phytomedicines.

The development of this terminology standard reflects SIPM’s commitment to advancing the scientific basis of phytomedicine while respecting traditional knowledge systems. The definitions provided here are designed to be precise enough for scientific use while remaining accessible to diverse stakeholders in the phytomedicine community.

Future revisions of this document will incorporate new terms as the field evolves and will refine existing definitions based on scientific advances and feedback from users of the standard.

2. Scope

This document defines terms and establishes a vocabulary for the field of phytomedicine.

It is applicable to:

Scientific research and publication in phytomedicine
Development and communication of regulatory requirements
Manufacturing, quality control, and quality assurance of phytomedicine products
Clinical practice and patient communication
Education and training in phytomedicine and related fields
Trade and commerce of phytomedicine products and raw materials

This document does not cover:

Detailed taxonomic classification of medicinal plants (addressed in SIPM-0002)
Specific analytical methods (addressed in SIPM-0300 series)
Clinical protocols (addressed in SIPM-0400 series)

The terms defined in this document are intended to be used in conjunction with other SIPM standards and may be referenced by external standards and regulatory documents.

Normative references

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

[WHO Guidelines on Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) for Medicinal Plants]
[WHO International Standard Terminologies on Traditional Medicine in the Western Pacific Region]
[ICH Q3(R8) Guideline for Elemental Impurities]
[ISO 9000:2015]
[ISO 11095:1996]
[European Pharmacopoeia 10th Edition]
[United States Pharmacopeia - National Formulary]

3. Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

3.1. phytomedicine

alt:[herbal medicine] alt:[plant medicine]

medicinal product whose active ingredients are exclusively derived from one or more plants, algae, fungi, or lichens in processed or unprocessed form

NOTE 1: Phytomedicines may contain plant parts, plant juices, plant extracts, or purified compounds isolated from plants.

NOTE 2: In some regulatory contexts, the term "herbal medicinal product" is used synonymously.

page 35

3.2. medicinal plant

plant species that contains substances which can be used for therapeutic purposes or which are precursors for the synthesis of useful drugs

Note	Medicinal plants may be used in their whole form or as a source of isolated compounds.

3.3. botanical drug product

alt:[botanical drug]

finished product that contains a botanical drug substance, generally as the active ingredient, and is intended to diagnose, cure, treat, mitigate, or prevent disease

Note	This term is commonly used in regulatory contexts, particularly in the United States.

[United States Pharmacopeia - National Formulary]

3.4. herbal preparation

preparation obtained by subjecting herbal substances to treatments such as extraction, distillation, expression, fractionation, purification, concentration, or fermentation

Note	Herbal preparations include, but are not limited to, comminuted or powdered herbal substances, tinctures, extracts, essential oils, expressed juices, and processed exudates.

[European Pharmacopoeia 10th Edition]

3.5. herbal substance

alt:[herbal drug] alt:[plant material]

whole, fragmented, or cut plants, parts of plants, algae, fungi, or lichen in an unprocessed state, usually in dried form but sometimes fresh

Note	Certain exudates that have not been subjected to a specific treatment are also considered herbal substances.

[European Pharmacopoeia 10th Edition]

3.6. active pharmaceutical ingredient

alt:[API] alt:[active ingredient]

substance or mixture of substances intended to be used in the manufacture of a drug product and that, when used in the production of a drug, becomes an active ingredient in the drug product

NOTE 1: In phytomedicine, the API may be a single compound or a defined mixture of compounds derived from the plant material.

NOTE 2: For some phytomedicines, the active constituents are not fully characterized, and the API is defined as the herbal preparation or its standardized extract.

3.7. marker compound

chemical constituent or group of constituents characteristic of a particular plant species or plant part, used for identification, quality assessment, or standardization purposes

Note	Marker compounds are not necessarily responsible for the therapeutic activity of the phytomedicine.

3.8. active marker compound

marker compound that contributes to the therapeutic activity of a phytomedicine

Note	Active markers may be used for standardization when the full mechanism of action is not understood.

3.9. characteristic constituent

alt：【diagnostic marker】

chemical constituent that is unique to, or highly characteristic of, a particular plant species and can be used for authentication purposes

3.10. standardized extract

herbal preparation that has been processed to contain a defined amount of one or more specified constituents, typically expressed as a percentage or range

Note	Standardization may be based on active markers, analytical markers, or characteristic constituents.

3.11. quantified extract

herbal preparation with defined content ranges for one or more groups of constituents

Note	Unlike standardized extracts, quantified extracts specify acceptable ranges rather than target values.

