Because of historical development of its flora and the influences of different ecological factors, Serbia is characterised by the high level of specious and genetic diversity in medicinal plants. According to Sarić (Sarić, 1989), 700 species of our flora have medicinal features which is 19.65% of the total flora, and in official medicine 400 plant species are used, that represents 57% of the total number of medicinal plants; 279 medicinal plants or 70% of these are put into trade.

Under an apparent increase in negative anthropogenic influence onto the natural habitats, caused either by the changing of the purpose of habitats or by uncontrolled exploitation which often exceeded the capacity of the habitats a lot of medicinal species have become threatened. The most threatened medicinal species have been conserved as natural rarities and they are forbidden to be harvested. As for the rare medicinal species or the ones that grow at delicate habitats or at declining ones, and for that reason are being conserved or should be conserved, the harvesting and trade of them is limited or forbidden in the current year depending on the state of the population in nature.

The territory of Serbia is one of the important centres of medicinal plants. A lot of mountainous parts, canyons and gorges could be distinguished as very significant areas of medicinal plants. Lowlands are significant, as well. A special attention is paid to the plants with endemic and relict features and to species that have been listed for the national Red Data Book or for the Red List.