First, the origin: the harmony and unity between man and the natural environment, which the ancients called "the unity of man and nature", also created the unity of yin and yang of the human body. Once these two "unifications" are out of balance, people will get sick. One of the mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine and natural medicine is to correct "imbalance", restore "balance" or achieve a new "balance".

2. Definition: Natural medicinal chemistry is a subject that uses modern scientific theory and technology to study the chemical components in natural medicines.

Third, the development stage:

1, the first stage: from ancient times to the end of19th century, natural drugs were used, most of which were pure natural drugs, such as organic acids, glycerol and morphine.

2. The second stage: at the end of19th century, the discipline of natural medicinal chemistry was really formed, such as the emergence of Bailang Duoxi and sulfonamides.

3. The third stage: In the 20th century, the chemistry of natural medicines developed rapidly, and a large number of chemical medicines were synthesized.

Since 4.2 1 century, natural medicinal chemistry has developed the fastest, and many disciplines have closely crossed, and more drugs with high selectivity, strong efficacy and stronger specificity have developed rapidly, such as the development of gene-targeted drugs.

5.2 1 century later (future).