In order to adapt to the environment, plants using the synthesis of phytochemicals to show the survival of intelligence. Due to the variety of plants and the difference of growth environment, different phytochemicals have different physiological functions, and they can be used in many fields of human society. The research and development of phytochemicals is to make better use of plant intelligence and tap the treasure of plant resources. At present, the functions of many phytochemicals have been well known, and they play an important role in the fields of R&D, beauty, health care and food. 

Ancient Greeks discovered that bitter powder extracted from willow bark can be used to relieve pain and fever. Modern scientists discovered that its active ingredient is salicylic acid and developed the world-renowned painkiller, Aspirin®.	The yew has been used by the American Indians as a recipe for treatment of inflammation since ancient times. In the 1960s, scientists discovered that its active ingredient was paclitaxel and developed a world-renowned cancer drug, Taxol®.	The Chinese ancient book “Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergency” records that Artemisia annua has the efficacy in treating malaria. In the 1960s, Tu Youyou , Zhou Weishan and other Chinese scientists discovered that the active ingredient is artemisinin and developed the best antimalarial drug,  Artemisinin®.

Other applications:

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Discover more treasures from plant intelligence

Since ancient times, plants have been the main material used by human beings to treat diseases. Researchers around the world continue to screen phytochemicals from a variety of plant extracts that can play a value in beauty, health care, food, drug R&D and so on. In addition, rare wild plants growing in the most difficult environment, they have overcome many difficulties and endure extreme conditions such as wind, drought, cold and so on, to adapt to the environment. Their intracellular phytochemicals application potential and value is certainly higher than others.

Snow Plants water retention, energy supply	Alpine plants UV damage, whitening, DNA repair	Desert plants UV damage, whitening, DNA repair, water retention	Coastal plants antioxidant, water retention

The function and value of phytochemicals is undoubtedly enormous, which has opened up a new way for us to a better life. However, human research on phytochemicals is still on the road, as many phytochemicals have not been discovered and been fully utilized. If we can dig this big treasure house in the future in a right way, it will have a far-reaching impact on the entire human society, which including the medical field, beauty field, food field, and even extend the life span of human beings. Plants have always been closely related to human beings. They silently contribute their own strength to human society. Phytochemicals are examples of whether they produce oxygen to meet basic life conditions of human or to meet human material needs.