Plants are the source of many active ingredients used for medicinal purposes. Examples include salicylic acid and caffeine, among others. These natural compounds are often provide a great basis for the discovery of new drugs.

Some examples of plants that have an effect on humans include:

• Fusarium pallidoroseum: the origin of apicidin, a fungal metabolite presenting antiprotozoal activity in vitro that may counter malaria factor Plasmodium berghei
• Taxus Baccata (yew tree): this can be used to extract Baccatin III, which is important in the production of some antineoplastic (anticancer) drugs
• Hericium erinaceus (lion’s mane mushroom): a fungus that shows some evidence of improving nerve and cognitive function, as well as protecting the mucus membrane layer of the stomach and improving symptoms of stomach ulcers. It is taken for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, depression, anxiety, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, although evidence on its efficacy for these conditions is limited