Cultural Barriers to Medicinal Plant use in Disease Management

Despite global reliance on medicinal plants for primary healthcare, cultural barriers continue to hinder their integration into institutional disease management systems. This study explores how cultural beliefs, mistrust in biomedical systems, and knowledge transmission methods influence the perception and utilization of medicinal plants, particularly among immigrant and indigenous communities. Focusing on Hispanic immigrants in the U.S., communities in Ethiopia, Suriname, and other ethnobotanical contexts, the paper identifies key obstacles such as language barriers, informal knowledge transfer, and perceptions of herbal safety versus scientific validation. It highlights the consequences of unregulated herbal use, including risky self-medication and herb-drug interactions. The research underscores the need for cross-sector collaboration between health professionals, policymakers, and traditional healers to foster responsible use and mutual understanding. Promoting culturally sensitive health education and respectful knowledge exchange can reduce misconceptions, improve communication, and pave the way for effective, integrated health systems. Keywords: Medicinal Plants, Cultural Barriers, Traditional Medicine, Ethnomedicine, Health Beliefs, Herbal Remedies, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).