3.12. native extract

alt:[genuine extract]

extract that contains only constituents naturally present in the source material, without added excipients or further processing that would alter its composition

3.13. processed extract

extract that has undergone additional processing steps beyond initial extraction, which may include purification, concentration, drying, or addition of excipients

3.14. extraction

process of separating active or desirable constituents from plant material using a solvent or other physical or chemical means

3.15. extraction solvent

solvent used to extract desired constituents from plant material

Note	Common extraction solvents include water, ethanol, methanol, supercritical carbon dioxide, and various oils.

3.16. extraction yield

alt:[extract yield]

amount of extract obtained from a specified amount of starting plant material, typically expressed as a percentage by mass

3.17. phytochemistry

branch of chemistry dealing with the chemical constituents of plants and their properties, reactions, and methods of isolation and identification

3.18. pharmacognosy

study of medicines derived from natural sources, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, encompassing their physical, chemical, biochemical, and biological properties

3.19. plant part

alt:[plant organ] alt:[medicinal plant part]

specific organ or portion of a plant that is used for medicinal purposes

Root, rhizome, bark, leaf, flower, fruit, seed, whole herb.

3.20. botanical identification

process of determining the identity of a plant material to species level, including verification of the plant part used

3.21. adulteration

intentional addition of non-authentic material or the substitution of authentic material with inferior or harmful substances

Note	Adulteration may involve addition of synthetic drugs, other plant species, or contaminants.

3.22. contamination

unintended presence of harmful or undesirable substances in plant material or herbal preparations

Heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, microorganisms, foreign plant material.

3.23. quality control

operational techniques and activities used to fulfill requirements for quality

Note	In phytomedicine, quality control typically includes identity testing, purity testing, potency assessment, and stability testing.

clause 3.3.7

3.24. stability

capacity of a phytomedicine product to remain within established specifications for identity, strength, quality, and purity throughout its shelf life

3.25. shelf life

alt:[expiration dating period]

time period during which a phytomedicine product is expected to remain within approved shelf-life specifications, provided it is stored under the conditions defined on the container label

3.26. good agricultural and collection practices

alt:[GACP]

practices addressing quality assurance and control in the production and collection of medicinal plants

Note	GACP covers cultivation, harvesting, post-harvest processing, storage, and transportation.

[WHO Guidelines on Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) for Medicinal Plants]

3.27. voucher specimen

preserved sample of plant material that serves as a permanent record of the source material used in scientific studies or commercial production

Note	Voucher specimens enable verification of botanical identity and are typically deposited in recognized herbaria.

3.28. botanical reference material

alt:[BRM]

well-characterized material used as a standard for comparison in identity testing and quality control

Note	Botanical reference materials may be whole plant material, plant parts, or processed extracts.

3.29. therapeutic indication

medical condition or disease state for which a phytomedicine is intended to be used

3.30. contraindication

condition or factor that serves as a reason to withhold a certain medical treatment due to the harm that it would cause the patient

3.31. traditional use

use of a medicinal plant or phytomedicine based on accumulated knowledge and experience over generations within a specific cultural context

3.32. well-established use

use of a medicinal plant or phytomedicine that has been recognized for at least 10 years within a specific jurisdiction with demonstrated safety and efficacy

Note	Well-established use may be a basis for simplified regulatory approval in some jurisdictions.

3.33. safety

absence of unacceptable risk of harm to human health under intended or foreseeable conditions of use

3.34. efficacy

ability of a phytomedicine to produce a beneficial effect under controlled conditions

3.35. pharmacovigilance

science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problems

3.36. herbal-drug interaction

alt:[herb-drug interaction] alt:[HD interaction]

modification of the effect of a drug when co-administered with a herbal preparation, or modification of the effect of a herbal preparation when co-administered with a drug

Note	Interactions may result in increased or decreased drug effects, or new adverse reactions.

Table 1. Marker compound classification
Classification	Description
Active marker	Compound that contributes to the therapeutic effect and is used for standardization
Analytical marker	Compound used for identification and quantification purposes, not necessarily therapeutically active
Toxicity marker	Compound that indicates potential toxicity concerns
Stability marker	Compound that degrades in a predictable manner and indicates product stability

3.37. Functional classification terms

3.37.1. adaptogen

natural compound or plant extract that increases the adaptability, resilience, and survival of organisms to stress through non-specific activation of adaptive mechanisms

NOTE 1: Adaptogens exhibit a normalizing effect independent of the nature of the pathological state (stres-protective activity).

