Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology 2345-5004 3 2 2014 04 01 The role of community in discovery of new drugs from herbal medicines 69 70 EN Amir Sarrafchi Mahmoud Rafieian-Kopaei EDITORIAL Medicinal plants are a good source of new drugs. An important approach in developing a new drug from medicinal plants is to examine scientifically the usage claimed in traditional medicine. Using medicinal plants throughout centuries provided valuable information that will be critical when they are evaluating as new drugs, because, the judgment on the efficacy and safety of a specific drug can rarely be found in the results of the scientific studies. In contrast, the scientific information published on toxicity and efficacy of a particular plant, resulted from some studies, together with the anecdotal evidence, can help whether it might be acceptable for medicinal use.