Topical herbal remedies: research opportunities for plastic surgeons

The use of topical herbal remedies (THRs) among plastic surgery patients is rampant, sometimes indiscriminately, and expanding rapidly. Supporting scientific evidence is low, and most patients who use THRs believe firmly that being 'natural', these agents are 'safe'. The federal regulation of THRs is not uniform. The research potential of these remedies is underexplored, creating a vast opportunity for plastic surgeons to harvest its clinical benefits and help create a regulatory structure that promotes patient safety. This article delineates the critical aspects: essential steps in starting research in THRs, organisational structure to support this work including funding sources, intellectual property and patent protection, federal regulation and patient education and advocacy. These steps create a platform for plastic surgeons to pursue this research work and translate it into the clinical setting effectively.