Ethnographic data show that 750 species have been used as medicinal plants in Bulgaria, but of these 120 are predominantly applied. In the end of the 19th century, besides the traditional Rosa damascena, fennel, anise, cumin, poppy, etc. were cultivated for the needs of commerce.

The first experiments for cultivation and improvement of these crops were dated to 1907. By 1940 all basic essential oil and medicinal plants suitable for the conditions of Bulgaria were already introduced.

A special programme was established in 1977 by the Bulgarian Council of Ministries aimed at the implementation of "Basic Trends in Protection, Cultivation and Rational Use of Medicinal Plants in Bulgaria until 1990". In the frame of this programme over 60 varieties were bred and their cultivation was launched. According National Strategy of Biodiversity Conservation 38 species of wild medicinal plants are cultivated.

Regulations of the Ministry of Environment conferred on 35 wild medicinal plant species the status of protected plants: forbid the economic use of natural resources of 14 of them and imposed a restricted use regime on another 21 species (launching cultivation of 14 of them were recommended).