NOTE 2: Key mechanisms include modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, regulation of cortisol release, and enhancement of cellular stress resistance via heat shock proteins and neuropeptide Y [Panossian A. & Efferth T.].

NOTE 3: Plant-derived adaptogens include Eleutherococcus senticosus (Eleuthero), Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), Rhodiola rosea (Rhodiola), and Panax ginseng (Ginseng).

[Panossian A. & Efferth T.] (evolution of the adaptogenic concept from traditional use to medical applications)

3.37.2. nootropic

alt:[cognitive enhancer]

substance that improves cognitive function (memory, attention, learning, or executive function) without significant sedation or stimulation

NOTE 1: The term "nootropic" was coined by Giurgea in 1972 and originally required the substance to enhance learning and memory, protect against disruptive agents, have minimal side effects, and increase cortical control.

NOTE 2: Plant-derived nootropics include Bacopa monnieri (bacosides), Ginkgo biloba (flavonoid glycosides, terpene lactones), Panax ginseng (ginsenosides), and Coffea arabica (caffeine) [Nieto J.A. et al.].

NOTE 3: Systematic reviews indicate that Ginkgo biloba is most relevant for perceptual and motor functions, while Bacopa monnieri improves language, learning, and memory [Garcia A.M. et al.].

[Nieto J.A. et al.] (plant-derived nootropics and human cognition: systematic review)

3.37.3. immunomodulator

substance that can modify or regulate one or more immune functions

Note	Immunomodulators may be immunostimulatory (enhancing immune response) or immunosuppressive (reducing immune response). Many phytomedicines exhibit immunomodulatory activity, including Echinacea spp., Astragalus membranaceus, and medicinal fungi such as Ganoderma lucidum.

3.37.4. antioxidant

substance that inhibits oxidation, neutralizes free radicals, or chelates metal ions that catalyze oxidative reactions

Note	Many phytomedicines contain antioxidant compounds including polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamins C and E. Antioxidant activity is often measured using ORAC, FRAP, or DPPH assays.

3.37.5. anti-inflammatory

substance that reduces inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory mediators, cytokines, or enzymes involved in the inflammatory cascade

Note	Plant-derived anti-inflammatory compounds include curcuminoids (Curcuma longa), boswellic acids (Boswellia serrata), and omega-3 fatty acids.

4. Additional vocabulary

This clause provides additional vocabulary organized by domain.

4.1. Extraction and processing

4.1.1. maceration

extraction process in which plant material is soaked in a solvent at room temperature for an extended period

4.1.2. percolation

extraction process in which solvent passes through a column or bed of plant material, typically under gravity or low pressure

4.1.3. decoction

extraction process involving boiling plant material in water

Note	Decoction is traditionally used for hard plant materials such as roots, bark, and seeds.

4.1.4. infusion

extraction process in which plant material is steeped in hot or cold water without boiling

Note	Infusion is traditionally used for delicate plant materials such as leaves and flowers.

4.1.5. tincture

alt:[alcoholic extract]

liquid preparation obtained by maceration or percolation of plant material in a mixture of alcohol and water

Note	Tinctures are typically prepared at defined drug-to-extract ratios.

4.1.6. fluid extract

alt:[liquid extract]

liquid preparation containing the active constituents of plant material, typically more concentrated than a tincture

4.1.7. dry extract

solid extract obtained by removal of the extraction solvent, typically through evaporation or freeze-drying

4.1.8. soft extract

alt:[semi-solid extract]

extract with a viscous or semi-solid consistency, typically containing residual moisture or solvent

4.1.9. drug-to-extract ratio

alt:[DER]

ratio of the mass of starting plant material to the mass of the resulting extract

A 10:1 drug-to-extract ratio indicates that 10 kg of plant material yields 1 kg of extract.

4.2. Quality and testing

4.2.1. identity testing

analytical procedures performed to confirm that a material is what it purports to be

Note	Identity testing may include macroscopic examination, microscopic analysis, chromatographic fingerprinting, and spectroscopic methods.

4.2.2. purity testing

analytical procedures performed to determine the presence and amount of impurities or contaminants

4.2.3. potency

measure of the biological activity or strength of a phytomedicine, typically expressed relative to a reference standard

4.2.4. fingerprint

chromatographic or spectroscopic pattern that is characteristic of a particular plant material or extract

Note	Fingerprints are used for identity confirmation and quality comparison.

