The (cardio-)vascular system is essential for delivering vital nutrients and oxygen to all human organs, thereby contributing to maintaining overall health. The primary organs responsible for blood and nutrition circulation include the heart, intestines, liver, and kidneys. Specific traditional medicines in all cultures have long been used to protect and strengthen these organs generally based on culturally defined models of diseases prevention and maintaining health . Understanding the effects and mechanisms of such traditional medicines on blood and nutrition circulation is thus of significant interest to researchers in the field.

This Research Topic aims to address two primary questions. Firstly, the mechanisms whereby traditional medicines protect or strengthen the vascular system as well as specifically, the heart, intestines, liver, and kidneys according to traditional applications. Secondly, the mechanisms by which such traditional medicines enhance the function of the lungs, brain, skin, and bones. While such studies should address the questions from the perspective of traditional medical theory, the use of state of the art pharmacological models enabling an understanding of effects on the vascular system and maintaining homestais in key target organs is essential. These experimental studies need to bridge traditional medicine and modern pharmacological theories, providing a deeper understanding of their potential benefits.

This Research Topic seeks contributions that address the following themes:
- Experimental studies elucidating the effects and mechanisms of traditional medicines on the vascular system and maintaining homeostasis of the heart, intestines, liver, and kidneys.
- We encourage studies which minimise the use of animals and in general an experimentally integrated approach is encouraged combining in vitro with some selected in vivo models. Complying with the 4R rule (Reduce, refine, replace – responsibility) is strongly encouraged.
- Studies which involve solely in silico approaches like network studies are out of the scope of the journal since they are in pharmacological terms far too preliminary. Integrated studies using statute of the art pharmacological approaches combined with in silico studies may be considered if they help to understand mechanisms of traditional medicines in protecting or strengthening the vascular system.
- Larger intervention and clinical studies focusing on vascular health are welcome if they use well – defined preparations.

We invite submissions of original research, review articles, and methodological papers that align with these themes. Contributions should offer significant insights into traditional medicines and their mechanisms from both empirical and theoretical perspectives.
Please note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must follow the guidelines listed in this section:
• Please self-assess your MS using the ConPhyMP tool, and follow the standards established in the ConPhyMP statement Front. Pharmacol. 13:953205.’ WITH ‘Please self-assess your MS using the ConPhyMP tool, and follow the standards established in the ConPhyMP statement Front. Pharmacol. 13:953205.
• All the manuscripts need to fully comply with the Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology (you can freely download the full version here). Importantly, please ascertain that the ethnopharmacological context is clearly described (pillar 3d) and that the material investigated is characterized in detail (pillars 2 a and b).
Importantly note some specific points based on the above:
• The introduction must include a description of the topic’s background within an ethnopharmacological context and provide bibliographical references that illustrate the preparation’s application in traditional medicine or general healthcare.
• Small molecules exhibiting in silico or in vitro effects but without specific pharmacological targets do not fit with the scopes of this RT.

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