Microbiome and phytotherapy

In recent years, the intestinal microbiome has developed from a marginal phenomenon to a central topic in immunology, metabolic medicine, neuroscience and oncology. Dysbiosis is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmunity and neuropsychiatric disorders. At the same time, the importance of active plant substances – dietary fibers, polyphenols, bitter substances, essential oils – as modulators of intestinal ecology is coming into focus. The article outlines the role of the microbiome in health and disease and highlights the extent to which phytotherapy and plant-based interventions intervene in this system in an evidence-based manner.