Traditional herbal medicinal products: evolving the use of adaptogens and immunomodulators

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recognizes several herbal medicinal products for indications such as “mental stress and mood disorders” and “fatigue and weakness,” which include well-known adaptogens (e.g., Rhodiola rosea L. rhizome and Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer root, respectively), as well as herbal medicines for “cough and cold”, which include immunomodulators (e.g., Echinacea spp., Pelargonium sidoides DC. root) [ 1 ]. These products have clear therapeutic indications; however, their mechanisms of action remain complex and often non-specific, posing challenges for clinical interpretation and standard pharmacological modeling. This presentation aims to critically assess the evolution of scientific knowledge surrounding adaptogenic and immunomodulatory herbal medicinal products authorized in Europe. While traditionally used for stress resilience and immune support, these herbal medicines are now supported by a growing body of preclinical and clinical evidence. Recent studies have clarified the synergistic roles of individual phytochemicals within adaptogenic and immunomodulatory species [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ]. At the same time, emerging tools such as artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, and microbiota research are enabling a more integrated and rational exploration of matrix pharmacology [ 5 ]. This presentation will outline how these innovations are reshaping both the scientific evidence and regulatory perspectives surrounding herbal medicinal products, setting the stage for a new era in their safe and effective use in clinical practice. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany