The first text ever written about plants in medicine is on clay. It comprises a set of tablets engraved with cuneiform letters and its writers, the Sumarians, compiled it some 3000 years B.C.

Thus begins the official history of phytotherapy, although it is known that in fact, man made very early use of plants, both as food and as remedies.

Since then, man has continued his unbroken quest for a knowledge of plants, their secrets and their beneficial properties. Nowadays, science is making such strides that new horizons are opening up for phytotherapy: new, cutting-edge scientific methods of gaining knowledge of the active principles of plants, the discovery of new properties, new and more convenient forms of use designed to suit the needs of modern-day life.

Plants have now become actual medicines.

		3000 B.C		:		The first known compilation, on clay tablets, of plant formulas listing up to 250 plant species (discovered in 1948 - Mesopotamia).
		1500 B.C		:		The Ebers papyri of the Pharaonic civilisations mention several hundred medicinal plants.
		400 B.C		:		Hippocrates, the illustrious Greek physician, seeks to explain the virtues of plants and writes the "Corpus Hippocratum", which deals with about 250 "simples" (the first plants traditionally used).
		1st century A.D		:		Dioscorides, another Greek physician, writes his famous "De Materia Medica", listing 600 "simples", destined to remain, for centuries, the reference work on plants.
		During the 2nd century		:		Galen, yet another Greek physician, codifies the use of plants and develops a large number of magistral formulations.
		15th century		:		Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama bring medicinal plants back from their voyages. People talk about the "Plants of the Discovery".
		16th century		:		Paracelsus defines the notion of an active principle. Research into plant morphology is performed in order to explain their therapeutic activity. People talk about the "Theory of Signatures".
		1980		:		ARKOPHARMA LABORATORIES founded. As early as 1967, Dr. Max Rombi a successful business entrepreneur took part in the creation and development of France’s N° 3 veterinary company, VIRBAC Laboratories. In 1980, he sells his shares in order to devote his time to his consuming interest: natural medicines and dietetics. He then set up ARKOPHARMA LABORATORIES.
		1981-1982		:		ARKOPHARMA: PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY ARKOPHARMA obtains status as a pharmaceutical company and markets a new galenic form of phytotherapy: the whole plant powder capsule. This is the start of the ARKOCAPS range.
		1985		:		INTRODUCTION OF NEW PRODUCTS, DEVELOPMENT OF FREEZE-GRINDING The company adopts a policy of diversification by marketing vitamins, minerals (creating the Azinc range) and its first dietetic products. ARKOPHARMA continues its expansion and becomes the incontestable leader in the field of phytotherapy in France.
		1986		:		In France, the Ministry of Health suggests regulations to cover Product Licences for plant-based patent medicines. ARKOPHARMA INVESTS IN RESEARCH ARKOPHARMA sets out immediately along this path, investing mainly in tachnicians and equipment in its Research & Development Department and from the very first year, it files 45 requests for Products Licences. Currently, ARKOPHARMA has 414 Products Licences in France and 650 in international markets.
		1987-1988		:		THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL SUBSIDIARIES ARKOPHARMA creates four subsidiaries abroad: Spain, Italy, USA, United Kingdom.
		1990-1991		:		TWO YEARS OF EXTERNAL GROWTH ARKOPHARMA gains a position in the homeopathic market by buying up LABORATOIRE D’HOMEOPATHIE FERRIER. It also takes over LABORATOIRES PHYTODIF, one of its main competitors in the field of phytotherapy and builds an additional 15,000 m2 production unit. In March 1991, it buys up ARKOPHARMA GmbH a German company distributing natural products.
		1993-1994		:		THE SLIMMING MARKET BOOMS ARKOPHARMA becomes n°2 in the French slimming market with Arkoline dietetic range.
		1995		:		INCREASE IN VETERINARY BISINESS A further external growth operation with the purchase of the ICC veterinary company.
		1996		:		INITIAL PUBLIC OFFER TO THE PARIS STOCK EXCHANGE SECOND MARKET ARKOPHARMA opens its capital to keep pace with its growth. Introduction on the Stock Exchange is a great success with investors. Take-over of LABORATORIES HOMEOPATHIE COMPLEXE (LHC). Builds 15,000m2 industrial premises and logistic equipments.
		1997		:		A NATURAL REVOLUTION: 100 % PLANT-BASED CAPSULES ARKOPHARMA is the first pharmaceutical company to launch the 100 % plant-based capsule. Very substantial increase in business on international markets (+ 50 %). Sales abroad account for 31 % of consolidated net sales.
		1998		:		GROUP’S DEVELOPMENT ACCELERATES INTERNATIONALLY Take-over of FRERE in Belgium. New subsidiaries: - Arkopharma Nederland - Arkopharma Ireland Ltd. A new policy of clinical development and communication with doctors, propels two of the Group’s products to the forefront: PHYTO SOYA, based on soya isoflavones, for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and EXOLISE, a patented tea extract for the treatment of excess weight. The company becomes a company with a Management Board and a Supervisory Board. Dr. Rombi assumes direction of the Supervisory Board and entrusts the Chairmanship of the Management Board to Colette Robert, who took part in the Group’s creation and development.
		1999		:		TAKE-OVER OF A LEADER IN THE USA: OAKMONT Take-over of OAKMONT in the USA (net sales = 46 M€ in 1998), a company well-established at the 6000 American points-of-sale the Health Food Channel and US leader in the polyunsaturated oils market.
		2000		:		ARKOPHARMA reaches its 20th "  birthday". Purchase of NUTRASENSE AUSTRALIA Pty. Ltd. (Net sales = € 2.7 m). This very well-known company, NUTRASENSE, will make it possible to hasten growth of the Group’s sales in Australia, New Zealand and also in South-East-Asia. Confirmed success for the Group’s leading products: PHYTO SOYA.
		2001		:		ARKOPHARMA set up a new pharmacy sales network in France. The aim is to market major launches in coming years, such as PLANTE SYSTEM phytodermocosmetics in 2002.
	2002		:		Launch of PLANTE SYSTEM Laboratories and the range of 16 phytodermocosmetic products.
	2003		:		Purchase of two new subsidiaries in Switzerland: PAD and Phyto Pharma Medica. Establishment of Arkopharma Canada. Success in France for 4.3.2.1 Minceur, a slimming drink based on 10 plants.
	2004		:		Mrs. Colette ROBERT is awarded the Veuve Cliquot prize for Businesswoman of the year 2004. International success for 4.3.2.1 Minceur, which becomes Group n°1 product.
	2005		:		New production unit in Italy goes on line. OPTIMAL NUTRITION range launched, a new and original range of food supplements.