GA, the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (“Gesellschaft für Arzneipflanzen- und Naturstoff-Forschung”), was founded in 1953 in Bad Camberg, Germany, for the purpose of promotion and dissemination of medicinal plant research. Over the years GA has developed into an international scientific society with at present ca. 1400 members from 82 countries. The scientific interests of GA cover nowadays all aspects of medicinally used natural products like agricultural science, biology, chemistry, pharmacy, pharmacognosy, pharmacology and medicine.

Since 1953 Planta Medica is the official journal of the society. Its impact factor is 2.037 (in 2009).

GA organizes every year a large international congress on medicinal plant research in major European cities, and every 5 years joint meetings with related European and North American scientific societies. Besides, GA is setting up and supporting smaller symposia and workshops on specific topics related to natural product research.

 GA has established 5 permanent committees which elaborate and disseminate information on the following topics:

· Biological and Pharmacological Activities of Natural Compounds

·        Breeding and Cultivation of Medicinal Plants

·        Manufacturing and Quality Control of Herbal Medicinal Products

·         Regulatory Affairs on Herbal Medicinal Products

·         Young Researchers Workshops

Reasons for a Membership

·         To promote science and the dissemination of medicinal plant research.

·         To get informed on all activities of GA in first priority.

·         To join a group of people interested in the same field.

·         To get financial support for attending the scientific annual congress of GA.

·         To receive a financial discount in many areas related to GA.

·    To find the abstract book of the annual GA congress published in the members’ area of our homepage or to receive a free print copy on request in case you could not attend.

·       To subscribe to the journal Planta Medica at reduced subscription rates.

·         To become active in the planning of the future of GA.

Benefits of a Membership

·         Continuous information on activities inside and outside the GA by a newsletter twice a year.

·         Being on the mailing list of all congresses and symposia organized by GA.

·         Access to closed sites of the GA homepage.

·         Reduced fees at congresses/symposia of GA.

·         Travel grants for students or young scientists to attend the annual congress of GA.

·         Free copy of the abstract book of the annual GA congress for members who did not attend.

·         Reduced subscription rates for Planta Medica either in “print” or “online only” version.