The Institute for the Preservation of Medical Tradition (IPMT) serves a unique role in medical research: uncovering, organizing and making available to modern medicine ancient knowledge and therapies developed since the dawn of human history. The founders and directors of this enterprise, Alain Touwaide and Emanuela Appetiti are highly dedicated and experienced in their work. IMPT is housed in the Department of Botany at the Smithsonian where it serves as a research base for the investigation into ancient manuscripts, their organization and preservation, as well as a platform for teaching and building awareness of the potential value of ancient herbs and remedies in modern medical applications. The mission of this organization is not only unique but of great importance to the medical community.