4.2.5. specification

list of tests, references to analytical procedures, and appropriate acceptance criteria for a material

[ICHQ3r8]

4.3. Dosage forms

4.3.1. oral liquid

alt:[liquid for oral use]

liquid preparation intended for oral administration

4.3.2. tablet

solid dosage form containing phytomedicine ingredients, usually prepared by compression

4.3.3. capsule

solid dosage form in which the phytomedicine ingredient is enclosed in a soluble container, typically made of gelatin or plant-derived materials

4.3.4. topical preparation

alt:[preparation for dermal use]

preparation intended for application to the skin or mucous membranes

4.3.5. powdered extract

alt:[spray-dried extract]

dry extract in powder form, typically produced by spray drying

4.4. Biological and cultivation

4.4.1. cultivation

practice of growing medicinal plants under controlled or semi-controlled conditions

4.4.2. wild collection

alt:[wild harvesting] alt:[wild crafting]

gathering of medicinal plants from their natural habitat

Note	Wild collection requires sustainable practices to ensure species conservation.

4.4.3. sustainable harvesting

collection of plant material in a manner that ensures the long-term survival of the species and its ecosystem

Note	Sustainable harvesting considers regeneration rates, ecological impact, and biodiversity conservation.

4.4.4. Good Agricultural Practices

alt:[GAP]

standards and practices for the production of medicinal plants under controlled agricultural conditions

Note	GAP covers site selection, propagation, cultivation, plant protection, harvesting, and primary processing.

4.5. Regulatory and classification

4.5.1. dietary supplement

product intended to supplement the diet that contains one or more dietary ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other botanicals

Note	Regulatory classification of phytomedicines as dietary supplements varies by jurisdiction.

4.5.2. traditional herbal medicinal product

alt:[THMP]

medicinal product whose active ingredients are exclusively herbal substances or herbal preparations, intended and designed for use without the supervision of a medical practitioner

Note	Traditional use of at least 30 years, including 15 years within the relevant jurisdiction, is typically required for THMP status.

4.5.3. health claim

statement that describes the relationship between a food or food component and a disease or health-related condition

4.5.4. structure-function claim

statement that describes the role of a nutrient or dietary ingredient intended to affect the normal structure or function of the human body

Table 2. Common herbal preparations and their characteristics
Preparation type	Solvent/Method	Characteristics
Tincture	Alcohol/water mixture, maceration	Liquid, typically 1:5 to 1:10 DER
Fluid extract	Alcohol/water mixture, percolation	Liquid, typically 1:1 DER
Dry extract	Various solvents, evaporation	Solid powder, high concentration
Soft extract	Various solvents, partial evaporation	Viscous, contains residual solvent
Essential oil	Steam distillation	Volatile, aromatic liquid
Expressed juice	Mechanical pressing	Fresh plant liquid

Bibliography

[ISO 3696:2022], Water for analytical laboratory use — Specification and test methods
[ISO 5725-1:2023], Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results — Part 1: General principles and definitions
[ISO 9000:2015], Quality management systems — Fundamentals and vocabulary
[WHO Quality Control Methods for Herbal Materials], World Health Organization, Geneva, 2011. ISBN 9789241501829
[[[WHOGACP,WHO Guidelines on Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) for Medicinal Plants]]], World Health Organization, Geneva, 2003. ISBN 9241546271
[WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants], World Health Organization, Geneva, Vols. 1-4
[European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) Monographs], ESCOP, Exeter, UK, 2nd Edition, 2009
[European Pharmacopoeia 11th Edition], Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 2023. ISBN 9789287192006
[United States Pharmacopeia - National Formulary (USP 47-NF 42)], United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Rockville, MD, 2024
[FDA Guidance for Industry: Botanical Drug Development], U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research,
1. Revision 2
[Panossian A. & Efferth T.], Evolution of the adaptogenic concept from traditional use to medical applications: Molecular mechanisms of action. Phytomedicine 2021, 85 p. 153525. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153525
[Nieto J.A. et al.], Plant-derived nootropics and human cognition: A systematic review. Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 2022, 62(25) pp. 6957-6984. doi:10.1080/10408398.2021.2021137
[Garcia A.M. et al.], Effects of natural extracts in cognitive function of healthy adults. Front. Pharmacol. 2025, 16 p. 1573034. doi:10.3389/fphar.2025.1573034
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[Van Breemen R.B. et al.], The value and challenges of botanical reference materials. J. AOAC Int. 2018, 101(1) pp. 1-5. doi:10.5740/jaoacint.17-0398