International Society for Ethnopharmacology (ISE)

The International Society for Ethnopharmacology (ISE) is the leading international scientific organisation dedicated to advancing ethnopharmacology through rigorous, evidence-based, and interdisciplinary research. Established in 1990 in Strasbourg, France, the Society was created to provide a structured academic platform for the scientific evaluation of traditional medicines and the responsible integration of Indigenous knowledge into modern healthcare research. Since its inception, ISE has played a central role in legitimising ethnopharmacology as a transdisciplinary field that bridges pharmacology, botany, toxicology, anthropology, chemistry, clinical sciences, and sustainability studies.

Through its official journal, the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, and its annual international congresses, ISE fosters global dialogue among scientists, clinicians, industry leaders, policymakers, and traditional knowledge holders. The Society promotes critical, analytical, and ethically grounded discussions on medicinal, food, and toxic plants, examining their historical context, cultural relevance, pharmacological properties, and contemporary applications.

The mission of ISE is rooted in interdisciplinary and increasingly transdisciplinary research that integrates the social and natural sciences. It supports respectful engagement with Indigenous communities, sustainable use and conservation of medicinal bioresources, and strict adherence to international ethical frameworks governing biodiversity, benefit-sharing, and research integrity. The Society actively encourages research into the physiological actions of plant-, animal-, and mineral-derived substances used in traditional healthcare systems.

Preservation and intergenerational transmission of traditional medical knowledge remain key priorities. Beyond publications, ISE sustains a vibrant global network through annual scientific meetings, collaborative platforms, travel grants, scholarships, and awards that stimulate high-quality research and international cooperation. Its congresses rotate across continents, reinforcing the Society's commitment to inclusivity and global participation.

In this global trajectory, ISE-SFEC-2027 marks the third International Congress of ISE to be hosted in India, reaffirming the country's pivotal role in shaping contemporary ethnopharmacology. The 12th ISE Congress in 2012, hosted at Jadavpur University, catalysed the formation of the Society for Ethnopharmacology (SFE-India), strengthening India's institutional engagement in the field. Returning to Kolkata, ISE-SFEC-2027 represents a strategic milestone consolidating India's leadership in translational ethnopharmacology, phytopharmaceutical innovation, AI-driven natural product research, and sustainability-oriented bioeconomy development.