Scientific tests on a range of traditional remedies have shown they have "real benefits", researchers say.
Experts from King's College London said the treatments from around the world had properties which may help treat conditions such as diabetes and cancer.
The remedies included India's curry leaf tree, reputed to treat diabetes.
However complementary medicine experts said full clinical trials would have to be carried out to confirm the treatments' benefits.
The researchers examined Indian diabetes treatments, Ghanaian wound healing agents and cancer treatments used in China and Thailand.
They suggest their findings will help local people identify which plants to recommend and could lead to potential new compounds pharmacists to study.
Posted by James at September 30, 2004 02:59 AM