<div>Ethnobotany, the study of human-plant relationships remain the foundational engine of herbal and natural product discovery, with traditional knowledge systems continuing to guide most medicinal plant breakthroughs despite advances in modern analytical sciences. This review integrates cultural pharmacopoeias, traditional preparation methods, cross cultural therapeutic convergence, Indigenous knowledge systems and the validating role of ethnopharmacology to position ethnobotany as central to future biocultural innovation. A systematic literature search (1995-2026) across major scientific databases incorporated peer reviewed ethnobotanical and pharmacognostic sources, applying comparative synthesis to trace plant selection patterns, therapeutic hypotheses, and safety frameworks while emphasizing Indigenous intellectual property rights and benefit sharing. Results demonstrate that ethnobotanical data reliably shape therapeutic interpretation, with independent traditions frequently identifying the same species for similar ailments, reflecting shared phytochemical activity. Pharmacological studies corroborate traditional uses of <em>Curcuma longa</em>, <em>Azadirachta indica</em>, <em>Salix alba</em>, and <em>Cinchona</em> spp., while landmark drugs such as Artemisinin, Aspirin, Morphine, and Quinine exemplify ethnobotany&rsquo;s enduring influence on modern pharmacology. Finally, ethnobotanical frameworks reinforce conservation ethics, promoting biocultural diversity and equitable innovation aligned with the convention on biological diversity.<br />
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Ethnobotany as the Foundational Framework for Herbal and Natural Product Research: A Comprehensive Review