Recent advances in studies on Chinese medicinal herbs with physiological activity.

Medicinal plants with physiological activity studied in China during recent years are classified into three types: (1) drugs originating from traditional medicine and ancient prescriptions; (2) drugs originating from folk prescriptions or experienced prescriptions; (3) drugs originating from Chinese drugs with modified structures of the active principles and now in common use. The physiological activities are discussed in separate sections according to their therapeutic effects: nervous system; parasites; cardiovascular system; cancer; birth control; immuno-activity.