Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology 2345-5004 13 2 2024 04 01 Rethinking the basic action modes of herbal medicine and pondering classical standardization 163 175 10.34172/jhp.2024.48269 EN Azis Saifudin https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5282-0340 Muh. Akbar Bahar https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6582-5615 Muh. Haqqi Hidayatullah https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8572-738X Hisayoshi Norimoto https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1036-9736 Yasuhiro Tezuka https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9572-8680 Ken Tanaka https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6664-5360 Journal Article 10.34172/jhp.2024.48269 2023 09 22 2024 01 16 Over the past two decades, the secondary metabolite platform has determined the scientific direction of herbal medicines, while plant sources have been assumed to be the object of lead discoveries through bioassay-guided fractionation efforts. Nonetheless, the majority of purification programs have resulted in fractions and pure compounds with much lower efficacy than their parent extracts. It is then assumed that co-working action modes among chemical constituents occur in the herbal preparations. Primary metabolites (polysaccharides, peptides, and fatty acids) and mineral groups, on the other hand, have been neglected in the herbal effect contributions. This review aims to understand the interplay of secondary metabolites in herbal preparations, particularly how they interact with primary metabolites and mineral groups. Thus, by adhering to classical methods, it is possible to address certain aspects that modern standardization lacks, thereby facilitating a more comprehensive approach to these issues.