The African Herbal Pharmacopiea 2 – towards evidence based product development

The African Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AfHP) was first published in 2010 by the Association of African Medicinal Plant Standards (AAMPS). This pioneering work aimed to establish quality control standards for 52 key African plants used in traditional and modern medicine. It also sought to promote trade in African herbal medicines by providing a reliable reference for their safety and efficacy. The publication was widely praised and served as a foundation for further research and development in the field of African medicinal plants [ 1 ]. In 2025, a new edition of the AfHP was released, marking a significant evolution from its predecessor. Unlike earlier regional or national botanical checklists, the 2025 edition goes beyond cataloging plants to include comprehensive information on their phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological properties. This shift reflects the growing emphasis on ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of herbal medicines, especially as their global market expands. The updated AfHP incorporates detailed monographs for numerous plants, covering aspects such as botanical descriptions, phytochemical constituents, ethnopharmacological uses, toxicity profiles, and trade information. It also addresses critical issues of identification and standardization which are key for regulating ingredients and products in the herbal medicinal products (HMP) industry. Furthermore, the 2025 AfHP aims to support efforts to integrate traditional medicine into national healthcare systems across Africa. It supports the development of an African pharmaceutical industry while safeguarding biodiversity and protecting against biopiracy. By providing standardized guidelines for research, manufacturing, and regulation, the AfHP aims to enhance the credibility and global competitiveness of African herbal products. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany